News 12:00

BULLETIN 26 November 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Government launches new initiatives to address gender-based violence
# Rugby: The Blitzboks have clear goals for the season under the new coach Philip Snyman
# And FNB predicts three-billion-rand spending for this Black Friday weekend

# Government has launched new measures to tackle gender-based violence, including online protection order applications, better forensic labs, and improved court facilities for victims. The 16 Days of Activism for no Violence against Women and Children campaign was officially launched in Rustenburg, North West, and runs until 10 December. In his keynote address, deputy president Paul Mashatile said government also continues to support civil society organisations and victims through financial aid and psycho-social services:

# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to justice, peace, and self-determination for Palestine. He participated in the 47th United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Lamola says the only way to achieve peace is a two-state solution, where Israel will be able to exist side-by-side in peace with a viable and fully independent Palestinian state, within internationally recognised parameters:

Meanwhile, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has criticised the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, calling instead for their execution. The warrants target prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense minister Yoav Gallant, for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Khamenei labeled the leaders as criminals deserving capital punishment. Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah, continues to back their actions against Israel, intensifying tensions as both sides exchange threats amidst ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.

# Rugby: The Blitzboks have departed for the United Arab Emirates for the weekend’s start of the new world sevens series in Dubai, where they are the defending champions. The team ended the previous season on a high when they claimed bronze in the Paris Olympic Games, but could only finish seventh on the series log. Co-captain Impi Visser says they have clear goals for the season under new coach Philip Snyman, and apart from winning on the field they also want to be good people off the field.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-17-cents and the euro at 19-rand-3-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-78-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-374-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-617-dollars-8-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-56-cents a barrel.

# And finally: FNB forecasts over 19.5-million transactions worth three-billion-rand during the Black Friday weekend, boosted by payday timing and economic recovery. Digital payments are expected to grow by 40-percent, with online sales increasing by ten-percent. Retailers are optimistic about strong consumer spending, supported by interest rate cuts and two-pot retirement withdrawals. Meanwhile, analysts predict Black Friday sales could inject 88-billion-rand into South Africa’s economy.

Stay tuned for more news………….