News 09:00

BULLETIN 18 October 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa has responded to the EFF’s call for stronger measures on the Israel-Palestinian conflict
# The Institute of Race Relations says it is time to take BEE off its pedestal
# And, Trevor Noah’s new book is a New York Times bestseller

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the executive is actively considering the National Assembly’s resolution to close the Israeli Embassy and suspend diplomatic ties with Israel. The motion, brought by the EFF, responds to ongoing human rights violations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In reply to a question in the National Assembly’s, Ramaphosa reaffirmed the government’s support for Palestinians remains strong, and various proposals to pressure Israel to act in accordance with international law are being reviewed: 

# The Institute of Race Relations says polls show that black economic empowerment has failed 85-percent of South Africans, by harming the public service, inflating prices, and increasing the opportunities for fraud. Minister of Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi intends to issue a policy direction to communications regulator Icasa, that could lead to an overhaul of BEE rules governing the ICT sector. The IRR says it is time to take BEE off its pedestal and start looking at genuine non-racial empowerment alternatives.

# Two women related to Sergeant Rachel Shokane Kutumela, who is accused of killing at least six people for insurance payouts, have been arrested. It is alleged that Kutumela fraudulently took out life and funeral insurance for various victims, and has since claimed ten-million-rand as a sole beneficiary from various service providers. Police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, says the two women, who are facing numerous charges including murder, fraud and money laundering, will appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court today:

# Rugby: The Springbok Women are in Pool D alongside France, Italy and Brazil, for the Rugby World Cup in England next year. South Africa played France in the opening game of the last Rugby World Cup in Auckland, and Italy last weekend in the final match of the Women’s Fifteen in Cape Town, but are yet to face Brazil in a Test match. Hosts England have been drawn with Australia, USA, and Samoa, while defending champions New Zealand will face Ireland, Japan and Spain.

#The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-62-cents and the euro at 19-rand-11-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-96-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-814-dollars-6-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-709-dollars-44-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-61-cents a barrel.

# And finally, South African comedian and former Daily Show host, Trevor Noah’s new book, Into The Uncut Grass, has debuted at number one on the New York Times bestseller list. The book is about a young child’s journey into the world beyond the shadow of home, a magical landscape where he discovers the secrets of sharing, connection, and finding peace with the people he loves. This book, which is illustrated by Christopher Myers, follows the success of Noah’s memoir Born A Crime.

Stay tuned for more news………….