News 18:00

BULLETIN 28 February 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A US diplomat resigns amid tensions with South Africa
# A notorious Mexican drug lord is extradited to the US for a murder of 40-years ago
# And cricket: The Proteas realise England will be a dangerous beast tomorrow

# The United States’ diplomatic head in South Africa, Dana Brown, has resigned from the US State Department. News24 reports the resignation comes with immediate effect as tensions rise between Pretoria and Washington over South Africa’s policies. Brown, who assumed the role in August last year, was second in command to the ambassador. The relations between Pretoria and Washington are at an all-time low after president Donald Trump signed executive orders cutting all funding to South Africa and announcing refugee status for Afrikaners.

Mexico has meanwhile extradited 29 alleged drug cartel members to the United States, including high-profile gang leaders. Those extradited include notorious drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero who has been wanted by the US for the murder of an American agent 40 years ago. It is one of the biggest extraditions in Mexico’s history and a major step in bilateral security relations between the two countries. It comes after Trump earlier threatened to impose tariffs on imports from Mexico, accusing it of failing to tackle drug trafficking and migration.

Back home: 

# Agricultural analysts are expecting a strong maize harvest due to excellent summer rains following a drought-hit season. The Crop Estimates Committee is forecasting an 8.26-percent rise in the commercial maize crop, with white maize increasing by over 22-percent. Other summer crops, including sunflower and soybeans, are also up. Economist Wandile Sihlobo told SABC News grain production is set to surpass 17-million tons, signaling a recovery:

# The Public Servants Association has condemned the non-payment of tuition and accommodation fees for 720-thousand students reliant on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. This crisis has left students unable to access results or continue studies. The PSA’s Claude Naicker is calling on the Higher Education ministry to expedite payments, reconsider NSFAS’s role, and implement direct payments to institutions:

# Cricket: South Africa realises England could be difficult to handle in tomorrow’s Champions Trophy match in Karachi, Pakistan. This follows the opponents being eliminated in the group stage, while the Proteas have a good chance to advance to the semifinal. South African coach Rob Walter says his charges will have to be wary of an under-firing but quality team to deliver an international performance. He also announced wicketkeeper and prolific run-scorer Heinrich Klaasen will return after missing the opening match against Afghanistan.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-46-cents and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-27-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-803-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-849-dollars-42-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-73-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….