News 11:00

BULLETIN 19 January 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Mbalula urges government and ArcelorMittal to prevent possible job losses
# TikTok stops working for US users but the company pins its hope on Trump
# And rugby: The Sharks reshuffle their team line-up for the final Champions Cup pool game

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula is urging government and ArcelorMittal to look into possible interventions to prevent the possible job losses that have been reported. ArcelorMittal announced it would shut down its Vanderbijlpark and Newcastle plants and railroad operations that will lead to job cuts of over three-thousand-500. Mbalula was speaking during the ANC first ordinary National Executive Committee meeting for this year in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni:

Meanwhile, the ANC Youth League has expressed deep concern over the ongoing de-industrialisation in South Africa, particularly in the steel sector. With recent plant closures expected to impact thousands of jobs, the ANC Youth League national spokesperson, Zama Khanyase, urges the government to take decisive action to secure strategic industries. She says that the league advocates for state ownership, enhanced industrial policies, and revisiting trade measures to safeguard South Africa’s industrial future and protect employment opportunities.

# Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya is concerned about abandoned government buildings in Pretoria CBD and surrounding areas. During a by-laws enforcement operation on Friday, they came across an abandoned building that is owned by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. Moya says last year, the city issued a notice to the department after dead bodies were found inside the building, however nothing was done to correct this:

# TikTok stopped working in the United States late last night and disappeared from Apple and Google app stores ahead of a law that takes effect on Sunday requiring the shutdown of the platform used by 170 million Americans. President-elect Donald Trump has said he would “most likely” give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban after he takes office on Monday, a promise TikTok cited in a notice posted to users on the app.

# And rugby: The Sharks had to make injury-enforced changes for their final Champions Cup pool game against Bordeaux Bégles in France this afternoon. Vincent Koch, Jordan Hendrikse and Makazole Mapimpi is out with injuries. Ox Nché has been named on the bench with Ntuthuko Mchunu taking his place and Trevor Nyakane replaces Koch. Grant Williams and Siya Masuku will start as the halfback pairing, while Yaw Penxe shifts to fullback, Eduan Keyter is moved to wing, Ethan Hooker takes over from Mapimpi on the other wing and Jurenzo Julius starts at outside centre. Kick-off is at 3 pm.

Stay tuned for more news………….