WelkomCity Stad

17/01/2025

The police are appealing to the public to help find the mother of a newborn baby whose body was found on 25 September 2024 near Flamingo Lake on the R30 road.

The baby was covered with a pink top and a maroon cloth. The gender could not be confirmed as the body was already in an advanced state of decomposing. The police opened a concealment of birth case and the investigation continues.

Should anyone have information about the whereabouts of the mother, please contact Detective Warrant Officer Tshediso Nthaba of the Welkom Detective Services on 083 525 3771 or alternatively the Crime Stop Number 08600 10111. They can also drop an anonymous tip on the MySAPS App.

https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=58328

WelkomCity Stad FB Page | 17 Jan 2025

17/01/2025

TODAY 17 January 2025
WELKOM NEWS ALERTS AND UPDATES - JOIN THE CITY'S TELEGRAM GROUP HERE: https://t.me/WELKOM247Alerts
Have a Safe Day in the City of Circles!
=====================
>>POWER ALERT
Load Shedding Stage
=====================
#
===========================
WEATHER
Fri🌦️18|33°C☔️49%
Sat☀️19|34°C
Sun☀️20|34°C
Mon🌦️24|35°C☔️29%
Tue🌦️17|34°C☔️81%♨️
Wed🌦️14|28°C☔️40%♨️

Sponsored by LIBERTY Bloemfontein- Call Pieter Jacobs for all your financial needs and FREE advice on 072-4-888-666
[ Source: SAWS / People's Weather]
List Your Business on Welkom City Stad page Website

Nuus - Bron (https://www.facebook.com/nuusflitsnuus)
Vrou sterf dae na babaseun se geboorte
Thys en Junëtt Smit van Virginia in die Vrystaat se babaseun Juwan is op 3 Januarie gebore. Vyf dae na sy geboorte, op 8 Januarie om 02:15 die oggend, het Junëtt ‘n beroerte gehad en het intussen gesterf.

Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs se regspan wil video’s hê van partytjies
VSA. – Sean “P Diddy” Combs se regspan het gesê die video’s van beweerde “freak off” partytjies bewys die seksuele aktiwiteit was konsensueel en dat die aanklaers “seksisties” is.

Neil Gaiman ontken bewerings van seksuele aanranding
Die Engelse skrywer, bekend vir Good Omens, Neil Gaiman, het bewerings van seksuele aanranding en verkragting in ‘n onderhoud met die New York Magazine ontken.

Numsa staak na 106 Bidvest-werkers afgedank is
DURBAN. – Die werkersunie Numsa staak vir ‘n onbepaalde tyd by Bidvest SA se houerdepot in Durban na 106 werkers afgedank is.

Kaapstad is 'beste' stad in wêreld
Time Out, die Britse media- en gasvryheidsmaatskappy, het Kaapstad gekies as die beste stad in die wêreld vir 2025.

South Africa (Bron - SABC News)
Campus crisis: 337 158 matrics qualify for university admission but there are only 202 000 places
A record 337 158 matrics achieved admission to Bachelor studies, yet 19 universities, which News24 spoke to, can only accommodate 131 987 first-year students. The University of Johannesburg received 118 629 first-year applications for the Bachelor of Education degree but can only admit 772 students. Wits University received 16 214 applications for medicine, but it has only 257 places.

'BJ=?': Amid denials from Mbenenge, his accuser says he sent her 'private part' pictures, p**n
Eastern Cape High Court Judge President Selby Mbenenge has been accused of sending High Court secretary Andiswa Mengo WhatsApp images of his "private part". Mengo had initially asked for "a moment" and appeared emotional before she started giving evidence to the Judicial Service Commission conduct tribunal on Wednesday. She says she saved the images, which Mbenenge denies sending, and claims he also sent her a p**nographic video.

