News 17:00
BULLETIN 20 November 5 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Transnet says it could take up to 15 weeks to clear the Durban port backlog
# An organisation calls for overcrowding in prisons to be reduced
# And Cricket: Australia’s two final heroes weren’t even supposed to play in the World Cup
# Transnet estimates it will take seven to 15 weeks to clear the 63 vessels anchored off the port of Durban, causing delays that may impact the Christmas rush for importers. Plans are being made to speed up container handling at Durban container terminals Piers 1 and 2. The plans include ramping up container handling capacities and addressing short-term challenges. The backlog is affecting regional trade, with a recent border clash at the Lebombo border crossing and increased use of alternative ports. Transnet is negotiating congestion surcharge fee releases with shipping lines.
# The South African Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights has raised concerns about the persistent challenge of overcrowding in prisons. With the current inmate population exceeding 212-thousand, the organisation’s founder, Golden Miles Bhudu, expresses concern over the impact on inmate health and security. Bhudu attributes these issues to ongoing understaffing in prisons, emphasising that the overcrowded conditions are inhumane and violate prisoners’ rights. He says that the situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in the prison system:
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# Employment and Labour minister Thulas Nxesi says poverty and inadequate access to education in rural farming communities are compelling some young people to engage in child labour. The agricultural sector, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, witnesses a notable number of underage workers. Nxesi addressed these concerns during the launch of the Prevention and Elimination of Child Labour in Sandton, emphasising the need to tackle these challenges and eliminate child labour:
# Cricket: Australia’s two heroes in the World Cup final against India weren’t even expecting to play in the tournament. Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne shared a match-winning partnership of 192 runs to help their country beat hosts India by six wickets and clinch the trophy for a record sixth time. Head broke his hand just two weeks before the start of the tournament, while Labuschagne was only brought in when teammates got injured. Head was named player of the match for his 137 runs, while Labuschagne contributed an unbeaten 58.
# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-43-cents and the euro at 20-rand-14-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand and Bitcoin trades at 37-thousand-132-dollars-35-cents. Gold sells at one-thousand-966-dollars-38-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-36-cents a barrel.
# And finally: A new artificial intelligence medical treatment is undergoing mid-stage trials in the United States and China. Insilico therapy represents the world’s first fully A-I-based pre-clinical candidate targeting idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung disease. Results of this algorithms drug are anticipated in 2025. Researchers at UK-based Deep Pharma Intelligence assert that its success could pave the way for new and more cost-effective A-I therapies, saving lives and reducing costs for health systems. However, there is still no evidence that this technology can generate life-saving therapies.
Stay tuned for more news………….