News 18:00

BULLETIN 1 December 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa sets a new completion date for the Khampepe commission to July 2026
# Paul Mashatile highlights TB and HIV progress on World AIDS Day
# And, the SA Weather Service warns of severe storms

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the deadline for the Khampepe commission to submit its final report in July next year. The judicial inquiry, investigating alleged efforts to stop Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases, faced delays due to a late start, outstanding documents, and a planned December-January recess. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the extra time will let the commission complete its work properly and give the country a full report of its findings:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says government is committed to improving treatment outcomes, especially for children receiving newer TB regimens, including a shorter four-month course. Commemorating World Aids Day at Ga-Masemola Stadium, Sekhukhune District, Limpopo, Mashatile marked 20 years since the introduction of life-saving ARVs, which have dramatically reduced HIV mortality and vertical transmission. He also noted South Africa’s role in the Global Fund Aid Replenishment Summit alongside the UK:

# The South African Weather Service has warned of severe thunderstorms affecting Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga, driven by high temperatures, strong moisture, and unstable atmospheric conditions. The storms have already caused heavy rain, rapid flooding, damaging winds, fallen trees, and large hail, particularly in the East Rand and Pretoria North, resulting in property and vehicle damage and disrupting traffic. Forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela advised residents to take precautions as severe weather continues to affect the region:

#  Pope Leo will be meeting leaders from Lebanon’s diverse religious sects today and is expected to urge Lebanese not to abandon their country despite years of conflict, political paralysis and economic crisis. Leo visited Lebanon’s Catholic community before hosting a dialogue with members of the Sunni Muslim, Shi’ite and Druze communities, as well as migrant workers and other Christians. The pope has urged Lebanon’s leaders to persevere with peace efforts in the aftermath of last year’s devastating war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, and continued Israeli strikes.

# Cricket: New Zealand is regarded as favourite in the Test series against the Windies that started in Christchurch tomorrow. It’s the Black Caps’ first venture of the new world Test championship cycle, ending in 2027. Veteran batter Kane Williamson returned to the Test arena after a year to strengthen the hosts’ line-up. He has a formidable record against the islanders, with an impressive average of 51.33 in 10 innings. Windies captain Roston Chase says the only way to quell Williamson is patience.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-10-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-63-cents and Bitcoin trades at 86-thousand-246-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-245-dollars-15-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-98-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….