News 11:00

BULLETIN 17 February 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The National Assembly will consider a request for the third extension of the lifespan of the ad hoc committee
# The Bureau for Economic Research says fixing policy and infrastructure could unlock South Africa’s mining potential
# And rugby: Three South African women referees are included in two Women’s Six Nations competitions

# The National Assembly will today consider a third extension request by the ad hoc committee, which is investigating allegations of criminal infiltration in the justice system. The committee’s deadline to conclude its work is Friday. It is requesting an extension until 31st March. Parliamentary spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, says an ad hoc committee ceases to exist if it has not completed its task by the prescribed date, but may be revived by the speaker:

# The Bureau for Economic Research says South Africa’s mining sector could shift from decline to growth if policy, regulatory, and infrastructure hurdles are addressed. Once the engine of the economy, the sector struggles under bureaucratic delays, policy uncertainty, crime, and failing logistics. The bureau says reforms targeting junior miners, reducing red tape, boosting exploration, securing mining operations, and improving electricity and transport could unlock the country’s mineral wealth, create jobs, attract investment, and restore mining as a key driver of economic growth.

# The Western Cape government is still waiting for confirmation on whether pending foot-and-mouth disease test samples are positive or negative. The samples were recently taken from a farm in the Garden Route District Municipality. The municipality’s spokesperson, Herman Pieters, says lesions have been identified on the western side of George, and samples were subsequently collected and submitted for laboratory testing:

Moving abroad:

# US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, says president Donald Trump is seeking a definitive end to the Russian-Ukrainian war. A second round of US-led peace talks will get underway in Switzerland today, with Moscow sticking to its demands for sweeping territorial and political concessions from Ukraine, which has been rejected by Kyiv. Rubio says all America is trying to do is play a role in helping both nations reach a beneficial deal:

# Rugby: World Rugby has confirmed the match officials for this year’s Women’s Six Nations, Pacific Four Series, and the inaugural Under-21 Women’s Six Nations Series, with three South Africans included. Aimee Barrett-Theron and Zoë Naudé will referee in the Six Nations, while Giana Viljoen will feature in the Under-21 series. Barrett-Theron will become only the second woman to referee 50 Tests when she takes charge of the Six Nations opener between France and Italy. SA Rugby president Mark Alexander says the three are being rewarded for their hard work.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-2-cents and the euro at 18-rand-97-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-76-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-317-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-912-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-62-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….