News 08:00

BULLETIN 3 March 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The National Treasury says South Africa’s economy is prepared for the Iran war
# Agri groups are taking the fight against foot-and-mouth disease to court
# And rugby: UP-Tuks remains unbeaten in the Varsity Cup

# National Treasury says South Africa’s stronger public finances have given the country a sizable cushion to absorb external shocks, such as the fallout from the conflict in Iran. Economists have warned that a prolonged conflict could push global oil prices significantly higher and undermine consumer confidence. Treasury Director-General, Duncan Pieterse, told Bloomberg that it would take a very large shock to derail the country’s fiscal plans. He added that the Iran war could impact South Africa’s economic outlook if it had a lasting impact on global growth or oil prices.

Meanwhile, US president Donald Trump says he decided to launch the war against Iran because it was their last, best chance to strike, and to eliminate the intolerable threats posed by the sick and sinister regime. The US and Israel struck Iran on Saturday, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and American military bases in the Middle East. Trump says the objectives of Operation Epic Fury are clear:

# Farmers’ groups have filed an urgent application in the High Court in Pretoria to stop government restrictions that prevent farmers from vaccinating their herds against foot-and-mouth disease. The Southern African Agri Initiative, Free State Agriculture, and Sakeliga argue that these rules are unlawful and are causing further harm to farmers’ livelihoods, as the disease continues to spread. Saai CEO Francois Rossouw says they are seeking an interim interdict to allow lawful private vaccination:

# The City of Johannesburg says preliminary investigation has found no evidence of approved building plans for the structure that collapsed in Ormonde, south of Johannesburg. Six people died after part of the building under construction at the Sixth Amethyst Business Park gave way, trapping workers beneath the rubble. Three people are still unaccounted for. Johannesburg City manager Floyd Brink says in an area like this, they should have had a Spatial Development Framework as well as other approved building plans:

# Rugby: Defending champions the University of Cape Town-Ikeys collected maximum points with a bonus-point 32-10 victory over newly promoted Emeris in the third round of the Varsity Cup. University of Pretoria-Tuks defeated University of Stellenbosch-Maties 33-17 to remain the only unbeaten side in this year’s competition. University of Johannesburg secured their second victory with a 35-29 win against North West University-Eagles. University of the Free State-Shimlas thrashed Central University of Technology 71-19 in Bloemfontein.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-7-cents and the euro at 18-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-54-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-486-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-365-dollars-85-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-94-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….