News 11:00

BULLETIN 3 January 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa sends condolences to Japan after the deadly earthquakes
# The public is warned about fake Facebook posts impersonating minister Ndabeni-Abrahams
# And, ActionSA demands urgent cooperation for safe initiations in the Eastern Cape

# South Africa has offered its deepest condolences to Japan after a series of deadly earthquakes on the country’s west coast on New Year’s morning. The 7.6 magnitude earthquake has led to extensive loss of life and rising numbers of severe injuries in the aftermath of the earthquake. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, says South Africa’s prayers are with the people of Japan, particularly those who have lost loved ones. She also commended the tireless and continued efforts of the rescue and emergency personnel.

# The Ministry of Small Business Development has warned the public about numerous fake Facebook accounts impersonating minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. It says these accounts, with over 25 identified so far, aim to defraud and scam innocent citizens, particularly small business owners. Spokesperson Cornelius Monama says the department will never request upfront fees for accessing funding or business opportunities:

# The City of Cape Town says it’s Fire and Rescue Service responded to 736 calls incidents between Wednesday last week and New Year’s Day. Of these, vegetation fires accounted for 63-percent of all incidents. The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded two-thousand-982 incidents over the long weekend up to New Year’s Day. Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith says law enforcement officers conducted 171 operations, made 156 arrests and issued three-thousand-103 notices: 

# Action SA demands urgent cooperation for safe initiations in the Eastern Cape. The party wants health bodies, parents, communities, and Ulwaluko custodians to work together to protect young boys undergoing initiation. Spokesperson Luzuko Gedze says while cultural traditions such as initiation are respected, the alarming death toll underscores the need for collective responsibility:

# Soccer: Kylian Mbappe and his possible move to Real Madrid is expected to be the key theme of the transfer window that opens in Europe on Monday. Much attention will focus on Mbappe, who a year ago scored a hat-trick for France in the World Cup final only to finish on the losing side. Real Madrid are again the main suitor for the 25-year-old. It’s far from certain though, as the French as passionate about Mbappe. President Emmanuel Macron in June 2022 persuade him to stay at Paris Saint-Germain when a move to Real seemed certain.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-52-cents and the euro at 20-rand-30-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-42-cents and Bitcoin trades at 45-thousand-304-dollars-86-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-63-dollars-97-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-89-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….