News 17:00

BULLETIN 17 January 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ATM advocates for urgent economic reforms to tackle the soaring unemployment
# A Gauteng MEC encourages parents to take their children to township schools
# And tennis: Most top seeds progress at the Australian Open

# The African Transformation Movement has expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in unemployment rates in South Africa. It says this has been exacerbated by an education system that fails to impart skills aligned with the country’s economic strengths, such as agriculture and mining. ATM spokesperson Zama Tshona says in response to this multi-faceted challenge, the party is calling for a comprehensive approach aimed at revitalizing local industries and creating sustainable job opportunities:

# Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has urged parents to enroll their children in township schools, emphasising their role as a foundation for success. Amid challenges faced by parents seeking school placements, Chiloane cautioned against overlooking township schools.  He was speaking at Kgatoenhle Secondary School in Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, on the first day of the 2024 academic year. Chiloane highlighted the success stories of many South African leaders who received their education in township schools, encouraging parents to embrace these educational institutions:

# The ANC has issued a call for the immediate end of the United States’ occupation of Guantanamo Bay in the Caribbean. Under the 1903 Lease, the US has territorial control over the southern portion. The country exercises jurisdiction and control over the area as the site of the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile made this appeal during the sventh Africa-Cuba solidarity conference in White River, Mpumalanga. He emphasises the ANC government’s commitment to justice, internationalism, and democracy.

# Approximately 225 people have succumbed to starvation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region since July last year, with areas like Edaga Arbi and Adwa town severely affected. Humanitarian officials report that many of the victims are children and young people. The Early Famine Warning Systems Network warns the food crisis, exacerbated by drought and war, is on the brink of becoming a nationwide emergency by the middle of this year. Humanitarian analyst, Alex de Waal, cautions without prompt action, half a million people or more could die of starvation in the coming year.

# Tennis: Several top ten players were in action in the second round of the Australian Open today, with easy victories for local player Alex de Minaur, Jannik Sinner from Italy and Russia’s Andrey Rublev. Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece needed four sets to progress. In the women’s game, world number two Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus eased into the third round along with fourth seeded American Coco Gauff, who defeated compatriot Caroline Dolehide. The 19-year-old was happy to progress to the next round in Melbourne:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-6-cents and the euro at 20-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-15-cents and Bitcoin trades at 42-thousand-597-dollars-68-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-23-dollars-65-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-75-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….