News 13:00

BULLETIN 27 January 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Saftu condemns government’s decision to deploy the South African National Defence Force in the DRC
# The DA demands an urgent probe into growing airport failures
# And tennis: Madison Keys improves to seventh in the world rankings after winning the Australian Open

# Union federation Saftu has reiterated its condemnation of government’s decision to involve the South African National Defence Force in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other conflicts. This comes after nine SANDF soldiers were killed in clashes with M23 rebels in the DRC last week. Saftu’s spokesperson, Newton Masuku, says instead of pursuing militaristic solutions, South Africa must advocate for a return to the principles of peace and diplomacy embodied in the African Union:

# The DA has called for a parliamentary hearing to address escalating airport service breakdowns. DA transport spokesperson, Chris Hunsinger says the recent fuel pump failures at Cape Town International and looming fuel shortages at OR Tambo highlight critical mismanagement. He urges Transport minister Barbara Creecy and the Airports Company to present a clear recovery plan, warning that ongoing instability threatens tourism, investor confidence, and South Africa’s economy:

# Agricultural organisation TLU SA says the controversial Expropriation Act is a serious attack on the foundation of property rights, threatening not only farmers but all South Africans. The recently signed law outlines the state’s procedure for land expropriation in the public interest. TLU SA’s Bennie van Zy, says government presents this law as an instrument for transformation, but the reality is that it will have far-reaching negative consequences for food security, investor confidence, and economic stability:

# Tennis: Madison Keys improved seven places to seventh in the world rankings after securing her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus is still number one, despite her loss to the American in the final in Melbourne. Iga Swiatek of Poland, American Coco Gauff and Italian Jasmine Paolini remains in the next three position. Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan improved to number five, followed by American Jessica Pegula. China’s Qinwen Zheng, American Emma Navarro and Spaniard Paula Badosa complete the top ten.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-54-cents and the euro at 19-rand-46-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-12-cents and Bitcoin trades at 99-thousand-48-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-763-dollars-33-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-34-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Mel Gibson’s first directorial film since 2016, Flight Risk, reached number one in its opening weekend in North American theatres. The action-thriller, which stars Mark Wahlberg, is about a pilot transporting an air marshal accompanying a mob-connected witness to trial. Second place went to Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King, which opened six weeks ago. Sony’s R-rated buddy comedy One of Them Days slid to third place with Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 remaining in fourth and Disney’s Moana 2 rounding out the top five.

Stay tuned for more news………….