News 14:00

BULLETIN 5 September 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Nomakhosazana Meth says the NEDLAC Summit must deliver clarity over the high unemployment rate
# The Steel Federation claims the 30-percent US import tariff worsens pressure on the sector
# And Rugby: Five teams are vying for four spots in the Currie Cup quarterfinals

# Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth says the National Economic Development and Labour Council must deliver clarity and renewed resolve on the crisis of high unemployment. Meth was speaking during the opening of the NEDLAC Summit in Sandton, Johannesburg. The minister says the unemployment rate climbed to 33.2-percent in the second quarter of this year, up from 32.9-percent, underscoring persistent structural challenges:

Meanwhile, The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa says the 30-percent US import tariff is worsening pressure on South Africa’s struggling steel sector. Speaking at the Rand Mutual Assurance Prevention Conference in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, marketing executive Nuraan Alli said production fell by 1.4-percent last year, reversing 2023’s gains. She warned that the tariff impacts all exporters in the value chain, with some companies already retrenching staff and cutting production.

# Beijing says it strongly opposes calls to put economic pressure on China, after US President Donald Trump urged European countries to do so over the war in Ukraine. China has never denounced Russia’s war nor called for it to withdraw its troops, and many of Ukraine’s allies believe that Beijing has provided support to Moscow. China insists it is a neutral party, regularly calling for an end to the fighting while also accusing Western countries of prolonging the conflict by arming Ukraine.

# Rugby: Five teams are vying for quarterfinal qualification in this weekend’s final Currie Cup league games. Griquas top the table, just five points in front of fifth-placed Pumas, with Boland Kavaliers, the Lions and the Cheetahs between them. This means a bonus-point victory for the Pumas over the already-eliminated Sharks in Durban tonight could put huge pressure on the others. Last-placed Western Province hosts neighbours Boland in Cape Town tomorrow, the Lions will welcome Griquas to Johannesburg, and sixth-placed Bulls and the Cheetahs will play at Loftus.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-67-cents and the euro at 20-rand-66-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-82-cents and Bitcoin trades at 112-thousand-238-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-551-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-61-cents a barrel.

# And finally: As the world commemorates International Day of Charity today, Inyathelo, the South African Institute for Advancement, is calling on citizens to support the non-profit sector. This day is to raise awareness and mobilise people, NGOs, and stakeholders globally to help others through volunteer and philanthropic activities. Inyathelo’s Feryal Domingo says citizens must also engage in volunteer work and advocate for social justice and equity:

Stay tuned for more news………….