News 11:00

BULLETIN 8 March 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Gordhan is reportedly set to retire from politics in the coming weeks
# The mayor of Mangaung condemns the land invasion in Lourier Park
# And, Biden directs the US military to set up a temporary port in Gaza for the delivery of humanitarian aid

# Public Enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan is reportedly set to retire in the coming weeks to focus on his health and family. This comes as the ANC is set to submit its electoral candidate lists to the Independent Electoral Commission today. In an exclusive interview with Business Day, the 74-year-old says he will no longer be available to be on the list of electoral candidates. Gordhan says despite his decision to step down from active politics, he remains a loyal member of the ANC.

# General industries union, Giwusa, is calling for the nationalisation of the oil industry and refineries to ensure affordable energy for the working class and a rapid transition to renewables, in light of the worsening climate crisis. The union criticises the Central Energy Fund for lacking democratic input and being influenced by monopolies in the energy sector. Giwusa’s president, Mametlwe Sebei, argues the current fuel price regulations benefit big oil monopolies at the expense of the working and middle class:

# Mangaung mayor Gregory Nthatisi has strongly condemned the ongoing land invasion in Lourierpark, Bloemfontein. More than 20 people have so far been arrested for illegal land occupation. Residents say they are concerned for their safety because of the thousands of invaders that are settling unlawfully on municipal property. Meanwhile, the South African Local Government Association in the Free State says illegal land occupation disrupts urban planning and development, hindering municipalities’ ability to provide essential services such as water, and electricity.

# US president Joe Biden has reiterated that Israel has a fundamental responsibility to protect innocent civilians in Gaza. He delivered the state of the union address, where he highlighted the Israel-Hamas conflict, defended abortion rights, and blamed his predecessor, Donald Trump, for Congress’s failure to pass more aid to Ukraine. Biden says he has instructed the US military to construct a temporary port in Gaza to get more humanitarian aid into the territory by sea:

# Rugby: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has urged his team to raise their game to fresh heights as they bid for a first top-two finish in the Six Nations era. Townsend’s side is second on the log, a point above England and three clear of France. They have matches away to Italy and Grand Slam-chasing Ireland in the concluding two rounds of the championship. Even if Scotland wins in Rome tomorrow, Ireland would make sure of consecutive titles if they secure a bonus-point win over England at Twickenham later in the day.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-68-cents and the euro at 20-rand-45-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-93-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-472-dollars-51-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-160-dollars-4-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-43-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….