News 07:00
BULLETIN 17 May 7 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Cosatu warns against austerity ahead of revised budget
# Russian and Ukrainian officials meet for their first direct talks since 2022
# And in rugby, the Stormers beat Cardiff to reach the United Rugby Championships play-offs
# The union federation Cosatu urges the government to present a bold and progressive budget when it tables the revised 2025/2026 national budget next week. According to the federation, workers cannot afford more austerity, which has already weakened frontline services. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks calls for urgent investment in Eskom, Transnet, public services, infrastructure, and public job creation programmes:
Meanwhile the MK Party has filed a motion of censure against Finance minister Enoch Godongwana, accusing him of mishandling the 2025 national budget. They argue the unprecedented delay in passing the budget disrupted key services and hurt vulnerable communities, with delays in salaries, grants, and funding for non-governmental organisations. Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela also criticised Godongwana’s failed plan to raise VAT, calling it unfair to vulnerable people:
# South African National Parks has deployed two fire trucks to support the Knysna Municipality in the Western Cape as it battles a worsening water crisis. The vehicles, stationed at the Garden Route National Park, are assisting with emergency water distribution. The agency is working closely with local authorities to ease the pressure on residents. SANParks’ JP Louw says they will continue monitoring the situation and provide further help where possible.
# Russia and Ukraine have held their first direct talks in three years, where they discussed a ceasefire and talks between the two countries’ leaders. However, there have been no signs of a major breakthrough. A Ukrainian source told CNN the Russian delegation demanded that Kyiv give up land under its control. Neither Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky or Russian President Vladimir Putin were present. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to place new sanctions on Moscow following Putin’s no-show. European leaders have been piling pressure on the Russian leader to agree to a 30-day ceasefire.
# And now sport with some rugby news first: The Stormers ensured their spot in the play-offs of the United Rugby Championships when they beat Cardiff 34-24 at the Cape Town stadium last night. The Stormer’s points included two tries each by winger Suleiman Hartzenberg, who also played his 50th game, and centre Leolin Zas, conversions by Damian Willems, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who also succeeded with a penalty . The half-time score was 19-12. This afternoon the Bulls take on the Dragons at Loftus, the Lions play Osprey in Johannesburg and tonight the Sharks take on the Scarlets in Durban.
# And finally cricket, the Indian Premier League resumes after a week-long postponement today, with 18 matches left in the season. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, currently second on the log, hosts sixth-placed Kolkata Knight Riders today. Tomorrow’s double-header sees Rajasthan Royals play Punjab Kings in Jaipur, and Delhi Capitals, strengthened by South Africans Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs, welcoming Gujarat Titans. The final was postponed to the third of next month, with the play-offs starting on the 29th of this month.
Stay tuned for more news………….