News 14:00

BULLETIN 2 September 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# China rolls out the red carpet for African leaders
# Cosatu calls for an increase in police salaries
# And, rugby: The Springboks are sceptical over the Wallabies props’ injuries in Perth that led to uncontested scrums

# China rolled out the red carpet for leaders from across Africa, seeking to deepen ties with the resource-rich continent. Beijing has said this week’s China-Africa Forum will be its largest diplomatic event since the Covid-19 pandemic, with more than a dozen leaders and delegations expected. President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived today for a four-day visit during which he will also visit the southern tech powerhouse city of Shenzhen. The two countries will sign a number of agreements focused on enhancing economic cooperation and the implementation of technical cooperation.

# Cosatu says it is time that police salaries are boosted to reflect the sacrifices they make protecting the nation daily and to ensure their insulation from well-resourced criminals. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Zanele Sabela, says the federation joins hands with its dedicated Popcru members and the entire police as they mark Police Safety Month and honour the sacrifices of police officials and their families. Sabela says the nation is forever indebted to their gallant service to the people:

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta is calling on Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube to prevent the cutting of teacher posts by provincial Education departments. The Western Cape Department of Education will cut around two-thousand-400 teaching jobs due to severe budget shortfalls amounting to 3.8-billion-rand. KwaZulu-Natal currently cannot afford eleven-thousand-and-92 of its educator posts with a budget shortfall of four-billion-rand for this year alone. Makaneta says the cutting of teacher posts will have far-reaching consequences:

# Rugby: SA Rugby has asked World Rugby to investigate the injuries to two Wallabies’ props which led to uncontested scrums for most of the second half of their Rugby Championship Test in Perth. Angus Bell didn’t return after halftime due to a head injury assessment, while James Slipper was also removed after a head knock – minutes after the Boks’ bomb squad ran on. The Springboks are reportedly sceptical over the validity of the injuries which nullified one of the team’s big strengths.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-88-cents and the euro at 19-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-50-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-383-dollars-21-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-501-dollars-21-cent a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-74-cents a barrel.

# And finally, Hollywood blockbuster stars Brad Pitt and George Clooney received a four-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival where their latest film, Wolfs, was screened. Written and directed by Jon Watts, the film sees Pitt and Clooney as two professional fixers who prefer to work alone but must come together after being hired for the same job. Wolfs marks Pitt and Clooney’s first time co-headlining a film since the Coen Brother’s 2008 black comedy Burn After Reading. Pitt’s ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, also debuted her latest movie Maria at the festival.

Stay tuned for more news………….