News 09:00

BULLETIN 29 August 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Solidarity is concerned by Ford’s latest job cuts
# Santaco Gauteng says there is no province-wide protest
# And South Korea bans mobile phones in classrooms from March next year

# Solidarity says it is concerned about Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s latest job cuts. The automaker will lay off more than 470 employees at its Struandale Engine Plant, in Gqeberha, and its Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, as part of a realignment to match market demand. Solidarity deputy general-secretary, Willie Venter, says economic pressures, international political uncertainties, and the government’s unfavourable policies are causing the local automotive industry to become increasingly less competitive:

# The Activists and Citizens Forum says president Cyril Ramaphosa has failed the people of South Africa. This after Westbury residents in Johannesburg, in Gauteng, took to the streets this week over a lack of clean drinking water and other basic services. The forum’s Dennis Bloem argues conditions have worsened under Ramaphosa’s leadership, with collapsing municipalities and rampant corruption:

# The South African National Taxi Council in Gauteng has assured the public that taxi operations across the province will continue as normal today. This follows reports that commuters in Ekurhuleni were expected to face taxi disruptions, amid growing tensions over the impoundment of minibus taxis, particularly the ten-seater vehicle. Santaco’s provincial secretary, Graham Fritz, says that they aim to find a sustainable solution through negotiation:

# South Korea has passed a law banning mobile phones and digital devices in classrooms nationwide, effective from March next year. The move, supported across Parliament, aims to curb social media’s impact on youth and formalises existing restrictions. Surveys show South Korea is one of the most digitally connected nations, with 99-percent of citizens online and 98-percent owning smartphones. Education data reveals 37-percent of students say social media affects daily life, while 22-percent feel anxious without access.

# Tennis: Defending champion Jannik Sinner is through to the US Open third round after beating Australian Alexei Popyrin, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. This is the Italian’s 23rd successive match victory in hard-court Grand Slams. Germany’s Alexander Zverev secured a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win against Britain’s Jacob Fearnley, while Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak stunned Russia’s Karen Khachanov, 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-5, 7-6. In the women’s draw, Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek of Poland defeated Dutch Suzan Lamens, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, while American Coco Gauff beat Croatia’s Donna Vekic, 7-6, 6-2.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-72-cents and the euro at 20-rand-66-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 111-thousand-629-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-408-dollars-9-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-49-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….