News 11:00

BULLETIN 17 January 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says government’s partnership with business is focused on accelerating reforms
# TLU SA supports Solidarity and AfriForum’s legal action against the BELA Act
# And Netanyahu’s office says the ceasefire has now been finalised

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa must attract the substantial investment needed to help drive more robust and inclusive economic growth. The president met with ministers and senior business leaders to reaffirm the government business partnership’s commitment to achieving their shared ambition of significantly growing the economy. Ramaphosa says the focus for this year is on accelerating crucial reforms, operational improvements, and key interventions in the areas of energy, transport and logistics, crime and corruption, and youth employment. 

# Agriculture union TLU SA says it fully supports Solidarity and AfriForum’s legal action against the promulgation of the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment Act. The groups argue that the act violates previous agreements and disregards critical recommendations by Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube, particularly on language and admissions policies. TLU SA’s Bennie van Zyl says the legal challenge is a necessary move to curb government’s apparent abuse of power:

# The North West Department of Health has dismissed rumours it is struggling to cope with the increasing number of bodies of illegal miners from the Stilfontein mine rescue operation. Four forensic pathology facilities have been identified to handle the bodies. Since August, over one-thousand illegal miners have resurfaced, and over 80 bodies recovered. The department’s spokesperson, Tshegofatso Mothibedi, says they are collaborating with Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho to identify and repatriate the remains of foreign nationals:

# The office of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a deal has now been reached with Hamas in Doha, to release the hostages held in Gaza. Netanyahu had delayed a cabinet vote to approve the Gaza ceasefire deal, accusing Hamas of seeking last-minute changes to the agreement. The agreement, set to take effect on Sunday, would see a pause in fighting, and lead to the phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu says Israel is committed to achieving all the goals of the war.

# Tennis: Defending women’s champion, Aryna Sabalenka, is through to the fourth round of the Australian Open, continuing her bid for a third consecutive title at Melbourne Park. The 26-year-old Belarusian recorded a hard-fought victory over against 42nd-ranked Clara Tauson of Denmark. Eleventh-seeded Paula Badosa of Spain edged passed Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in three sets. There were also victoriess for Croatian Donna Vekic and Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. In the men’s draw, American Tommy Paul defeated Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-79-cents and the euro at 19-rand-33-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 101-thousand-446-dollars-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-713-dollars-95-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-53-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….