News 06:00

NEWSFLASH NEWS AGENCY 16 November 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says South Africa is looking to partner with Qatar in the just energy transition
# Parliament’s standing committee on Public Accounts hears André de Ruyter’s intelligence report was based on unverified information
# And cricket, India defeats New Zealand to reach the World Cup final

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is looking to companies from Qatar to partner with South Africa as it implements the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan. He participated in a business roundtable in Qatar yesterday. Ramaphosa says there are opportunities now for partnerships in renewable energy storage technologies, such as battery manufacturing for energy grid systems and electric vehicles. The president added that Qatar has the experience, technology, and capital in the petrochemicals, natural gas, and energy infrastructure:

Play sound: ENG RamaphosaOnQatarPartnership

# Parliament’s standing committee on Public Accounts has heard how the intelligence report used by former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter was based on unverified information. Retired police Brigadier Jap Burger appeared before the committee yesterday. He was the designated police official dealing with the allegations by De Ruyter. The intelligence report alleged that networks of criminal cartels and mafias tied to high-profile politicians were sabotaging and milking Eskom dry. Burger says investigations within the police service are targeting runners and not the kingpins behind Eskom crimes.

# Trade union Solidarity warns of government negligence in disregarding public concerns over the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill. According to a survey by the union’s research institute, over a thousand Afrikaans-speaking parents strongly oppose the BELA legislation. The respondents express fears about the threat to Afrikaans, the negative impact on teaching quality, and the proposed shift of power from school governing bodies to Education Departments. Solidarity’s Johnell Prinsloo says the study indicates the deep mistrust of the state, including concerns about the government’s continued control over schools.

# Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is expected to present the findings of an investigative report concerning circumstances surrounding the death of a young learner, Sibusiso Mbatha. The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says the investigative report will be presented at Khehlekile Primary School in Tokoza to the School Management Team, School Governing Body, and the child’s family. An independent law firm was appointed to assist the department with its investigation. The 12-year-old apparently hanged himself after his teacher allegedly made homophobic comments against him:

Play sound: ENG-MabonaOnReport

# The Palestinian Authority’s Health minister, Mai al-Kaila, says the lives of 70 cancer patients are under serious threat due to a lack of treatment. Al-Kaila explains that approximately two-thousand cancer patients in the Gaza Strip are living in catastrophic health conditions. The director of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, Subhi Sukeyk, reports that essential medicines have run out, and specialised treatments, including chemotherapy, cannot be provided. Sukeyk notes that some patients have been transferred to Dar Essalam Hospital in Khan Younis, which offers basic clinical care.

# Cricket: Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami starred for India as the hosts defeated New Zealand by 70 runs in Mumbai to book their place in the World Cup final. Kohli scored 117 from 113 balls, a record 50th one-day international century, breaking former teammate Sachin Tendulkar’s record. Together with Shreyas Iyer, who made 105, they led India to 397 for four. In reply, Daryl Mitchell scored 134, but it was not enough as Shami took seven wickets to bowl out New Zealand for 327. India will face either South Africa or Australia in Sunday’s final.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-18-cents and the euro at 19-rand-74-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-58-cents and Bitcoin trades at 37-thousand-763-dollars-6-cents. Gold sells at one-thousand-958-dollars-68-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-75-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….