News 14:00

BULLETIN 14 November 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa confirms investigations into the Palestinian refugees’ arrival 
# Severe weather conditions are expected in most parts of the country this weekend
# And cricket: South Africa’s batting order collapses in the first Test against India

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the case of 153 Palestinian refugees brought to South Africa is under review. The refugees spent over 12-hours on a grounded plane at OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng yesterday before being allowed to disembark. Speaking in Kliptown, Soweto, Ramaphosa said Home Affairs, International Relations, and intelligence agencies are assessing their origins and documentation. He confirmed an announcement will follow once the matter is properly evaluated:

Ramaphosa also says he will hand over the G20 presidency to the US delegation, even if it means placing the documents on an empty chair should president Donald Trump or any US representative fail to attend next weekend’s leaders’ summit in Johannesburg. Ramaphosa stressed South Africa’s commitment to continued engagement with the US, calling the country a vital trading partner despite recent diplomatic tensions:

# The South African Weather Service says most parts of the country will experience severe weather conditions this weekend. This is due to an intense weather system and a cut-off low- pressure that is expected to affect the country from tomorrow through to Monday. Spokesperson André Fourie says a yellow level four warning has been issued for KwaZulu-Natal with severe thunderstorms and heavy rains expected. He says five provinces, including Gauteng and Mpumalanga, are under a yellow two warning:

Moving abroad:

# President Volodymyr Zelensky visited soldiers near Ukraine’s southeastern front and warned of the need to shore up the lines after losing ground in increasingly high-intensity battles against Russian forces. He says the situation near Orikhiv was one of the most difficult, and thwarting Russian forces there was key to shielding the city of Zaporizhzhia. Neither side has made major breakthroughs on the battlefield since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Moscow’s forces, which control 19-percent of Ukraine, have been on the offensive since late 2023 and have gradually edged forward.

# Cricket: South Africa’s batting order collapsed on day one of the first Test against India at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, being bundled out for a paltry 159. After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Proteas were on 57 for nil before a devastating spell by Jasprit Bumrah saw openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton depart swiftly. Bumrah finished with superb figures of five for 27, dismantling the middle and lower order. Markram top-scored with 31, while none of the other batters contributed significant totals.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-12-cents and the euro at 19-rand-88-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-50-cents and Bitcoin trades at 97-thousand-17-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-160-dollars-62-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-16-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….