Beginning of the end: Steel industry fears catastrophic impact of ArcelorMittal plant closure
The closure of ArcelorMittal's long steel business has the rest of the industry worried about the broader impact. The "real damage" is expected to be seen downstream, where more than 100 000 jobs could be lost. ArcelorMittal's clients will now have to import long steel products, which currently attract import and dumping duties.

Gauteng lends North West fleet of pathology vehicles as zama zamas' bodies pile up
The North West government has brought in pathology vehicles from Gauteng, including a truck capable of carrying 36 bodies, to the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine in Stilfontein because of the large number of dead zama zamas being brought to the surface.

Alarm over fires, damage caused by 'religious' ceremonies in Table Mountain National Park
Cape Town residents say that there has been an increase in religious ceremonies in Table Mountain National Park, which is damaging to the environment and poses fire risks.

World (Bron - World News Reuters)
Rescuers seek last bodies in South Africa mine where 78 died in police siege
South African rescuers were making final efforts on Thursday to ascertain whether anyone was left in an illegal gold mine deep underground where at least 78 people died during a police siege, in what a labour union called a state-sponsored massacre.

Biden looks to relax Cuba sanctions in final days before Trump
The Biden administration said it would remove Cuba from its terrorism blacklist, while Cuba said separately it would release upward of 500 prisoners from its jails.

China critic Jimmy Lai paid US general to advise on Taiwan, Hong Kong court hears
Hong Kong democrat Jimmy Lai on Thursday told a court trying him for colluding with foreign powers that he paid a former U.S. general to advise former Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen in late 2017, but denied seeking to endanger China's national security.

How a TikTok ban would work - and why user workarounds won't
Social media app TikTok, which is owned by China's ByteDance, will be banned in the United States on Sunday unless a deal comes together to sell it to a U.S. investor or the U.S. Supreme Court intervenes.

UK's Starmer vows to put Ukraine in 'strongest position' against Russia
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday he would give Ukraine the support it needed to put it in the strongest position to fight Russia in 2025, saying before talks in Kyiv with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy: "We mustn't let up".

Indian space agency achieves satellite docking milestone
India became the world's fourth nation to achieve the feat of space docking, a technological milestone that underscores its ambitions to expand its share of a rapidly growing $400-billion global space market.

Israel strikes in Gaza kill at least 70 after ceasefire accord, residents say
Israel's acceptance of the ceasefire deal will not be official until it is approved by the country's security cabinet and government.

China imposes provisional duties on US, EU, Japan, Taiwan industrial plastics
China said on Thursday it would apply provisional duties on imports of industrial plastics from the United States, European Union, Japan and Taiwan after a months-long anti-dumping investigation.

Israel strikes in Gaza kill at least 70 after ceasefire accord, residents say
Israel's acceptance of the ceasefire deal will not be official until it is approved by the country's security cabinet and government.

Trump advisers concede Ukraine peace deal is months away
Advisers to President-elect Donald Trump now concede that the Ukraine war will take months or even longer to resolve, a sharp reality check on his biggest foreign policy promise - to strike a peace deal on his first day in the White House.

British lawmaker Amesbury pleads guilty to assault after punching passerby
A British lawmaker pleaded guilty on Thursday to common assault after he punched a passerby who he said had been threatening him while he was enjoying a night out.

The migrants on the frontline of Trump’s mass deportation plan
Blanca Figueroa and Severiano Martinez have known from the start of their eight-year marriage that she was at risk of deportation because she entered the United States illegally.

