News 09:00

BULLETIN 26 September 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Tau says significant progress has been made in negotiations with the US
# Solidarity appeals to Trump for tariff relief on South African exports
# And swimming: Chad le Clos off to a winning start at the SA Short Course Championships

# Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau says they have made significant progress since sending a revised framework trade deal to the US. President Cyril Ramaphosa and his delegation this week led a charm offensive in New York and fended off the adverse effect of the US-imposed 30-percent tariffs. Tau told the SABC that the tariffs do not stop trade, but they complicate competitiveness. He added that there is a need to review the multilateral system of trade:

Meanwhile, the trade union Solidarity has urged the White House to have president Donald Trump sign an executive order granting tariff relief for South African industries, including automotive, agriculture, textiles, and mining. This comes days before the African Growth and Opportunity Act is set to expire. Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans argues such relief would protect workers and strengthen trade ties. He says AGOA’s existing framework allows swift implementation without major administrative changes:

# The Freedom Front Plus has strongly objected to the City of Tshwane’s intention to approach the Court of Appeal, in a bid to retain the right to bill residents for the controversial cleansing levy of 194.37-rand per month. In July, the High Court in Pretoria ruled against the levy, declaring it unlawful, invalid and void. FF Plus’ Dehan Harmse says the Court made it very clear that the levy constitutes unlawful double taxation, particularly for residents of residential complexes and estates:

# Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas rejected any future role for Hamas and condemned antisemitism, as he appealed for full global support for a state in the face of Israeli annexation threats. Days after France led a special summit and several Western powers recognized a state of Palestine, the veteran 89-year-old leader was forced to address the UN General Assembly by video after the US denied him a visa to come to New York. He also distanced himself from the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas.

# Swimming: Four-time Olympic medalist Chad le Clos made a winning start at the South African National Short Course Championships in Pietermaritzburg. The 33-year-old, who is back in action after being sidelined with a back injury, won the 50-metre butterfly in 22.79-seconds and the 100-metre freestyle in 47.55-seconds. Eighteen-year-old Jessica Thompson claimed victory in the women’s 50-metre butterfly and 100-metre freestyle. Lara van Niekerk won the women’s 100-metre breaststroke. Le Clos says he is in a really good space:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-42-cents and the euro at 20-rand-35-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-26-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-626-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-745-dollars-78-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-69-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….