News 18:00

BULLETIN 9 January 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Umalusi confirms the integrity of the Department of Basic Education’s 2025 matric exams
# The Inkatha Freedom Party applauds premier Ntuli for supporting Mkhwanazi
# And, Russia hits Ukraine with a rarely used Oreshnik missile

# The Council for quality assurance, Umalusi, says no systemic irregularities were found that could compromise the credibility of the November 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations run by the Department of Basic Education. Chairperson Yunus Ballim said over 903-thousand candidates wrote at nearly seven-thousand centres nationwide. Of 68 subjects presented for standardisation, 56 were accepted representing 82-percent and reflecting system stability. He endorsed the withholding of results linked to irregularities:

# The Inkatha Freedom Party in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature applauds Premier Thami Ntuli for supporting Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to remain as provincial police commissioner. The party’s Blessed Gwala praises Mkhwanazi’s courage, integrity, and hands-on approach in tackling crime. He says the IFP believes retaining such leadership is vital for public safety, and called on all stakeholders to support continuity, adequate resources, and community participation to strengthen policing and restore confidence:

# Working on Fire director Trevor Abrahams says emergency services remain on high alert across the Eastern and Western Cape as wildfires continue to burn. He warns that hot and windy conditions have created a high-risk fire environment. Abrahams warns against open fires. More communities are expected to evacuate as residents of Die Kop informal settlement in Stanford have been ordered to evacuate. He confirmed no lives have been lost:

# Russia has used the Oreshnik ballistic missile as part of a massive overnight strike on Ukraine, which killed four people and injured 25. It is only the second time that Moscow has used the Oreshnik. President Volodymyr Zelensky says in addition, 13 ballistic missiles targeted energy facilities and civilian infrastructure overnight, along with 22 cruise missiles and 242 drones. Russia’s Defence Ministry says the strike was in response to a Ukrainian drone attack targeting president Vladimir Putin’s residence late last month, which Kyiv denies carrying out.

# Tennis: Nick Kyrgios will not compete in the singles draw at his home Grand Slam tournament, the Australian Open. He will instead focus on doubles while still recovering from injuries. The 30-year-old admitted he is not yet ready for the physical demands of five-set matches. Kyrgios was expected to be one of the three remaining wildcard recipients, but it went to three-time Grand Slam winner Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland and locals Jordan Thompson and Chris O’Connell. Kyrgios will now play doubles with compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-50-cents and the euro at 19-rand-20-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-414-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-494-dollars-22-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-69-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….