=============================
ERRORS AND OMISSIONS MAY OCCUR.
Compiled by our Mangaung Correspondent HESMBC & Our Cape Correspondent, Henca Morlé and Welkom Correspondent HJ / 17 January 2025
WelkomCity Stad FB PAGE . Sources: N24, ANuus & Reuter

17/01/2025

YOUR CITY'S WEATHER OUTLOOK FROM THE
South African Weather Service
-------------------------------------
Weather outlook for Friday (17 January 2025). Isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers in the central, and eastern parts with severe thunderstorms expected over the north-central parts of the country. It will be cool to warm, but hot in the west.
======================
WELKOM: 17 - 20 JAN 2025
Fri🌦️16|31°C☔️62%
Sat☀️18|34°C☔️15%
Sun☀️19|35°C
Mon🌦️22|36°C☔️38%
------------------------
BLOEMFONTEIN: 17 - 20 JAN 2025
Fri🌦️16|32°C☔️46%
Sat☀️16|34°C
Sun☀️18|37°C
Mon☁️23|37°C
----------------------
WelkomCity Stad FB Page

16/01/2025

16/01/2025

Volg die OOP skakel om die GRATIS berig op Netwerk24 te lees. Hierdie artikel lê voor die betaalmuur
SAPS WelkomCity Stad fans

Welkom-vrou (47) vasgetrek by apteek vir bedrog

16/01/2025

A woman (29) and man (32) are expected to appear today in the Odendaalsrus Magistrate's Court on charges of dealing and possession of drugs.

On Wednesday, 15 January 2025, members attached to the Welkom Anti-Gang Unit received intelligence-led information about a couple alleged to be selling drugs to children in Nyakallong, Allanridge. Information was operationalised and led the members to the identified house in Nyakallong where the pair was arrested. The police confiscated crystal m**h, mandrax tablets and money.

https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=58299

WelkomCity Stad FB Page | 16 Jan 2025

16/01/2025

TODAY 16 January 2025
WELKOM NEWS ALERTS AND UPDATES - JOIN THE CITY'S TELEGRAM GROUP HERE: https://t.me/WELKOM247Alerts
Have a Safe Day in the City of Circles!
=====================
>>POWER ALERT
Load Shedding Stage
=====================
#
===========================
WEATHER
Thu🌦️15|32°C☔️74%
Fri🌦️17|32°C☔️39%
Sat☀️18|34°C
Sun☀️21|34°C
Mon🌦️22|34°C☔️45%♨️
Tue🌦️16|33°C☔️28%♨️

Sponsored by LIBERTY Bloemfontein- Call Pieter Jacobs for all your financial needs and FREE advice on 072-4-888-666
[ Source: SAWS / People's Weather]
List Your Business on Welkom City Stad page Website

Nuus - Bron (https://www.facebook.com/nuusflitsnuus)
Senior offisier van Valke op klag van korrupsie gearresteer
GAUTENG. – Brig. Mapome Mohajane, verbonde aan die hoofkantoor vir die direktoraat vir prioriteitsmisdaadondersoeke (DPCI), oftewel die Valke, is vir beweerde korrupsie in hegtenis geneem. Na ‘n hofverskyning vanoggend is die beskuldigde borg van R10 000 toegestaan.

Verdagte van onder meer ‘haatspraak’ bly in aanhouding
GAUTENG. – Musa Khawula (33), ‘n sosialemediapersoonlikheid, bly in aanhouding nadat hy Dinsdag op aanklag van crimen injuria, kubermisdaad en haatspraak in die hof voorgekom het.

Pienaar-massaskietery – nog ‘n verdagte gearresteer
MPUMALANGA. – ‘n Tweede verdagte (43) is Dinsdagmiddag in Pienaar vir die skietdood van agt mense in hegtenis geneem.

Verdagte vir ‘ontvoering’ van seuns gearresteer
OOS-KAAP. – ‘n Verdagte (36) is gearresteer na twee seuns tussen 15 tot 17 glo op 9 Januarie in Dimbaza ontvoer is.

R50 000 beloning na vyf meisies glo by skool verkrag is
OOS-KAAP. – ‘n Beloning van R50 000 is uitgereik na vyf skoolmeisies glo op 30 Oktober 2024 by ‘n skool in Bityi beroof en verkrag is.
South Africa (Bron - SABC News)
First-day jitters: 1.2 million pupils to start primary, high school across SA
More than one million children are expected to start their primary and high schooling when the first term starts on Wednesday. A number of pupils still need to be placed in already overcrowded schools across the country. Overcrowding and gang violence are among the issues children must face as they take their seats for the 2025 academic year.

