News 18:00

BULLETIN 23 February 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF says Donald Trump’s threat is undermining South Africa’s sovereignty
# The Department of Social Development will appeal the judgement on Covid-19 grants
# And cricket: England’s women’s team will be reviewed after their 16th consecutive loss to Australia

# The EFF has condemned US president Donald Trump’s threat to cut foreign funding to South Africa over its land expropriation policy. Party leader Julius Malema says Trump’s statement undermines South Africa’s sovereignty and warns that no threats will deter the government. He emphasises that the act aims to reduce reliance on foreign aid while addressing historical injustices:

Meanwhile, the Solidarity Movement has called on the United States to pressure the ANC over its harmful policies without punishing vulnerable South Africans. The movement’s Werner Human says financial sanctions like cutting South Africa from the African Growth and Opportunity Act would worsen unemployment and poverty:

# The Department of Social Development says it will appeal the judgment by the High Court in Pretoria regarding the Covid-19 social relief of distress grant. Last month, the court ruled that the government must extend the grant to individuals excluded for not applying during a specific period. The department’s Lumka Oliphant has called for patience as they work towards a resolution that aligns with the principles of justice and the Constitution:

# Botswana’s president Duma Boko has unveiled plans to diversify the diamond-dependent economy. Focused on job creation, Boko intends to develop new industries, dismantle the state power utility, and boost concessional borrowing. With diamonds making up 80-percent of the economy, the country faces high unemployment, especially among the youth. The president says the aim is to prioritise renewable energy, agriculture, and digital industries, while enhancing mineral processing and wildlife tourism.

# Cricket: The England and Wales Cricket Board has promised a review after England’s women lost their 16th consecutive match against Australia in the Ashes series. Australia won the one-off Test against the visitors in Melbourne by an innings and 122 runs after also making a clean sweep in the T20s and the one-day series. England hasn’t won the Ashes since 2014. Deputy CEO Clare Connor denies the team lacks professionalism. She says everything will be discussed when a team has underperformed to the extent the women had.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-83-cents and the euro at 19-rand-32-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-28-cents and Bitcoin trades at 94-thousand-624-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-814-dollars-38-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-57-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….