News 13:00

BULLETIN 4 October 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# An Israeli air strike cuts Lebanon off from Syria
# Cosatu says government needs to honour its promise on a fuel price review
# And rugby: Two sets of brothers are in the starting team for the Sharks against the Dragons

# Lebanon says an Israeli air strike on the Syrian border today cut off the main international road linking the two countries. Coastal Lebanon shares a border with Israel, with which Hezbollah is at war, and Syria, where tens of thousands of people have taken refuge from the violence engulfing the country. Israel has said Hezbollah uses the road to bring weapons across the border from Syria, its ally.

# Cosatu says government needs to honour its commitments to review the fuel price formula, as well as the current basket of goods exempt from value-added-tax. In July, president Cyril Ramaphosa committed that the government of national unity would launch a fuel price review. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says this task is drastically becoming more urgent with Israel launching a war against Lebanon, which will likely see oil prices skyrocket once again:

# The European Union says it is engaging with the South African government over concerns about the carbon border tax. The EU insists the plan to put a price on the carbon emissions of some imports from 2026 is intended purely to counter global warming. However, South Africa contends that this is a unilateral and protectionist trade measure, that will cost the country’s economy more than two-billion-rand a year. The EU’s deputy ambassador in SA, Fulgencio Garrido Ruiz, says they are not naive that the legislation will have an external dimension.

# Rugby: Two sets of brothers will run out for the Sharks in tomorrow’s second United Rugby Championship game on the road when they meet the Dragons in Newport, Wales. Springbok Jaden Hendrikse comes into the starting line-up, joining brother Jordan, with the Tshituka brothers, captain Vincent and Emmanuel, both playing in the back row. Jaden at scrumhalf is the only change head coach John Plumtree made to the starting-15. Phepsi Buthelezi and Francois Venter returns, with both named on the bench. Kick-off is at 6:15 pm.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-47-cents and the euro at 19-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-572-dollars-54-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-658-dollars-17-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-29-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Motorists in Sandton City have been cautioned to expect significant traffic disruptions on Sunday, due to the Red Bull show run. Key road closures include Katherine Street between Rivonia and West Streets. Alternative routes are advised. Johannesburg Metro police spokesperson Xolani Fihla says the department will manage traffic, and e-hailing services will have designated drop-off points:

Stay tuned for more news………….