News 09:00
BULLETIN 12 September 9 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# GIWUSA views with grave concern the relentless escalation of fuel and electricity prices
# India and Russia seek stronger ties as Putin calls for BRICS to counter the West
# And tennis: Zverev and Shelton will face off in the finals of the US Open
# The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa views with grave concern the relentless escalation of fuel and electricity prices that continue to devastate the living standards of South African workers and their families. This month’s fuel adjustment added one-rand-34-cents to a litre of petrol, while diesel rose by between two-rand-94-cents and three-rand-15-cents per litre. GIWUSA president, says motorists face another record-high fuel increase next month. He says alongside fuel, electricity charges have multiplied more than thirteen times over the past twenty years:
The union also calls for urgent and timeous discussion on measures to mitigate and neutralise the impacts of the projected October fuel price increases. South African motorists face a projected petrol price increase of between one-rand-81-cents and one-rand-93-cents per litre while diesel could cost between one-rand-73-cents and two-rand-three-cents per litre more. GIWUSA president Mametlwe Sebei demands a fundamental restructuring of South Africa’s energy sector to end the vulnerability of workers to volatile global markets:
# The Freedom Front Plus in the Eastern Cape says an extravagant gala hosted by Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Babalwa Lobishe for her state of the city address is a slap in the face to residents struggling with poor service delivery. The party’s Bill Harington argues the municipality faces a 33-percent unemployment rate, ageing infrastructure, financial pressure and low revenue collection, while millions in conditional grants have gone unspent. Harington says the metro must focus on basic services and make sure public money is used properly.
Moving abroad:
# Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to deepen their countries’ longstanding ties, with Putin saying the BRICS grouping should build a new platform for global growth free from Western rules. Modi and Putin held talks in the Indian capital on the eve of a BRICS summit, which Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, among others, are due to attend. Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev told Reuters that BRICS was transitioning from a geopolitical grouping into a more practical economic partnership.
# Tennis: Alexander Zverev has reached the US Open men’s singles final after beating Karen Khachanov in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 at Flushing Meadows yesterday. The German top seed held his nerve in two tight tie-breaks to secure his second US Open final appearance. Zverev will face 23-year old American Ben Shelton, who defeated fellow American Frances Tiafoe in five sets. In the women’s final today, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will meet Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka is bidding for a third consecutive title, while Rybakina seeks another major.
# And lastly, rugby: The Springbok Women will embark with a settled squad on their three-match European tour to kick-start the new W15 Global Series. Former Junior Springbok Women centre Naima Hlatshwayo is included in the place of injured Zintle Mpupha. The tour kicks off with a Test against Wales in Cardiff next Friday, followed by Tests against Italy on the 26th and Spain on the fourth of October. This is followed by two matches against Ireland in Cape Town on 24 and 31 October.
Stay tuned for more news………….