News 08:00

BULLETIN 31 July 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA says South African exporters are hours away from losing access to the US market
# The Government cracks down on water mafias sabotaging infrastructure
# And Canada is the latest country intending to recognise a Palestinian state

# The DA says minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau’s comment suggesting a reset in trade relations with the USA is inevitable, is deeply concerning. South Africa’s trade team is mounting a last-ditch campaign ahead of Friday’s deadline to prevent a punishing 30-percent blanket tariff on exports to America. The DA’s Toby Chance says the country’s exporters are hours away from losing access to one of the biggest markets for the next three years at least:

Meanwhile, four major federations, Cosatu, Saftu, Fedusa, and Nactu, say the Trump-era trade wars have exposed the brutal consequences of weaponised tariffs. South Africa is among several countries facing punitive tariffs from the US as it moves to protect its own manufacturers and labour force. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Zanele Sabela, says the answer is not a return to unregulated globalisation, but the building of a just trade system grounded in solidarity and equity:

# The Department of Water and Sanitation has vowed tough action against the criminal networks sabotaging South Africa’s water infrastructure. Speaking during a South African Human Rights Commission webinar, deputy minister David Mahlobo emphasised that water mafias are vandalising key systems and selling water at inflated prices, threatening service delivery and public health. Mahlobo called for urgent collaboration across government, communities, and law enforcement. He urged whistleblowing and public vigilance, warning that sabotage of water services is economic treason and will not go unpunished.

# Canada prime minister Mark Carney says his country will formally recognise the state of Palestine at the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations in September. It is the third G7 nation to make such an announcement, following in the footsteps of France and the United Kingdom. Carney says Canada has long been committed to a two-state solution, an independent, viable, and sovereign Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security:

# Athletics: The World Athletics Council has approved new regulations regarding eligibility conditions for competing in the female category in world ranking competitions. Athletes who wish to compete in the female category from September will be required to undergo a one-time test for the SRY gene, a reliable indicator of biological sex. The new regulations will be applied for the first time at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. World Athletics president Sebastian Coe says they are committed to protecting and promoting the integrity of women’s sport.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-94-cents and the euro at 20-rand-50-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-428-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-295-dollars-45-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-24-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….