News 17:00

BULLETIN 21 November 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# G20: An analyst emphasises Cyril Ramaphosa is right to reject the US downgrade on the G20 Presidency handover
# BOSA says the gender-based violence crisis declaration is meaningless without action
# And Cricket: India’s captain is out of the second Test against South Africa

# The University of Johannesburg’s Oscar van Heerden says President Cyril Ramaphosa has made it clear South Africa will not be undermined after the US opted to send a low-level delegation to the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg. Ramaphosa refused to hand over the G20 Presidency to a chargé d’affaires, traditionally the lowest-ranking mission head. Van Heerden says the handover is a high-level ceremony, warning that bilateral tensions might escalate:

Meanwhile, the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says the G20 summit, including the African Union as a permanent member, highlights Africa’s global significance. She emphasised discussions on rules-based trade, climate resilience, food and energy security, and technological change. Von der Leyen also notes Europe’s commitment to fair, open trade, including a new clean trade and investment partnership with South Africa, supporting economic growth and job creation:

# Build One South Africa says president Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of gender-based violend as a national crisis is meaningless without action. The party’s Roger Solomons says BOSA urges him to make the Sex Offenders Register public to deter abusers and empower communities. Solomons says that a “national crisis” has no legal force and says gender-based violence should be declared a national disaster, which would trigger real resources, coordination, and accountability across government:

# RCL foods has recalled a selection of dry pet foods under its Bobtail, Catmor, Canine Cuisine, Optimizor, Ultra Pet, and Superwoof brands after they tested positive for elevated levels of a mycotoxin. The mould toxin can grow on grains such as maize and can generally saw pets refusing to eat if the are elevated levels. If ingested it could cause temporary digestive upset. The affected products, manufactured in May and June, should be returned to retailers for a refund or replacement.

# Cricket: India’s captain, Shubman Gill, will not play in the second Test against South Africa, starting in Guwahati tomorrow. He injured his neck in the first Test in Kolkata which the Proteas won by 30 runs. The medical staff warned of aggravating the injury if he plays. Rishabh Pant will lead the hosts, while top-order batter Sai Sudharsan is expected to take Gill’s place in the team. Play already starts at 5.30 in the mornings, South African time, because of early sunsets in the eastern city.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-35-cents and the euro at 19-rand-98-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-932-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-65-dollars-47-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-41-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….