News 16:00

BULLETIN 2 December 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The AA cautions motorists over possible fuel price hikes this holiday season
# The Border Management Authority tightens controls on organophosphate import and illegal immigrants
# And rugby: The Blitzboks will work on their weak points before the weekend’s Cape Town Sevens

# The Automobile Association warns motorists to expect mixed fuel price changes on Wednesday. While the price of 93-octane petrol may decrease by seven-cents, 95-octane will likely increase by three-cents per litre. Diesel and illuminating paraffin prices are also expected to rise. The association’s spokesperson, Eleanor Mavimbela, says these changes, alongside adjustments to industry margins, could push fuel prices higher:

# Border Management Authority commissioner Michael Masiapato has warned against human illegal entry to South Africa and importing of organo-phosphate chemicals. He told the media that strengthened border security, including more personnel, aims to enforce these measures. Masiapato confirmed that recently arrested illegal miners will face deportation and barred re-entry. He also issued strict operational instructions on how to block organo-phosphate products after food poisoning incidents:

# The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa warns that for the steel sector to survive, cost structures must improve. CEO Lucio Trentini says downstream value addition must rise, as well as value-added exports growth to make the sector sustainable. He emphasises the need for a holistic steel policy, co-created with the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition. Trentini calls for immediate government interventions, including reducing logistics costs and encouraging local steel use, as well as collaboration between industry and government.

# The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Global Plastics Treaty has concluded without any agreement. the Pan-African Plastic Project has expressed disappointment over its failure to address plastic pollution’s impact on communities. Meanwhile Greenpeace’s Graham Forbes emphasised the need for more ambitious and binding targets to reduce plastic production and protect communities. Despite setbacks, over 100 member states committed to a treaty, with hopes for progress in future negotiations.

# Rugby: Blitzboks head coach Philip Snyman says his team’s inability to secure and keep possession is the area they will have to work on before this weekend’s sevens tournament in Cape Town. He wasn’t pleased with his charges’ performance in the new series’ first tournament in Dubai this past weekend, where the defending champions could only end in sixth position. Snyman says he however remains positive they can turn things around. South Africa faces Argentina and Ireland in Group C.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-17-cents and the euro at 19-rand-13-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-9-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-176-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-642-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-69-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….