News 17:00

BULLETIN 19 February 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# GIWUSA welcomes the decline in consumer price inflation
# The poultry industry demands answers over bird flu vaccination delays
# And cricket: India hopes for a perfect game against the Proteas on Sunday

# The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa has welcomed the recent modest decline in the consumer price index which dropped from 3.6-percent in December to 3.5-percent in January. GIWUSA president, Mametlwe Sebei says after years of relentless increases that have eaten away at wages, any slowing in the pace of price hikes is a genuine relief. He says, however, a lower inflation rate does not mean the cost-of-living crisis is over:

# South Africa’s poultry producers are urging Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen to explain delays in bird flu vaccination. Producers state government support for bird flu vaccination remains limited and costly, while cattle farmers are receiving faster approvals, funding, and state veterinary assistance for foot-and-mouth disease. Gauteng egg producer Stephan Botha warns that without urgent action, new bird flu outbreaks this winter could threaten food security and rural jobs.

# ActionSA has praised the Tshwane coalition government for resolving the long-standing 3.5-percent wage dispute affecting over 21-thousand municipal employees who are members of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union and Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union . ActionSA National spokesperson Michael Beaumont said the structured settlement, which reduces backpay liability to less than 1.1-billion-rand, prioritises lower-income workers while protecting the City’s finances. He says disciplined governance, dialogue, and leadership ensured the City’s Adjustment Budget remains fully funded:

# US president Donald Trump will preside over the first meeting of his Board of Peace today, with representatives from more than 45 nations expected. Among the major questions likely to be discussed will be the disarmament of Hamas militants, the size of the reconstruction fund and the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The board includes Israel but not Palestinian representatives. Trump’s suggestion it could eventually address challenges beyond Gaza has caused anxiety that it could undermine the United Nations’ role in global diplomacy and conflict resolution.

# Cricket: Co-hosts India believe they can play the perfect game in Sunday’s T20 World Cup Super Eights match against South Africa in Ahmedabad. Both teams ended the group stage undefeated, but India’s performances weren’t always convincing. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate says they believe they will peak at the right time. India also faces Zimbabwe and the West Indies in the Super Eights, while New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England will do battle in the other group. The top-two in each group qualify for the semifinal.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-21-cents and the euro at 19-rand-6-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-81-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-249-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-981-dollars-53-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….