News 06:00

BULLETIN 21 February 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa urges G20 to address geopolitical tensions and inequality
# The Human Rights Commission investigates Nota Baloyi’s comments about white people
# And boxing: Minister McKenzie orders an investigation into Boxing SA’s missing millions

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged G20 leaders to focus on addressing geopolitical tensions and rising inequality. Speaking at the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Johannesburg, he emphasised that these issues threaten global stability and require coordinated solutions. Ramaphosa called for stronger financial support for developing nations, particularly in disaster recovery and the just energy transition:

Ramaphosa also advocated for green industrialisation and investment in critical minerals to drive sustainable development. In his keynote address, he urged G20 leaders to support efforts that ensure the benefits of these minerals are shared globally, benefiting both the Global South and North. Ramaphosa said investing in green industries and minerals is key to addressing climate change and driving inclusive economic growth:

# Impeached judge and MK Party parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, has approached the Constitutional Court to appeal a ruling, that prohibited him from participating in Judicial Service Commission interviews. Last year, the Western Cape High Court barred Hlophe from sitting in the interviews, after the DA and Corruption Watch urgently challenged the decision of the National Assembly to designate the impeached judge to the JSC. Hlophe’s attorney, Barnabas Xulu, argues that his impeachment as a judge does not automatically bar him from serving on the JSC.

# The South African Human Rights Commission is investigating statements made by Nhlamulo ‘Nota’ Baloyi on The Hustlers Corner SA podcast following complaints that Baloyi expressed his views on white people. The commission’s spokesperson, Wisani Baloyi, says the SAHRC in Gauteng warns that freedom of expression is not absolute and that hate speech is prohibited. He says that the final investigation report is expected today:

# White House national security adviser, Mike Waltz, says Ukraine needs to tone down its criticism of the US, emphasising that the two countries can reconcile their differences. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused his American counterpart Donald Trump of living in a disinformation space created by Russia. In response, Trump called Zelenskyy a dictator. Waltz has rejected the notion that Ukraine is being sidelined in peace talks with Russia, saying they are engaging in shuttle diplomacy because bringing everybody to the table at once has not worked in the past.

# Boxing: Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie ordered an investigation into Boxing South Africa’s finances after the revelation the sport’s benevolent fund had been plundered by millions of rand. The fund was set up over four decades ago with the aim to assist financially struggling former boxers. A small percentage of local fighters’ purse was deducted since then and paid over to the fund, which is now used to help injured boxers. McKenzie wants the probe to start immediately, saying the perpetrators must go to jail.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-32-cents and the euro at 19-rand-24-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-21-cents and Bitcoin trades at 98-thousand-375-dollar-90-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-941-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-71-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….