News 16:00

BULLETIN 22 November 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa leads the United Nations’ list for sexual exploitation in peacekeeping operations
# A South African-led mission in eastern DRC is extended for a year
# And cricket: Many wickets fell on the opening day of the first Test between Australia and India

# South Africa leads the United Nations’ list for sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping operations. The UN revealed over 700 paternity claims since 2006, with 85-percent linked to military peacekeepers. Of these, 111 were claimed against South African troops. UN secretary general Antonio Guterres called on member states to address paternity and child support issues. He says South Africa vowed to work with the UN to resolve these claims:

Meanwhile, the Southern African Development Community has extended the mandate of the South African-led mission in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for another year. The mission, which includes troops from Tanzania, Malawi, and Burundi, aims to counter rebels of the M23 movement, who control over 60-percent of North Kivu. Despite international support, the mission has failed to register notable victories over the M23 group, which is allegedly backed by Rwanda. Sadec executive secretary Elias Mogosi confirmed that the mission will continue until December 2025, subject to review.

# Mr Price CEO Mark Blair has reported progress from recent tax changes targeting Shein and Temu, citing increased local complaints about higher prices on these platforms. Blair noted that Mr Price gained market share in five of the six months during its interim period, with total revenue rising with five-percent to 17.6-billion-rand. He also said even with the tax changes, Shein and Temu have taken root, and local retailers will have to adjust. Meanwhile, e-commerce saw double-digit growth in November, though it’s unclear if tax changes drove this.

# Cricket: Hosts Australia will resume their first innings on 67 for seven tomorrow after a low-scoring opening day of the first Test against India in Perth. India’s stand-in captain, Jasprit Bumrah, won the toss and decided to bat first, but the wickets started falling almost immediately and his team was dismissed for just 150. Nitish Kumar Reddy top-scored with 41 and Josh Hazlewood took four wickets. But Australia started even worse and at stumps, Alex Carey’s undefeated 19 was the highest score. Bumrah claimed four scalps.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-4-cents and the euro at 18-rand-77-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-56-cents and Bitcoin trades at 98-thousand-769-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-698-dollars-8-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-19-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Statistics South Africa reports a decline in civil debt cases in its latest survey for September. Civil summonses issued for debt fell by 12-percent in the third quarter compared to the same period last year. Civil judgments for debt also dropped by 6.7-percent year-on-year. StatsSA’s Onica Mushwana says judgment values totaled 298.8-million-rand, with money lent and services as key contributors:

Stay tuned for more news………….