SA's biggest economic risks in 2025, from Trump to the ANC succession battle
SA begins the year with hope, possibility and trepidation, with some of the more optimistic forecasts having preceded Donald Trump's US election victory. Trump, and much else, can derail SA's fragile economic progress. Now, more than ever, the ANC and DA can't afford not to work together. Growth projections for 2025 are moderate, to begin with. The IMF forecasts 1.5% real GDP growth.

'A do or die situation': Most education experts welcome 87.3% matric pass rate
While most education experts have welcomed the matric pass rate, which increased from 82.9% in 2023 to 87.3% in 2024, some have expressed mixed reactions. Education specialist Qetelo Moloi said the matric pass rates are a result of desperate measures by pupils and everyone around them to compete for limited post-school spaces and opportunities. UKZN Prof Vimolan Mudaly said instead of rejoicing over the 47.8% bachelor pass rate, "we should worry about the 52.2% who will not be able to go to university at all".

'He tore my soul': Eastern Cape judge president's sexual harassment accuser breaks down
The chairperson of the tribunal investigating Judge President Selby Mbenenge expressed sympathy for the Eastern Cape High Court leader's sexual harassment accuser after she broke down during her evidence - but made it clear he had questions for her.

Sandton man charged with terror financing donated bitcoin to group that 'funded al-Qaeda'
A Syrian organisation to which a Sandton man donated R11 500 in bitcoin was investigated by US authorities for financing "al-Qaeda and affiliated foreign terror organisations" through the use of cryptocurrencies.

World (Bron - World News Reuters)
Mozambique's Chapo sworn in as president after disputed election
Daniel Chapo of Mozambique's long-ruling Frelimo party was sworn in as president on Wednesday at a sparsely attended ceremony after months of protests against his disputed election victory.

Biden looks to relax Cuba sanctions in final days before Trump
The Biden administration said it would remove Cuba from its terrorism blacklist, while Cuba said separately it would release upward of 500 prisoners from its jails.

South Korean investigators question arrested President Yoon in insurrection probe
Authorities have 48 hours to question Yoon after which they must seek a warrant to detain him for up to 20 days or release him. However, Yoon is refusing to talk, a CIO official said.

China gives a wary welcome to influx of 'TikTok refugees' on RedNote
The influx of more than 700,000 new users has been driven by a looming U.S. ban on TikTok, used by 170 million Americans, on national security concerns.

France's PM Bayrou weakened by Socialists' threat to back no-confidence vote
The prospects of French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's minority government surviving in the long term appeared slimmer after the Socialist Party raised the threat of backing a no-confidence vote on Thursday.

Kashmir's saffron growers experiment with indoor farming as climate pressures mount
Tucked in a valley beneath the snow-capped Himalayas of the Indian Kashmir region is the town of Pampore, famed for its farms that grow the world's most expensive spice - the red-hued saffron.

Negotiators resume talks on final details of Gaza ceasefire deal
If successful, the planned phased ceasefire could halt fighting that has decimated Gaza, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, and ease tensions across the wider Middle East.

Japan 'gravely concerned' about maritime tensions escalating, foreign minister says
Japan is gravely concerned about actions in the South China Sea that are raising tensions, and strongly opposes any unilateral attempt to change the status quo, its foreign minister said on Wednesday.

Israeli prime minister's office denies Hamas agreed to Gaza deal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office denied on Wednesday that Hamas had agreed to the Gaza ceasefire proposal from Qatari mediators, after an Israeli official said the Palestinian militant group had given its approval.

Trump advisers concede Ukraine peace deal is months away
Advisers to President-elect Donald Trump now concede that the Ukraine war will take months or even longer to resolve, a sharp reality check on his biggest foreign policy promise - to strike a peace deal on his first day in the White House.

