Breakfast Edition: 18 December 2015

MTN HEADING TO COURT OVER FINE: MTN has decided to approach the Federal High Court in Lagos against the Nigerian Communications Commission's 3-point-9 billion dollar fine imposed on the cell network. MTN is supposed to pay this before the end of the year, but the court action would put this on ice. MTN says in a statement, according to legal advice, the manner of the imposition of the fine and the quantum thereof is not in accordance with the NCC's powers under the Nigerian Communications Act and therefore there are valid grounds upon which to challenge the fine.   

LANDMARK RULING AGAINST SHELL EXPECTED:  In the Netherlands, a Dutch appeals court is to rule today whether the country's tribunals can hear a landmark case for damages brought by four Nigerians against oil giant, Shell. The four farmers and fishermen, backed by the Dutch branch of environmental group Friends of the Earth, first filed the case in 2008 against the Anglo-Dutch company. They want Shell to clean up devastating oil spills in four heavily-polluted villages in the west African country's oil-rich Delta, prevent further spills and pay compensation. 

MINISTER WELCOMES WAGE AGREEMENT: Back home, the Mineral Resources Minister, Mosebenzi Zwane has welcomed an agreement reached late yesterday between Impala Platinum and the NUM, following a two-year impasse.  The minister's spokesman, Martin Madlala explains that the agreement is seen as a landmark after two years of negotiation between the union, employer, CCMA and ministry officials. 

DA WELCOMES EDUCATION MINISTER'S COMMITMENT: The Democratic Alliance has meanwhile welcomed the Basic education Minister, Angie Motshekga's commitment to take decisive action against SADTU aligned officials implicated in the job-for-cash scandal. The minister yesterday said a task team had found that this practice was more wide-spread than they had anticipated and the investigation continues. The preliminary findings have also been handed over the police and national Prosecuting Authority. The final report is due later. Here's the DA's Gavin Davis.

TAKE CARE THIS FESTIVE SEASON: Traffic volumes are expected to increase today as Gauteng families leave for holiday destinations. Traffic authorities have again pleaded with motorists to drive extra cautiously and not to speed.  A 27-year-old man is to appear in the Hammanskraal Magisterial Court soon after he was arrested on the N1 north speeding at 211 kilometres an hour. The Gauteng Traffic Police's Obed Sibasa, also has a special plea to pedestrians.

STAR WARS WEATHER REPORT: Everyone is having a good time celebrating the new Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens - even weather-forecasters. British news channel "5 News" got in on the Star Wars action by having their weather woman give the weather for the UK with a slew of Star Wars puns.

FINANCIAL INDICATORS:

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