News 09:00

BULLETIN 7 October 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Road Freight Association warns higher fuel prices will drive up transport costs
# France defends police action amid unprecedented student protests
# And soccer, Lionel Messi scores in his final match for Argentina

# The Road Freight Association says the latest fuel increase will put further pressure on transport costs and supply chains, with consequences for the prices of goods. Fuel accounts for between 35 and 55-percent of operating costs, depending on the operation, vehicle type and routes. Petrol prices have gone up by between three-rand-12-cents and three-rand-33-cents per litre; and diesel prices by between two-rand-84-cents and three-rand-24-cents a litre. The association’s CEO Gavin Kelly says transport companies will inevitably raise the cost of transport:

Meanwhile, the South African National Taxi Council says it has resolved to undertake further consultations with government, the taxi and fuel industries, following the latest fuel price increases. SANTACO spokesperson Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala says the objective is to arrive at an ideal and sustainable solution that takes into consideration the interests and financial realities of taxi operators, employees within the industry and commuters. She adds that they will explore all possible options before any decision is made:

# Western Cape Education MEC Jaco Londt says learner transport services will resume today, after constructive talks with the South African National Small Bus Operators Council. SANSBOC suspended operations yesterday, the first day of the fourth school term, leaving 21-thousand-934 learners stranded. It cited the absence of a meaningful response from the department regarding the urgent financial crisis facing learner transport contractors. Londt says the current economic climate, with high fuel prices, makes it nearly impossible for transport operators to have a sustainable business model:

# French Interior minister, Laurent Nuñez, has defended the action of the police as the country struggles to contain its biggest student protests in decades. Police fired tear gas at ⁠protesters as thousands of pupils, teachers, parents and unions have been demonstrating across France since last week, calling for better school conditions. About 215 students and 85 teachers have been injured, as well as 715 police officers. Nuñez says the police response has been proportionate in almost all cases, and the protests had at times turned into riots, requiring police intervention.

# Soccer: Lionel Messi marked his 208th and final game for Argentina with a goal, bringing his glittering international career to a fitting end. The 39-year-old scored his 126th goal for his country in a 3-0 friendly win against Benin in Buenos Aires. After the final whistle, Messi addressed the 85-thousand-strong sell-out crowd, saying playing for Argentina has been beautiful and that he has fulfilled his dreams. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s career will continue at club level with Inter Miami, with his contract expiring in 2028.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-57-cents and the euro at 18-rand-61-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-96-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 84-thousand-79-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-139-dollars-44-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 104-dollars-67-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….