Latest news with #politicalinterference
News24
7 hours ago
- Politics
- News24
Tender fraud allegations rock KZN education dept, MEC accused of rigging
The NSNP Service Providers Association has called for an immediate suspension of the KwaZulu-Natal school nutrition tender. It cited tender rigging and political favouritism benefitting MEC Sipho Hlomuka's ANC campaign. Opposition parties in KwaZulu-Natal have joined the calls for an urgent probe into the school nutrition programme. Opposition parties in KwaZulu-Natal have called for an urgent probe into Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka after allegations of tender rigging and political interference in tender processes surfaced. Leading the charge against Hlomuka, the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) Service Providers Association called for the MEC's immediate suspension and for an investigation into the current school nutrition tender process in the province. It claimed the school nutrition tender process had been marred by serious allegations of tender rigging, political interference, and gross procedural violations. According to the association, they had obtained concrete evidence confirming that the tender process was being manipulated to serve Hlomuka's political campaign interests. It produced a leaked list of allegedly preselected service providers, received weeks ago, which it claims showed that only individuals and companies that openly supported Hlomuka's bid to lead the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal had been positioned to benefit from the multimillion-rand tender. 'This is not only an abuse of public procurement, but also an exploitation of a constitutional programme meant to feed vulnerable school children – now turned into a campaign war chest for narrow political ambitions,' said the association spokesperson Thabang Mncwabe. Mncwabe said supply chain management procedures were deliberately undermined and that they were demanding an immediate cancellation of the current NSNP tender pending a full, transparent, and independent investigation. The KwaZulu-Natal education department has outright denied allegations of the wrongful awarding of school nutrition tenders. When asked about the claims on the sidelines of a school visit in Phoenix on Tuesday, Hlomuka said he had never sat in on any tender committees. He added that the NSNP's tender process was currently in its appeals period, and that those who felt they weren't considered because of irregularities or corruption could launch appeals. Hlomuka said: That appeal won't be dealt with by the department of education, but will be handled by the Treasury. That means that we would be called in by the Treasury as the department, not Hlomuka. 'I'm sure you have never heard that there is an MEC who sits in [on] tenders. But when people want to achieve their political scores, they would put the MEC [there], as if we sit in tender committees. I have never sat in tender committees. 'Whoever wants to appeal or claim that there is corruption, they can report to the treasurer or any law enforcement and we will take ourselves to account.' According to Mncwabe, the association has called on all current service providers to urgently lodge appeals with the KwaZulu-Natal Treasury to challenge the irregularities. He said: At the end of the day, no one is above the law. The NSNP is a national programme designed to eliminate hunger, not a political tool to buy votes or consolidate power. The MK Party demanded the immediate suspension of 'the rotten and illegal tender process'. 'Let it be clear, our country is not, and will never be, a feeding trough for ANC-linked elites. The people of South Africa have suffered enough and will no longer fund political dynasties while their children starve and services collapse,' it said in a statement. The EFF said it planned to pursue every legal and political avenue to challenge the tenders. 'This is not merely a case of unethical governance, it is criminal looting of funds meant to feed impoverished children,' it said. The provincial DA has meanwhile formally written to KwaZulu-Natal Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), requesting an urgent investigation into the awarding of NSNP tenders. It alleged that there were companies linked to the wives of senior ANC figures in the province. The DA said it had called on Scopa to subpoena all procurement documents related to the awarding of the NSNP tenders, and investigate the bidding processes followed, including the scoring criteria and the identities of adjudication panel members. ActionSA's provincial chairperson Zwakele Mncwango has written to Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli requesting an urgent investigation. In the letter, the party said it was deeply concerned about the serious allegations of irregularities, corruption, and abuse of power within the departments of health and education. 'These allegations undermine the public's trust in the provincial government and its commitment to good governance, accountability, and transparency,' Mncwango wrote. 'It is particularly concerning that you [Ntuli] have remained silent on these matters, despite your previous rhetoric on issues such as illegal immigration.'
