News 12:00

BULLETIN 22 July 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# An education activist calls on Ramaphosa not to rush to sign the BELA Bill into law
# ACSA refutes discrimination claims during standard security checks
# And, Olympics: The Blitzboks are ready for the opening game against Ireland in Paris

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta is urging president Cyril Ramaphosa not to rush the signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill into law. The Bela Bill, which was passed in the National Assembly in March, amends sections of the Schools Act of 1996 to respond to school administrative and governance problems. Makaneta says Ramaphosa must satisfy himself that the bill can withstand a legal challenge:

# Airports Company South Africa says it does not have any policies or procedures that discriminate against any passengers or airport users based on gender, race, cultural beliefs, religion, or place of origin. This follows reports last week alleging that some passengers were discriminated against during airport security screening and searching. Acsa’s Mzwandile Petros says at all times, physical searches are conducted with due sensitivity to recognised religious and cultural practices, adding that there is no discrimination.

# World leaders have reacted to US president Joe Biden’s decision not to seek re-election in November. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Biden for his unwavering support and leadership in the war against Russia. Israeli president Isaac Herzog thanked Biden for his friendship and steadfast support, describing him as a true ally of the Jewish people. New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon says Biden has dedicated his life to public service, and that deserves much respect.

# Olympics: Veteran Springbok Sevens playmaker Rosko Specman says they are ready for a tough battle with Ireland in their opening game in Paris on Wednesday. New Zealand and Japan are the other two teams in Pool A. Specman, who was part of the team that won the bronze medal in Rio in 2016, says it does not get any bigger than the Games:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-26-cents and the euro at 19-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-60-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-358-dollars-91-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-401-dollars-82-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-85-cents a barrel.

# And, a pair of John Lennon’s sunglasses with round, blue-tinted lenses are set to sell for around 70-thousand-rand at an auction in England next week. The co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles gave the glasses to a man who was visiting Abbey Road Studios in 1968. The sunglasses will go under the hammer alongside a collection of 33 black and white photographs taken at Abbey Road in 1968 and ’69. These include the Beatles album cover of the band walking across a zebra crossing.

Stay tuned for more news………….