News 06:00

BULLETIN 9 July 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The South African trade negotiating team is going to enter into urgent talks with the US
# AfriForum blames president Ramaphosa for the Trump tariffs
# And rugby: The Junior Boks face Scotland in the third round of the Under-20 championships

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has instructed the government trade negotiations team to urgently engage with the US based on the framework deal that South Africa submitted to America in May. This comes as the US has imposed a 30-percent tariff hike on all South African goods from the first of August. Ramaphosa says the framework deal addresses the issues initially raised by the US, including the country’s supposed trade surplus, unfair trade practices, and lack of reciprocity from the US.

Meanwhile, AfriForum has blamed Ramaphosa. The group accuses the government of wasting a 90-day grace period for negotiations and ignoring critical concerns raised by the Trump administration. AfriForum’s Ernst van Zyl says solutions were offered; however, the government responded with denialism and baseless accusations, deepening the diplomatic crisis:

# The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed it will proceed with the domestic violence case against Premier Soccer League general manager Andile ‘Ace’ Ncobo, despite the complainant’s request to withdraw the matter. Ncobo was released on warning yesterday by the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. He is accused of assaulting his girlfriend last month. NPA regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane says the case has been postponed to 7 September for further investigation:

# The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for senior Taliban leaders in Afghanistan over the persecution of women. ICC judges said in a statement there were “reasonable grounds” to suspect Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani had committed this crime against humanity. The court said the alleged crimes had been committed since August 2021, when the Taliban seized power. It severely deprived girls and women of the rights to education, privacy, and family life, and the freedoms of movement, expression, thought, conscience, and religion.

# Rugby: The Junior Springboks will play Scotland in the third round of the World Rugby Under 20 championships in Italy this afternoon. The Baby Boks humiliated the young Wallabies 73-17 in the first round, and followed that up with a 32-20 victory over the English. In today’s other matches, Wales will play Spain, England will face Australia, the young All Blacks will come up against Ireland, France will take on Argentina, and the hosts, Italy, will do battle with Georgia. The play-offs start on Monday.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-78-cents and the euro at 20-rand-85-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-16-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-1-dollar. Gold sells at three-thousand-300-dollars-27-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-45-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Reigning Miss South Africa, Mia le Roux, has announced her engagement to longtime partner Luke ten Oever. Sharing the news online, they showcased her emerald green ring, stating that they chose to enjoy their engagement privately before going public. Ten Oever proposed in a serene natural setting, marking a new chapter for the beauty queen and her now-fiancé. Le Roux now joins a growing list of Miss SA winners who tie the knot soon after their time in the spotlight.

Stay tuned for more news………….