News 08:00

BULLETIN 27 March 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul Mashatile says South Africa is guided by its national interests
# Australia’s prime minister downplays Trump’s claims over lack of support
# And Olympics: The IOC restricts female events to biological females only

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says South Africa’s approach to international relations remains guided by its national interest, which is to advance the development of its people through inclusive economic growth. He hosted his counterpart from China, Han Zheng, in Cape Town yesterday. Mashatile says South Africa remains committed to ensuring that its partnership with China delivers practical outcomes that improve the lives of its people and contribute to sustainable development in both countries:

# The Consulting Engineers South Africa has urged the government to include professionals in decision-making to improve infrastructure development. The body says a shortage of engineers and stalled projects are straining the sector. It emphasised collaboration with policymakers to ensure sustainability. Industry leaders also raised concerns about unemployed graduates and a lack of technical expertise in government, warning that without reform, infrastructure delivery and economic growth could be compromised.

# The City of Tshwane council has approved a report to institute disciplinary steps against the chief financial officer, Gareth Mnisi, including initiating steps to place him on precautionary suspension. This comes after he was implicated at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry for allegedly manipulating and rigging tenders. Mnisi and a member of the Gauteng Organised Crime Unit, Fannie Nkosi, allegedly colluded to ensure that tenders at the municipality were awarded to their preferred bidders. Mnisi has been allowed to make written representations within seven days on why he should not be suspended.

# Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese has reiterated that the United States has not made any specific requests for military aid in the Middle East conflict. During a cabinet meeting yesterday, Trump singled out Australia for failing to provide assistance to secure the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20-percent of the world’s oil supply is shipped. Albanese says there has been no request to Australia that has not been agreed to, adding that he wants to see a de-escalation of hostilities:

# Olympics: The International Olympic Committee has agreed to a new eligibility policy, which will see the women’s category of Olympic sports be limited to biological females from 2028. This aligns with US president Donald Trump’s executive order on women’s sports ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, says all athletes wanting to compete in the female category at future Olympics will have to undergo a one-off sex determining region Y gene screening, to detect their biological sex:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-6-cents and the euro at 19-rand-68-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-75-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-770-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-428-dollars-82-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 100-dollars-71-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….