News 09:00

BULLETIN 12 March 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa and Germany forge a partnership to combat the foot and mouth disease
# Parliament is going to lay criminal charges against Paul O’Sullivan
# And, Donald Trump claims the US has won the war in Iran

# Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, and his German counterpart, Alois Rainer, have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Agricultural Development. This is to enhance bilateral cooperation in controlling foot-and-mouth disease and in trade in animal products. Five core areas of focus have been identified to be implemented under the declaration. These are knowledge sharing, wildlife monitoring, advanced immunisation, diagnostic research and risk management. Steenhuisen says as South Africa navigates a relentless FMD outbreak, this partnership provides a vital lifeline of technical expertise and innovation.

# National Assembly Speaker, Thoko Didiza, and Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George, will lay a criminal complaint against forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan. This relates to his walkout during his appearance before the ad hoc committee two weeks ago. During the hearing, O’Sullivan told members of Parliament that he needed to catch a flight and left despite attempts to stop him. In the criminal complaint against O’Sullivan, the committee will also include a charge for sending threatening messages to the chief of staff for the suspended minister, Senzo Mchunu. 

# The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union says it is disturbed by a viral video posted by a Thembalethu Primary School teacher in George, in which a grade 1 pupil was mocked for not being able to afford a pie during a school fundraising initiative. The teacher can be heard allegedly taunting the child and instructing his classmates not to share their pies with him. The teacher has been suspended. Sadtu’s spokesperson, Nomusa Cembi, says they strongly condemn this incident:

# US president Donald Trump has claimed that they have won the war with Iran. His remarks come against the backdrop of polls showing Americans are divided over the strikes against Iran and worried about the war’s effects on gas prices. He told supporters in Kentucky that Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities have been significantly degraded, adding that the US military will finish the job soon:

# Soccer: Arsenal’s perfect record in the Champions League this year has come to an end, after playing to a 1-1 draw against Leverkusen in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the BayArena in Germany. Kai Havertz scored an 89th-minute penalty against his former team to rescue a draw for the Gunners. Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Chelsea 5-2, with substitute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scoring two goals in Paris. Federico Valverde scored a hat-trick as 15-time champions Real Madrid secured a 3-0 victory against Manchester City at the Bernabeu.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-60-cents and the euro at 19-rand-16-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-20-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-487-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-151-dollars-64-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 97-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….