News 08:00

BULLETIN 13 February 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The African Transformation Movement says the Department of Home Affairs must be applauded for its commitment to enforce universal laws
# Numsa declares a wage dispute in the bus passenger sector
# And swimming, South Africa’s Pieter Coetzé books a spot in the 100-metre backstroke final in Doha

# The African Transformation Movement says the recent notice issued by the Department of Home Affairs underscores the critical importance of respecting and strictly abiding by immigration laws. The department has asked foreign tourists to leave the country at the end of this month if their visa renewal outcomes are not received by the 23rd of the month. ATM says while it acknowledges the significant role tourism plays in driving economic growth and development, it cannot come at the expense of flouting immigration regulations or compromising national security.

# The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa says it has declared a dispute against employers at the South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council, after reaching a wage deadlock. Bus companies that are members of the council include Putco, Bojanala’ Algoa, and Great North Transport. Numsa’s spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, says some of their demands include a ten-percent wage increase across the board and full compulsory healthcare for all workers in the industry:

# Former US president, Donald Trump, has asked the Supreme Court to suspend a ruling by the Court of Appeals, that he does not have presidential immunity from prosecution. A federal grand jury charged him last year with four counts for an alleged attempt to unlawfully overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Trump pleaded not guilty claiming that he could not be tried for acts carried out as president. His attorneys say conducting a long criminal trial at the height of election season will radically disrupt Trump’s ability to campaign.

# Swimming: South Africa’s Pieter Coetzé is through to the men’s 100-metre backstroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha. The 19-year-old, who won gold at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, qualified as the second fastest for this evening’s final, after touching the wall first in the second semifinal at 53.07 seconds yesterday. Erin Gallagher finished seventh in the women’s 100-metre butterfly final, while Lara van Niekerk missed out on the women’s 100-metre breaststroke final after finishing seventh in her semifinal.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-93-cents and the euro at 20-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 49-thousand-900-dollars-99-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-17-dollars-37-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-3-cents a barrel.

# And finally, today is World Radio Day, being celebrated under the theme, Radio: A century informing, entertaining and educating. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation says this day is an opportunity to celebrate radio as a medium. The organisation’s Tawfik Jelassi says World Radio Day is also a chance to promote international cooperation between radio broadcasters, to encourage major networks and local radio stations to foster access to information and freedom of expression:

Stay tuned for more news………….