UK house prices rise by most since February 2023, ONS says
British house prices rose at their fastest annual pace in almost two years in November, adding to signs of resilience in the property market despite high borrowing costs, official data showed on Wednesday.

China gives a wary welcome to influx of 'TikTok refugees' on RedNote
The influx of more than 700,000 new users has been driven by a looming U.S. ban on TikTok, used by 170 million Americans, on national security concerns.
=============================
ERRORS AND OMISSIONS MAY OCCUR.
Compiled by our Mangaung Correspondent HESMBC & Our Cape Correspondent, Henca Morlé and Welkom Correspondent HJ / 16 January 2025
WelkomCity Stad FB PAGE . Sources: N24, ANuus & Reuter

16/01/2025

City Water Update: 16 Jan 2025
MESSAGE FROM CITY COUNCILLOR [ DA ]
======================
Good morning, everyone. I would just like to find out if everyone's water is back. I understand that the water pressure will probably be a bit low, and some might have discolouration.

Mysteriously, after I had a phone call with one of the people working at Vaal Central Water, the water seemed to come back. We still have not received any communication from Matjhabeng Management or from VWC.

I will do my best to see if we can get clarification on this and better communication.

Source: City Councillor, Werner Janse van Rensburg [ DA ]
16 Jan 2025
----------------
WelkomCity Stad FB Page

16/01/2025

YOUR CITY'S WEATHER OUTLOOK FROM THE South African Weather Service
=================
FREESTATE: --------------- Partly cloudy, windy, and warm to hot, with isolated showers and thundershowers scattered over the eastern parts.
------------------------------
WELKOM: 16 - 19 JAN 2025
Today
30° 11°

Friday
30° 17°

Saturday
31° 18°

Sunday
32° 20°
--------------------------------
BLOEMFONTEIN: 16 - 19 JAN 2025
Today
33° 6°

Friday
34° 16°

Saturday
35° 17°

Sunday
35° 19°
---------------------------------
WelkomCity Stad FB Page

15/01/2025

CITY WATER UPDATE:
15 Jan 2025
----‐-
Report from the Municipality regarding the water situation across WelkomCity Stad.
------

Matjhabeng Local Municipality is still waiting for Vaal Central Water to report back to the City Manager and explain why the city has no water.

According to the municipality, not even they were made aware regarding the water cuts.

As soon as more details will become available the City will respond

Source: City Councillor Janse van Rensburg
( DA)

15/01/2025

Vista headlines 16 Januarie 2025

* Skole het rede om te spog - matriekslaagsyfer beïndruk
* E. Coli crisis in Allanridge
* Storm ontwortel Virginia
* Inwoners getraumatiseer ná tornado stad tref
* Damage in storm’s wake extensive

Enige VISTA aflewerings probleme?
Skakel Michelle Walker by Vista 057-357-1304
Contact info for Vista:
Editor: Marti Will
[email protected]
Tel: 074 238 5837
Om in VISTA te adverteer skakel 057-357-1304
Adres:
The Strip (Middestad)
Staatsweg 312
Kantoor 6
Welkom
WelkomCity Stad FB PAGE would like to thank Vista for supplying all the news headlines in this video
Please visit Vista FB PAGE for more updates.
WelkomCity Stad FB Page - Be Proud Be Happy & LOVE Your City
--------------------------------------------------------------
VIDEO PRODUCED BY WelkomCity Stad FB PAGE - Exclusively for WELKOM CITY/STAD FB PAGE & Vista
(Sources: Vista Newspaper / Netwerk24 / SAWS]
Vista News
GoldFM 104.3 Welkom
Enige VISTA aflewerings probleme?
Skakel Michelle Walker by Vista 057-357-1304
Contact info for Vista:
Editor: Marti Will
[email protected]
Tel: 074 238 5837
Om in VISTA te adverteer skakel 057-357-1304
Adres:
The Strip (Middestad)
Staatsweg 312
Kantoor 6
Welkom
WelkomCity Stad FB PAGE would like to thank Vista for supplying all the news headlines in this video
Please visit Vista FB PAGE for more updates.
WelkomCity Stad FB Page - Be Proud Be Happy & LOVE Your City

