News 12:00

BULLETIN 5 February 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# An analyst says the future DA leader cannot be distracted by the weight of a cabinet position
# The Western Cape government intensifies its fight against foot-and-mouth disease
# And rugby: The Six Nations kicks off in Paris tonight

# Political analyst Daniel Silke says the future DA leader would be best advised not to take a cabinet position, but devote his or her energy to developing and articulating a real vision for the party. John Steenhuisen will not seek a third term as DA leader at the party’s elective congress in April, but will focus on being the Agriculture minister. Silke says the future DA leader must not be distracted by the weight of a government portfolio:

# The Western Cape government is intensifying efforts to contain a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the province. The outbreak, first reported on a farm near Gouda in November, is currently contained, with veterinary teams monitoring affected areas. Premier Alan Winde says strict measures, including quarantines, roadblocks, and livestock inspections, are in place to protect animals, farmers’ jobs, and food security:

Staying with agriculture: FNB says the recent fuel price reduction, supported by a stronger rand and lower international oil prices, will ease cost pressures for farmers. Diesel prices dropped by up to 57-cents per litre, while the price of both grades of petrol fell by 65-cents per litre, easing one of the biggest cost pressures in planting, harvesting, and farm logistics. The bank’s Koketso Mano says the lower costs could help improve farm profitability:

Moving abroad:

# Nearly 200 people have been killed in attacks in remote villages in central and northern Nigeria. Local police say in the central Kwara state, an attack by gunmen left at least 170 people dead. In a separate attack in northern Katsina state, at least 21 people were killed. The attackers, thought to be jihadists who often preached in the villages, demanded locals ditch their allegiance to the Nigerian state and switch to Sharia Islamic law. When the villagers pushed back, the militants opened fire.

# Rugby: This year’s Six Nations kicks off in Paris between defending champions France and Ireland tonight. The match starts at the Stade de France at ten past ten, South African time. Italy will welcome Scotland to the Stadio Olimpico in the capital of Rome on Saturday afternoon, and England and Wales will do battle at Twickenham in London that evening. The competition is reduced from seven to six weekends this year, with the final round taking place on the 14th of next month.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-5-cents and the euro at 18-rand-95-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-87-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-106-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-932-dollars-67-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-11-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….