News 13:00

BULLETIN 28 November 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Cachalia sets out a plan to professionalise the Police Service
# The death toll in the Hong Kong tower fire rises to 128 while 200 people are still missing
# And cricket: Cummins and Hazlewood will also miss the second Ashes Test against England

# Acting Police minister Firoz Cachalia says professionalising the Police Service is key to rebuilding public confidence and ensuring members operate without political influence. Speaking during the release of first and second-quarter crime statistics, Cachalia highlighted integrity as central to public safety. He confirmed whistleblower protections will be strengthened through legislation by the Justice Department, and noted that inquiries by the Madlanga commission and Parliament’s ad hoc committee will guide policing reforms:

# Aluma economist Frederick Mitchell says the economic implications of the strained relationship between South Africa and the US will likely emerge within 12 to 24 months. US president Donald Trump this week stated that South Africa will not be invited to the G20 leaders’ summit in Florida next year, claiming genocide against Afrikaners. Mitchell says South Africa faces a critical crossroad, whether to remain within the G20 framework or to carve out new paths in international trade networks. He says the need for diversified partnerships has never been more pronounced.

# Metalworkers union Numsa has turned down Eskom’s 3.5-percent salary increase offer, saying workers deserve better. The union is instead demanding a 15-percent across-the-board wage increase, a seven-thousand-rand housing allowance, and 80-percent employer contribution to medical schemes, amongst other things. Numsa’s spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, says their demands reflect the extraordinary contribution of workers who have delivered stability and profitability for Eskom:

Moving abroad:

# The death toll from Hong Kong’s worst fire in nearly 80 years has risen to 128 while about 200 people remain missing. The high-rise residential complex in the Chinese territory was engulfed in flames on Wednesday. The Wang Fuk Court development in the northern district of Tai Po consists of eight 32-storey towers. The city’s security chief, Chris Tang, told the media the fire alarms had not been working properly. Rescue efforts had now been concluded. At least 79 people, including 12 firefighters, were injured.

# Cricket: Australia will again be without captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the second Ashes Test against England, starting in Brisbane on Thursday. The pace bowlers still haven’t recovered from long-term injuries. The hosts have retained the same squad which won the first Test in Perth by eight wickets, and will again be captained by veteran batter Steve Smith. Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett will spearhead the pace attack. Cricket Australia says Cummins will again travel with the squad.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-14-cents and the euro at 19-rand-83-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-64-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-579-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-161-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-90-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….