News 09:00

BULLETIN 25 July 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cosatu makes a submission on the renewal of AGOA
# The SABC’s debt could lead to interruptions in its broadcasts
# And, Macron says France will officially recognise Palestine

# The Congress of South African Trade Unions says it has presented its submission in support of the African Growth and Opportunities Act’s renewal to the United States’ Trade Representative. With relations between the South African and US governments at a low point, it seems likely that South Africa’s inclusion in the AGOA will not be renewed in September. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Matthew Parks, says AGOA has had a positive impact not only on the country, but Africa as a whole:

# SABC CEO Nomsa Chabeli has warned of a potential total blackout due to legacy debt owed to Sentech. Speaking in Parliament, Chabeli said Sentech may switch off transmitters, cutting TV and radio signals nationwide. According to My Broadband, Chabeli blamed outdated business models, declining license fees, and a lack of state support. She explained that making the SABC financially sustainable requires legislative and regulatory change. Media experts say the situation is dire, with no funding for content, digital upgrades, or operations.

# ActionSA in Gauteng says it notes with outrage the latest attempt by Ekurhuleni mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, to shift the blame for the punitive 126-rand fixed electricity surcharge onto the National Energy Regulator of South Africa. The mayor claims NERSA prescribed the surcharge. ActionSA’s Zwelithini Mtshali says NERSA does not prescribe municipal tariffs; it approves what municipalities submit. He says they are calling for the immediate and permanent scrapping of the fixed electricity surcharge in all Gauteng metros:

# President Emmanuel Macron says France will recognise Palestine as a state in September, becoming the first member of the United Nations Security Council and the G7 nations to do so. The French president says he hopes this decision will bring peace to the Middle East. Macron added that the urgent need today is for the war in Gaza to end and for the civilian population to be rescued. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says France’s decision rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy.

# Tennis: Britain’s Emma Raducanu is through to the Washington Open quarterfinals, after beating four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka of Japan, 6-4, 6-2. The 22-year-old will face wildcard Maria Sakkari next. Poland’s Magdalena Frech ended 45-year-old American Venus Williams’ comeback tournament with a 6-2, 6-2 victory. In the men’s draw, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev eased into his eighth quarterfinal of the season with a dominant 6-3, 6-2 victory against Chinese qualifier Wu Yibing. Americans Frances Tiafoe and Brandon Nakashima have also advanced to the quarterfinals.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-64-cents and the euro at 20-rand-71-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 115-thousand-555-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-360-dollars-31-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-58-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….