News 11:00

BULLETIN 18 September 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola is in America days after the Trump administration announced new visa restrictions
# Forty-nine people die in Nigeria after drinking an alcoholic concoction suspected to contain methanol
# And rugby: The Springbok Women are looking to put on a solid performance against Wales in Cardiff tonight

# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola is on a working visit to the US, where he will attend a series of engagements in Washington ahead of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. His visit comes just days after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new visa restrictions targeting South Africans accused of race‑based discrimination and uncompensated land seizures. Lamola, who has rejected Washington’s allegations, is set to attend a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation event and hold courtesy meetings with members of Congress.

# National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza has cautioned the ad hoc committee against straying beyond its mandate, saying it must speedily conclude its work and submit its report for adoption. The committee, investigating allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in the justice system, was granted a sixth extension last week. Didiza says it could conclude its work without reaching agreement on every issue, with areas of disagreement reflected in its report:

# The ANC Women’s League says there is a need for unity and collective action following the growing number of women murdered in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. It says the killings appear to follow a concerning pattern and have raised fears that a serial killer could be responsible. Secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba calls for a single, inclusive national memorial service to honour the victims and support their families and communities:

Moving abroad:

# Fifteen people have been arrested in connection with the deaths of 49 people who consumed a locally brewed alcoholic concoction suspected to contain methanol in Nigeria’s southern Ondo State. A total of 182 people are believed to have been affected. The state’s commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka, says authorities have intensified surveillance and contact tracing to identify the source of the poisonous substance. Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has enforced a nationwide ban on alcohol in sachets and small plastic containers.

# Rugby: Springbok Women captain Babalwa Latsha says the execution of their game plan will be key in beating Wales in tonight’s first W-15 Global Series match in Cardiff Arms Park. The two nations have played against each other eight times, with Wales winning six times, including the 2014 World Cup. Latsha says they have a particular plan and a way they want to go about countering Wales’ expected kicking game:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-22-cents and the euro at 18-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-69-cents and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-642-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-392-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 103-dollars-90-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….