News 06:00

BULLETIN 4 February 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The FF Plus says its growth is not due to other parties’ problems
# The DA blames the new NSFAS system for unsafe student housing
# And, president Donald Trump urges Republicans to take over and nationalise elections

# The Freedom Front Plus says the party’s significant and sustained growth is not based on the problems or circumstances of any other party, including the DA. This follows reports that DA leader John Steenhuisen is expected to bow out of the party’s leadership race ahead of its national elective congress in April. FF Plus leader Corne Mulder says his party’s growth is also directly linked to its public opposition to the ANC’s failed policies and its positioning of South Africa in conflict with various countries, thereby jeopardising the country’s international standing.

# The South African Renewable Energy Master Plan has established its project management office at the Independent Power Producers Office in Centurion in Gauteng. Deputy minister of Electricity and Energy, Samantha Graham-Maré, says the office will drive the implementation of the master plan, creating up to 25-thousand jobs by 2030 and boosting skills development for youth and women:

# The DA says the National Student Financial Aid Scheme must be held accountable as its new student accommodation portal is failing. Despite promises, many accredited private housing providers remain unpaid, and students face unsafe, poorly maintained, and unsecured housing. The party urges the scheme to account for the poor conditions and ensure students’ safety. The DA says no student should be forced to live in unsafe or degrading conditions.

# The Gauteng Department of Education is engaging scholar transport service providers to resolve outstanding payments. This after some operators halted services on Monday, affecting learners and school attendance. While payments are being finalised, schools have been advised to implement academic recovery measures to keep teaching and learning on track. The department’s Steve Mabona urged providers to continue transporting learners without interruption:

# US president Donald Trump has urged Republicans to nationalise elections in at least 15 states to protect the party from being voted out of office. American elections are run by state and local officials, with the federal government playing only a limited role. His remarks come days after the FBI raided an elections office in Georgia to examine voting records from the 2020 election. Trump has tied his desire to federalise voting mechanisms as a way to prevent undocumented immigrants from voting. 

# Rugby: The Prendergast brothers, Sam and Cian, will be together in Ireland’s starting team for the first time in tomorrow’s Six Nations opener against France at the Stade de France in Paris. Cian will make his debut in the competition on the flank, while Sam will don the number ten jersey. Head coach Andy Farrell made seven changes to the starting-15 from November’s 24-13 defeat to the Springboks in Dublin. Ireland is without both first-choice wingers, Mack Hansen and James Lowe, due to injury.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-95-cents and the euro at 18-rand-81-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-86-cents and Bitcoin trades at 75-thousand-517-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-946-dollars-4-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….