News 14:00

BULLETIN 5 July 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The new Basic Education minister pledges to focus on learners’ needs and challenges
# Legislation is needed for commercially farmed animals in South Africa
# And rugby: Felipe Contepomi rings in the changes for Argentina’s Tests against France and Uruguay

# New minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube says she will prioritise the needs of millions of South African learners. The DA-member replaced newly appointed Defence minister, Angie Motshekga. Gwarube emphasises the urgency of eradicating pit toilets and addressing the inability of 80-percent of Grade 4 learners to read for meaning. She also highlights the dire need for quality education for all. It is still yet to be seen which decisions will be made regarding the BELA Bill, which the DA has strongly opposed.

# University of the Western Cape researcher Celine Doak says there is a lack of specific legislation regulating the welfare of the precious South African ostrich and other commercially farmed animals. Doak says animal well-being has been defined in the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act, but this aspect has yet to be adequately incorporated and enforced. She says South African legislators have been urged to protect commercially farmed animals by ensuring a comprehensive Animal Welfare Bill is in place:

# Outgoing UK prime minister Rishi Sunak says he takes full responsibility for the Conservative Party losing the general election. The Labour Party and its leader, Keir Starmer, have secured the 326 seats required for a majority in the House of Commons, putting an end to 14 years of Conservative rule. Several Tory cabinet ministers lost seats to Labour, including Grant Shapps and Penny Mordaunt. Sunak says power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner:

# Rugby: Argentina’s coach, Felipe Contepomi, has named a refreshed team to face France tomorrow in his first Test in charge of Los Pumas. He took over from Australian Michael Cheika after last year’s World Cup. Contepomi made nine changes to the starting lineup from the third-place play-off defeat by England. He left out 15 World Cup players for two Tests against France and one against Uruguay. Winger Bautista Delguy will make his first international appearance since November 2022.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-19-cents and the euro at 19-rand-70-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-27-cents and Bitcoin trades at 55-thousand-294-dollars-58-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-361-dollars-13-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 87-dollars-37-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Western Cape Blood Service is making an urgent appeal for type O-negative blood donations due to a critical shortage, with only a three-day supply remaining. The service highlights the challenge of maintaining blood stocks during winter and school holidays. Donors aged 16 to 75, weighing 50 kilograms or more, and in good health, are encouraged to donate. One donation can save up to three lives. In appreciation, donors will receive hero-inspired socks, symbolising the warmth and comfort they provide to patients.

Stay tuned for more news………….