News 11:00

BULLETIN 9 September 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa will respond to questions in Parliament today
# Thailand’s former prime minister is ordered to serve one year in jail
# And rugby: Bok lock Ruan Nortjé will captain the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship season

# President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to respond to questions from members of Parliament in the National Assembly in Cape Town today. The main focus will be on engagements with the United States government to secure a trade deal and reduce tariffs. Assessment of South Africa’s presidency of the G20 is also on the agenda. The Presidency says Ramaphosa will also outline government’s position on the future of the Post Bank and discuss the intended outcome of the national dialogue.

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has expressed concern about the 12.3-percent decline in employment across telecommunications, broadcasting, and postal sectors. The Parliamentary Economic Cluster briefed the media. Committee chairperson, Khusela Sangoni Diko, says this trend of declining employment reflects broader economic pressures, but also highlights structural weaknesses in the sector. She adds they expect government to lead boldly, decisively, and innovatively to unlock the full potential of the digital economy:
 

# Acting minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, deputy minister Polly Boshielo and the deputy minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel, will engage with key stakeholders in Mitchells Plain and Mfuleni in Cape Town today. This comes amid the ongoing deadly gang violence in the Western Cape. Police Ministry spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, says stakeholders who will attend the engagements will include representatives from civic groups, religious leaders, and Community Policing Forums:

Moving abroad:

# Thailand’s Supreme Court has ordered former prime minister, billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, to serve one year in jail. He was given an eight-year prison sentence on charges of corruption and abuse of power in 2023, but was transferred to a hospital after arriving in prison. Thaksin then spent six months in a VIP suite in hospital and was released after he received a royal pardon. His sentence was eventually commuted. The court has ruled that Thaksin’s prolonged hospital stay was unlawful.

# Rugby: New Bulls coach Johan Ackermann named Springbok lock Ruan Nortjé as team captain for the new United Rugby Championship season, starting later this month. He picked a group of 56 players – 32 forwards and 24 backs – in the squad that includes experienced players such as Bok flyhalf Handré Pollard and centre Jan Serfontein, and Junior Bok world champions Esethu Mnebelele, JJ Theron, Jean Erasmus, Jaco Grobbelaar en Cheswill Jooste. The Bulls play their first match home against Ospreys on the 27th.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-47-cents and the euro at 20-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 113-thousand-84-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-647-dollars-62-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-35-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….