News 13:00

BULLETIN 4 December 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# DIRCO is to present a new policy paper on Israel to cabinet next year
# Golf: There are high hopes for the 12-strong South African contingent at the Nedbank Golf Challenge
# And a raccoon breaks into a liquor store in Virginia in the USA and gets drunk

# The International Relations Department will submit a new discussion paper on Israel to cabinet early next year. Director-General Zane Dangor told Members of Parliament the document outlines South Africa’s legal duties regarding Israel’s violations of international law. Meanwhile, the EFF pressed government over delays in implementing a previous parliamentary resolution to shut down South Africa’s mission in Tel Aviv. DIRCO officials explained that although no diplomatic staff operate there politically, South Africa still maintains essential consular services due to travel requirements in the region.

# 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. National Prosecuting Authority’s Lumka Mahanjana says Sandlana remains in custody, while the other three were released on bail under strict conditions:

# The City of Tshwane says teams are continuing to respond swiftly to flood incidents, power outages and damage caused by the current severe weather conditions. The suburbs in Pretoria North have been most affected. Mayor Nasiphi Moya’s spokesperson, Zintle Mahlati, says over 100 weather-related incidents have been reported across the metro:

# Golf: Twelve South Africans are participating in the Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club in North West from today. Home hopes are high, with the group featuring a mix of experienced contenders and promising debutants. Six players, including PGA Tour winner Garrick Higgo and amateur star Christo Lamprecht, are making their debuts in the event with prize money of 102-million-rand. They join seasoned veterans like Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Thriston Lawrence, all aiming to become the first local winner since Branden Grace in 2017.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-4-cents and the euro at 19-rand-88-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-443-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-189-dollars-58-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A raccoon in Virginia in the US got as “drunk as a skunk” after breaking into a liquor store in the early hours of the morning. The Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter says after ransacking the shelves, the animal passed out intoxicated in the bathroom. It says after a few hours of sleep and no signs of injury, other than maybe a hangover and poor life choices, the raccoon was safely released back to the wild.

Stay tuned for more news………….