News 08:00

BULLETIN 10 July 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Business Leadership SA emphasises the importance of stability at a provincial level
# Numsa and Gautrain are going to meet at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration
# And rugby: The Junior Boks miss out on a semifinal spot in the Under 20 Championships

# Business Leadership South Africa says while it is critical that the government of national unity is stable and focused on delivery at a national level, it is no less important at the provincial level. Provinces are responsible for a large part of national spending. Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal are the two biggest contributors to the national economy, accounting for almost 50-percent. The organisation’s CEO Busiswe Mavuso says it will be critical for coalition partners in the provinces to similarly focus on the public interest and delivery, leaving aside party politics.

# The MK Party Youth League welcomes the appointment of John Hlophe to the Judicial Services Commission. The impeached Western Cape judge president was elected in the National Assembly to serve on the JSC despite objections from various parties, including the DA, IFP and ATM. The youth league’s spokesperson, Nkateko Mkhabela, says Hlophe’s appointment signifies the necessary action to make changes to the captured judiciary:

# The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa has agreed to participate in a mediation process with Gautrain at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration. Workers affiliated with the union downed tools on Monday, demanding a revised nine-percent wage increase and guaranteed bonuses among other things. The union represents 286 out of 300 workers at Gautrain. Numsa’s spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, says they will participate in the CCMA process with an open mind to find a speedy resolution to the strike:

# US president Joe Biden says North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries will provide Ukraine with five new strategic air defence systems. He addressed the opening of the Nato Summit in Washington. The US and other countries will also be providing Ukraine with dozens of short- and medium-range systems, to help Kyiv intercept Russian drones and missiles. Biden says the war will end with Ukraine remaining a free and independent country, adding that Russia will not prevail:

# Rugby: The Junior Springboks failed to reach the semifinals of the World Rugby Under20 Championships in Cape Town after losing 17-12 to England. South Africa needed to win with a try-scoring bonus point and a points difference of at least 13 to progress to the final four. Now they will face Argentina in the fifth-place playoff on Sunday. The semifinals will see England take on Ireland while New Zealand face France.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-13-cents and the euro at 19-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-21-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-dollars-6-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-367-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-40-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….