News 09:00
BULLETIN 22 March 9 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Minister Mantashe says the PetroSA/Gazprombank deal won’t entail the sale of state assets
# Saftu says there is a limit on how far human rights can be enjoyed in South Africa
# And the UK foreign secretary accuses Israel of blocking the delivery of aid to Gaza
# Mineral Resources and Energy minister Gwede Mantashe says the partnership between PetroSA and Russia’s state-owned Gazprombank will not entail the sale of state assets. The controversial 3.7-billion-rand deal will see Gazprombank, as the investment partner, refurbish the gas-to-liquids refinery in Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. Mantashe says Gazprombank has offered to invest in PetroSA in return for a share in profits. He says this model is preferable to selling stakes in state-owned enterprises.
# The South African Federation of Trade Unions says though political and human rights have been guaranteed in the Constitution, the liberal nature of the country’s democracy puts a limit on how far these can be enjoyed. Yesterday marked Human Rights Day. Saftu’s, Mogoshadi Maserumule, says in a capitalist economy, basic goods and services are sold as commodities:
# The City of Tshwane says it condemns acts of sabotage by people hellbent on depriving residents of their right to clean potable water in and around the Rethabiseng area. A valve was damaged deliberately in the area situated between Bronkhorstspruit and Ekangala in Region Seven, leading to low water pressure following a dry spell due to maintenance delays. Tshwane’s spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo, says the tampering of essential water infrastructure is unacceptable:
# UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron has accused Israel of demanding the closure of a key aid crossing into Gaza. After five months of war, the United Nations has warned that a quarter of people in the besieged Palestinian territory are on the brink of starvation. Cameron says aid was not getting into Gaza owing to arbitrary denials by the Israeli government, and lengthy clearance procedures. Israel’s government spokesperson, Eylon Levy, has denied this saying the country is not placing any obstacles in the delivery of aid to Gaza.
# Tennis: France’s Gael Monfils has booked his spot in the second round of the Miami Open. The 37-year-old defeated Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic, 7-6, 6-4, in his 12th appearance in the tournament. Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Australian qualifier Adam Walton in straight sets. In the women’s draw, Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina came from a set down to defeat former world number one Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, 5-7, 7-5, 6-4, in the second round. Top ten players Maria Sakkari of Greece and Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia are also through to the third round.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-93-cents and the euro at 20-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-95-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-881-dollars-51-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-173-dollars-31-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-17-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….