NASA says it will lose about 20 percent of its workforce
In an emailed statement, NASA said around 3,000 employees took part in the second round of its deferred resignation program, which closed late Friday.
Combined with the 870 who joined the first round and regular staff departures, the agency's civil servant workforce is set to drop from more than 18,000 before Trump took office in January to roughly 14,000 -- a more than 20 percent decrease.
Those leaving the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on the deferred resignation program will be placed on administrative leave until an agreed departure date. An agency spokesperson said the figures could shift slightly in the coming weeks.
"Safety remains a top priority for our agency as we balance the need to become a more streamlined and more efficient organization and work to ensure we remain fully capable of pursuing a Golden Era of exploration and innovation, including to the Moon and Mars," the agency said.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration's proposed NASA budget put a return to the Moon and a journey to Mars front and center, slashing science and climate programs.
The White House says it wants to focus on "beating China back to the Moon and putting the first human on Mars." China is aiming for its first crewed lunar landing by 2030, while the US program, called Artemis, has faced repeated delays.
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The South African
36 minutes ago
- The South African
Interest rates: What experts predict the SARB will decide THIS WEEK
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold at its upcoming policy meeting this Thursday, 31 July, but market watchers say a rate cut remains on the table as economic uncertainty clouds the outlook. Economists are split on the likely direction of the central bank's next move, with some forecasting a cautious pause, and others eyeing a potential 25 basis point cut. The decision will come amid global market volatility, driven largely by the pending introduction of 30% US tariffs on South African exports, set to take effect on 1 August. Economists at FNB and Investec believe that the SARB's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will adopt a wait-and-see approach, likely opting for a hold in July, with a rate cut delayed until September. 'The uncertainty around the incoming Trump tariffs, combined with global economic jitters, will likely keep the SARB cautious for now,' FNB noted. In contrast, analysts from Nedbank and Bank of America argue that current economic conditions – particularly low inflation and muted price pressures – give the central bank enough room to act now. 'With inflation firmly at the lower end of the SARB's 3% to 6% target band, and no strong signs of upward pressure, we believe a cut is warranted,' Bank of America said in a research note. Recent SARB moves and market context The MPC has already cut rates by 100 basis points since the end of 2024, with 25 basis point cuts delivered in January and May, following two similar cuts in late 2024. However, in March, the SARB opted to hold, citing rising global risks and domestic political uncertainty around the 2025 Budget. That decision signaled the bank's willingness to prioritise stability over stimulus, particularly in volatile environments. July's vote is expected to be tight, with the MPC's data-driven approach tested by shifting global dynamics. The pending 'Liberation Day' tariffs from the Trump administration – announced in April – have sent shockwaves through global trade, affecting forecasts and investor sentiment. Though headline inflation has remained well below the SARB's 4.5% midpoint target, South Africa continues to face a higher risk premium, particularly in uncertain markets. Historically, the MPC has moved slowly in cutting rates, favoring a more conservative stance to protect the rand and anchor investor confidence. If the SARB does cut rates on Thursday, it would mark the third cut in eight months, further easing monetary conditions in a weak domestic economy. But if the committee holds, the door will remain open for further easing later in the year, assuming global volatility subsides. All eyes will be on the MPC's statement and vote breakdown, which will provide deeper insight into how policymakers are weighing the competing pressures of domestic data and global risks. With the Trump tariffs set to begin just one day after the decision, South Africa's monetary policy path remains uncertain – at least for now. The South African Reserve Bank's monetary policy committee meets every second month to announce changes – if any – to the country's repo and prime lending rates. The meetings in 2025 are scheduled to take place in January, March, May, July, September and November – and always on a Thursday at 15:00. Currently, the committee comprises of six people, with Lesetja Kganyago holding the position of governor of the SARB – and the deciding vote if necessary. The repo rate currently stands at 7.25% while the prime lending rate is 10.75%. Month Date Outcome January 30 January 25 basis point cut March 20 March No change May 29 May 25 basis point cut July 31 July ? September 18 September November 20 November The table below shows the current monthly bond repayments on various bond values over a 20-year period assuming no deposit and repayments at prime. Bond Repayments R750 000 R7 614 R800 000 R8 122 R850 000 R8 629 R900 000 R9 137 R950 000 R9 645 R1 000 000 R10 152 R1 500 000 R15 228 R2 000 000 R20 305 R2 500 000 R25 381 R3 000 000 R30 457 R3 500 000 R35 533 R4 000 000 R40 609 R4 500 000 R45 685 R5 000 000 R50 761 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Citrus and Wine industries plead with Ramaphosa for protection from looming tariffs
The Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA) in a statement said they want an exemption for seasonal fresh produce from US President Trump tariff. Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers As US President Donald Trump's sweeping and wide spread tariffs close in on South Africa, the citrus and wine industries have called for action to be taken by President Cyril Ramaphosa to stave off the detrimental effects it could have on them. On Monday, the wine industry said that South Africans should double down on supporting the local wine industry to offset the 30% tariffs that the United States government has slapped on South African wine exports. The industry stated that the tariffs threaten to erode the gains the local wine industry has achieved in the bumper harvest of 2025 and will potentially haemorrhage the jobs in the wine industry ecosystem. Eustace Mashimbye, Chief Executive Officer of Proudly South African said, "Spurred by favourable preferential trade terms from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), South African wine exports to the United States enjoyed zero tariffs and propelled the United States to become South Africa's fourth-largest wine export market by value after the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands." According to the figures released by the South African Wine Industry Information and Systems (SAWIS), approximately R600 million worth of wine was exported to the United States in 2024. 'The 30% tariffs on South African wine exports to the United States don't bode well for the viability, margins, and jobs in the wine industry. We must look for alternative markets, which is a laborious process that takes time. Currently, the most viable market is us. As consumers, hoteliers, restaurant owners and liquor traders, we have an opportunity to buffer this important industry against the looming headwinds by ramping up support for local wine winemakers,' said Mashimbye. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'Over and above showcasing the finest wines from emerging wine makers, the Local Wine Expo also fosters national pride and showcases career and entrepreneurial opportunities that are available in this space," she said. Meanwhile, the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA) said it wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa, asking for urgent action on behalf of rural communities in the Northern and Western Cape where citrus to the US is grown and whose livelihoods are reliant on US-SA citrus trade. "This week, with the tariff deadline on Friday, is one of great anxiety for the citrus growers in the Western and Northern Cape. These two provinces annually export about 7 million cartons to the US," said Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the CGA. The CGA said it asked President Ramaphosa to urgently facilitate an extension of the current 10% US tariff beyond 1 August, which would allow for negotiations toward a mutually beneficial trade agreement. The CGA also requested that, if a general extension of the deadline is not possible, an urgent request for a specific extension for seasonal fresh produce should be secured. Seasonal fresh produce is perishable and cannot be stored for extended periods, like other trade products. The midpoint of the 2025 export season has just been passed, which means hundreds of thousands of cartons of citrus are ready in packhouses to be shipped to the US over the next few weeks. The implementation of a 30% tariff on 1 August will mean most of this fruit will be left unsold. South African citrus growers do not pose a threat to US growers or jobs, as the produce sustains demand when local US citrus is out of season, benefiting US consumers. "Citrus as a source of nutrition also helps to keep America healthy. Should we not be able to secure a favourable trade deal, or the concession for fresh produce, local job losses before the next season will be a certainty," added Dr Ntshabele. Gerrit van der Merwe, Chairman of the CGA, said, "Being a grower in Citrusdal, I am very worried about the effect the tariffs will have on our town and the wider Cederberg municipality. Citrus forms the economic heart of the area. Not just farmers and farm workers will feel the impact, local businesses and even the funding of social support programmes will be affected as well. The social fabric of some rural towns in the Western and Northern Cape is being threatened." "Local growers have also said that a 30% tariff could not only stifle future growth, but lead to the eventual destruction of between 500 and 1000 ha that would simply become unprofitable," Van der Merwe added. BUSINESS REPORT
The Herald
5 hours ago
- The Herald
US diplomats asked if non-whites qualify for Trump refugee programme for South Africans
The internal back-and-forth between the embassy and the state department, which hasn't been previously reported, illustrates the confusion about how to implement a policy designed to help white Afrikaners in a racially diverse country that includes mixed-race people who speak Afrikaans and whites who speak English. To date the state department has resettled 88 South Africans under the programme, including the initial group of 59 who arrived in May. Another 15 are expected to arrive by the end of August, one source said. Trump, a Republican who recaptured the White House pledging a wide-ranging immigration crackdown, placed an indefinite freeze on refugee admissions from around the world after taking office, saying the US would only admit refugees who 'can fully and appropriately assimilate'. Weeks later he issued an executive order that called for the US to resettle Afrikaners, describing them as victims of 'violence against racially disfavoured landowners', allegations that echoed far-right claims which have been contested by government. Since the executive order, US diplomats working to implement the programme have been deliberating internally about which racial groups could be considered eligible, one source said. In the July 8 cable, Greene laid out a summary of the different ethnic and racial groups in the country before seeking guidance on eligibility. In addition to Afrikaners and mixed-race South Africans, Greene mentioned indigenous South Africans known as the Khoisan people. He said members of the Jewish community had also expressed interest, but in South Africa they are considered a religious minority and not a racial group. 'In the absence of other guidance, [the US embassy] intends to give consideration to well-founded claims of persecution based on race for other racial minorities,' Greene wrote. At least one family identified as coloured has travelled to the US as refugees, two people familiar with the matter said. The cable forced the administration to clarify its position on whether the policy is for whites only, and if it does include other aggrieved minorities, who would qualify, two people familiar with the matter said. Chretien, a conservative who wrote op-eds promoting the Heritage Foundation's 'Project 2025" plan to overhaul the federal government, is the senior official at the state department's bureau of population, refugees, and migration.
