News 15:00

BULLETIN 16 May 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Naledi Pandor urges insurers to collaborate with global leaders on risk stability
# Parliament questions the NPA and Justice Department over Timothy Omotoso’s acquittal
# And rugby: Eben Etzebeth is fit to face the Scarlets tomorrow night

# Nelson Mandela Foundation board chairperson Naledi Pandor has called on insurance bodies worldwide to engage with global leaders to address escalating global risks. Speaking at the International Forum of Terrorism Risk Insurance Pools Conference in Cape Town, she emphasised the need for collective action amid rising violence, extremism, and climate threats. Pandor stressed that addressing these challenges requires inclusive strategies:

# Parliament’s Justice and Constitution committee has questioned the National Prosecuting Authority over its handling of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso’s case. The committee has expressed concern over the acquittal of Omotoso and his co-accused on 32 charges, including rape and human trafficking, following a trial that dragged on for years. The committee highlighted issues including inadequate cross-examination. NPA head Shamila Batohi acknowledged the shortcomings and cited potential errors in law during the trial:

# The DA has slammed the Correctional Services Department following revelations of multiple dangerous inmates escaping custody, including convicted murderer Xolani du Preez. The DA’s Nicholas Gotsell says the escapes expose a deep systemic failure and leadership collapse. Gotsell is calling for urgent parliamentary oversight after minister Pieter Groenewald admitted he was unaware of the incidents. Gotsell insists that public safety cannot be compromised:

 # Rugby: Eben Etzebeth has made a swift recovery and will play for the Sharks in tomorrow’s final United Rugby Championship league match against Scarlets in Durban. The Springbok lock hobbled off the field during last weekend’s victory over Ospreys, but it turned out to be just a leg knock. Emile van Heerden will join Etzebeth in the second row. Bok loosehead prop Ox Nché returns from illness, while Phepsi Buthelezi will wear the number eight jersey in place of Bok captain Siya Kolisi, who is rested.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-6-cents and the euro at 20-rand-24-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-2-cents and Bitcoin trades at 103-thousand-758-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-172-dollars-71-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-36-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A new study has found that nearly a third of antibiotics people take, which is about eight-thousand-500 metric tons a year, end up in rivers. This raises serious concerns about harm to aquatic life and growing antibiotic resistance. Researchers tracked 40 commonly used antibiotics and found pollution is widespread, even in places with little data. According to a journal, PNAS Nexus, amoxicillin was the most common, especially in areas with poor wastewater systems. Experts say better monitoring and improved treatment systems are needed to reduce the risks.

Stay tuned for more news………….