News 12:00

BULLETIN 15 October 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Steenhuisen signs a landmark stone fruit trade protocol with China
# The EFF welcomes the Gaza ceasefire agreement with scepticism
# And Venezuela shuts its embassy in Norway following the opposition leader’s Nobel prize

# Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, and China’s General Administration of Customs, Sun Meijun, have signed a historic stone fruit trade protocol in Shanghai, China. With US tariffs squeezing exporters, this agreement offers huge potential, tapping into China’s strong market. The department’s spokesperson, Joylene van Wyk, says the opening of the Chinese market could unlock approximately 400-million-rand for the country over the next five years, a figure which is projected to double over the next ten years:

# The EFF says it cautiously welcomes the US-brokered ceasefire agreement in Gaza with a sense of historical scepticism. The first phase of the peace plan has seen the return of all 20 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the remains of four hostages. Approximately two-thousand Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel were also returned to Gaza. The EFF says the involvement of US president Donald Trump in brokering this deal raises concerns, as his administration’s track record does not inspire confidence in the long-term success of this peace initiative.

Meanwhile, the Freedom Front Plus says it is time for South Africa to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel, to demonstrate its sincere commitment to facilitating lasting peace in the Middle East. Government recalled the country’s ambassador to Israel, Sisa Ngombane, in November 2023 over safety concerns due to the deadly war. FF Plus leader, Corné Mulder, says the absence of an ambassador demonstrates an utter lack of diplomatic commitment to assist in resolving the conflict:

# Venezuela announced it would close its embassy in Norway after opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee in Oslo recognised her for her work promoting democracy in Venezuela, while president Nicolás Maduro called the 58-year-old laureate a demonic witch. The Norwegian Foreign Ministry called the decision regrettable and added the Nobel Prize is independent of the country’s government. Machado has for years been campaigning against Maduro, whose 12-year rule is viewed by many nations as illegitimate.

# Cricket: The popular Catch Two-million-rand returns in the fourth season of the SA20, starting on the 26th of December. This entails spectators who catch a ball with one hand in the stands, share prize money of two-million-rand after the tournament, while participants who play sponsor Betway’s Catch Game will see their winnings tripled. Commissioner Graeme Smith says the competition has become an integral part of the stadium experience and is a fan-favourite across the 34 matches. The final takes place on the 25th of January.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-27-cents and the euro at 20-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-10-cents and Bitcoin trades at 113-thousand-197-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-216-dollars-61-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….