News 13:00

BULLETIN 7 August 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Trump’s new tariffs take effect against dozens of countries
# The Patriotic Alliance files criminal charges against the Open Chat Podcast over racist remarks
# And rugby: Joe Schmidt confirms the Wallabies’ squad to tour South Africa

# US president Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on more than 90 countries have come into effect. He posted on his Truth Social platform that billions of dollars were now flowing into the US. Earlier, Trump hit India with a 50-percent tariff, which will take effect on 27 August unless the country stops buying Russian oil. He also threatened a 100-percent tariff on foreign-made computer chips. Apple announced a new 1.7-trillion-rand US investment after coming under pressure from the White House to move more production to America.

Meanwhile, the DA says the Western Cape’s tourism, trade, and investment promotion agency, Wesgro’s role in trade promotion is critical as South Africa faces new global trade pressures, including a 30-percent tariff imposed by the US. In the past financial year, Wesgro secured 15-billion-rand in new investment and helped facilitate five-billion-rand in exports. The DA’s Noko Masipa says the agency also led 75 trade missions and engaged with 48 countries to grow market access:

# The MK Party is calling on the government to withdraw from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, accusing it of upholding colonial legacies and aiding British global influence. South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth in 1994 after leaving in 1961 due to apartheid criticism. KwaZulu-Natal legislature member, Ishana Barciela, told the SABC the MK Party aligns with BRICS, not the Commonwealth. She insists it’s time to lead people toward land restoration and restitution of resources looted during colonial rule.

# The Patriotic Alliance has filed criminal charges against Open Chat Podcast hosts, Mthokozisi Methula and Sinothando Kama. They made disparaging comments about the coloured community in an episode posted on their social media, which went viral. The hosts have since apologised for the remarks and removed the discussion from the episode. PA leader Gayton McKenzie says they will also institute proceedings in the Equality Court for unlawful discrimination:

# Rugby: Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has named a 35-player squad for the two-Test tour of South Africa to begin the Rugby Championship. Tane Edmed and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto are among the new additions. Nic White has put his retirement on hold to replace regular scrumhalf Jake Gordon, who is injured. Josh Flook and John Nasser have also joined the squad. Schmidt says it will be difficult to play South Africa on their home turf over two consecutive weekends – the 16th in Johannesburg and a week later in Cape Town.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-71-cents and the euro at 20-rand-68-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-68-cents and Bitcoin trades at 114-thousand-968-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-379-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-98-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….