News 17:00
BULLETIN 12 January 5 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Gaza residents were granted three weeks to evacuate prior to ground operations
# Stages 3 and 4 load-shedding will be implemented this weekend
# And Rugby: Carling is concerned over England’s best players turning their backs on the national team
# Israel strongly refutes South Africa’s claim that it gave only 24-hour notice for Palestinian civilians to evacuate Gaza. Israel insists at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, in the Netherlands, that the Israel Defence Forces provided three weeks’ notice, asserting South Africa is either misinformed or purposefully spreading a false narrative. Protests broke out outside the court as the case unfolds. Israel’s legal representative, Omri Sender, says 109 food trucks enter Gaza daily due to Israel’s humanitarian efforts:
Meanwhile, Israel’s legal representative, Christopher Staker says South Africa’s proposed provisional measures aim to halt the Israeli military operations in Gaza entirely, disregarding the legal requirement to protect the rights of both parties. The case addresses South Africa’s accusations of genocidal acts by Israel against Palestinians over the past 76 years. Staker warns Israel cannot suspend its Gaza invasion, as it could empower Hamas and lead to further atrocities:
# Eskom has announced an escalation of load-shedding to stage 3 and 4 from 4 this afternoon. Eskom acting spokesperson, Aubrey Sambo, says the decision is attributed to the shutdown of six generating units and delays in returning three generating units to service. Sambo says Eskom assures the public it is closely monitoring the power system and will communicate any necessary changes:
# Finance minister Enoch Godongwana says access to competitive international development finance for developing countries, is imperative to ensure a successful green transition. The minister is set to lead South Africa’s delegation to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, next week. Godongwana says government will also be tabling matching competitive financing for green transitions, and the Sustainable Development Goals in international financial institutions, and key global economic platforms such as the Group of 20.
# Rugby: Former England captain Will Carling is concerned because playing for their country seems not to be the pinnacle for players anymore. He reacted to captain Owen Farrell being linked to a move to Racing 92, while other players from England’s World Cup squad have also signed deals in France, mostly because of monetary reasons. This makes them ineligible for the national team. Carling says English rugby should ask themselves serious questions, while head coach Steve Borthwick already called for a rethink on the eligibility policy.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-60-cents and the euro at 20-rand-39-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 45-thousand-679-dollars-42-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-53-dollars-73-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-70-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….