News 08:00

BULLETIN 24 September 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa urges US investment in Africa’s critical minerals sector
# Rugby: Ireland is back as the number one side in world
# And, a missing pet cat wanders 1 600 kilometres to get home from Yellowstone

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for greater collaboration between South Africa and the United States to boost Africa’s critical minerals sector. Speaking at the Business Council for International Understanding and Prosper Africa Minerals Forum in New York, he urged US companies to invest in advanced mining technologies, supply chain efficiencies, and green energy initiatives. Ramaphosa also warned against repeating colonial-era exploitation of Africa’s resources:

# Business Leadership South Africa says hosting the G20 summit next year presents a vital opportunity to boost positive foreign sentiment towards South Africa. In her weekly newsletter, CEO Busisiwe Mavuso writes that the South African Reserve Bank’s recent 25 basis points interest rate cut signals easing monetary conditions, benefiting indebted consumers and foreign investor sentiment, though inflation remains a concern. Mavuso believes the G20 chairmanship can showcase economic progress and attract investment, particularly in light of Brazil’s upcoming summit in November.  

# The DA has urged Defence and Military Veterans minister Angie Motshekga to justify the South African National Defence Force’s spending on luxury items amid growing concerns over its priorities. The party also raised concerns about SANDF’s participation in a costly music festival in Russia, which came at an expense of 15-million-rand to taxpayers. The DA’s Nicholas Gotsell says these expenditures detract from SANDF’s core mission of protecting South Africa’s borders and ensuring the welfare of troops:  

# Rugby: Ireland has returned to the top of the World Rugby rankings after South Africa’s defeat by Argentina at the weekend. The Springboks were beaten 29-28 by the Pumas in the penultimate round of the Rugby Championship on Saturday. The loss cost the back-to-back world champions 1.81 ranking points and they now trail Andy Farrell’s men by 0.35 points. The Springboks had been at the top since overtaking Ireland at the quarter-final stage of last year’s World Cup in France. Australia is now tenth on the list at an all-time low.

# And finally, a cat who got lost in Yellowstone National Park somehow travelled one-thousand-600 kilometres to return home after two months. Rayne Beau (pronounce Rainbow) is a two-and-a-half-year-old Siamese and visited the park in June, with his owners from California. He ran off into the forest after getting startled. Then, 61 days later, the couple received a notification about a cat with Rayne Beau’s identification number being located. They said they’re not sure how Rayne Beau made it all the way back to California, but they are ecstatic to have him back.

Stay tuned for more news………….