News 16:00

BULLETIN 27 May 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomes the 238-billion-rand boost as SA unveils a record infrastructure investment
# The EFF accuses minister Solly Malatsi of bending the laws for Elon Musk’s Starlink
# And rugby: The winner of the Lions-Wallabies series could be decided by sudden-death extra time

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the release of the 2024/2025 Construction Book, detailing 250 fully funded projects worth over 238-billion-rand. This marks a record public investment in roads, energy, water, and logistics signalling renewed focus after years of decline. The president says for the first time, the book includes social infrastructure projects overseen by National Treasury, reinforcing government’s commitment to nationwide development and economic recovery:

# The EFF says Communications and Digital Technologies minister Solly Malatsi is overstepping his powers by using a ministerial policy directive to change information and communication technology sector rules without proper legislation. During Parliament’s Communications Committee briefing, the party raised concerns about the impact of foreign satellite companies like Elon Musk’s Starlink on local jobs and the telecommunications industry. The EFF’s Sinawo Thambo says Malatsi is helping foreign companies avoid laws that require 30-percent black ownership:

Meanwhile, sales of cars made by Musk’s Tesla slumped by more than half in April as Chinese electric carmakers saw their share surge. While sales of electric cars rose overall in the 27 European Union nations, Tesla’s share fell dramatically amid the spotlight on Musk’s work with US president Donald Trump and the US company’s ageing range. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association said Tesla sales in April fell to five-thousand-475 units, down 52.6-percent from the same month last year.

# French deputies are voting on a controversial right-to-die bill today, the first step in a lengthy parliamentary process to legally grant patients medical assistance to end their lives in clearly defined circumstances. The initiative has the backing of president Emmanuel Macron, who has insisted that any authorisation to choose death should be limited to people with incurable illnesses and intense physical or psychological pain. After a favourable decision today the draft law will go to the Senate before returning to the lower house for a final vote, expected sometime next year.

# Rugby: This year’s series between the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions could be decided by sudden-death extra time. Rugby Australia’s chief, Phil Waugh, says they made the proposal in the case where the series is split at one-all, and the third Test then ends in a draw. The 2017 series between the Lions and New Zealand was shared when the deciding match ended 15-all. Waugh says they are keen to put the spectators’ experience above all, and are awaiting the visitors’ decision in the matter.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-90-cents and the euro at 20-rand-33-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-27-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-832-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-296-dollars-80-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-65-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….