News 12:00

BULLETIN 11 January 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Israel’s prime minister says they are fighting Hamas in compliance with international law
# The IFP calls on president Cyril Ramaphosa to act against minister Blade Nzimande
# And Soccer: Bafana Bafana is heading to the Ivory Coast for Afcon 

# Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country is fighting Hamas terrorists, not the Palestinian population, and they are doing so in full compliance with international law. His comments come as the International Court of Justice is set to hear South Africa’s case alleging that Israel is committing genocide in its war in Gaza. Netanyahu says Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population:

# The IFP says the most recent allegations against the minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Blade Nzimande, warrant swift action from president Cyril Ramaphosa. It is alleged service providers contracted by the scheme paid millions of rand in kickbacks to the minister, and Nsfas board chairperson Ernest Khosa. Both have denied the allegations. The IFP says Nzimande must now step aside, while all law enforcement agencies conduct a full-scale corruption investigation. It adds that the minister has never been fit for purpose.

# China has slashed import tariffs on South Africa’s rooibos tea by a significant 80-percent. The duties, now at six-percent, were previously between 15- and 30-percent. China is the seventh-largest market for South African rooibos tea. According to the Rooibos Council of South Africa, the country produces almost 20-million kilograms annually and provides employment for five-thousand people. The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition views the tariff reduction as a breakthrough in the Chinese market, signalling potential growth and opportunities for South Africa’s rooibos exporters.

# South African Airways says its flights to Perth, Australia, will be making a return on the 28th of April. Flights will depart OR Tambo International Airport three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, while flights from Perth are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. SAA CEO John Lamola says this route provides an easier and more direct passage for both leisure and business travellers, promoting trade and cultural exchange between South Africa and Australia.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana’s captain, Ronwen Williams, believes his team can go far at the Africa Cup of Nations. South Africa leaves for the Ivory Coast today after concluding their preparations with a training match against Lesotho behind closed doors in Pretoria yesterday. The tournament starts on Saturday with the opening game between the hosts and Guinea-Bissau. South Africa will start is campaign against Mali on Tuesday, followed by group matches against Namibia and Tunisia. Williams urges South Africans to support their team:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-61-cents and the euro at 20-rand-43-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-76-cents and Bitcoin trades at 46-thousand-266-dollars-84-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-32-dollars-85-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-91-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….