News 09:00
BULLETIN 11 September 9 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The EFF rejects a 628-million-rand grant from the European Union
# Cosatu welcomes the progress with the two-pot pension programme
# And Kamala Harris calls Trump a disgrace
# The EFF says it rejects the recent grants extended by the European Union to South Africa, totalling over 630-million-rand. The grants will support the country’s green hydrogen agenda including building more renewable energy infrastructure and improving energy efficiency. The EFF says these grants come despite South Africa already being involved in the Just Energy Transition Partnership with international partners. It adds that the country’s energy trajectory must not be dictated by foreign powers whose primary concern is their own environmental policies.
# Cosatu says it has been heartened by the response of workers to the long-sought two-pot pension reforms, with thousands submitting their applications for immediate relief from their pension and provident funds since the first of September. This year, estimates of withdrawals range between 20-billion-rand and 100-billion-rand, which is expected to boost economic growth and tax revenue. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says they are pleased by efforts undertaken by the funds and the South African Revenue Service to expedite claims:
# ActionSA in the Western Cape has welcomed the arrest of former City of Cape Town mayoral committee member for Human Settlements, Malusi Booi. He was fired last year after his official office was raided during a corruption investigation, with offshoots leading to organised crime suspects, who have now been arrested. ActionSA’s, Julie Seton, says Booi must be held accountable:
# US vice president Kamala Harris has vowed to be a president who will protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of Americans, including the right of a woman to make decisions about their bodies. She participated in an ABC News presidential debate with former president and Republican nominee Donald Trump. She defended immigration, her position on fracking, and the economy. Harris called Trump a disgrace and a threat to democracy:
# Soccer: England captain Harry Kane marked his 100th appearance with two goals as they defeated Finland two-nil in the Nations League at Wembley. The 31-year-old is the tenth man to reach a century of England appearances, joining the likes of David Beckham and Bobby Moore. England is second in the Nations League Group B2 table behind Greece on goal difference. There were also wins for Greece, Czech Republic, and Georgia, while Germany and the Netherlands played to a two-all draw.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-89-cents and the euro at 19-rand-77-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-45-cents and Bitcoin trades at 56-thousand-423-dollars-93-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-519-dollars-19-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-49-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….