News 16:00

BULLETIN 11 February 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The United Africans Transformation says SANDF soldiers shouldn’t be used as pawns in conflicts
# The Police minister condemns corruption as 18 officials are arrested in a crackdown in Lephalale
# And tennis: Novak Djokovic aims to return from injury in Doha next week

# United Africans Transformation says soldiers of the South African National Defence Force should not be used as pawns in conflicts that do not directly serve South Africa’s interests. Fourteen soldiers died in conflicts with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The party’s spokesperson, Mighty Mabula, says if government wants to deploy troops, it must be done with proper planning:

# Police minister Senzo Mchunu strongly condemns corruption and criminal activities by government officials. This follows a major crackdown on corruption at Lephalale Local Municipality in Limpopo. The operation has resulted in the arrest of 18 people, including municipal officials and a driving school owner. Police Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi says the suspects face charges relating to corruption, fraud, and violating the Road Traffic Act:

# European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has vowed to retaliate firmly against US president Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. German chancellor Olaf Scholz also says the EU would present a united front and act together as the largest market in the world. Trump signed executive orders to impose 25-percent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from March 12, despite warnings from Europe and China.

# Tennis: Novak Djokovic believes he will be fit for the Qatar Open in Doha next week. The former world number one says the leg injury he sustained during last month’s Australian Open is almost completely healed. The 37-year-old Serbian had to withdraw during his quarterfinal match against second-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany. Djokovic says he is positive of aiming for his 100th ATP title, joining Swiss maestro Roger Federer and American Jimmy Connors as the only other players to reach the milestone.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-44-cents and the euro at 19-rand-5-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-81-cents and Bitcoin trades at 97-thousand-827-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-903-dollars-25-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-72-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The World Health Organisation has launched a new platform providing cost-free cancer medicines for thousands of children living in low- and middle-income countries. The first medicines is delivered to Mongolia and Uzbekistan, with further shipments planned for Ecuador, Jordan, Nepal and Zambia, as part of the project’s pilot phase. The treatments are expected to reach around five-thousand children with cancer in those nations this year. The WHO hopes to reach 50 countries in the next five to seven years, providing medicines for approximately 120-thousand children.

Stay tuned for more news………….