News 12:00

BULLETIN 11 September 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Electoral Commission says the ANC must take responsibility for its candidate lists blunder
# US vice president Vance urges Americans not to give the country over to the party of hatred in the midterms
# And rugby: The All Blacks coach rings the changes for the final Test against the Boks

# The Electoral Commission says the ANC must shoulder the responsibility for failing to submit its candidate lists for six municipalities on time. In its Electoral Court application, the ANC contends candidate information was captured and uploaded to the IEC’s system before the deadline, but technical problems prevented its administration from completing the final submissions. An answering affidavit by the IEC says the ANC fails to grapple with the fact that accidents happen, and leaving matters up until the last minute comes with risk.

# Forum for South Africa says government should raise matric pass requirements, arguing that a 30-percent threshold in some subjects is too low. The forum plans to launch a Mathematics programme for grades four to seven to help improve learners’ skills before they reach matric. The forum’s Tebogo Mashilompane says more investment is needed in basic education, especially in mathematics, science, reading and digital skills:

# The Hawks, together with INTERPOL, will facilitate the extradition of six Nigerian nationals, alleged to be members of the Black Axe organised criminal network, to the US this afternoon. They are facing charges of wire fraud and money laundering linked to romance scams. Hawks’ spokesperson Katlego Mogale says the suspects allegedly targeted more than 100 women across America and defrauded them of over 100-million-rand. She says some of the victims were pensioners targeted through sophisticated online relationships:

# US vice president JD Vance has urged Americans to mobilise for Republicans in November’s midterm elections, saying Democrats are markedly worse. The Republicans are seeking to retain both the House and the Senate while struggling to bolster enthusiasm for congressional candidates and overcome voters’ concerns about the economy and the Iranian war. Vance, speaking at the party’s midterm convention in Dallas, delivered searing criticism of the so-called party of hatred:

# Rugby: New Zealand coach Dave Rennie has made a host of changes for the finale of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against South Africa in Baltimore tomorrow. Richie Mo’unga will make his first Test appearance since 2023, starting at flyhalf. Anton Lienert-Brown and Ethan Blackadder replace the injured Quinn Tupaea and Luke Jacobson, while Peter Lakai shifts from blindside flanker to take Ardie Savea’s spot at number eight. Hooker Codie Taylor will lead the team. Rennie has opted for a split of five forwards and three backs on the bench.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-16-cents and the euro at 18-rand-75-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-306-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-349-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 107-dollars-17-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….