News 18:00

BULLETIN 1 August 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Commissioner Masemola will brief acting minister Cachalia on police challenges
# Trump raises tariff on Canadian goods to 35-percent after it announces the plan to recognise Palestine
# And rugby: The Cheetahs and the Pumas kick off the Currie Cup’s second week in Bloemfontein tonight

# National police commissioner Fannie Masemola says he will brief acting minister Firoz Cachalia on the many issues facing it, including the need for more resources and personnel. Speaking outside the Union Buildings, Masemola pledged full support for Cachalia, saying the Police Service looks forward to his guidance in improving safety in South Africa:

Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has commended the political killings task team and provincial commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for their relentless efforts in tackling crime and safeguarding communities. This follows a series of major arrests in the murder cases of ANC Youth League secretary general Sindiso Magaqa, DA councillor Nhlayenza Mdlovu, and KwaDukuza Municipal official Nokulunga Happiness Mashabane. The premier’s spokesperson, Lindelani Mbatha, says the arrests are a clear message to criminals that there is no hiding place:

# Trade union Solidarity says the settlement reached between FlySafair and its pilots is a small victory for workers but a setback for labour relations. The agreement, brokered by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, ends a 12-day strike and lock-out, gives pilots more rest time, pay increases over four-years, and pay compensation for extra hours worked. Solidarity’s Helgard Cronjé says the deal could have been reached months earlier:

Moving abroad: 

# Canadian prime minister Mark Carney says his government is disappointed by US president Donald Trump’s decision to increase tariffs on Canadian goods. Trump has earlier warned of trade consequences after Carney announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly next month. In an executive order, Trump raised the levy from 25-percent to 35-percent. A wide swath of products covered by a 2020 agreement between America, Canada and Mexico however remain exempt from the tariff rate.

# Rugby: The Cheetahs and the Pumas kick off the second weekend of the Currie Cup Premier League in Bloemfontein this evening. Tomorrow, Western Province travels to Johannesburg to meet the Lions at Ellis Park, while the Bulls and the Sharks will do battle at Loftus. On Sunday, Griquas and Boland Kavaliers will play in Kimberley. The Lions are currently top of the log, followed by the Bulls, the Pumas and Boland. Cheetahs, Griquas, Western Province and the Sharks are in the bottom-part of the log.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-5-cents and the euro at 20-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-97-cents and Bitcoin trades at 115-thousand-449-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-353-dollars-21-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-97-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….