News 08:00

BULLETIN 19 November 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa calls on companies to be part of a new economic trajectory
# The US House of Representatives passes a bill to release the Epstein files
# And rugby: Samoa qualifies for the 2027 World Cup

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South African executives have a critical role to play in efforts to drive inclusive growth across Africa and the globe. He addressed a working dinner with South African chief executives as part of the G20 Outreach Programme in Sandton, Johannesburg, yesterday evening. Ramaphosa says the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area will profoundly transform market access for South African goods, services, and investments. He says it will help to drive regional integration and value chains across borders:

# Deputy minister of Finance, David Masondo, says Sovereign Wealth Funds have the potential to help bridge Africa’s infrastructure financing gap. Sub-Saharan African countries allocate only 3.5-percent of their gross domestic product to infrastructure annually. Masondo says traditional financing mechanisms like national budgets, development finance, or concessional loans are insufficient on their own. He says it is no surprise that more African countries are exploring or establishing Sovereign Wealth Funds, to promote investment, stabilise fiscal systems, and leverage global partnerships.

# Gauteng police have launched an investigation after the Inxiweni Primary School principal and an administrative staff member were fatally shot inside the school premises in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, on Tuesday. According to preliminary reports, the incident occurred while staff members were preparing for a meeting. The Gauteng Education Department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says MEC Matome Chiloane is horrified by this senseless and brutal act committed within a school, a place meant to be a sanctuary for teaching and learning:

# The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved the House-backed bill forcing the Justice Department to release the files on sex offender financier Jeffrey Epstein. The House voted 427-1 to pass the Epstein Transparency Act, with Republican Clay Higgins being the only member who voted against it. Meanwhile, the Senate has agreed to unanimously fast-track the bill without a formal vote. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says it is now time for justice for Epstein’s victims, who fought so hard for this:

# Rugby: Samoa have secured qualification for its tenth World Cup in Australia in 2027. This is after drawing with Belgium 13-13 in the last match of the Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai. Samoa is the 24th and final team to book their place at the global showpiece. Belgium missed out on a place in the World Cup on try bonus points. By qualifying for the World Cup, Samoa has also confirmed its participation in the new World Rugby Nations Cup, which is kicking off next year.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-18-cents and the euro at 19-rand-90-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-58-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-56-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-71-dollars-98-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-30-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….