News 16:00

BULLETIN 27 December 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ATM urges government to establish temporary refugee stations along the Mozambican border
# Germany dissolves its Parliament and confirms an early election date
# And, rugby: The Stormers make three changes to their squad for the coastal clash with the Sharks

# The ATM is urging the establishment of temporary stations along the South African-Mozambican border, ready to assist Mozambicans seeking refuge from the violence. The ATM’s spokesperson, Zama Ntshona says these stations should be equipped to register and accommodate those fleeing the unrest, ensuring that they receive the necessary support during this tumultuous time, with the Army, police, and Border Control enhancing security efforts at the border:

# The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre is calling on some of its other non-governmental organisation partners to assist with humanitarian relief as fire incidents continue to be reported in informal settlements. Spokesperson Sonica Lategan says structural fires remain a big concern across the metro. She urges residents to do as much as they can to mitigate the risk of fire in their homes or communities:

# German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolved Parliament and confirmed the expected February date for an early general election after the collapse of Olaf Scholz’s government last month. Scholz’s coalition was brought down by internal fights over how to revive Europe’s largest economy, but a deadly car-ramming attack at a Christmas market last week has renewed the country’s heated debates over security and immigration. Steinmeier confirmed the 23 February election date and emphasised the need for political stability. He appealed for the campaign to be conducted with respect and decency.

# Rugby: Fullback Warrick Gelant will play his 50th game for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship encounter with the Sharks in Cape Town tomorrow. There are three changes to the matchday squad that secured a crucial win against the Lions last week. The injured Leolin Zas is replaced on the left wing by Seabelo Senatla, while tight forwards André-Hugo Venter and Ruben van Heerden are included among the replacements for the last match of the year. Kick-off is at 5pm with a crowd of 40-thousand expected.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-71-cents and the euro at 19-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-49-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-688. Gold sells at two-thousand-628-dollars-27-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

# And finally, Sol Plaatje University researchers are proposing a four-thousand-rand social grant to alleviate extreme poverty in South Africa. The grant, targeting 25-million people, would cost approximately 115-billion-rand annually. The research suggests that linking the grant to work or public programme participation could boost GDP by 0.5-percent and reduce inflationary pressures. The proposal, designed under a budget-neutral funding model, aims to eradicate extreme poverty and encourage economic participation among the country’s poorest citizens.

Stay tuned for more news………….