News 07:00

BULLETIN 14 March 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says South Africa continues to remain neutral in the Russian/Ukrainian conflict
# President Putin conditionally agrees to a ceasefire
# And OUTA urges the government to close HIV/Aids funding gap

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa remains steadfast in advancing its non-aligned approach but is ready to offer any assistance in bringing the Russia-Ukraine conflict to an end. Ukraine has accepted a 30-day US-proposed ceasefire, while Russia has some reservations. Speaking at the 8th South Africa-European Union Summit in Cape Town on Thursday, Ramaphosa said the conflict can only be resolved through a negotiated settlement:

Meanwhile, Russian president Vladimir Putin says he agrees with the proposal for a ceasefire in the Ukraine war but insists he has some reservations. The US-proposed ceasefire accepted by Kyiv covers the entire front line of the fighting with Moscow, not just the air and sea. Putin says the ceasefire must not be used to rearm Ukrainians to mobilise more troops and rearm for further confrontation. He adds that ceasing hostilities should lead to enduring peace and removing the underlying causes of this war.

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse says the government must urgently address the funding gap for HIV/AIDS programmes as the US has withdrawn support. The organisation warns that budget constraints could jeopardise treatment access for millions relying on antiretroviral therapy. OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage urges the government to prioritise efficient spending and reduce waste to ensure sustainable healthcare funding:

# Deputy minister of Electricity and Energy, Samantha Graham-Maré, has confirmed that the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan is progressing through the Cabinet Committee process and should be adopted within the month. Speaking at an EE Business Intelligence webinar, Graham-Maré emphasised the plan’s importance in boosting South Africa’s renewable energy sector. She sees the masterplan as crucial for positioning South Africa as a key supplier of renewable energy components across Africa.

# The DA in Gauteng says the justice system needs to be strengthened to ensure that perpetrators of gender-based violence are held accountable and face the full might of the law. Replies to the party’s questions in Parliament revealed that with the 793 reported cases of GBV at the Vosloorus Police Station, the conviction rate is only 1.13-percent. The DA’s, Haseena Ismail, says this is a stark reminder of the systemic failures that perpetuate the scourge of GBV in society:

# Cricket: Fast bowler Mark Wood underwent an operation for a knee injury that will likely keep him out of all of England’s home Tests this season. He has been ruled out until the end of July, and will hopefully be back for the start of the Ashes in Australia in November. Wood has been managing an ongoing issue for over a year, but the injury was aggravated during the Champions Trophy. He only returned recently after an elbow injury kept him out of action since August last year.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-32-cents and the euro at 19-rand-86-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-666-dollar-20-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-987-dollars-55-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-16-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….