News 18:00

BULLETIN 11 August 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister McKenzie welcomes the Human Rights Commission’s probe into his alleged racist remarks
# The DA leader demands the restoration of the rule of law and an anti-corruption drive
# And the Jewish Council of Australia backs the country’s pledge for the recognition of a Palestinian state

# Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has welcomed calls for an investigation into his alleged racial remarks against black South Africans. The EFF, ActionSA, and others have urged the SA Human Rights Commission and Parliament’s Ethics Committee to act. McKenzie says he will cooperate with the investigations, insisting he is not racist. He also emphasised his lifelong fight for equal treatment of black and coloured people:

# DA leader John Steenhuisen demands a strong fight against corruption and an urgent restoration of the rule of law. In a media briefing, Steenhuisen called for the establishment of a new anti-corruption body, similar to the Scorpions, to hold corrupt officials accountable. He criticised the lack of convictions following the Zondo commission on state capture and insists government leaders involved in corruption must face consequences:

Moving abroad:

# Palestinians are mourning the five Al Jazeera journalists who were killed in an Israeli strike last night while their funeral has drawn crowds in Gaza City today. Reuters meanwhile quotes medics at the Al Shifa Hospital that a sixth journalist was also killed in the strike. The Foreign Press Association called on Israel to cease attacks on journalists and allow foreign reporters to enter the territory. The United Nations’ Human Rights office said at least 242 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza since the attacks on 7 October 2023.

Meanwhile, the Australian government’s pledge to follow the United Kingdom, France and Canada in recognising a Palestinian state has now been backed by the Jewish Council of Australia. The group, which has previously been critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza, said recognition must be combined with actions to stop the genocide. It says in a statement if Australia truly supports Palestinian self-determination, it must end all military cooperation with Israel and hold the country accountable for its ongoing genocide and deliberate starvation of Gaza. Israel has consistently denied any allegations of genocide.

# Golf: England’s Justin Rose has moved back into the top ten of the world rankings following his victory at the St Jude Championship in Tennessee. The 45-year-old defeated American JJ Spaun on the third play-off hole to claim his 12th PGA Tour title. With this victory, Rose has also secured his spot in another Ryder Cup competition. He is now ninth in the world rankings, with Spaun moving up to sixth. The Englishman says he played some unbelievable golf:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-75-cents and the euro at 20-rand-61-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-82-cents and Bitcoin trades at 119-thousand-831-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-356-dollars-33-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-30-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….