News 07:00

BULLETIN 3 October 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# AfriForum urges the DA and FF Plus to reconsider their participation in the government of national unity
# The EFF condemns the alleged attempted assassination of its Gauteng chairperson
# And cricket: The Proteas are off to a winning start in the ODI series against Ireland

# AfriForum urges the DA and Freedom Front Plus to reconsider their participation in the government of national unity if the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment Act is implemented without changes. The organisation is planning protests and claims the government is disregarding further discussions on the matter. AfriForum’s CEO, Kallie Kriel warns the act poses a threat to Afrikaans schools and may negatively impact Afrikaans communities:  

# Blind SA has secured a victory for 50 blind and visually impaired students after settling with the Institute for Certified Bookkeepers in the Equality Court. The students were previously blocked from finishing their qualification because the institute’s online platform didn’t work with screen reading software. The court now requires the institute to register the students for exams and provide extra time, scribes, or sighted readers. Future blind students will also receive the same support. 

# The EFF has strongly condemned the alleged attempted assassination of its Gauteng chairperson Nkululeko Dunga in the early hours of yesterday morning. According to the party, Dunga’s son heard footsteps on the roof of their home and immediately called the security guard, who was ambushed and shot in the arm by armed intruders. The EFF’s, Leigh-Ann Mathys, says the security guard returned fire, engaging with at least three shooters before eight heavily armed assailants fled the scene:

# The government is set to hold a mass memorial service for the victims of the Lusikisiki mass murder on Sunday. Unknown gunmen targeted two homesteads in Ngobozana village, resulting in 17 deaths on the scene, with an 18th victim dying in hospital. The victims were preparing for a traditional ceremony marking the end of mourning for two family members killed a year ago. As investigations continue, no arrests have been made, and the motive remains unclear.

# The US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has strongly condemned Iran’s missile attack on Israel, saying this is a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East. On Tuesday, Iran launched about 200 ballistic missiles into Israel, most of which were intercepted with the help of the US. Iran said the attack was in response to the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and others. Thomas-Greenfield has warned more sanctions against Tehran are coming:

# Cricket: South Africa defeated Ireland by 139 runs in the first of three one-day internationals at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Opener Ryan Rickelton top-scored with 91 and shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 152 with Tristan Stubbs, as the Proteas posted 271 for nine off their 50 overs. In reply, Lizaad Williams claimed four wickets as Ireland were bowled out for 132. The second ODI will be played at the same venue tomorrow, with the final game on Sunday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-38-cents and the euro at 19-rand-18-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-142-dollar-26-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-655-dollars-93-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-62-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….