News 08:00

BULLETIN 21 January 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fikile Mbalula says South Africa did not breach any procedures in the BRICS naval exercises
# Eskom says the Koeberg units are temporarily operated at reduced power
# And, Donald Trump says he could use methods other than tariffs to take over Greenland

# ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has defended South Africa’s participation in the recent controversial BRICS naval exercises, which included Iran. Defence minister Angie Motshekga has ordered a probe after claims the SA Navy ignored president Cyril Ramaphosa’s instruction to withdraw Iran from the naval exercise, which also included Russia and China. Mbalula told the SABC that South Africa’s conduct did not breach diplomatic or security procedures:

# Eskom states that the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station continues to operate safely and securely, and that all necessary regulatory and operational protocols are being adhered to. This comes after power generated by the station was cut by almost 90-percent on Tuesday afternoon, after a fault on the transmission lines supplied from the Pinotage transmission substation near Stellenbosch. Eskom spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena, says neither of the nuclear reactors was affected by the incident:

# The EFF in Gauteng has condemned the deadly shooting incident that happened at the Booysens Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg yesterday, describing the incident as a barbaric act of violence. Two people were fatally shot, and three others were wounded, when gunmen opened fire on a group that was attending court. It is alleged that the incident is linked to criminal gangs and intimidation of lawyers and witnesses. The EFF says this incident is a serious attack on the criminal justice system, the sanctity of courts and the rule of law.

# President Donald Trump says the US will work out a plan for Greenland that makes both America and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation happy. He addressed the White House briefing room filled with journalists on Tuesday, which marked the first anniversary of his swearing in as the 47th president of the US. Trump suggested he could use tools beyond tariffs to acquire Greenland, adding that the people of Greenland will be on board with his plan once he speaks to them:

# Cricket: New Zealand selectors are sweating over the fitness of two players only weeks before the start of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Fast bowler Adam Milne was injured playing for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20, while allrounder Michael Bracewell sustained an injury during the third one-day international against India on Sunday. Allrounder Kristian Clarke had been added to the squad for the T20 series against India. The World Cup starts on 7 February, with New Zealand facing Afghanistan the next day.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-41-cents and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-5-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-144-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-829-dollars-48-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-72-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….