News 13:00

BULLETIN 10 September 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Truth and Reconciliation Commission investigations sets a preliminary timetable
# Action Society believes public-private partnerships can fast-track justice for victims
# And Athletics: Sebastian Coe admits to heat challenges at the world championships in Tokyo

# The judicial commission of inquiry into alleged efforts to halt Truth and Reconciliation Commission investigations, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe, is considering a preliminary timetable. Witness statements and other evidence are expected by 10 October, with oral hearings set for 10 November. TRC spokesperson Lionel Adendorf says the commissioners are reviewing these proposals:

# Action Society says the continued postponement of court cases due to investigative, forensic and prosecuting capacity challenges is concerning. In one case, Joshlin Marthinus was allegedly killed by her boyfriend in the Western Cape. On 27 August, the matter appeared before the Atlantis Regional Court, but was postponed to 11 September for a pre-trial conference. Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm says the constant delays not only retraumatise victims but also weaken public confidence in the justice system:

# Government has condemned Israel’s air strike in Qatar’s capital Doha, calling it an illegal and unprovoked attack. Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that the strike was fully justified because it targeted senior Hamas leaders who organised the 7 October 2023 attack. Five Hamas members were killed. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, says this attack on Qatari territory constitutes a blatant violation of international law, while also compromising the safeguarding of civilians:

# Athletics: The president of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, admits to heat challenges during the world championships, starting in the Japanese capital of Tokyo on Saturday. The country is experiencing its hottest summer on record, with the average temperature between June and last month 2.36-degrees Celsius above the normal level. The mercury rose to 33-degrees yesterday. Coe says the sport’s leaders are discussing the future risks of global warming, but World Athletics is better equipped to deal with the challenges than other sporting bodies.  

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-56-cents and the euro at 20-rand-55-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-76-cents and Bitcoin trades at 112-thousand-355-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-645-dollars-90-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-77-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Over 20-thousand submissions from 30 different countries were received for this year’s Music Photography Awards. The Abbey Road studios have now revealed the nominees, with two new categories added: portrait and festivals. The photographs up for awards feature stars including Chappell Roan, Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX, Maggie Rogers, Doja Cat, and Burna Boy. All 40 images nominated will be on display in Outnet’s Now Pop One venue in London later this month. The awards ceremony will take place at London’s Abbey Road on the second of October.

Stay tuned for more news………….