News 13:00

BULLETIN 12 November 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A low-key G20 presidency handover will take place to the US amid diplomatic tension
# Gunmen kill three security personnel in a suspected terror attack in Pakistan
# And rugby: Malcolm Marx says his Player of the Year award belongs to the team

# The director general of International Relations, Zane Dangor, says South Africa will likely hand over the G20 presidency to the US in Pretoria tomorrow. On Saturday, minister Ronald Lamola noted that since the US designated only a junior embassy official, South Africa would match the level with an equivalent representative following US president Donald Trump’s absence from the summit in Johannesburg. Dangor told Newzroom Afrika there will be no formal ceremony:

Meanwhile, president Cyril Ramaphosa says the success of the G20 leaders’ summit, together with the improving performance of the economy and growing confidence in the reform programme, shows that South Africa is a country on the rise. The summit concluded with a Leaders’ Declaration, which was adopted by an overwhelming consensus. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa says the country’s G20 presidency has been rooted in the conviction that the world needs more solidarity, equality and sustainability. He adds that government has reached agreements that will benefit every South African. 

# University of Johannesburg Professor Oscar van Heerden says Africa is more than a market. This comes as the African Union-Europen Union summit starts in Luanda, Angola, today. Speaking to SABC News, Van Heerden emphasised with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, the continent’s future depends on strategic decisions by African leaders. He urges governments to act decisively to showcase Africa as a serious, competitive partner in global trade:

# Suicide bombers targeted paramilitary headquarters in Peshawar, Pakistan, this morning, killing three security personnel. At least 12 people were wounded. According to officials, one attacker died after detonating explosives at the main gate of the complex near the border with Afghanistan. Two other bombers were shot and killed by police. Pakistani authorities have described the attack as a foiled terrorist plot. No militant group has claimed responsibility so far.

# Rugby: Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx says being named World Rugby’s Player of the Year is humbling. The 31-year-old beat compatriots Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ox Nché to the award, as well as France’s Louis Bielle Biarrey. The double World Cup winner is also the first hooker to win the award since Ireland’s Keith Wood won the inaugural award in 2001. Marx says this award belongs to the team as well:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-30-cents and the euro at 19-rand-94-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 85-thousand-993-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-71-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-60-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….