News 12:00

BULLETIN 4 December 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A church leader’s bail application is delayed amid ongoing investigations
# The US Secretary of State says America is forging ahead with a new G20
# And Golf: New challenges await players at Sun City from today

# The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has postponed the case against International Pentecost Holiness Church leader Michael Sandlana to 6 March next year. He was not ready to proceed with his bail application. Sandlana and three others, including a Judge in the High Court in Pretoria, Portia Phahlane, face 19 corruption charges. The National Prosecuting Authority’s Lumka Mahanjana says Sandlana remains in custody, while the other three were released on bail under strict conditions:

Meanwhile, the DA in the Western Cape says government needs to take immediate and decisive action to ensure the safety of everyone who enters courts. Two people were shot dead outside the Athlone Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town on Tuesday. This incident follows a similar attack on 5 September, when a man was shot and killed outside the same court. The DA’s Benedicta van Minnen says courts must remain safe spaces for justice to be administered without fear of harm:

# US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says America’s G20 will propel the world forward with innovation, entrepreneurship and perseverance. America officially took over the G20 presidency from South Africa on Monday. Rubio says they intend to build a G20 that reflects “America First” priorities, while also welcoming partners that share similar economic and political values. He adds as the global economy confronts the changes driven by technologies such as artificial intelligence and shakes off ideological preoccupations around green energy, the US is prepared to lead the way.

# Golf: The Gary Player country club at Sun City in North West will present several challenges at the annual Nedbank Golf Challenge which starts today. This follows a number of changes that may reportedly have a huge impact on the outcome. Tournament director Ken Payet says 90-year-old Player had been instrumental in making these changes. He says they want to provide a great spectacle as well as a challenge for the participants. This year’s prize money is a whopping 102-million-rand, of which the winner will earn 17.5-million.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-5-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-120-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-191-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-74-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Insurance company Momentum urges South Africans to spend more carefully during the festive season to avoid financial pressure next month. The company’s Therèse Havenga says December celebrations often lead to overspending, leaving families struggling when school fees, debit orders return and rising costs at the start of the new year. She advises setting limits on gifts and outings, saving a portion of any bonus, and choosing meaningful, low-cost traditions.

Stay tuned for more news………….