News 09:00

BULLETIN 21 February 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# COSATU welcomes the decrease in the number of murders in  South Africa
# Soil of Africa says violent crime remains out of control
# And Donald Trump is furious after the Supreme Court upends his global tariffs

# COSATU has welcomed the positive decreases in the number of murders, violent crimes, burglaries, and other serious offences in the country. Acting minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, has released crime statistics for the third quarter of 2025, showing a 8.7-percent decrease or the equivalent of 602 fewer deaths. COSATU’s spokesperson, Matthew Parks, welcomes the crime decreases, but says South Africa’s crime levels remain far too high:

The Soil of Africa Movement, meanwhile, says violent crime remains out of control, with murders normalised in townships and inner cities across the country. Crime statistics for the third quarter of 2025 show that the level of crime remains unacceptably high in South Africa. The movement chairperson, Bongani Ramontja, says organised criminal networks continue to operate with confidence, and ordinary people live in daily fear:

# The Motor Industry Staff Association is calling on the North West government to account for the unpaid workers and stranded commuters linked to the crisis at North West Transport Investment. More than one-thousand-500 employees have reportedly gone months without pay, while thousands of commuters face much higher transport costs. MISA’s Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says the situation has become a humanitarian crisis, with severe financial and emotional consequences for workers and their families:

# American President Donald Trump responded with fury to Friday’s Supreme Court ruling that he lacked the power to unilaterally set tariffs on imports. He vowed to continue the global trade war that has kept the world on edge for a year. The court’s landmark 6-3 ruling upended the leverage Trump and his trade envoys have wielded over foreign governments at negotiating tables to reshape diplomatic relations and global markets. He later signed an executive order repealing the tariffs, and he issued a proclamation imposing a 10-percent duty on most goods imported into the US for 150 days.

# Tennis: The world number one Carlos Alcaraz needed six match points before finally toppling defending champion Andrey Rublev 7-6, 6-4 on Friday to reach the final of the Qatar Open. Playing his first tournament since completing his career Grand Slam at the Australian Open earlier in February, Alcaraz will face Arthur Fils in the final. The 21-year-old Frenchman won 6-4, 7-6 over sixth seed Jakub Mensik, who defeated Jannik Sinner in the last eight. Alcaraz has now extended his perfect winning record to 11 matches this season.

# And finally: Acclaimed South African chef Ollie Swart has been appointed as the new brand ambassador for SA Olive. The partnership aims to promote awareness and appreciation of locally produced extra virgin olive oil and encourage consumers to support South African producers. SA Olive says the initiative forms part of its efforts to educate the public about the quality and versatility of local olive oil, despite South Africa holding less than one-percent of the global market.

Stay tuned for more news………….