News 13:00

BULLETIN 17 December 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Please Call Me inventor rejects arbitration over a payout dispute with Black Rock Mining
# Cricket: Australia closes on 326 for eight after a century from Alex Carey in the third Ashes Test
# And the Teddy Bear Clinic warns of festive season child safety risks

# Please Call Me inventor Kenneth Makate has rejected arbitration with former legal funder Black Rock Mining, which is claiming 40-percent of his multi-million-rand settlement with Vodacom. Reports estimate the payout at between 353-and-748-million-rand. Black Rock maintains a valid funding agreement was signed with Makate, represented by businessman Christiaan Schoeman. It says the company was to cover all litigation costs in exchange for 40-percent of any eventual award. Makate disputes this, saying the agreement was cancelled, while Black Rock insists arbitration will proceed.

# The ANC Women’s League demands the implementation of the 50/50 principle with precision across all ANC structures. Spokesperson Boitumelo Moiloa says it’s very difficult to congratulate the newly-elected regional leadership in Tshwane, and many other regions where only one woman has been elected into the top five. She says they cannot continue to be quiet when patriarchy raises its ugly head within the ranks of their own organisation:

Moving abroad:

# Australian state New South Wales is considering the introduction of stricter gun laws following the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Premier Chris Minns told a news conference Parliament would return on Monday to consider urgent reforms, including capping the number of firearms allowed by a single person and making certain types of shotguns harder to access. The surviving gunman, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, is recovering in hospital and will face 59 charges, including terrorism and murder. His 50-year-old father, Sajid, was shot dead by police.

# Cricket: Australia reached 326 for eight in their first innings at stumps on day one of the third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide. Alex Carey scored his third century, contributing 106 off 143 balls. Usman Khawaja, who replaced Steven Smith in the line-up after he was ruled out due to illness, scored 82 off 126 balls. Jofra Archer was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets. England trail 2-0 in the five-Test series and must win to keep the Ashes alive.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-74-cents and the euro at 19-rand-61-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-32-cents and Bitcoin trades at 86-thousand-494-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-320-dollars-97-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 59-dollars-77-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children has urged parents to remain vigilant this festive season. Clinical director Shaheda Omar says children are not always safer at home, as most abuse is committed by people known to them. She highlighted to SABC News that alcohol, relaxed supervision and social gatherings are high risks. Omar urged adults to keep children within sight, and never let their guard down:

Stay tuned for more news………….