News 12:00

BULLETIN 7 January 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# ActionSA calls for urgent reforms of South Africa’s industrial policies
# AfriForum calls for urgent action over illegal border crossings amid the Mozambique crisis
# And Tennis: Defending champion Jelena Ostapenko reaches the last 16 in Adelaide

# ActionSA is calling for a comprehensive review and overhaul of South Africa’s industrial policies to ensure they are evidence-based and capable of addressing the country’s economic challenges. This comes following the announcement of the closure of ArcelorMittal’s operations in Newcastle and Vereeniging, which could result in the loss of three-thousand-500 jobs. ActionSA’s, Alan Beesley, says ArcelorMittal’s decision is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted flaws in South Africa’s industrial and economic policies:

# AfriForum is urging the South African Border Management Authority and law enforcement agencies to strengthen efforts to combat illegal border crossings from Mozambique into South Africa. Mozambique is reeling from violence and disruptive protests following its disputed elections in October last year. AfriForum’s Jacques Broodryk, says South Africa must take a multi-faceted approach to address this crisis including strengthening security at all ports of entry:

# Sales of new battery-powered cars plunged by 27.4-percent in Germany last year, as crisis hit the country’s flagship auto industry. Of 2.8-millions new vehicles registered last year, only 380-thousand-609 were electric vehicles, equivalent to a market share of 13.5-percent. After years of growth, demand for battery-powered cars in Germany has lost momentum since the withdrawal of government subsidies at the end of 2023. High prices for new electric models, patchy charging infrastructure and range limitations had also dissuaded many consumers from picking battery-powered cars.

# Tennis: Defending champion Jelena Ostapenko needed a set to get going but kicked up the intensity in a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 defeat of Magdalena Frech at the Adelaide International. The 17th-ranked Latvian, who won Roland Garros in 2017, will meet Madison Keys in the last 16 at the warm-up tournament leading into the Australian Open. American Keys crushed Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia, ranked four places above her, 6-2, 6-1.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-59-cents and the euro at 19-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-32-cents and Bitcoin trades at 101-thousand-694-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-643-dollars-89-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-90-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South African musicians Tyla, Kabza The Small and Makhadzi are among the artists nominated for the Trace Awards and Summit 2025. The ceremony, dubbed one of the most prestigious musical events on the African continent is set to take place in Zanzibar next month. Tyla’s Jump is nominated for song of the year, while Makhadzi is nominated in the best dancer category. Artists from over 30 countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and Europe are competing in 24 categories.

Stay tuned for more news………….