News 16:00

BULLETIN 10 September 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa pushes for a two-state solution in the Middle East
# Rugby: The Springbok Women are ready for the historic quarterfinal against the Black Ferns
# And Hong Kong lawmakers reject a bill giving same-sex couples limited rights

# International Relations and Cooperation minister Ronald Lamola reaffirmed to Parliament that South Africa continues to support a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. He emphasises the promotion of international law, accountability, just peace, an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages. Lamola also called for a halt to illegal Israeli settlements, removal of the separation wall, and resumption of humanitarian relief in Gaza:

# Union federation Saftu has expressed deep concern over the persistently sluggish and unsustainable economic growth in the second quarter of this year. Spokesperson Asive Dyani says the gross domestic product has revealed that the economy recorded a measly 0.8-percent growth, mining rose by 3.7-percent and trade by 1.7-percent. She says this stagnation stems from government’s refusal to shift South Africa away from its colonial era:

# Eskom has launched its first fleet of 20 electric vehicles as part of its move towards cleaner energy. The vehicles, ranging from delivery vans to light trucks, will be primarily used in the distribution and generation divisions to cut costs and reduce emissions. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena says this marks the start of a long-term plan to electrify the fleet by 2035, with 55 public charging stations to be added in the next two years:

# Rugby: Springbok Women legend Sinazo Mcatshulwa will earn her 42nd Test cap as they face New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup quarterfinal in Exeter, England, on Saturday. The team will be without Chumisa Qawe, suspended after a red card against France. The squad is expected to be announced tomorrow. Mcatshulwa hopes to wear the number seven jersey and says reaching the quarterfinals excites the squad and boosts confidence.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-59-cents and the euro at 20-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-78-cents and Bitcoin trades at 112-thousand-697-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-649-dollars-51-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-96-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Hong Kong lawmakers rejected a bill that would have granted limited rights to same-sex couples. Hong Kong’s government proposed legislation to recognise some rights for same-sex partners, but only for those whose unions are registered abroad. Despite LGBTQ activists decrying its limitations, the proposal drew near-universal criticism from the pro-Beijing politicians that dominate Hong Kong’s legislature. The bill would have granted registered same-sex couples more rights in medical-related matters and after-death arrangements, for example, visiting a partner in hospital or claiming their body after death.

Stay tuned for more news………….