News 18:00

BULLETIN 17 February 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Lusikisiki mass murder case is postponed for further investigations
# Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein advocates for stronger ties between South Africa and Israel
# And cricket: Former Pakistani captains believe the Champions Trophy will rekindle the country’s love for the game

# The trial of eight men accused of murdering 18 people in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape last year, has been postponed to the tenth of next month for further investigations. The case will be transferred to the High Court in Mthatha. The National Prosecuting Authority’s regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, says all accused, including the latest suspect, Songezo Vuma, remain in custody, facing charges of murder and illegal possession of firearms:

# Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein of the Union of Orthodox Synagogues in South Africa has returned from Israel, where he aimed to establish a diplomatic channel between Israel and South Africa. In his meeting with president Isaac Herzog and Foreign minister Israel Katz, he conveyed the bond between South African Jews and Israel. In addition, he thanked US president Donald Trump for caring about South Africa:

# Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says he sees no reason for Europeans to take part in Ukraine truce talks, accusing them of wanting to continue the war. Lavrov’s comments came ahead of his visit to Saudi Arabia to meet US officials and as European leaders convene in Paris for an emergency summit on Ukraine. The United States has said it wants both Russia and Ukraine to make concessions if ceasefire talks ever materialise. Lavrov insists Moscow would not compromise on territory it has seized in eastern and southern Ukraine.

# Cricket: Former Pakistani captains Inzamam-ul-Haq, Misbah Ul Haq, and Aamer Sohail believe the Champions Trophy will rekindle the country’s love for the game. This is the first time Pakistan is hosting a major event since 1996. The country also had to host its home games in the United Arab Emirates for years after a terror attack on the bus of a visiting team in 2009. Misbah says it’s a big deal for fans and young players to see the stars playing live. The tournament starts on Wednesday.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-44-cents and the euro at 19-rand-32-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-21-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-858-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-898-dollars-6-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-58-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Gauteng Health Department says the latest statistics show a significant decrease in HIV infections in the province from 2020 to ’24. In 2020, the age group 15-to-24-years-old recorded a 2.9-percent in new HIV infections, whereas in 2024, one-percent was recorded. In the same period, 25-to-49-year-olds recorded a 5.1-percent in new infections, dropping to 2.9-percent in 2024. Meanwhile, the department’s spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, says in February last year, 30-thousand-676 men were screened for sexually transmitted infections:

Stay tuned for more news………….