News 08:00

BULLETIN 27 May 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Tau says South Africa is facing real recessionary risks amidst the complex global environment
# The ANC’s Integrity Commission recommends that Sisi Tolashe resign as women’s league president and member of parliament
# And, the UN chief warns that a dangerous erosion of respect for international law is unfolding

# Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, says as a net oil importer, South Africa faces real recessionary risks and threats to industrial competitiveness. The US-Israeli war on Iran has severely curtailed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which around one-fifth of the world’s supply of oil and energy normally flows. Tau says as South Africa navigates an increasingly complex global environment, the country remains firmly on course, with the government focused on stimulating investment, industrialisation, and combating illicit trade:

# The ANC’s Integrity Commission has reportedly recommended that former Social Development minister, Sisi Tolashe, resign as ANC Women’s League president and as a member of Parliament. This comes after the commission found her guilty on four counts. Tolashe was recently fired as minister by president Cyril Ramaphosa amid multiple allegations of misconduct, including failing to declare two SUVs donated to the Women’s League. She has also been referred to the ANC’s national Disciplinary Committee for bringing the party into disrepute.

# The Congress of the People is calling for urgent action to strengthen South Africa’s immigration and border control systems. The party argues porous borders, corruption and weak enforcement are driving crime, job losses and added pressure on public services. COPE’s Pakes Dikgetsi demands tougher penalties against employers who hire undocumented workers and for stronger systems at the Department of Home Affairs. Dikgetsi urged the government to tighten border controls:

# The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, warns that wars, arms races, climate shocks, and the erosion of international law are placing intense pressure on the multilateral system established to prevent a third world war. He addressed a high-level Security Council debate yesterday, amid growing concern over the future of multilateralism. Guterres warned that a dangerous erosion of respect for international law was unfolding, with fundamental principles such as sovereignty and territorial integrity being challenged or ignored:

# Cricket: Defending champions the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are through to the Indian Premier League final after thrashing the Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Dharamsala. Captain Rajat Patidar scored an unbeaten 93 from 33 balls to help RCB post 254 for five, the highest total in IPL playoff history. In reply, Jacob Duffy took three wickets as Gujarat were dismissed for 162. Gujarat will play the winner of today’s Eliminator match between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Rajasthan Royals for a second chance at a place in Sunday’s final.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-33-cents and the euro at 19-rand-1-cent. One British pound costs 21-rand-98-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 75-thousand-717-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-506-dollars-5-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 94-dollars-83-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….