News 08:00

BULLETIN 9 September 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul Mashatile calls for an integrated health system in the fight against HIV/AIDS
# The EFF has formally introduced its Liquor Amendment Bill to Parliament
# And premier Lesufi responds to the Human Rights Commission’s concerns regarding evictions

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says there is a need to break down barriers and maximise equitable and equal access to services through resilient and integrated health systems. He opened the 12th SA AIDS Conference in Gauteng yesterday, in his capacity as chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council. About eight-million people are living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Mashatile says it is important to empower communities and redefine priorities for HIV/AIDS:

Meanwhile the World Health Organisation’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has commended South Africa on its leadership in the face of major disruptions caused by the funding cuts in aid. He delivered a message of support for the AIDS Conference virtually. As much as 70-percent of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief funding expected so far this year for the country has been halted. Ghebreyesus says the South African government has acted swiftly to address the funding shortfall:

# The EFF says it has formally introduced a Private Member’s Bill in the National Assembly to ban alcohol advertising. The Liquor Amendment Bill seeks to amend the Liquor Act of 2003. In addition to a ban on advertising, the bill aims to prevent the use of brand elements, company names, or sponsorships linked to liquor at organised events. The EFF has urged National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to swiftly refer the bill to the portfolio committee on Trade, Industry and Competition for processing.

# Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi says the South African Human Rights Commission has nothing to worry about over his planned mass evictions and dismantling of informal settlements. The provincial government has begun profiling residents in 400 informal settlements, and has vowed to act swiftly against new land invasions. The commission has expressed concerns over the premier’s plans, calling them dangerous and inhumane. Lesufi says the government will not tolerate the illegal occupation of land:

# Cricket: England will rest top-order batters Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith for the T20 series against South Africa. In their absence, Phil Salt, who has been on paternity leave, looks set to open the batting alongside either Tom Banton or Will Jacks. Head coach Brendon McCullum says they must learn how to cope better with their busy international schedule, which includes giving players rest. The first of the three-match T20 series gets underway in Cardiff tomorrow.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-47-cents and the euro at 20-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-69-cents and Bitcoin trades at 111-thousand-557-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-648-dollars-41-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-14-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….