News 17:00

BULLETIN 3 October 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA vows to oppose Parks Tau’s proposed three-percent BEE levy on unlisted businesses
# An eight-year-old boy allegedly kills his seven-year-old cousin after getting hold of his father’s gun in the Eastern Cape
# And Rugby: The Stormers and the Sharks kick off this weekend’s URC action this evening

# The DA says it will oppose minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau’s proposed three-percent Black Economic Empowerment levy on unlisted businesses. The party warns the levy would burden companies, hurt small businesses, and cripple job creation. The DA’s Toby Chance calls for true empowerment through jobs and entrepreneurship, rather than forcing businesses to funnel billions into state-controlled funds:

# Investigations are underway after a seven-year-old boy was fatally shot, allegedly by his eight-year-old cousin, in the Eastern Cape. Police say the child accessed a firearm in his father’s bedroom and fired, instantly killing his cousin. A murder case has been opened against the eight-year-old, while the father faces a charge for failing to safeguard the gun. The boy is now under the care of social workers. The father has been released on a warning and is due to appear in the Mqanduli Magistrate’s Court.

# Experts from higher learning institutions are calling for greater support of Technical and Vocational Education and Training as a vital post-school pathway. Speaking at a Universities South Africa dialogue, they said trade skills are key to addressing South Africa’s skills shortage and the future of work including promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education. CEO Phethiwe Matutu noted thousands of matriculants are denied university entry due to limited spaces:

# Spain’s leftist government has proposed anchoring the right to abortion in the constitution following a move by the Madrid municipal council to inform women about a supposed “post-abortion syndrome”. The controversy erupted when the council, controlled by the conservative Popular Party approved a far-right proposal to require medical services to notify women seeking abortions that the syndrome could lead to alcohol and drug use, suicidal thoughts, and an increased risk of cancer. It claimed information about the syndrome was being “deliberately hidden” and argued abortion is “big business” promoted by feminist ideology.

# Rugby: The Sharks and Lions will try to remain unbeaten against their respective opponents this weekend as the United Rugby Championship picks up steam in round two. The Stormers and Bulls are keen to build on their strong starts to the season. The KwaZulu-Natalians take on the Dragons in Wales this evening at 9.05pm SA time. The Stormers kick off the action in Cape Town this evening against the Ospreys at 7pm. The Bulls face champions Leinster in Pretoria tomorrow and the Lions take on Zebre on Sunday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-25-cents and the euro at 20-rand-24-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 120-thousand-363-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-876-dollars-19-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-29-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….