News 17:00
BULLETIN 17 March 5 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Ramaphosa vows diplomatic engagement with the US following the Ebrahim Rasool issue
# Trump and Putin will discuss Ukraine on the phone tomorrow
# And the Bulls will host the United Rugby Championship log-leader Leinster at Loftus on Saturday
# President Cyril Ramaphosa says government will send a new envoy to Washington following the expulsion of ambassador Ebrahim Rasool from the US. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Rasool of being a race-baiting politician who hates America, declaring him unwelcome in the US. Ramaphosa told the media he is awaiting a full report from Rasool and assures that diplomatic engagements with the US are ongoing:
# The 14th International Water Association conference on Water Reclamation and Reuse is taking place in Cape Town. The five-day conference will discuss water sustainability and innovation as Cape Town plans to implement one of the world’s largest water reuse facilities. Mayoral committee member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, says the conference will drive transformation and empower communities with innovative water solutions:
# Northern Cape MEC for Roads and Public Works, Fufe Makatong, urges motorists to be cautious as heavy rains, thunderstorms, and strong winds have severely impacted road conditions across the province. Affected routes include areas in ZF Mgcawu, John Taolo Gaetsewe, Francis Baard, Namakwa, and Pixley Ka Seme districts. The department’s Zandisile Luphahla says flash floods have led to road closures and disruptions, with extensive damage reported:
# The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian president Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump would speak by phone tomorrow. Trump told reporters earlier that a lot of work had been done between the two sides on settling the Ukrainian conflict and that he would speak to Putin. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, travelled to Moscow last week to present the details of a joint US-Ukrainian ceasefire plan that envisages a 30-day pause in hostilities.
# Rugby: A humdinger is expected at Loftus on Saturday when the Bulls host the United Rugby Championship log leader, Leinster. The team arrived in Pretoria two days ago already to acclimatise to the altitude. Leinster didn’t announce the travelling squad, but it can be expected that players such as Springbok lock RG Snyman and All Black Jordie Barrett will stand between the hosts and victory. Sixteen of Leinster’s players represented Ireland in Saturday’s Six Nations clash against Italy, so it is believed they won’t travel to South Africa.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-14-cents and the euro at 19-rand-77-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-53-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-147-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-989-dollars-12-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-87-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….