News 18:00

BULLETIN 12 March 6 pm

Good morning/Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# We take a look at news about the 2025 budget
# China, Russia and Iran meet on a nuclear programme
# And a British boxer gets a hefty fine for hitting an opponent in the face with an egg

# Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has announced a major increase in social grants, allocating 284-billion-rand for the 2025/’26 financial year. He announced in his budget speech the old age and disability grants will increase by 130-rand to two-thousand-315-rand next month, while the child support grant rises by 30-rand to 560-rand. The foster care grant goes up by 70-rand. Godongwana extended the social relief of distress grant until March next year, with 35.2-billion-rand set aside:

Meanwhile, president Cyril Ramaphosa says difficult choices were made in finalising the budget. Speaking to the media, he acknowledged extensive discussions within the government of national unity. Ramaphosa urged parties to study and debate the budget, especially given declining revenue. He also praised Godongwana’s handling of the budget, emphasising the need for responsible financial management to navigate the country’s economic challenges:

But the DA will not support the budget in its current form. DA leader John Steenhuisen says the budget lacks a parliamentary majority and fails to promote economic growth beyond taxation and spending. He calls for a clear plan to stimulate the economy:

On to other news:

# China will host Russia and Iran for trilateral talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme on Friday. China’s Foreign ministry says the three countries will exchange views on the Iranian nuclear issue and other issues of mutual interest. The United States withdrew from a landmark deal that had imposed curbs on Iran’s nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief during president Donald Trump’s first term. Tehran adhered to the 2015 deal for a year after Washington’s withdrawal but then began rolling back its commitments. Efforts to revive the pact have since faltered.

# Boxing: Chris Eubank Junior has been fined almost 2.4-million-rand after hitting fellow British boxer Conor Benn in the face with an egg during a heated exchange in the build-up to next month’s grudge match. Eubank made a reference at last month’s Manchester news conference to two drugs tests Benn failed in 2022. The World Boxing Council cleared Benn of a doping offence after it ruled a highly elevated consumption of eggs constituted a reasonable explanation for his positive test. Eubank pulled an egg from his pocket and smashed it against Benn’s face.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-37-cents and the euro at 20-rand. One British pound costs 23-rand-74-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-410-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-915-dollars-40-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-26-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….