For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: Ramaphosa urges Israel to immediately implement provisional court orders; South African, Botswana Ministers vow to simplify trade; And, Nigeria reports 359 cholera deaths in first nine months of year

Ramaphosa urges Israel to immediately implement provisional court orders

President Cyril Ramaphosa today called on Israel to immediately implement the International Court of Justice’s provisional orders issued earlier this year, while he urged all parties to exercise restraint and to respect international law.

In marking one year since the start of an onslaught on Palestine - following attacks on Israel by Hamas - that has so far claimed more than 43 000 lives, Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the South African nation that government will, later this month, file a memorial, which is South Africa’s full substantive case based against Israel, on evidence, at the ICJ.

The memorial contains detailed evidence to prove that Israel is committing genocide in Palestine.

In December, the South African government brought a case before the ICJ regarding Israel's conduct in the Gaza Strip during the Israel–Hamas war, that resulted in a humanitarian crisis and mass killings.

Ramaphosa said the majority of those killed over the past year are Palestinian civilians, largely women and children, in the besieged Gaza Strip.

He noted Israel’s most recent attacks on Lebanon, which has resulted in more than 2 000 deaths.

South African, Botswana Ministers vow to simplify trade

The governments of South Africa and Botswana have committed to strengthening economic ties between the two countries and reducing barriers that impede the free flow of goods.

During a meeting between Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi and Botswana Trade and Industry Minister Mmusi Kgafela, the officials committed to establish a bilateral working group to resolve challenges for a more fair and open trading environment.

The officials discussed the promotion of trade and investment and committed to address the key challenges hindering the full potential of economic cooperation between South Africa and Botswana – which include non-tariff barriers, regulatory obstacles and market access issues.

Kgafela and Godlimpi also committed to improve communication between the two countries and advance beneficial investment opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture, transport and other service sectors.

And, Nigeria reports 359 cholera deaths in first nine months of year

More than 350 people have died from cholera in Nigeria in the first nine months of this year, a 239% jump from the same period last year, data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control showed today.

Cholera, a water-borne disease, is not uncommon in Nigeria where health authorities say there is a lack of potable drinking water in rural areas and urban slums.

NCDC said 359 people had died between January and September compared to 106 during the same period last year.

The number of suspected cholera cases also surged to 10 837, up from 3 387 the previous year, with most of those affected being children under five years old.

Lagos, the country's commercial capital, recorded the highest number of cases, NCDC said.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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