News 12:00

BULLETIN 10 July 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Aucamp secures an agreement to boost the foot-and-mouth-disease vaccine supply
# Andy Burnham says the UK’s response to the Gaza war has not been good enough
# And rugby: Rassie Erasmus is set to break the Springbok coach record

# Minister of Agriculture, Willie Aucamp, says his department reached an out-of-court settlement which brings an end to the legal dispute over the procurement and distribution of foot-and-mouth-disease vaccines. Sakeliga, agricultural organisation Saai and Free State Agriculture had argued farmers should be allowed to procure vaccines directly, rather than wait for lengthy government processes. Aucamp says the agreement will open the market to fair competition and allow more vaccines to be accessible:

# The MK Party is reportedly under severe financial pressure, revoking all travelling allowances for its leaders, ahead of the local government elections. According to News24, internal communications between party leader Jacob Zuma and new treasurer-general Brian Molefe inform all national officials, leagues, and recognised structures that all travel accommodation, car, and venue hire funded by the party are suspended until 26 July. Molefe says the focus is on debt management, refining the budget, and ensuring the party remains financially viable.

# The City of Johannesburg says its strategic location as a gateway to the Southern African Development Community market, together with opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area, makes the metro an attractive destination for international investors. The metro hosted a business delegation from China this week to strengthen trade and investment ties. The metro’s Trade and Investment Promotion deputy director, Amukelani Kubayi, says they highlighted investment opportunities across key sectors, while inviting investors to partner with Johannesburg in addressing critical infrastructure priorities.

Moving abroad:

# Andy Burnham, who is poised to become the new British prime minister, has apologised for the Labour Party’s initial stance on Israeli attacks in Gaza. Shortly after Hamas’s attacks on Israel in October 2023, outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer said Israel had the right to withhold power and water from Gaza, a statement which upset many in the party. Burnham has accused Israel of violating the US-brokered ceasefire agreement:

# Rugby: Rassie Erasmus will make history tomorrow, as he will oversee a record 55th Test as Springbok head coach, when they take on Scotland in the Nations Championship at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. He will stand alone at the top of the list of the number of Test matches coached since South Africa’s first Test match in 1891. Erasmus has reached the total in two spells, 2018 to 2019, and 2024 to the present day. The Boks have achieved a winning rate of 75.93-percent in Erasmus’ 54 matches in charge.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-31-cents and the euro at 18-rand-65-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-143-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-102-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-20-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….