News 09:00

BULLETIN 1 March 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Eskom says the ongoing high levels of planned maintenance will continue
# The Traditional Healers’ Council halts registrations over compliance issues
# And cricket: Australia reach the Champions Trophy semis after a washout in Lahore

# Eskom says load-shedding remains suspended, supported by a stable power system and emergency reserves. Spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena says the power utility is also on track to replenish the emergency reserves in preparation for the next business week. However, she says the generation capacity in the system remains constrained as Eskom continues to maintain high levels of maintenance, averaging over seven-thousand-megawatts  in February:

# ActionSA in KwaZulu-Natal says it is deeply disappointed by the State of the Province Address delivered by premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, which failed to reflect the harsh realities faced by the people of the province. ActionSA’s Sanelisiwe Zuma says Ntuli painted an overly optimistic picture that is completely disconnected from the daily struggles of KZN residents. She says one of the glaring omissions from his speech is the ongoing crisis in the education sector:

# The No Regulations For Healers Without Healers national campaign has announced that the Interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa cannot proceed with registrations. This is due to non-compliance with the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System. The campaign organisers say the Department of Health is currently reviewing the regulations. The campaign says no registrations can be processed until the system is granted approval by the Presidency. They call for the council’s disbandment, urging healers not to be intimidated.

# Russia has named career diplomat Alexander Darchiev as new ambassador to the United States, filling a role vacant since last year in another sign of easing tensions. US president Donald Trump has sought to restore ruptured ties with Moscow since taking office, reaching out to president Vladimir Putin and initiating high-level talks for the first time since Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine in 2022. Putin withdrew his former envoy to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, last October but had not named a replacement amid abysmal bilateral relations over the Ukraine conflict.

# And cricket : Australia sailed into the Champions Trophy semi-finals after their final Group B match against Afghanistan was abandoned at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore last night. Chasing 274 for victory against the Afghans, Australia raced to 109 for one in the 13th over when heavy rain stopped play. While the pitch was kept under cover, the outfield appeared soaked, prompting the match officials to call off play. South Africa, who have three points and face an already-eliminated England today, look primed to join Australia in the semi-finals.

Stay tuned for more news………….