News 17:00

BULLETIN 10 February 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA seeks to nullify the Expropriation Act in the High Court
# Iran says Trump wants to bring it to its knees as it celebrates the Islamic revolution
# And road running: The Prince Mangosuthu ultra marathon increases its prize money to 150-thousand-rand

# The DA has filed a challenge in the Western High Court against the recently signed Expropriation Act, claiming it is unconstitutional. The party argues the act gives government excessive powers to take property without compensation, similar to land dispossessions during apartheid. DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille is calling for the act to be nullified, citing vague clauses and its alignment with the ANC’s broader push for expropriation without compensation:

# Families of missing illegal miners are urged to provide DNA samples to assist in the identification process in Stilfontein in North West. Relatives who suspect their loved ones were working in the Khuma or Stilfontein area and have been unaccounted for are asked to visit the Stilfontein police station on Thursday and Friday. Police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone says so far, 18 DNA samples have been collected as part of the ongoing investigation:

# The Western Cape government has secured international funding for municipal water and wastewater projects. The sustainable infrastructure development and financial facility programme aims to unlock both local and international funding, with 72-million-rand from Switzerland and 35-million-rand from Denmark. MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell says municipalities like Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, and George are part of 17 projects worth over 2.2-billion-rand to tackle water issues caused by climate change and population growth.

# Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian accused his US counterpart, Donald Trump, of seeking to bring Iran to its knees as the country marks the 46th anniversary of the Islamic revolution. Starting in the morning, Iranians began gathering in public spaces across the country, accompanied by pop songs and patriotic ballads, to celebrate the 1979 establishment of the Islamic republic and the toppling of shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. In Tehran, they headed to the symbolic Azadi tower, whose name means “freedom” in Persian.

# Road running: The Prince Mangosuthu ultra marathon in KwaZulu-Natal has raised its prize money to 150-thousand-rand in both men’s and women’s categories this year. This is an increase of 50-thousand-rand since its inception in 2018. The race, set for 27 April, covers a 52-kilometer route between Dundee and Inquthi. The event serves as a key qualifier and preparation for the Comrades Marathon.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-39-cents and the euro at 18-rand-99-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 97-thousand-638-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-905-dollars-83-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-48-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….