News 14:00

BULLETIN 8 October 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ATM supports government’s submission of a memorial to the ICJ against Israel
# Fikile Mbalula says the ANC continues to stand in unwavering solidarity with Palestine
# And rugby: Bok winger Kurt-Lee Arendse takes a sabbatical from the Bulls to head east

# The African Transformation Movement says it endorses government’s decision to file a memorial at the International Court of Justice at the end of the month, regarding its genocide case against Israel. International Relations and Co-operation minister, Ronald Lamola, says government intends to provide facts and evidence to prove that Israel is committing genocide in Palestine. ATM’s spokesperson, Zama Ntshona, says this legal action is a crucial step in the pursuit of justice and accountability:

Meanwhile, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says the party continues to stand in unwavering solidarity with Palestine. Mbalula says it is now one year since what he referred to as apartheid Israel’s brutal attacks against the Palestinian people. In a post on X he says more than 43-thousand people have died since the start of the conflict on 7 October last year. Mbalula says the party calls for an end to the ongoing occupation and increasing violence. He says the ANC will continue to advocate for a just resolution based on human rights and dignity for all.

# AfriForum has praised public pressure for influencing Communication minister Solly Malatsi’s consideration to amend BEE rules, enabling Starlink’s operation in South Africa. The civil rights group has campaigned to remove regulatory obstacles, particularly race-based policies. AfriForum’s Ernst van Zyl emphasised Starlink’s potential to benefit rural areas with reliable internet, aiding education, business, and security, particularly where infrastructure is lacking:

# Rugby: Star Springbok winger Kurt-Lee Arendse is heading east. He will become the country’s latest Test player to join a Japanese Rugby League One team after signing a contract with Sagamihara Dynaboars. The 28-year-old will take a sabbatical from the Bulls. Arendse believes the hard grounds in Japan en the fast pace and plenty of ball movement will ideally suit his game. The Boland-born speedster played 41 matches for the Blitzboks before making his debut for the Springboks in 2022, scoring 85 points in 19 Tests since.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-43-cents and the euro at 19-rand-16-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-541-dollars-7-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-641-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-24-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A Dutch museum has recovered one of its artworks that looks like two empty beer cans after a staff member accidentally threw it in the rubbish bin thinking it was trash. The work, entitled “All The Good Times We Spent Together” by French artist Alexandre Lavet, appears on first glance to be two discarded and dented beer tins. However, a closer look shows they are in fact meticulously hand-painted with acrylics. Their artistic value was lost on a mechanic, who saw them displayed in a lift and chucked them in the bin.

Stay tuned for more news………….