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
US Fed independence under threat, say economists, but no one expects a July rate cut- Reuters poll
By Indradip Ghosh BENGALURU -The U.S. Federal Reserve's independence is under threat from mounting political interference, according to a clear majority of economists polled by Reuters, although no one expects a July interest rate cut despite a recent divergence in views among policymakers. President Donald Trump has made it almost a daily routine to personally attack Fed Chair Jerome Powell over the central bank's stance of holding rates due to tariff-related risks of higher inflation. A recent jump in inflation suggests businesses are now passing some of the tariffs onto consumers. Most Federal Market Open Committee members favor holding rates steady, but a few, including Governor Chris Waller and Trump appointee Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman, have recently advocated a reduction as soon as July 30. Powell's term is set to expire in May 2026. Waller last week said he would accept the job as the bank's head if he was offered it by Trump. An over 70% majority of economists in the July 17-23 Reuters poll who answered an additional question, 36 of 50, said they were worried about the Fed's independence from political influence, including 10 who said they were very concerned. The remaining 14 said they were not. "I am more worried about the Fed's independence than I was a few months ago, and the main reason for that is the recent behaviour of Governors Bowman and Waller. It's very notable they are diverging from the consensus," said Philip Marey, senior U.S. strategist at Rabobank. "This year is still Powell's Fed. The current Fed is very cautious and wants to wait for the data and go only when they're sure ... It is kind of a policy paralysis at the moment and I don't think that will change as long as Powell has some grip on the FOMC," he added. All 105 economists said the Fed, which last cut its key interest rate to 4.25%-4.50% in December, will hold rates again at the conclusion of its July 29-30 meeting. Most respondents maintained their rate outlook or expected fewer reductions compared with a poll taken last month. A slight 53% majority of economists, 56 of 105, forecast a cut in September, in line with market pricing. But with less than half the year remaining, a clear consensus on where rates would be by end-2025 remains elusive. Economists are waiting for clarity on trade policies as a deadline for Trump's so-called "reciprocal" tariffs first announced in April approaches. That deadline of August 1 is itself an extension from a previous July 9 deadline. "Tariffs could affect things both in terms of higher inflation (and) it could slow the economy. The Fed doesn't know exactly what that mix is going to be and that's reason enough to wait," said Jonathan Millar, senior U.S. economist at Barclays. Just under two-thirds of forecasters expect one or two rate cuts this year, with nearly a fifth expecting no cuts at all. Interest rate futures are pricing in two reductions. The Fed will cut twice next year, poll medians showed. "We've had a very substantial easing of policy over the last few months just from the fact the dollar has weakened and improvements in equity markets. It's not as if things are really screaming out for a rate cut," Millar said. Inflation forecasts were broadly unchanged from last month, with economists forecasting it will average above the Fed's 2% target through at least 2027. The recent passage of Trump's signature spending bill, expected to add $3.4 trillion to an already enormous $36.2 trillion debt pile, poses a further risk of reigniting price pressures. The economy, which contracted 0.5% last quarter, is forecast to grow just 1.5% this year, a sharp slowdown from 2.8% in 2024. Next year, it was expected to expand 1.6%, a view that has remained steady since May. (Other stories from the Reuters global economic poll) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Reuters
11 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
US Fed independence under threat, say economists, but no one expects a July rate cut- Reuters poll
BENGALURU, July 23 - The U.S. Federal Reserve's independence is under threat from mounting political interference, according to a clear majority of economists polled by Reuters, although no one expects a July interest rate cut despite a recent divergence in views among policymakers. President Donald Trump has made it almost a daily routine to personally attack Fed Chair Jerome Powell over the central bank's stance of holding rates due to tariff-related risks of higher inflation. A recent jump in inflation suggests businesses are now passing some of the tariffs onto consumers. Most Federal Market Open Committee members favor holding rates steady, but a few, including Governor Chris Waller and Trump appointee Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman, have recently advocated a reduction as soon as July 30. Powell's term is set to expire in May 2026. Waller last week said he would accept the job as the bank's head if he was offered it by Trump. An over 70% majority of economists in the July 17-23 Reuters poll who answered an additional question, 36 of 50, said they were worried about the Fed's independence from political influence, including 10 who said they were very concerned. The remaining 14 said they were not. "I am more worried about the Fed's independence than I was a few months ago, and the main reason for that is the recent behaviour of Governors Bowman and Waller. It's very notable they are diverging from the consensus," said Philip Marey, senior U.S. strategist at Rabobank. "This year is still Powell's Fed. The current Fed is very cautious and wants to wait for the data and go only when they're sure ... It is kind of a policy paralysis at the moment and I don't think that will change as long as Powell has some grip on the FOMC," he added. All 105 economists said the Fed, which last cut its