News 09:00

BULLETIN 3 September 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The government is pursuing a strict zero percent blood alcohol policy
# Donald Trump’s renewed attempt to limit birthright citizenship is blocked
# And tennis: The defending champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka are through to the third round of the US Open

# Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy says government is pursuing legislative amendments to move towards a strict zero percent blood alcohol policy as part of efforts to improve road safety. The legislative amendments will be made to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act. More than 18-thousand people were arrested for drunken driving between March and August this year alone. Creecy says her department has set a target of halving the number of annual road fatalities by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

# Eskom says it is making progress in clean coal, green hydrogen and other technologies intended to strengthen operational performance, national energy security and a responsible energy transition. The power utility hosted minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, at its Research, Testing and Development facility in Johannesburg yesterday. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena says it is building the capabilities required to deliver reliable, affordable and competitive electricity over the long term. She adds that as the electricity sector evolves, innovation is becoming more critical:

# The Western Cape Education Department says teaching and learning will continue despite the suspension of the 2026 foundation phase national catalogue. Education MEC Jaco Londt says schools will still be able to use approved reading materials for next year. Londt added that the department has also provided extra reading resources through its Back on Track programme:

# A US federal judge has blocked president Donald Trump’s administration from enforcing its executive order restricting birthright citizenship, barring federal departments from denying citizenship to children born on American soil. In June, the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s initial attempt to end birthright citizenship, leaving in place the understanding that anyone born in the US is a citizen, even if that child’s parents are not. Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News that they will be launching an appeal:

# Tennis: World number three Carlos Alcaraz took another step toward his third US Open singles title by defeating Portuguese Jaime Faria to advance to the third round. The Spaniard, returning from a four-month injury layoff, won 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. Russia’s Daniil Medvedev and Americans Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe also won their second-round matches. In the women’s draw, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka eased past Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko, 6-1, 6-1, to reach the third round. Reigning Wimbledon champion Czech Linda Noskova defeated Lanlana Tararudee of Thailand, 6-4, 6-2.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-3-cents and the euro at 18-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-63-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-598-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-431-dollars-67-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 97-dollars-32-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….