News 15:00

BULLETIN 27 January 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Senzo Mchunu calls for enhanced police-community partnerships
# The PAC urges the acceleration of land reform
# And rugby: A veteran prop will miss Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England

# Police minister, Senzo Mchunu, has called for stronger police-community partnerships to improve crime prevention and public safety. He believes building trust between the police and communities is essential for effective crime-fighting. In his keynote address at the 20th National Police Day in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, Mchunu highlighted that a police service trusted by the public is more capable of addressing crime and maintaining order:

# The PAC has announced plans to table the Redistribution of Land Bill in Parliament to accelerate land reform. The bill aims to support individuals whose land was unlawfully taken, including post-settlement assistance. The party’s leader, Mzwanele Nyhontso, who is also minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, made the statement at the PAC’s three-day National Executive Committee lekgotla. He says the resolutions are expected to contribute to discussions at the cabinet lekgotla in Pretoria:

# Air Traffic and Navigation Services has warned that flight disruptions are expected at George Airport in the Western Cape today due to adverse weather. Corporate Affairs head Mphilo Dlamini says strong winds have made conditions unsafe for operations. Air Traffic and Navigation Services is monitoring the situation and will provide updates to airlines and stakeholders. Passengers are advised to stay informed about potential delays and cancellations.

Meanwhile, as South Africa braces itself for increasing climate risks, experts are urging stronger preparedness for extreme weather. Meteorologists have highlighted the need for adaptive strategies to safeguard communities against future climate-related disasters such as cyclones. News24 reports that the rising temperatures will exacerbate droughts, heatwaves, and water scarcity. The cyclones are anticipated in several parts of Southern Africa. The region has seen a 0.2-degrees-Celcius temperature rise per decade since 1991.

# Rugby: Veteran prop Tadhg Furlong will miss Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England. He injured his calf during the team’s training camp in Portugal and has returned home. Jack Aungier was called into the squad as replacement for Saturday’s match in Dublin. Thirty-two-year-old Furlong had been plagued with injuries of late and he couldn’t represent Ireland in any of November’s Tests. France and Wales kick off the Six Nations in Paris on Friday, and Scotland and Italy will do battle in Edinburgh on Saturday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-63-cents and the euro at 19-rand-58-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-30-cents and Bitcoin trades at 98-thousand-931-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-768-dollars-89-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-50-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….