News 18:00

BULLETIN 16 February 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Israel accuses South Africa of manipulating the International Court of Justice in response to Hamas
# The DNA backlog drops to zero from 251-thousand
# And Rugby: The Bulls’ Bok wingers will face the Lions at Ellis Park 

# Israel has accused South Africa of manipulating the International Court of Justice to safeguard Hamas in the wake of Israel’s offensive in Rafah. The Israeli government has urged the ICJ to reject South Africa’s urgent request for intervention, labelling the approach as peculiar, premature, and improper. Israel emphasised its commitment to the observance of international law, including the Genocide Convention and international humanitarian law.

# Police minister Bheki Cele says there has been a remarkable achievement in crime-solving efforts as the historic DNA backlog is now at zero from 251-thousand in the 2021/22 financial year. Revealing the third-quarter crime statistics, the minister highlighted the significant contribution of the expanded DNA lab in Gqerberha, in the Eastern Cape, processing more samples. Cele says the processing of DNA samples plays a crucial role in the police’s fight against gender-based violence and femicide:

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse fears potential threats to the democracy posed by the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill. In response to the bill, the organisation has submitted a detailed critique to Parliament, expressing deep apprehension over broadened vetting powers for state intelligence agencies, expanded surveillance capabilities without proper safeguards, and a lack of oversight and accountability. OUTA’s Stefanie Fick urges Parliament to withdraw or redraft the bill to align with the Constitution:

# More than a thousand people lined up at the Thai embassy in Yangon today as young people sought to leave Myanmar after the junta said it would impose military service. The military said last weekend it would enforce a law allowing it to call up all men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 to serve for at least two years, as it struggles to quell opposition to its 2021 coup. The junta faces widespread armed opposition to its rule three years after seizing power from an elected civilian government.

# Rugby: Springbok wingers Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse were included in the Bulls’ team for tomorrow’s United Rugby Championship clash with the Lions at Ellis Park. Ruan Nortjé will lead the Pretoria side that beat their neighbours from across the Jukskei River 30-28 at Loftus Versfeld two weeks ago. Bulls’ director of rugby Jake White says his team is playing for more than just strengthening their chances for a place in the play-offs, but also building momentum. Kick-off is at 3 tomorrow afternoon.

Stay tuned for more news………….