News 14:00

BULLETIN 27 February 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF urges government to classify AfriForum and Solidarity as terrorist organisations
# UK firms are not concerned about South Africa’s expropriation bill
# And the Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife are found dead at home

# The EFF has called on the government of national unity to classify AfriForum and Solidarity as domestic terrorist organisations. This comes after the organisations allegedly seeked US intervention in South Africa’s domestic affairs. The party says the two organisations are acting treasonous by spreading misinformation and attempting to undermine the country’s stability. EFF National Spokesperson Thembi Msane says these actions warrant their classification as domestic terrorists:

Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, says meanwhile no UK companies have raised concerns about South Africa’s Expropriation Act. Despite potential sanctions from the US, Reeves, attending the G20 meeting in South Africa, emphasized the UK’s focus on expanding trade and investment with the country. She highlighted opportunities for UK businesses in sectors like financial services and construction. Reeves expressed confidence that South Africa’s government will pass its upcoming budget and continue to strengthen trade relations between the two nations.

Meanwhile, president Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa will use its G20 presidency to promote inclusive and equitable education. Speaking at the Basic Education sector lekgotla in Ekurhuleni, he said education is key to development and that South Africa will push for better access and skills training. According to Ramaphosa, education must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing job market, ensuring no learner is left behind:

# Hollywood actor Gene Hackman, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and a family dog have been found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Police told Sky News they don’t suspect foul play, but the exact cause of death has not been determined. The 95-year-old former Marine appeared in more than 80 films and won an Oscar in 1971 for a leading role in The French Connection. After he retired from acting he began co-writing adventure novels with Daniel Lenihan. Sixty-three-year-old Arakawa, a classical pianist, married Hackman in 1991.

# Cricket: Jos Buttler says he will consider all possibilities about his future as England’s white-ball captain. His side crashed out of the Champions Trophy after suffering an eight-run defeat to Afghanistan in Lahore, Pakistan. This was England’s third successive disappointment in limited-overs tournaments under Buttler’s captaincy after the 50-over World Cup in 2023 and the T20 version last year. Buttler says he will take some time to decide on the way forward:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-43-cents and the euro at 19-rand-31-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-35-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-354-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-888-dollars-49-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….