News 08:00

BULLETIN 26 September 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa urges US businesses to support the call for the extension of AGOA
# The Former FBI director James Comey is indicted
# And netball: The Baby Proteas are through to the World Youth Cup semifinals for the first time

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated his call for the 30-percent tariffs imposed by the US to be reduced or removed. The president and his delegation yesterday concluded their four-day working visit to the High-Level Segment of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Addressing the media, Ramaphosa says he has had an opportunity to urge American businesses to support his call for the African Growth and Opportunity Act to be extended for another five years:

# The National Employers’ Association of South Africa and Sakeliga have filed appeals to the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal challenging the High Court in Pretoria’s Employment Equity ruling. The court rejected their request to halt new regulations that set employment quotas based on race, sex, and disability. The Employment and Labour Ministry has ten days to respond to the appeal. Sakeliga’s Piet le Roux says the ruling sets a dangerous precedent that could unfairly harm employees and job seekers.

# The Ekurhuleni City Council has rejected a motion for the suspension of Ekurhuleni Metro Police Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi. He stands accused of facilitating the illegal transfer of city-owned vehicles, specifically those equipped with blue lights, to suspected underworld figure, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Mkhwanazi has denied the allegations. Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza says the council has resolved to refer this matter to the city manager, who is legally able to deal with all disciplinary issues:

# Former FBI director James Comey has been indicted by a federal jury. This indictment comes shortly after US president Donald Trump instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to move fast to prosecute Comey and other officials he considers political foes. The Justice Department says Comey has been charged with giving false statements to the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2020 and obstructing congressional proceedings. He could face up to five years in prison if convicted. Comey says he is innocent:

# Netball: The South African under-21 team has made history by booking a place in the Netball World Youth Cup semifinals for the very first time in Gibraltar. The Baby Proteas defeated the Cook Islands 79–45 in the quarterfinals. South Africa’s best previous finish at this tournament had been fifth place. The Baby Proteas will now face four-time world champions Australia in the semifinals today. Defending champions New Zealand will face off against England in the other semifinal.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-43-cents and the euro at 20-rand-35-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-27-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-451-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-738-dollars-29-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-62-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….