News 07:00

BULLETIN 22 September 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Solidarity unveils a proposed trade framework as part of its USA visit
# Britain, Canada, and Australia formally recognise a Palestinian state
# And rugby: Veteran Willie le Roux will train with the Boks in Durban

# Solidarity says it has unveiled a proposed trade framework between South Africa and the USA. The trade union is in America for what it terms as an extensive community diplomacy visit. Solidarity’s Connie Mulder says the framework focuses in particular on the protection of property rights and the exemption of black economic empowerment for American companies. He adds that the framework proposes that the African Growth and Opportunity Act structure be used to facilitate tariff relief for South Africa:

# Justice and Constitutional Development minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says work is advancing to ensure institutional independence and the unification of a single judiciary. Speaking during a virtual discussion with Judges Matter, Kubayi confirmed that a task team is overseeing the phased transfer of certain Justice Department functions to the Office of the Chief Justice, in a step toward administrative and operational judicial independence:

# Parliament’s Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade has called on the government to urgently convene a national crisis summit on job losses. Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa is the latest company to announce retrenchments, as it plans to cut 680 jobs and close plants in Bloemfontein, Free State, and East London, Eastern Cape. Tyre giant Goodyear and Ford Motor Company Southern Africa also retrenched workers this year. The committee says mass retrenchments and downsizing by big companies have become far too routine in the country.

# Cape Town is hosting the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Ministerial Outreach today led by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister Velenkosini Hlabisa. The event, themed ‘Coastal Protection and Eco-Based Disaster Risk Reduction,’ will showcase strategies to combat rising seas, storm surges, and erosion. The programme aims to strengthen global cooperation, highlight urban climate resilience, and present innovative, nature-based solutions. Local projects and community initiatives will also be featured, positioning South Africa as a leader under its G20 Presidency.

# The UK, alongside Canada and Australia, have formally announced its recognition of Palestine as a state. This is ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week. The death toll in Gaza since the Israeli Defence Force launched its offensive following Hamas’s October 7th, 2023, attacks has now risen above 65-thousand people. UK prime minister Keir Starmer says they join over 150 countries that recognise a Palestinian state, to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution:

# Rugby: The Springboks have recalled fullback Willie le Roux into their wider training squad in Durban, as they prepare to face Argentina in their penultimate Rugby Championship match at Kings Park on Saturday. The 36-year-old, who was not named in the 33-man squad for the final two Championship matches against the Pumas, will train with the team until Wednesday. Bok coach Rassie Erasmus says they try to train the way they play, and by having Le Roux in camp, it will allow them to improve the quality of their training sessions.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-33-cents and the euro at 20-rand-35-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-35-cents and Bitcoin trades at 114-thousand-697-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-692-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-50-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….