News 17:00

BULLETIN 25 September 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The South African Council of Churches welcomes the signing of the Electoral Code of Conduct
# The president of DENOSA is elected as vice-president of the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation
# And, rugby: the Stormers and Connacht kick off the new URC season in Galway

# The South African Council of Churches has welcomed the signing of the Electoral Code of Conduct by political parties and independent candidates contesting the November local government elections. According to the Electoral Commission, the code ensures that all 136-thousand-790 candidates have an equal opportunity to campaign and communicate their messages without fear or unfair distortion. The SACC has called on all South Africans to take this code seriously, so that when the results are declared, they reflect the true, undiminished voice of the people.

# The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa has congratulated its president, Simon Hlungwani, on his election as Vice-President of the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation. Hlungwani was elected at the federation’s 27th Biennial Meeting in New Delhi, India. DENOSA’s spokesperson, Sibongiseni Delihlazo says CNMF is the federation of nurses and midwives associations from the 53 Commonwealth countries, whose purpose is to influence health policy and develop nursing and midwifery capacity across the Commonwealth:

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse says City Power’s decision to ring-fence electricity revenue is a step towards improving Johannesburg’s electricity network. However, residents must see the money being used to improve the power network. From the first of next month, 70-percent of electricity revenue collected by the city will be transferred to City Power within 48 hours, while the city will retain 30-percent. OUTA’s Julius Kleynhans warns ring-fencing alone will not address corruption, waste, electricity losses and weak financial controls.

# Actors Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder were among more than 100 people detained by New York police during a protest outside the United Nations yesterday. The demonstration, organised by Jewish Voice for Peace, opposed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit and called for an end to the war in Gaza. Protesters blocked an intersection near the UN headquarters, prompting police to issue several orders to disperse. Officers then detained those who remained.

# Rugby: The new United Rugby Championship season starts in Ireland tonight when the Stormers visit Connacht in Galway. Kick-off is at 8.45. The other three South African teams will be in action tomorrow. The Lions welcome defending champions, Irish powerhouse Leinster, to Ellis Park in Johannesburg at 2.30, and the Sharks host Welsh outfit Ospreys at Kings Park in Durban from four o’clock. The Bulls start their campaign against Zebre in Parma, Italy, at 6.30 in the evening.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-33-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-62-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-934-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-279-dollars-96-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 103-dollars-21-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….