News 07:00

BULLETIN 31 October 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa’s G20 Presidency has been about aligning the global cooperation agenda
# The DA will today sponsor a parliamentary debate on a new bill to replace BEE
# And cricket: India beat the defending champions, Australia, to reach the Women’s World Cup final

# Deputy minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong says South Africa’s G20 Presidency is not only about global visibility or prestige, but it is also about aligning the agenda of global cooperation with the priorities of communities. The G20 Summit is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg in November. Morolong says South Africa’s G20 Presidency has prioritised several areas of focus, and among the most urgent is the transformation of the digital economy. He adds that the Presidency has been an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the global discourse.

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says empowering small-scale and previously disadvantaged farmers is key to transforming the agricultural sector. Answering questions in the National Assembly, Mashatile said the government’s ongoing land reform and the release of state-owned land show its commitment to helping emerging black farmers participate in commercial agriculture and strengthen the country’s farming economy:

# The DA will today advance a bill in Parliament aimed at replacing Black Economic Empowerment with a new model of economic inclusion. The party says the current BEE policy has enriched a few ANC-connected elite while leaving millions of South Africans in poverty. The debate, titled Economic Inclusion for All, will feature DA members of Parliament Mark Burke, Luyolo Mphithi, and Mlondi Mdluli, who will outline the party’s plan to make public procurement more equitable and inclusive.

# The Gauteng Education Department says there will be no reduction of teacher posts in any public school in the province during the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 financial years. According to Solidarity Teachers’ Network, the 66-percent cut in subsidies for quintile 5 schools for next year will make it increasingly difficult for schools to retain teaching staff, manage class sizes, and maintain essential support structures. The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says they remain steadfast in safeguarding the stability of the schooling system:

# The United Nations says the Sudan war is, at its core, a failure of protection to uphold international law. Sudanese rebels have driven government forces from El Fasher, the last stronghold of the country’s regime in the western Darfur region. Estimates suggest that more than 150-thousand people have died due to the conflict. UN Relief Chief, Tom Fletcher, has called on the Security Council to stop the atrocities, ensure safe humanitarian access, and halt flows of weapons fuelling the war:

# Cricket: Co-hosts India completed a record run chase to claim a five-wicket win over defending champions Australia in Navi Mumbai, and reach the Women’s World Cup final. Phoebe Litchfield scored 119, becoming the youngest player to score a century at a World Cup, as the 22-year-old helped Australia to 338. In reply, player of the match, Jemimah Rodrigues, smashed an unbeaten 127 from 134 balls, as India ended Australia‘s 15-match ODI World Cup winning streak. India will now face South Africa in the final on Sunday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-25-cents and the euro at 19-rand-97-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-815-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-29-dollars-59-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-5-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….