key interest rate to 4.25%-4.50% in December, will hold rates again at the conclusion of its July 29-30 meeting. Most respondents maintained their rate outlook or expected fewer reductions compared with a poll taken last month. A slight 53% majority of economists, 56 of 105, forecast a cut in September, in line with market pricing. But with less than half the year remaining, a clear consensus on where rates would be by end-2025 remains elusive. Economists are waiting for clarity on trade policies as a deadline for Trump's so-called "reciprocal" tariffs first announced in April approaches. That deadline of August 1 is itself an extension from a previous July 9 deadline. "Tariffs could affect things both in terms of higher inflation (and) it could slow the economy. The Fed doesn't know exactly what that mix is going to be and that's reason enough to wait," said Jonathan Millar, senior U.S. economist at Barclays. Just under two-thirds of forecasters expect one or two rate cuts this year, with nearly a fifth expecting no cuts at all. Interest rate futures are pricing in two reductions. The Fed will cut twice next year, poll medians showed. "We've had a very substantial easing of policy over the last few months just from the fact the dollar has weakened and improvements in equity markets. It's not as if things are really screaming out for a rate cut," Millar said. Inflation forecasts were broadly unchanged from last month, with economists forecasting it will average above the Fed's 2% target through at least 2027. The recent passage of Trump's signature spending bill, expected to add $3.4 trillion to an already enormous $36.2 trillion debt pile, poses a further risk of reigniting price pressures. The economy, which contracted 0.5% last quarter, is forecast to grow just 1.5% this year, a sharp slowdown from 2.8% in 2024. Next year, it was expected to expand 1.6%, a view that has remained steady since May. (Other stories from the Reuters global economic poll)
The Guardian
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Trump administration deportations continue as members of Congress say Afghan man seized after green card appointment
Update: Date: 2025-07-23T11:14:58.000Z Title: Content: The US Federal Reserve's independence is under threat from mounting political interference, according to a clear majority of economists polled by Reuters, although no one expects a July interest rate cut despite a recent divergence in views among policymakers. President Donald Trump has made it almost a daily routine to personally attack Fed Chair Jerome Powell over the central bank's stance of holding rates due to tariff-related risks of higher inflation. A recent jump in inflation suggests businesses are now passing some of the tariffs onto consumers. Most Federal Market Open Committee members favor holding rates steady, but a few, including Governor Chris Waller and Trump appointee Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman, have recently advocated a reduction as soon as July 30. Powell's term is set to expire in May 2026. Waller last week said he would accept the job as the bank's head if he was offered it by Trump. Update: Date: 2025-07-23T11:14:58.000Z Title: Content: Representatives from China and the United States will meet next week in the Swedish capital Stockholm to try and hammer out a deal before an August 12 deadline agreed in May. China said it will send its vice premier to US trade talks next week to secure its own agreement after US President Donald Trump announced a 'massive' trade deal with Japan. In an attempt to slash his country's colossal trade deficit, the US president has vowed to hit dozens of countries with punitive 'reciprocal' tariffs if they do not hammer out a pact with Washington by August 1. As the clock ticks down, China said Wednesday it will seek to 'strengthen cooperation' with Washington at the talks, and confirmed vice premier He Lifeng would attend. Update: Date: 2025-07-23T11:14:58.000Z Title: Trump to outline blueprint to win the AI race Content: The Trump administration is set to release a new artificial intelligence blueprint on Wednesday that aims to relax American rules governing the industry at the center of a technological arms race between economic rivals the US and China. President Donald Trump will mark the plan's release with a speech outlining the importance of winning an AI race that is increasingly seen as a defining feature of 21st-century geopolitics, with both China and the US investing heavily in the industry to secure economic and military superiority. According to a summary seen by Reuters, the plan calls for the export of US AI technology abroad and a crackdown on state laws deemed too restrictive to let it flourish, a marked departure from former President Joe Biden's 'high fence' approach that limited global access to coveted AI chips. Top administration officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House National Economic Adviser Kevin Hassett are also expected to join the event titled 'Winning the AI Race,' organized by White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks and his co-hosts on the 'All-In' podcast, according to an event schedule reviewed by Reuters. Update: Date: 2025-07-23T11:14:58.000Z Title: Here is what is happening in the US today Content: The Trump administration is continuing its deportations policy, which has been described as 'human trafficking disguised as a deportation deal' by the largest opposition party in Eswatini. Civil society and opposition groups expressed outrage after the US deported five men to the country. You can read our full story here. Attorneys and members of Congress have also told how an Afghan man who moved to America after working for the US military in his home country was seized by armed, masked immigration agents, put in a van and taken out of state. Identified only as Zia by members of Congress and his attorney out of concern for his safety and that of his family, the man had worked as an interpreter for