News 09:00

BULLETIN 2 October 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The P20 governments focus on debt cancellation, climate change, and climate financing
# Saftu says the scapegoating of migrants for South Africa’s problems is a calculated lie
# And the White House warns that layoffs are imminent if the shutdown continues

# National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has called on delegates at the eleventh G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit in Cape Town to discuss oversight and global solidarity. Held under the theme Harnessing Parliamentary Diplomacy for the Realisation of Global Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability, Didiza urged global cooperation to mobilise finance for a just energy transition, as well as debt cancellation, ensuring no nation is left behind:

# The South African Federation of Trade Unions says it condemns the opportunistic scapegoating of migrants for the country’s economic crisis, poor service delivery, high unemployment rate, and the collapsing health care system. Finance minister Enoch Godongwana recently questioned the affordability of metros continuing to provide free services to undocumented foreign nationals. Saftu’s Asive Dyani says the blaming of undocumented immigrants for the country’s problems is a political strategy that allows the architects of austerity and the beneficiaries of corruption to escape accountability:

# The African Transformation Movement says the Tembisa Hospital scandal illustrates the dire consequences of mismanagement and greed that directly affect the most vulnerable. A Special Investigating Unit probe into corruption at the hospital has uncovered three coordinated syndicates, responsible for the looting of over two-billion meant for healthcare. ATM’s spokesperson, Zama Tshona, says the investigation has revealed a shocking network of fraud, collusion, and money laundering that undermines public trust and erodes the integrity of the healthcare system:

# The White House says government agencies are already preparing for cuts and layoffs, which are imminent as the shutdown drags on. The government shutdown began on Wednesday after Republicans and Democrats in Congress disagreed on a new spending plan. Democrats want to secure guarantees on healthcare funding, while Republicans want to use a temporary stopgap measure to keep the government open until mid-November. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the Democrats are to blame for this shutdown:

# Soccer: Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1 in the second round of the Champions League. Ferran Torres had put Barcelona in front, but PSG went level through 19-year-old Senny Mayulu before halftime, while substitute Goncalo Ramos scored the last-minute winner. Manchester City had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Monaco as Arsenal defeated Olympiacos 2-0. On-loan Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund grabbed a brace as Napoli defeated Sporting CP 2-1 to secure their first Champions League win of the season.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-21-cents and the euro at 20-rand-19-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-19-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-638-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-864-dollars-37-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-59-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….