15/01/2025

TODAY 15 January 2025
WELKOM NEWS ALERTS AND UPDATES - JOIN THE CITY'S TELEGRAM GROUP HERE: https://t.me/WELKOM247Alerts
Have a Safe Day in the City of Circles!
=====================
>>POWER ALERT
Load Shedding Stage
=====================
#
===========================
WEATHER
Wed☁️17|32°C☔️49%
Thu☀️14|32°C☔️29%
Fri🌦️18|33°C☔️30%
Sat☀️19|35°C
Sun☀️20|36°C♨️
Mon🌦️24|37°C☔️20%♨️

Sponsored by LIBERTY Bloemfontein- Call Pieter Jacobs for all your financial needs and FREE advice on 072-4-888-666
[ Source: SAWS / People's Weather]
List Your Business on Welkom City Stad page Website

Nuus - Bron (https://www.facebook.com/nuusflitsnuus)
Pad gesluit waar vragmotor na noodlottige ongeluk brand
VRYSTAAT. – Die N6 tussen Smithfield en Rouxville is vir verkeer in beide rigtings gesluit, na ‘n ongeluk tussen ‘n vragmotor en minibus ongeveer 3 km van Smithfield af.

Baba agter huis gekry, ma gesoek
NOORD-KAAP. – ‘n Babaseun is op Maandag 23 Desember verlate agter ‘n huis in Jerusalem, Lerato aangetref. Galeshewe-GKS vra hulp van die gemeenskap om die ma of gesin van die baba op te spoor.

Verdagtes aangekeer na aanval en moord buite Parys
VRYSTAAT. – Twee verdagtes is Sondag gearresteer nadat Thema M***a (58) Vrydag gesterf en sy vrou vasgebind en aangerand is tydens ‘n aanval op die plaas Môrelig, buite Parys.

Aardbewing van 6.9 tref Japan
JAPAN. – ’n Aardbewing wat 6.9 op die Richterskaal meet, het Japan gistermiddag getref.
Die aardbewing was op ’n diepte van 23 myl en het grotendeels die Kyushu-streek getref. ’n Waarskuwing vir ’n tsoenami, wat intussen gelig is, is uitgereik en 11 stede in die Kochi-streek is ontruim. Japannese owerhede waarsku steeds dat mense naby die see versigtig moet wees. Dit is onbekend hoeveel skade deur die aardbewing veroorsaak is.
Bronne: The Sun, CBS News, Newstalk

‘Gesteelde’ bakkie van Pretoria-Noord na hoëspoedjaagtog in Limpopo teruggevind
LIMPOPO. – Die Westenburg-polisie het Maandag omstreeks 02:00 tydens patrollie inligting gekry van ‘n wit Ford Ranger-bakkie wat glo naby Hoërskool Kuschke opgemerk is. Met ‘n voorlopige ondersoek is bevind dit is by Pretoria-Noord as vermis aangemeld.

South Africa (Bron - SABC News)
Basic education deputy attributes record 87.3% pass rate to a maturing education system
87.3% of matric candidates - almost nine out of 10 of the class of 2024 - passed their exams.
The pass mark was 4.4% higher than the 82.9% achieved by the class of 2023. The Free State was declared the country's top-performing province after recording a 91% pass rate.

'Send me pics': Judge president sexual harassment inquiry told of indecent WhatsApps to secretary
Eastern Cape High Court Judge President Selby Mbenenge has been accused of sexual harassment by Andiswa Mengo, who works as a judge's secretary in his court. On Monday, a JSC conduct tribunal began its gross misconduct investigation into Mengo's accusations.
While the tribunal had ruled that parts of the hearing would be held in secret, it reversed this decision after Mbenenge dropped his opposition to a fully public inquiry.

