News 07:00

BULLETIN 12 February 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# DIRCO says South Africa and the US continue to maintain strong relations
# Sanral introduces a 6.25% adjustment to toll tariffs
# And, Israel’s prime minister is determined to push ahead with a ground offensive in Rafah

# The Department of International Relations and Cooperation says relations between South Africa and the US are warm, cordial, and strong. Legislation has been introduced in the US House of Representatives which would require America to conduct a full review of relations with South Africa. The bipartisan bill threatens South Africa’s prospects to benefit from the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Dirco’s spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, says the bill won’t succeed:

# The South African National Roads Agency has adjusted the toll tariffs to 6.25-percent effective from the first of next month. This rate is less than last year’s 6.58-percent adjustment. The tariffs are adjusted annually in line with the Consumer Price Index. Sanral’s Vusi Mona says the toll revenue is necessary to maintain, operate, and improve toll roads, as well as to service the debt incurred to implement a toll road project. Sanral currently manages a network of 22-thousand-262 kilometres of roads throughout the country.

# The DA in Gauteng says it has laid criminal charges against the ANC in the province, for what it says is the malicious removal of the party’s by-election posters in Ekurhuleni last week. Damage to election posters is a criminal offence that can result in a major fine or jail time. The DA’s Haseena Ismail says the country’s democracy relies on political tolerance, and this shows the ANC’s desperation as they ready themselves to lose Gauteng:

# Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, says the continued work of the provincial Liquor Authority is critical to combat the harms associated with the abuse of alcohol. Between the first of November 2022 and the 24th of November last year, the authority issued 169 fines to licensed liquor outlets across the province, amounting to over six-million-rand. Allen says it is deeply concerning to note that the majority of the non-compliance reports come from priority areas, including Delft, Gugulethu, and Atlantis.

# Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, says the country’s military will go ahead with its planned ground offensive in Gaza’s town of Rafah, insisting an evacuation plan is being prepared. Rafah has become the last refuge for more than half of the Gaza Strip’s population of 2.3-million. Hamas has stated that an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah would mean the end of hostage negotiations. Speaking to ABC, Netanyahu reiterated that victory against Hamas is within reach:

# Rugby: Defending champions Ireland kept up their impressive Six Nations form, thrashing Italy 36-nil to record a bonus-point victory in Dublin. Tries from Jack Crowley, two from Dan Sheehan, and Jack Conan, and wings James Lowe and Calvin Nash sent Ireland to the top of the standings after two rounds. Italy narrowly lost 27-24 to England last week. Ireland, who face host Wales next week Saturday, have extended their winning run in the tournament to eleven stretching back to 2022.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-2-cents and the euro at 20-rand-55-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-5-cents and Bitcoin trades at 48-thousand-124-dollars-62-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-22-dollars-62-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-75-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….