News 17:00

BULLETIN 21 November 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The repo rate is cut by 25 basis points
# A Grade R learner dies from a suspected foodborne illness in Gauteng
# And the International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and Hamas leader Deif

# Die Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee has decided to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.75-percent. This follows yesterday’s announcement that inflation was at 2.8-percent in October – lower than the bank’s inflation target of between 3- and 6-percent. The rate cut means the prime lending rate will drop to 11.25-percent.

# The Gauteng Education Department has confirmed the death of a Grade R learner from Dumezweni Primary in Diepkloof, Soweto, while three other learners were taken to hospital with similar symptoms after consuming snacks. The police are investigating, and support services are in place. Department spokesperson Steve Mabona says MEC Matome Chiloane has expressed condolences to the family and wished the sick learners a speedy recovery:

Meanwhile, the City of Tshwane has launched a spaza shop registration outreach programme across all seven regions of the metro. President Cyril Ramaphosa gave directives for all spaza shops and food-handling businesses to be registered within 21 days. This is in a bid to address the deadly foodborne illness outbreak. Mayoral committee member for Economic Development and Spatial Planning, Sarah Mabotsa, says all spaza shop owners and food-handling businesses must take this opportunity to apply for registration:

# The DA calls for the public naming and shaming of high-profile extortion offenders to improve accountability and transparency. The party today unveiled its five-point anti-extortion plan to protect businesses, reduce crime and restore safety in communities. They argue offenders often evade justice through lengthy legal processes. The DA’s Dianne Kohler Barnard says publicising offenders’ identities would serve as a deterrent and signal a firm stance against corruption:

# The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif. The ICC alleges war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza war and October 2023 attacks. Netanyahu earlier condemned the move as antisemitic, while US president Joe Biden supported Israel’s right to self-defense. The court rejected two Israeli challenges to its jurisdiction, saying Israel’s acceptance of the court’s jurisdiction is not required.

# Cricket: Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah insists that India isn’t carrying any baggage from their Test whitewash by New Zealand and warns Australia that star batter Virat Kohli is looking ominous. India heads into the first of five Tests against Australia in Perth tomorrow on the back of their first home series loss in 12 years. Speedster Bumrah will captain the side after Rohit Sharma stayed home following the birth of his second child.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-7-cents and the euro at 19-rand-1-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 97-thousand-474-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-665-dollars-97-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-85-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….