News 11:00

BULLETIN 28 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa urges the European Union to reconsider its carbon tax
# The African Congress for Transformation says the South African judiciary is compromised
# And the South African actor John Kani joins the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

# The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition has urged the European Union to reconsider its planned implementation of an expanded levy on carbon-intensive imports. The EU’s carbon-border adjustment mechanism is designed to reduce emissions by ensuring imports are subject to the same surcharges as domestically produced goods that use carbon-intensive methods. The department says this could end up stifling efforts by South Africa and other developing countries to address climate change. Africa is the world’s 14th-largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions.

# The African Congress for Transformation says the suspension of Justice and Constitutional Development director-general Doctor Mashabane and his deputy, Jabu Hlatshwayo, shows the judiciary has been captured. The party says delays in the Madlanga judicial commission show the ANC is using inquiries as smokescreens to shield corruption and protect cadres. Party spokesperson Mohau Khumalo warns that president Cyril Ramaphosa has no political will to confront corruption, leaving ordinary citizens betrayed by a collapsed justice system:

Moving abroad:

# The FBI says yesterday’s deadly shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis is being investigated as an anti-Catholic hate crime. Two children, aged eight and ten, were killed, and 17 other people were injured when an attacker opened fire during Mass. The suspect, who has been identified as Robin Westman, died at the scene of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara says Westman released a manifesto on YouTube just before the shooting:

# Rugby: Loose forward Pete Samu has been recalled to the Wallabies squad for the first time since 2023 for the two Rugby Championship Tests against Argentina. Experienced prop Allan Alaalatoa and flyhalf Tom Lynagh have also been included in coach Joe Schmidt’s 36-man squad. The squad features only one uncapped player – Brumbies scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan. Schmidt says while it is disappointing to lose some players, he is pleased to be able to lean into the squad depth that they are trying to create.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-63-cents and the euro at 20-rand-54-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 113-thousand-356-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-397-dollars-13-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-94-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Celebrated South African actor, director, and playwright John Kani is now a member of the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ voting body. This exclusive group is responsible for selecting Oscar winners each year. Kani joins film producer Anant Singh as the only South African currently in the academy’s elite voting membership. Kani, best known globally for his roles in Black Panther and Disney’s Mufasa, says he will serve this institution with honesty and integrity.

Stay tuned for more news………….