News 18:00

BULLETIN 11 January 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ambassador Vusimuzi Madonsela appeals for the safeguarding of convention rights amidst Israel’s disregard
# Galp discovers oil in Namibia
# And Rugby: Andy Farrell is named the new head coach of the British and Irish Lions 

# South Africa’s ambassador to the Netherlands, Vusimuzi Madonsela, says Israel’s actions against Palestinians form a continuum of illegal acts since 1948. He addressed the the International Court of Justice in The Hague in the Netherlands as part of South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, who will present its oral arguments tomorrow. Madonsela warns of grave consequences, stressing the real risks for Palestinians in Gaza. He notes the court’s role in safeguarding the Genocide Convention’s integrity and advocates for action against Israel’s alleged disregard for international laws:

Meanwhile, Justice and Correctional Services minister Ronald Lamola affirms government’s commitment to achieving long-lasting peace in Palestine. He briefed the media outside the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands. Lamola notes president Cyril Ramaphosa’s repeated calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza. He also expressed gratitude for the legal team’s exceptional presentation that Israel is hellbent on wiping out Palestinians, and hopes justice will prevail in the court’s deliberations:

# Portuguese multinational energy corporation, Galp Energia, has successfully drilled and logged the first oil exploration well, Mopane-1X, off the coast of Namibia. Initial findings confirm a substantial column of high-quality light oil in reservoir-bearing sands. NamCor’s Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations manager, Paulo Coelho, confirmed drilling operation advances to explore deeper targets, with plans to relocate the rig to Mopane-2X for further assessment. Coelho has revealed Galp’s intention to analyse acquired data and conduct a drill stem test to determine the commercial viability of the discovery:

# Rugby: Ireland’s coach, Andy Farrell, has been named head coach of the British and Irish Lions for next year’s tour of Australia. The Englishman, who is the father of England captain Owen Farrell, succeeds New Zealander Warren Gatland who opted out after the Lions’ tour of South Africa in 2021. Farrell was Gatland’s assistant during the Lions series in 2013 and four years later. His role with the team will start in December this year. Farrell will prepare the Lions for 10 games, including a Test against Argentina in Dublin and three Tests against the Wallabies.

# And finally: South Africa’s world-famous Rosenkowitz sextuplets are celebrating their 50th birthday today. The three boys – David, Grant and Jason – and their three sisters – Emma, Nicolette and Elizabeth – became the world’s first sextuplets to be born alive on this day in 1974. The birth in Cape Town’s Mowbray hospital was a global sensation. The siblings’ parents, Colin and Susan, divorced in 1989. The sextuplets are living in all parts of the world now, and Grant congratulated his brothers and sisters on Facebook.

Stay tuned for more news………….