the military during the war in Afghanistan. He was in the United States legally and was arrested after an appointment in Connecticut related to his application for a green card. In other news: Bryan Kohberger, 30, a former criminal-justice doctoral student, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole or appeal under a deal with prosecutors that spared him the death penalty in return for his guilty plea to four counts of first-degree murder. The proceedings today in a county courtroom in Boise, the state capital, also will afford family members the chance to directly address Kohberger through the presentation of victim impact statements. China's foreign ministry said Washington's decision – to pull the US out of what Donald Trump called the 'woke' and 'divisive' UN culture and education agency Unesco – was 'not the behaviour expected of a responsible major country', and expressed China's staunch support of Unesco's work, its spokesperson told reporters during a press briefing on Wednesday. European shares climbed more than 1% on Wednesday, led by automobile stocks, after US President Trump revived hopes for a trade deal with the European Union after an agreement with Japan. US-funded contraceptives worth nearly $10m (£7.39m) are being sent to France from Belgium to be incinerated, after Washington rejected offers from the United Nations and family planning organisations to buy or ship the supplies to poor nations, two sources told Reuters. The US embassy in the Philippines has said the US has announced PHP3billion (£39m) in foreign assistance for the country. The dollar struggled on Wednesday, while the yen was choppy after Trump announced a trade deal with Japan, bolstering optimism for more agreements ahead of an impending tariff deadline. The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against major peers, was at 97.48 after a three-day decline, hovering near its lowest level since 10 July. The gauge has lost 6.6% since Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariff announcement on 2 April.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
US Fed independence under threat, say economists, but no one expects a July rate cut- Reuters poll
By Indradip Ghosh BENGALURU -The U.S. Federal Reserve's independence is under threat from mounting political interference, according to a clear majority of economists polled by Reuters, although no one expects a July interest rate cut despite a recent divergence in views among policymakers. President Donald Trump has made it almost a daily routine to personally attack Fed Chair Jerome Powell over the central bank's stance of holding rates due to tariff-related risks of higher inflation. A recent jump in inflation suggests businesses are now passing some of the tariffs onto consumers. Most Federal Market Open Committee members favor holding rates steady, but a few, including Governor Chris Waller and Trump appointee Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman, have recently advocated a reduction as soon as July 30. Powell's term is set to expire in May 2026. Waller last week said he would accept the job as the bank's head if he was offered it by Trump. An over 70% majority of economists in the July 17-23 Reuters poll who answered an additional question, 36 of 50, said they were worried about the Fed's independence from political influence, including 10 who said they were very concerned. The remaining 14 said they were not. "I am more worried about the Fed's independence than I was a few months ago, and the main reason for that is the recent behaviour of Governors Bowman and Waller. It's very notable they are diverging from the consensus," said Philip Marey, senior U.S. strategist at Rabobank. "This year is still Powell's Fed. The current Fed is very cautious and wants to wait for the data and go only when they're sure ... It is kind of a policy paralysis at the moment and I don't think that will change as long as Powell has some grip on the FOMC," he added. All 105 economists said the Fed, which last cut its key interest rate to 4.25%-4.50% in December, will hold rates again at the conclusion of its July 29-30 meeting. Most respondents maintained their rate outlook or expected fewer reductions compared with a poll taken last month. A slight 53% majority of economists, 56 of 105, forecast a cut in September, in line with market pricing. But with less than half the year remaining, a clear consensus on where rates would be by end-2025 remains elusive. Economists are waiting for clarity on trade policies as a deadline for Trump's so-called "reciprocal" tariffs first announced in April approaches. That deadline of August 1 is itself an extension from a previous July 9 deadline. "Tariffs could affect things both in terms of higher inflation (and) it could slow the economy. The Fed doesn't know exactly what that mix is going to be and that's reason enough to wait," said Jonathan Millar, senior U.S. economist at Barclays. Just under two-thirds of forecasters expect one or two rate cuts this year, with nearly a fifth expecting no cuts at all. Interest rate futures are pricing in two reductions. The Fed will cut twice next year, poll medians showed. "We've had a very substantial easing of policy over the last few months just from the fact the dollar has weakened and improvements in equity markets. It's not as if things are really screaming out for a rate cut," Millar said. Inflation forecasts were broadly unchanged from last month, with economists forecasting it will average above the Fed's 2% target through at least 2027. The recent passage of Trump's signature spending bill, expected to add $3.4 trillion to an already enormous $36.2 trillion debt pile, poses a further risk of reigniting price pressures. The economy, which contracted 0.5% last quarter, is forecast to grow just 1.5% this year, a sharp slowdown from 2.8% in 2024. Next year, it was expected to expand 1.6%, a view that has remained steady since May. (Other stories from the Reuters global economic poll)
