News 16:00

BULLETIN 18 October 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The NPA is to oppose bail for a Limpopo police sergeant and her relatives in the insurance fraud murder case
# Everest Wealth says optimism surrounds the government of national unity’s first 100 days
# And tennis: Björn Borg’s son says Nadal is his favourite player, not his dad

# The National Prosecuting Authority will oppose bail for Limpopo police sergeant Rachel Kutumela, her sister Annah Shokane, and daughter Madjadji Shokane who appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court in connection with insurance murders today. Kutumela is accused of fraudulently taking out life insurance policies for multiple victims, claiming ten-million-rand and sharing the proceeds. NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi says more arrests may follow:

# Everest Wealth reports that South Africa’s government of national unity is enjoying optimism after 100 days in office. CEO Thys van Zyl says economic sentiment has improved, driven by reforms. This includes key announcements from various ministers, including Public Works minister Dean Macpherson on infrastructure investment and Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber on visa reforms. However, Van Zyl cautions that while the GNU’s focus on reforms boosts market confidence, political stability remains crucial to sustaining these gains.

Meanwhile, the DA is concerned over South Africa’s demand for Taiwan’s Taipei Liaison Office to leave Pretoria. The longstanding agreement allowing Taiwan’s trade and representation has been in place for 26 years. While recognising the country’s stance on One China, the party seeks a clear reason for this sudden change. The DA’s Emma Louise Powell insists that any changes to this agreement should have support from the government of national unity:

# A group of 16 Japanese young people is suing utility firms over their carbon emissions, in the latest case worldwide of activists using courts to press for action on climate change. The plaintiffs, all in their teens and 20s, say it is the first such case brought in Japan, which advocates say has the dirtiest energy mix among G7 nations. The lawsuit is against 10 operators of power plants burning fossil fuels whose emissions are incompatible with Japan’s climate commitments. The first hearing is set for next week.

# Tennis: The son of Swedish legend Björn Borg says although his father won 11 Grand Slam titles during his career, he isn’t his favourite player. Leo Borg described Rafael Nadal as his biggest idol after the Spanish maestro announced his retirement last week. The 22-time Grand Slam champion will end his illustrious career after next month’s Davis Cup finals. Twenty-one-year-old Borg says he grew up watching Nadal and he is probably the reason why he started playing the game in the first place.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-57-cents and the euro at 19-rand-7-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-93-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-795-dollars-60-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-711-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-40-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….