News 12:00

BULLETIN 28 January 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cosatu calls for more dedicated attention to the deepening crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo
# AfriForum urges minister Enoch Godongwana to increase tax credits on medical aid contributions
# And cricket: Jasprit Bumrah is named the ICC’s Test player for 2024

# Union federation Cosatu is calling for more dedicated attention to the deepening crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is undermining prospects for development in Africa. Nine South African National Defence Force soldiers, who were part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in eastern DRC, were killed in clashes with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels last week. Cosatu’s Zanele Sabela says workers, particularly in Africa, must unite against wars, looting of minerals, corruption and undemocratic governance:

# AfriForum is urging Finance minister Enoch Godongwana to abandon any consideration of scrapping tax credits on medical aid contributions in the 2025/26 financial year. The minister is set to present his budget speech next month. AfriForum’s Louis Boshoff says suggestions that National Treasury wants to scrap tax credits on medical aids and use them to help finance the National Health Insurance is unjustifiable:

# Construction has begun on the first phase of the three-billion-rand expansion of the port of Maputo’s container terminal in Mozambique. The project aims to position the port as a major regional shipment hub and is expected to double capacity. Key upgrades include a larger storage yard, a 650-meter quay, and deeper berths to accommodate post-Panamax vessels. The expansion is expected to supports regional trade, particularly citrus exports, create jobs, reduce costs, and position Maputo as a leading transshipment hub by 2026.

# The International Cricket Council has named Indian pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah as men’s Test cricketer for 2024. The 31-year-old feared his playing days were over after a lengthy back injury, but returned to the longest format late in 2023 and was the leading wicket-taker last year. He claimed 71 scalps with an average of 14.92. Bumrah says Test cricket has always been a format he holds close to his heart. Allrounder Azmatullah Omarzai of Afghanistan was named the ICC’s best one-day player for 2024.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-81-cents and the euro at 19-rand-62-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-39-cents and Bitcoin trades at 102-thousand-856-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-738-dollars-89-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-63-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Nineteen African penguins rescued after an oil spill between Hout Bay and Kommetjie in Cape Town, are currently undergoing rehabilitation. The source of the spill remains unknown, but the penguins were reportedly underweight and suffering from stress. Daily Marverick reports the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds is leading their rehabilitation, which includes washing and reconditioning their waterproofing. The efforts to clean and release the endangered birds are part of ongoing conservation efforts to combat the impact of oil pollution on wildlife.

Stay tuned for more news………….