News 07:00

BULLETIN 14 January 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF says South Africa must withdraw from AGOA
# South African canegrowers warn the sugar industry is at risk
# And, Russia condemns US threats of military intervention in Iran

# The EFF says the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act is yet another example of the US pursuing its own geopolitical and economic interests, not those of the African people. The House of Representatives has voted to continue the bipartisan trade programme and will now go to the Senate for approval. South Africa’s participation in a renewed AGOA is, however, not guaranteed, given the strained relationship with America. The EFF says South Africa must withdraw from the programme, rather than appease US political interests.

# Cosatu has welcomed the National Assembly’s approval of the Special Appropriation Bill, which provides an additional 754-million-rand to the Department of Health. This follows a shortfall caused by US funding cuts. The federation urges the government to ensure adequate resources in the 2026/2027 budget to strengthen public healthcare and fast-track the rollout of National Health Insurance. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says the allocation is still insufficient, leaving a gap of one-billion-rand:

# The South African Canegrowers calls on the government to scrap the sugar tax to protect the local sugar industry. They warn that a surge of heavily subsidised imported sugar is displacing local production, putting more than a million jobs at risk in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. The organisation’s chairperson, Higgins Mdluli, says the tax has hurt growers and manufacturers without improving health outcomes, urging urgent government action to safeguard jobs, rural economies, and the country’s sugar supply.

# The Public Servants Association has expressed sympathy to Western Cape residents affected by recent veld fires. The union acknowledges the loss of property and livelihoods, and salutes the dedication of firefighters, emergency teams, and volunteers working to protect lives. The association’s Koos Kruger calls on all South Africans to support relief efforts and help those in need, highlighting the importance of unity and compassion during this difficult time:

# Russia has condemned US threats of military strikes in Iran, and warned against subversive external interference in Iran’s politics. US president Donald Trump has recently floated the possibility of military intervention in the country, as at least one-thousand-850 protesters have been killed in anti-government demonstrations. The Russian Foreign Ministry says those who plan to use externally inspired unrest as a pretext for aggression must be aware of the disastrous consequences of such actions for the situation in the Middle East and global international security.

# Golf: South Africa’s LIV Golf team has rebranded itself to the Southern Guards, just months before the Saudi-backed league tees off on African soil for the first time. The team, previously known as Stinger Golf Club, had to rebrand due to trademark issues. The team, captained by Louis Oosthuizen and featuring Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace, and Dean Burmester, features a rhino in the new logo. Southern Guards says that at the heart of the team’s identity is an emphasis on culture, unity, and resilience.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-37-cents and the euro at 19-rand-5-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-97-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-104-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-614-dollars-40-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-75-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….