News 09:00

BULLETIN 23 December 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Export losses due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak are around R5.6-billion
# Severe flooding in parts of KZN claims the lives of three people
# And, Donald Trump announces the construction of two new battleships

# Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen says revenue export losses resulting from the 2025 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in South Africa are estimated to be around 5.6-billion-rand. The average annual loss of revenue is estimated at 3.7-billion-rand for fresh and frozen beef, 1.4-billion-rand for goat and sheep meat, and 502.4-million-rand for live cattle, sheep, and goats. Steenhuisen says the country’s livestock industry is facing significant export restrictions as some markets remain fully or partially closed due to the current FMD status, including China, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

# Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale has welcomed the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court’s decision to deny bail to IPHC Jerusalema leader Mike Sandlana. He faces charges of allegedly bribing High Court Judge Portia Phahlane in a church succession dispute. Mogale says the trial will continue in March 2026. She added that the successful bail opposition reflects thorough investigative work and does not rule out the arrest of additional suspects:

# The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs says disaster management teams are on high alert, following torrential rains leading to floods that claimed three lives and damaged roads and infrastructure. The three died after their vehicle was washed away on Longacres Drive in Amanzimtoti. The department’s spokesperson, Senzelwe Mzila, says the coastal belt, stretching from Margate through Oslo Beach to Port Shepstone, has been the hardest hit area:

# US president Donald Trump has announced he has approved a plan for the US Navy to build two new battleships. The Trump Class USS Defiant ships will form part of a revamped “Golden Fleet” meant to better counter China and other adversaries. Trump says once completed, the steel vessels will be equipped with guns and missiles as well as hypersonic weapons and high-powered lasers. He adds that the vessels would be built domestically:

# Cricket: Brendon McCullum says he wants to stay on as England coach and learn lessons from the mistakes of the current Ashes tour against Australia. England are 3-0 down in the five-match series. McCullum, whose contract runs through to the end of the 50-over World Cup in 2027, says his fate would be decided by others, but he will just keep trying to do the best job that he can. McCullum’s predecessor, Chris Silverwood, did not survive a 4-0 defeat four years ago.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-69-cents and the euro at 19-rand-66-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-51-cents and Bitcoin trades at 88-thousand-246-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-487-dollars-25-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-47-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….