Matric 2024: Pupil bags 7 distinctions despite dad being shot in hijacking on eve of English paper
Nicola McDonald from Holy Rosary School in Gauteng studied for her English exam in a hospital room while her father underwent surgery after being shot twice. She achieved distinctions in English, Afrikaans, history, life orientation, life sciences, maths and visual arts.
She has been accepted to study a liberal arts and sciences degree at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands.

Shell writes off R7.6bn in Orange Basin exploration - but Namibia's oil story isn't over
After drilling nine wells offshore of Namibia, the oil major said the finds are not commercially viable to develop. But it's not enough to kill the buzz around Orange Basin oil.

MKP's Des van Rooyen pushes for banking reforms to stop 'weaponisation of reputational risk'
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is not convinced changes to South Africa's banking laws are needed to prevent the "weaponisation of reputational risk", given the conduct standards for the banking sector.

World (Bron - World News Reuters)
Exclusive: Barrick to suspend operations in Mali after gold seized
Canadian miner Barrick Gold said it will have to suspend mining operations in Mali after the government seized gold stocks from the company's Loulo-Gounkoto complex and flew them out by helicopter over the weekend.

Peru judge throws out Keiko Fujimori's money laundering trial
A Peruvian judge on Monday threw out a money laundering trial that began last year involving former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori, who was accused of received illegal funds from a Brazilian construction company and local firms.

Impeachment trial of South Korea's Yoon adjourned after he does not attend
South Korea's Constitutional Court adjourned the opening session of the impeachment trial of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol within minutes on Tuesday, after the embattled leader did not attend court.

Economic woes not a deal breaker as China's Lunar New Year travel rush kicks off
The annual travel rush for China's Lunar New Year celebrations officially began on Tuesday, with many taking a mental break from their worries about the future to reunite with family or take a holiday.

Oil tanker sabotage crew were poised to cut more cables when caught, Finland says
Crew on board an oil tanker accused of sabotaging undersea power and communications cables in the Baltic Sea were poised to cut other cables and pipelines when Finnish authorities boarded the vessel last month, the head of the Finnish investigation said.

Dreadlocked Indian ascetics take holy dip in Hindu Kumbh festival
Scores of naked Hindu ascetics smeared in holy ash charged into the water of holy rivers in northern India on Tuesday, dreadlocks flying, during the first 'royal bath' of the Maha Kumbh Mela, or Great Pitcher Festival.

Gaza ceasefire deal close after 'breakthrough' in Doha
Negotiators will meet in Doha on Tuesday to finalise details of a plan to end the war in Gaza which has upended the Middle East, after U.S. President Joe Biden indicated a ceasefire and hostage release deal was imminent.

S&P lowers Nissan's outlook to negative, affirms BB+ ratings
S&P Global Ratings revised Nissan Motor's credit outlook to negative from stable and affirmed its BB+ rating, as it expected it would take the Japanese automaker longer to improve its business performance.

Gaza ceasefire deal close after 'breakthrough' in Doha
Negotiators will meet in Doha on Tuesday to finalise details of a plan to end the war in Gaza which has upended the Middle East, after U.S. President Joe Biden indicated a ceasefire and hostage release deal was imminent.

Tougher US sanctions to curb Russian oil supply to China and India
Chinese and Indian refiners will source more oil from the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, boosting prices and freight costs.

Drone drops into UK prisons a national security threat, says inspector
Drone deliveries of drugs and weapons into British prisons have become a national security threat, the country's chief prisons inspector warned on Tuesday, calling for urgent action to tackle thriving illegal activity inside jails.

Special counsel report found Trump engaged in ‘criminal effort’ to overturn 2020 election
U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith concluded that Donald Trump engaged in an "unprecedented criminal effort" to hold on to power after losing the 2020 election, but was thwarted in bringing the case to trial by the president-elect's November election victory.

