News 15:00

BULLETIN 6 February 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Agriculture demands action on hazardous pesticides
# The DA is to file a complaint over alleged cencorship in Parliament’s committee on DIRCO
# And Australian allrounder Marcus Stoinis retires from one-day international cricket

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Agriculture has called for urgent action to ban highly hazardous pesticides. Following reports of food contamination and deaths, chairperson Dina Pule questioned why pesticides like Terbufos remain in use despite international bans. While minister John Steenhuisen warned of food security risks, the committee dismissed economic concerns, stating public safety is a priority. Pule confirmed that discussions on the issue will continue.

# The DA has announced its intention to file a complaint over alleged censorship in Parliament’s portfolio committee on International Relations and Cooperation. The party claims committee chairperson Supra Mahumapelo repeatedly blocked their members from challenging his personal remarks on South Africa’s foreign policy during a discussion on the G20. The DA’s Ryan Smith argues that committee meetings should allow open debate on foreign policy issues, especially those involving human rights:

# Advocate Dali Mpofu has accused state prosecutor Billy Downer of knowing about leaks within the National Prosecuting Authority but failing to act. Former president Jacob Zuma’s arms deal corruption case returned to the High Court in Pietermaritzburg today, where his legal team is appealing Judge Nkosinathi Chili’s refusal to remove Downer. Zuma alleges prosecutorial bias and claims Downer leaked his health records. Mpofu argues Zuma’s evidence in the trial is at risk of being undermined.

# Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba heads to the United States today ahead of what will be president Donald Trump’s second summit with a foreign leader since his return to the White House. Japan is one of the closest allies of the United States in Asia with around 54-thousand US military personnel stationed in the country. Ishiba will push for reassurance on the importance of the US-Japan alliance, as Trump’s “America First” agenda risks encroaching on the nations’ trade and defence ties.

# Cricket: Marcus Stoinis, who played for Durban’s Super Giants in the SA20, has announced his immediate retirement from one-day international cricket, leaving Australia needing to replace the all-rounder in their Champions Trophy squad. The surprise announcement is another blow to world champions Australia ahead of the tournament, which begins on 19 February. He played in 74 ODIs and was part of Australia’s 50-over World Cup-winning side in 2023. Stoinis says his decision to retire from 50-over cricket was to focus on playing T20 cricket.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-60-cents and the euro at 19-rand-28-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-11-cents and Bitcoin trades at 98-thousand-621-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-860-dollars-14-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-95-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….