News 16:00

BULLETIN 18 February 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA is disappointed over its exclusion from the meeting with the European Union
# The Human Rights Commission flags government’s inaction on eradicating pit toilets in Eastern Cape schools
# And cricket: Another injury blow for New Zealand on the eve of the Champions Trophy

# The DA has expressed disappointment as the party is allegedly being barred from participating in the South Africa-European Union inter-parliamentary meeting starting tomorrow. Despite efforts to engage with the Parliamentary International Relations Office, the DA says it was informed that only ANC members would represent South Africa, while DA members were given observer status. The DA’s Emma Louise Powell says the party plans to seek direct engagements with members of the European Parliament:

# The South African Human Rights Commission in the Eastern Cape has expressed concern at the government’s inaction regarding the eradication of pit toilets. This follows a study conducted by the commission, stating that over 400 schools in the province still rely on unsafe pit toilets. The commission’s Eileen Carter told the SABC this is a systemic failure by the department to prioritise the safety, dignity and education of learners:

# Water and Sanitation deputy minister, Sello Seitlholo, is urging the Madibeng Municipality in North West to enforce by-laws to curb pollution at the Hartbeespoort dam, caused by littering and chemical spillage from industrial companies. Magalies Water was appointed to develop a remedial programme, to profile problematic contaminants and remove the floating plants, hyacinth and algae, negatively impacting the water quality. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Seitlholo called for intergovernmental collaboration to hold polluters accountable:

# US and Russian talks to discuss the end of the Ukrainian war have started in Saudi Arabia – the first in-person meeting since Moscow’s invasion three years ago. Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and US secretary of state Marco Rubio are present, while Ukraine and Europe are absent. The US says the talks are a first step to see if Russia is serious about ending the war, while Russia hopes to normalise relations with America. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine will not recognise agreements reached without them.

# Cricket: New Zealand suffered a second injury blow on the eve of the Champions Trophy with experienced fast bowler Lockie Ferguson ruled out of the tournament in Pakistan with a foot problem. The 33-year-old picked up the injury during a T20 league in the United Arab Emirates last month and will be replaced by Kyle Jamieson. Ferguson is the second casualty in New Zealand’s 15-man squad after fellow pacer Ben Sears was replaced by Jacob Duffy because of a hamstring injury.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-41-cents and the euro at 19-rand-25-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-19-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-786-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-913-dollars-23-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-5-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….