News 06:00

BULLETIN 30 August 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa asks the private sector to help improve the rail network system
# The UN chief calls on Israel to halt its strikes in the West Bank immediately
# And rugby: SA Rugby warns supporters about fake Springbok merchandise

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has attributed logistics challenges in various sectors to poor rail conditions and state capture. He emphasised the need for private sector investment to revitalise the sector, including container terminals. Ramaphosa highlighted that the implementation of the freight logistics roadmap seeks to address some of these issues and improve the country’s logistics infrastructure:

# Union federation Saftu welcomes the London Court’s decision allowing the extradition of former Eskom contractor, Michael Lomas to South Africa. Lomas faces charges over a corruption case linked to Eskom’s Kusile Power Station, which cost the utility 745-million-rand through bribery. Saftu’s Mogoshadi Maserumule is pleased that key figures in the Eskom scandal will face justice but calls for swift prosecution, insisting that both financial restitution and imprisonment are necessary for corruption cases:  

# ActionSA has welcomed the withdrawal of the ANC-sponsored motion of no confidence against Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink. The party states this move grants them time to finalise its internal review and consultations regarding its role in the multi-party coalition. Meanwhile, the DA’s Kwena Moloto has accused ActionSA of betraying Tshwane’s residents by withdrawing from the multi-party coalition government, which threatens the city’s recent progress: 

# The United Nations secretary general, António Guterres, says the latest developments in the occupied West Bank, including Israel’s launch of large-scale military operations, are deeply concerning. At least 17 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in raids in the West Bank this week. Guterres has called on Israel to immediately halt its operation, saying it is fuelling an already explosive situation and further undermining the Palestinian Authority. He has urged the Israeli military to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law.

# Rugby: SA Rugby has issued an urgent warning to online shoppers who are in danger of being ripped off by crooks passing themselves off as the official Springbok store on social media channels. Dozens of fraudsters have sprung up on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms using genuine Springbok imagery and credible shop names to cash in on Springbok rugby fever. There is only one official online Springbok store, with access to official clothing and licensed supporter items, and where orders and deliveries are guaranteed. It is located at www.sarugbyshop.co.za

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-74-cents and the euro at 19-rand-67-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-37-cents and Bitcoin trades at 59-thousand-309-dollars-82-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-518-dollars-17-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The 60th edition of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition received a record 59-thousand-228 entries from 117 countries and territories. The Natural History Museum has released a few photographs up for the prize. Award-winning British photographer and writer based in Cape Town, Tommy Trenchard is one of the nominees for his image titled Hooked. While onboard the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise, Trenchard captured the final thrashes of a requiem shark as it was pulled out of the ocean. The winners will be announced in October.

Stay tuned for more news………….