News 09:00

BULLETIN 5 July 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF criticises the temporary concession extension for foreign nationals
# The SAA is going to expand its routes by 64-percent
# And, at least 89 migrants drown after their boat capsizes off Mauritania

# The EFF has condemned Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber’s extension of the temporary concession for foreign nationals, who are awaiting the outcome of visa, waiver, and appeal applications. The new expiry date for the concession, which applies only to foreign nationals who have been legally admitted into South Africa, is December 31st. The EFF’s national spokesperson, Leigh-Ann Mathys, says this decision highlights the DA’s inability and lack of commitment to reducing unemployment in the country:

# South African Airways plans a 64-percent increase in destinations from its Johannesburg hub by April 2025. Adding nine routes to its current 14, interim CEO John Lamola says SAA aims to boost its aircraft count by 50-percent to 21 by March 2025. Lamola says despite a collapsed investor deal, SAA is financially stable and seeks sovereign guarantees for future growth. He says the new routes are planned to Europe and the US by 2028.

# The GOOD Party says it is vehemently opposed to the 200-rand prepaid electricity tariff in the City of Johannesburg, as this places an unnecessary burden on cash-strapped consumers. The surcharge came into effect on Monday on top of the 12.7-percent electricity hike. GOOD’s national chairperson and Johannesburg councillor, Matthew Cook, says an additional electricity tariff is preposterous when residents already have to decide whether to buy food or units of electricity:

# At least 89 migrants have died and dozens are missing after their boat capsized off the coast of Mauritania. The boat, which left the Gambia–Senegal border six days ago, was bound for Europe and had at least 170 migrants on board. Nine people including a five-year-old girl have been rescued. According to a 2024 report by the International Organisation for Migration, crossing the Atlantic Ocean is considered incredibly dangerous due to the length of the journey to Europe.

# Tennis: Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic survived a stern test from British wildcard Jacob Fearnley to make the Wimbledon third round. The Serb beat the 22-year-old, 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5. American Ben Shelton battled past South African qualifier Lloyd Harris, 4-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 7-6. Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas was knocked out. Meanwhile, Andy Murray was honoured on Centre Court after he and his brother Jamie lost in their first-round men’s doubles match. Murray says it feels like a good ending:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-24-cents and the euro at 19-rand-75-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-30-cents and Bitcoin trades at 54-thousand-300-dollars-92-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-362-dollars-41-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 87-dollars-15-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….