News 07:00

BULLETIN 25 October 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The South African fuel industry calls for paraffin duties to be set at the same level as diesel
# Johannesburg Water urges residents to conserve water
# And rugby: Handré Pollard may move to Japan next season

# The Fuels Industry Association of South Africa has raised the alarm on the persistent issue of diesel being blended with illuminating paraffin. The association says this illegal activity has not only caused significant financial losses to the fiscus but has also caused equipment failures and market distortions. The association has now put forward a comprehensive proposal to tax marked illuminating paraffin at the same level as diesel. The association believes this will eliminate the economic incentive for unscrupulous operators and has the potential to bring the practice to an end.

# Rise Mzansi has called for stronger enforcement and regulations following a series of suspected food poisonings in Gauteng, Northern Cape, and Limpopo. The party is calling for a multi-disciplinary investigation, including a review of where spaza shops and retailers source their goods. Rise Mzansi’s Makashule Gana urges regular updates to prevent misinformation and keep the public calm: 

# The South African Communist Party has condemned the United States’ longstanding blockade and sanctions against Cuba, describing them as illegal and inhumane. The party expressed solidarity with the Cuban people, stating that the blockade is the primary cause of the hardships they face, including power outages exacerbated by recent hurricanes. They called for the immediate lifting of sanctions, urging an end to the occupation of Guantanamo Bay. The SACP pledges ongoing support until Cuba achieves justice and freedom.

# Johannesburg Water is appealing to residents to become water ambassadors as reservoir levels are near depletion. The utility warns that water-saving efforts are critical to prevent a potential crisis. Spokesperson, Nombuso Shabalala, says alongside reducing usage, the entity is tackling water losses caused by leaks and vandalism. She has urged residents to adopt sustainable practices to protect the city’s water supply:

# The United Nations environmental body says that based on current trends, the chance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is virtually zero. This year’s Emissions Gap Report finds that emissions of greenhouse gasses in 2023 were the highest on record. The analysis finds that the current trajectory in carbon emissions puts the world on course for a potentially catastrophic 3.1 degrees Celsius of warming this century. The report urges nations to come forward with emissions-cutting commitments. Countries have until 2025 to submit new carbon-cutting pledges under the Paris Agreement.

# Rugby: Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard is linked to a move to a Japanese club next season to join Bok teammate Cheslin Kolbe. His contract with English club Leicester Tigers expires at the end of this season, and rumours are he may join Suntory Sungoliath at a salary that will at least equal his current annual pay of 13.7-million-rand. The club in the past boasted the services of Bok players such as Fourie du Preez and Schalk Burger, as well as Wallabies Matt Giteau and George Gregan.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-64-cents and the euro at 19-rand-11-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-910-dollar-25-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-729-dollars-98-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-59-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….