News 11:00
BULLETIN 2 March 11 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Ramaphosa says the national budget is balanced and reflects the realities of the economy
# Steenhuisen says a further 1.5 million doses of foot and mouth disease vaccines have arrived from Turkey
# And the Middle East conflict has widened with Israel and Hezbollah trading fire
# President Cyril Ramaphosa says improvements in public finances, stabilising debt, a narrowing budget deficit, credit rating upgrades, and improved market confidence all signal the beginning of an economic recovery. In his weekly newsletter, he says the national budget tabled by minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana reflects the realities of the economy, limited financial resources, high unemployment, and urgent infrastructure needs. Ramaphosa says the stabilisation of public finances gives government space to accelerate public investment, sustain the social wage, and direct resources to reforms that drive growth and job creation.
# Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen says the nationwide mass vaccination campaign against foot and mouth disease has begun, following the rapid arrival and distribution of vaccine consignments. The first major consignment of one million doses, sourced from Argentina, arrived in South Africa on the 21st of February. Steenhuisen says a further 1.5 million doses from Turkey-based manufacturer Dollvet arrived yesterday, with additional consignments from Argentina expected shortly:
# The Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools says Gauteng’s decision to cut funding for quintile 5 schools by 60-percent is unacceptable. Deputy CEO Riaan van der Bergh told SABC News the timing is problematic, without consultation and coming after schools’ annual general meeting’s approved budgets. He warns the perception that learners can afford higher costs is misleading, stressing the sudden cuts unfairly burden parents and schools:
News from the Middle East:
# The Israeli Defence Force has confirmed it struck the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah at sites across Lebanon. Explosions were heard in the southern suburbs of the capital of Beirut in the early hours of this morning. Ten people have been killed, while residents of more than 50 villages have been told to evacuate. Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched missiles and drones towards Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. The IDF says any enemy that threatens Israel’s security will pay a heavy price.
# Motorsport: South Africa’s MotoGP star, Brad Binder, says he is fairly satisfied with how his season has started. The Red Bull KTM rider finished sixth in the Thai Grand Prix sprint race on Saturday and seventh in yesterday’s main race. Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi won the season opener, while world champion Ducati rider Marc Marquez retired from the race with five laps remaining due to a damaged wheel. Binder says he could have done better:
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-16-cents and the euro at 18-rand-95-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-59-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-952-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-393-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-33-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….