=============================
ERRORS AND OMISSIONS MAY OCCUR.
Compiled by our Mangaung Correspondent HESMBC & Our Cape Correspondent, Henca Morlé and Welkom Correspondent HJ / 15 January 2025
WelkomCity Stad FB PAGE . Sources: N24, ANuus & Reuter

15/01/2025

YOUR CITY'S WEATHER OUTLOOK FROM THE
South African Weather Service
==================
FREE STATE: === Partly cloudy, windy, and warm to hot with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers over the eastern parts.
===============================
WELKOM: 15 - 18 Jan 2025
Today, Showers and Thundershowers
31° 17°

Thursday, partly cloudy
30° 16°

Friday, Showers and Thundershowers
30° 17°

Saturday, partly cloudy
31° 18°
----------------------------
BLOEMFONTEIN: 15 - 18 Jan 2025
Today, mostly clear
33° 13°

Thursday, mostly clear
33° 12°

Friday, Showers and Thundershowers
34° 16°

Saturday, mostly clear
35° 17°
====================
WelkomCity Stad FB Page

14/01/2025

URGENT TRAFFIC ALERT: FREE STATE

Motorists traveling on the route between Ventersburg and Winburg, please be advised of a critical incident:

A truck is currently on fire approximately 10 kilometers outside of Ventersburg, in the direction of Winburg.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are already on the scene. However, fire and rescue services are en route and require clear access to the area.

Road users, please make way for emergency vehicles. Exercise extreme caution when approaching the scene, and be prepared for possible delays. Follow all instructions from emergency personnel and traffic authorities.

Stay safe, and expect updates as more information becomes available.

South African Police Service
Free State Department of Health

WelkomCity Stad FB Page | 14 Jan 2025

14/01/2025

Eskom reveals load shedding outlook for 2025

Eskom said the average unplanned unavailability for this summer is about 11,500MW, which means no load-shedding is anticipated.

In 2024, Eskom reached a significant milestone by suspending load-shedding for nine months or 275 consecutive days.
By 13 January 2025, the national power utility has racked up 292 consecutive days with no load shedding.

South Africa has not experienced load-shedding since 26 March 2024, and the country has become accustomed to having a stable electricity supply.

Although this is the default in most countries, it is a luxury in South Africa, which has been plagued by rolling blackouts for fifteen years.
Eskom said this achievement resulted from its Generation Recovery Plan and enhanced maintenance protocols.

The power utility also used the December summer break to increase planned maintenance and improve the reliability of its generation fleet.

“The recovery plan significantly improved operational performance by reducing unplanned outages by 8.1% compared to last year,” it said.
Additionally, diesel savings of R16.20 billion year over year were recorded, which is about 65.1% less than the R24.89 billion spent during the same period last year.

Despite the good performance over the last nine months, Eskom’s 52-week outlook for 2025 still predicts a likely risk scenario where there will be a shortfall.

The outlook shows a “likely risk” scenario where Eskom will have a shortfall of over 2,000MW for most winter months.

However, Eskom explained that the unplanned unavailability assumption may be too aggressive in this forecast and will most likely not occur.

It said the average unplanned unavailability for this summer is about 11,500MW—about 1,500MW lower than the base case assumption for the Summer Outlook shared in August 2024.

“At this level of unplanned unavailability, no load-shedding is anticipated,” Eskom told BusinessTech in response to questions.
It added that the heightened risk indicated on the longer-term outlook is based on the Summer Outlook assumption for unplanned unavailability of 13,000MW.

“The unplanned unavailability assumption will be calibrated for the upcoming winter based on the summer performance,” it said.
Eskom’s official 52-Week Outlook is shown below. However, based on Eskom’s feedback, this is not the likely scenario.

Source: Mybroadband.co.za
WelkomCity Stad FB Page | 14 Jan 2025