News 08:00

BULLETIN 18 September 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa’s G20 Presidency faces a 153-million-rand budget shortfall
# Solidarity says retrenchments are related to poor governance by the ANC
# And the EU proposes plans to restrict trade with Israel

# The deputy minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, says South Africa has secured 149-million-rand in sponsorships to support its G20 presidency. Ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Gauteng in November, 90 of the 133 scheduled meetings have taken place. Botes told Parliament’s portfolio committee on International Relations and Cooperation that a 153-million-rand budget shortfall remains. Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability is the guiding theme of the country’s G20 Presidency, reflecting a collective commitment to addressing global challenges through unity, fairness, and long-term resilience.

# Solidarity says failures of the ANC-led government are linked to large-scale retrenchments across a range of industries. In its latest report, the trade union says retrenchments are already directly or indirectly affecting more than 350-thousand people. Solidarity’s General Secretary, Gideon du Plessis, says retrenchments in the mining sector can be attributed to high input costs resulting from electricity tariffs and poor rail transport. He says for car manufacturers, an unfavourable trade climate and political uncertainty were major contributing factors:

# The Hawks conducted a raid at the offices of the Polokwane Municipality yesterday, following allegations of tender irregularities involving contracts worth 225.5-million-rand. Mayor John Mpe and municipal manager Thuso Nemugumoni allegedly awarded tenders to their close friends and some foreign-owned companies. Municipal funds were also allegedly used to fund the Makoro Foundation, which belongs to the mayor. The municipality’s spokesperson, Thipa Selala, says they will cooperate fully with the Hawks.

# The European Commission plans to restrict trade with Israel and impose sanctions on extremist ministers in its government. The proposal must be adopted by the majority of the European Union’s 27 member states, but will likely be met with resistance, especially from Germany and Italy. The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner, accounting for 32-percent of its total trade in goods with the world in 2024. EU Foreign Policy chief, Kaja Kallas, says they are also proposing sanctions on Hamas:

# Tennis: First-time finalist Ukraine is through to the semifinal of the Billie Jean King Cup women’s competition in China after beating the strong Spanish team. Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina defeated Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and Paula Badosa, respectively. Ukraine will play defending champions Italy next, after Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Jasmine Paolini both fought hard to defeat the hostesses. In today’s remaining quarterfinals, Kazakhstan will face the US, and Japan will play Great Britain. The semifinals will be played tomorrow and Saturday, with the final on Sunday.  

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-40-cents and the euro at 20-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 117-thousand-809-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-661-dollars-54-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-41-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….