News 11:00

BULLETIN 12 January 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Amnesty International says South Africa’s case against Israel could offer hope for international law
# The Cape Forum says Ramaphosa’s attempt to scare grant beneficiaries, is reprehensible
# And, a new study proposes feasible funding for a basic income grant in South Africa

# Amnesty International says the International Court of Justice’s examination of Israel’s conduct is a vital step for the protection of Palestinian lives, and to restore trust and credibility in the universal application of international law. Yesterday the court heard South Africa’s arguments in which it accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza. Israel’s legal team is set to put forward their argument today. Amnesty International’s secretary general, Agnès Callamard, says the outcome of this case could also offer a glimmer of hope for international justice.

# Civil rights organisation Cape Forum has expressed concern about president Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent comments on social grants. The president has received widespread backlash for his comments claiming that social grants and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme would likely disappear should the ANC lose power in this year’s elections. The Cape Forum’s chairperson, Heindrich Wyngaard, says Ramaphosa’s attempt to scare grant beneficiaries is reprehensible:

# A new study has challenged the notion that South Africa’s finances cannot support a basic income grant, proposing funding through a 1-percent wealth tax and a social security tax. The Institute for Economic Justice and Applied Development Research Solutions estimates the grant’s cost at between 39- and 47-billion-rand between 2023 and 2025. Despite concerns about borrowing or tax hikes, the study suggests a wealth tax on the top income earners could alleviate poverty. The proposal comes amid debates on addressing inequality and could become a focal point in this year’s elections.

# The GOOD party in Nelson Mandela Bay has submitted a motion of no confidence in mayor Gary van Niekerk, as part of efforts to restore stability and ethical leadership in the municipality. Last year the mayor survived several motions of no-confidence votes. The GOOD Party’s, Janke Tolmay, says Van Niekerk has displayed escalating levels of incompetence, which has led to the significant deterioration of municipal affairs and a severe lack of ethical leadership:

# Cricket: Yorkshire Cricket CEO, Stephen Vaughan, has defended the decision to approve the controversial Colin Graves-led consortium takeover of the club amid a dire financial situation. Graves’ previous tenure at Yorkshire as chairperson between 2012 and 2015, was a period in which the club was fined for failing to address the systemic use of discriminatory or racist language. Vaughan told BBC that they spoke to more than 350 potential parties when seeking fresh investment but the Graves-led offer was the only viable option:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-61-cents and the euro at 20-rand-41-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-76-cents and Bitcoin trades at 46-thousand-24-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-34-dollars-95-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-18-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….