News 08:00

BULLETIN 4 February 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Electoral Commission declares successful first day of second voter registration weekend
# Iraq warns the Middle East is on the brink of the abyss after reports of 40 killed
# And, soccer: Ronwen Williams puts Bafana in Afcon semi-finals

# The Electoral Commission’s deputy CEO, Masego Sheburi, says the second registration weekend for the imminent 2024 national and provincial elections got off to a good start. Sebhuri provided an update on progress made on the first day. He says within five hours of the registration process getting underway yesterday, a seamless start was reported. Over 99-percent of stations were operational within minutes of the 8 am start time:

Staying with the elections: The Freedom Front Plus says the amended proposed regulations for the Equal Employment Amendment Act announced in the government gazette are nothing but an election gimmick by the ANC. The party’s Heloïse Denner says the hollow-backed horse of apartheid is harnessed in this way again in front of the ANC electoral wagon. She adds the calibrated ideological political message to voters is that the ANC government is going to correct the injustice of the past that caused apartheid through this law:

# US strikes on 85 targets at seven facilities across Syria and Iraq as part of retaliatory attacks in response to the deaths of three American soldiers in Jordan has reportedly killed at least 40 people. The Independent reports Iraq condemned the attacks as a new aggression against its sovereignty. The US used over 125 precision munitions to strike command and control operation centres, intelligence centres, rockets and missiles used by Iran-backed militias. Iraq warns the attacks will only heighten tensions in the region where the stakes are already high.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana are through to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations thanks to heroic goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams. The South Africans edged out Cape Verde 2-1 in a tense penalty shootout to reach the last four for the first time since 2000. Both teams failed to score in 120 minutes last night. Williams saved the day, stopping four spot kicks to give his team the victory. On Wednesday, Bafana will face Nigeria, who are in high spirits after beating Angola in their quarter-final clash.

# And finally: Pick n Pay is recalling No Name Smooth Peanut Butter, Eden Smooth Peanut Butter and Eden Crunch Peanut Butter, which are sold throughout the country. The retailer says all stocks of these products have already been removed from all stores countrywide. Customers who have bought these products are urged to return them for a full refund, regardless of the expiry date or whether products have been opened or not. No other peanut butter brand is involved in the recall.

Stay tuned for more news………….