News 13:00

BULLETIN 16 September 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A forum says the Christian community is not confused about the ruling on men assuming their wives’ surnames
# Cricket: Former captain Kane Williamson can play for New Zealand in the T20 World Cup
# And the 77th Emmy Awards delivered its largest television audience since 2021

# The South African National Christian Forum says the Christian community is not confused or moved by the Constitutional Court ruling permitting that men can legally take their wives’ surnames. The court confirmed that sections of the Births and Deaths Registration Act were unconstitutional, effectively upholding a lower court’s ruling. The forum’s president, Marothi Mashashane, says all that the judgment did was to declare that there is no obligation for couples to change surnames:

Meanwhile, the Institute of Race Relations says the Public Service Commission Bill conflicts with the Constitution and cannot lawfully be adopted. The bill, which has been adopted by the National Assembly, extends the commission’s powers to local government and public entities. It will also provide more legislative teeth to government efforts to professionalise the Public Service. The IRR’s Michael Morris says the ANC’s determined pursuit of the bill further confirms it is still intent on pursuing the National Democratic Revolution:

# The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has called for urgent action to protect race horses. Key concerns include the use of tongue-ties and racing underage horses. NSPCA’s Bryce Marock has emphasised that animal welfare must take priority over commercial interests. He is urging for stricter enforcement, criminal prosecution where warranted, banning of harmful devices, and halting the practice of racing horses before full skeletal maturity. Marock adds that this will ensure meaningful reforms in South African horse racing.

# Cricket: Former captain Kane Williamson is available for New Zealand for the T20 World Cup, starting in India and Sri Lanka in February. The prolific batter signed a casual contract, together with other experienced players such as Devon Conway and Lockie Ferguson. Thirty-five-year-old Williamson scored two-thousand-575 runs in 93 T20s for New Zealand since making his debut against Zimbabwe in October 2011. The casual contracts allow players to take part in lucrative international T20 leagues as long as they represent their country in some series and tournaments.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-35-cents and the euro at 20-rand-49-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-67-cents and Bitcoin trades at 115-thousand-753-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-697-dollars-32-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-81-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The 77th Emmy Awards held on Sunday evening were the most-watched Emmys since 2021. CBS‘s telecast brought in 7.4-million viewers, which is an eight-percent increase from the 6.9-million viewers achieved by last year’s ceremony, which aired on ABC. On social media, the award show received 1.6-million mentions and trended in the US at number one for seven consecutive hours. This year’s Emmys were hosted by Nate Bargatze and saw Adolescence, The Studio and The Pitt taking top honours.

Stay tuned for more news………….