News 11:00

BULLETIN 27 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Institute for Race Relations says South Africa has a golden opportunity to revise its electoral system
# Donald Trump renews his threat of economic sanctions against Russia
# And athletics: The final Diamond League meeting takes place in Zurich from today

# The Institute of Race Relations says South Africa’s current electoral system is not fit for purpose. The Electoral Reform Consultation Panel is due to submit its recommendations to Parliament at the end of next month. The panel is conducting a comprehensive review of the system and will provide recommendations for potential reforms. IRR’s Marius Roodt says the electoral system the country needs is proportional and fair, and ensures accountability:

# Union federation Fedusa has condemned the Passenger Rail Agency of SA for its refusal to honour the 2025/26 wage agreement signed with Satawu and Untu. Prasa has refused to comply with a signed agreement of a 5.5-percent wage increase, citing financial constraints. The agreement comes into effect at the end of this month. Fedusa says it is outraged that Prasa would seek to unilaterally disregard a legally binding agreement signed in good faith under facilitation of the the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.

# Western Cape premier Alan Winde says an urgent court order will be filed against the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association. This follows the recent spate of deadly violence linked to the taxi industry. On Monday, Philippi East and Khayelitsha in Cape Town experienced a series of shootings that claimed multiple lives. Winde says the court order will allow law-abiding operators to continue serving commuters safely:

Moving abroad:

# US president Donald Trump has renewed his threat to impose heavy economic penalties on Russia if president Vladimir Putin refuses to halt the war against Ukraine. Trump is seeking one-on-one talks between Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin. Trump says he does not want to impose new sanctions or tariffs aimed at hurting the Russian economy, expressing hope that there is still a path toward brokering a deal to end the war:

# Athletics: The world’s best athletes will converge on Zurich in Switzerland today for the final Diamond League meeting. Six South Africans are taking part in the two-day event, including sprinters Akani Simbine, Shaun Maswanganyi and Bayanda Walaza, who will run in the 100-metres. World indoor champion Prudence Sekgodiso will participate in the 800-metres, Zenéy van der Walt in die 400-hurdles and Olympic silver medallist, Jo-Ané van Dyk, in the javelin. Among the international stars are American sprinter Noah Lyles and Swedish-American world record pole-vaulter Armand Duplantis.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-67-cents and the euro at 20-rand-53-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-78-cents and Bitcoin trades at 111-thousand-87-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-376-dollars-78-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-65-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….