News 15:00

BULLETIN 21 November 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Foodborne illnesses prompt a national disaster classification
# Concerns are raised over sabotage and management in South Africa’s 100-million-rand satellite project
# And motorsport: Max Verstappen can clinch the F1 title in Las Vegas this weekend already

# The National Disaster Management Centre has declared a national disaster due to a surge in foodborne illnesses caused by poor food safety practices. Following 890 reported cases of foodborne illnesses, mostly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, the declaration mandates a multisectoral relief plan. Briefing the media, Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the government is working on a plan to tackle the crisis and improve food safety nationwide:

# Parliament’s portfolio committees on Science, Technology, and Communications have raised concern over the 100-million-rand space communication satellite project. The members highlighted the threat of sabotage during procurement and manufacturing, citing past incidents. The committees expressed support for the project as it aims to reduce communication costs by eliminating outsourcing. They emphasised, however, the need for a comprehensive business plan and ongoing oversight to ensure successful implementation.

# The DA has unveiled a plan to combat extortion entrenched in sectors like construction, transport, healthcare and mining. The plan includes creating a central intelligence unit, regional anti-extortion teams, and better support for victims. Briefing the media, the DA’s Ian Cameron calls for stronger partnerships with communities and better protection for people who report extortion. He believes this approach is key to stopping the harm extortion causes to businesses and vulnerable communities:

# Bayer, in collaboration with regulatory authority SAHPRA, has initiated the recall of Yaz Plus birth control pills, batch WEW96J, due to a packaging error. The company published the recall notice on social media, urging medical professionals to inform patients and ensure affected packs are removed from circulation. Some packs contain 24 hormone-free tablets and only four hormone tablets, making the contraception ineffective. Users are advised to check their packs and return affected ones for a replacement or refund. A formal statement is expected to follow with details on the recall process.

# Motorsport: Red Bull’s Dutch driver, Max Verstappen, can clinch the Formula One championship in Las Vegas this weekend already, and will then become only the sixth Formula One driver to clinch four titles. Before him, it was only Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel who could reach that milestone. Verstappen is currently 62 points ahead of McLaren’s British driver, Lando Norris, with just the races in Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi left in the season.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-9-cents and the euro at 19-rand-4-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-87-cents and Bitcoin trades at 98-thousand-219-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-672-dollars-59-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-62-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….