News 11:00

BULLETIN 20 March 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola calls on all parties involved in the conflict in Iran to stop hostilities
# MISA warns the rising petrol price and Eskom tariffs could push inflation higher
# And cricket: The New Zealand Women beat the Proteas Women to lead the T20 series

# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, says sustainable peace in the Middle East can only come through solutions that centre on dialogue and respect for the Iranian people. US-Israeli strikes have killed more than one-thousand-200 people since the war started last month. At least 850 people have been killed in Lebanon, and 13 in Israel. Thirteen US service members have been killed. Lamola says this moment demands a renewed commitment to diplomacy:

Meanwhile, leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada have condemned Iran for closing the Strait of Hormuz. The strait, through which 20-percent of the world’s oil travels, has been all but closed since the start of the war against Iran. In a joint statement, the leaders of the seven countries say Tehran’s interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security. They have pledged their readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to reopen the strait.

# The Motor Industry Staff Association says while inflation has eased to three-percent, concerns remain about rising costs in the coming months. According to MISA, expected fuel price hikes and an Eskom electricity tariff increase next month could push inflation higher, placing further strain on households. The union’s Phakamile Hlubi‑Majola warns that higher living costs will impact both workers and the unemployed, especially ahead of winter and the Easter travel period:

# AfriForum calls on the Department of Transport to speed up the process to extend driver’s licence validity to eight-years. This after minister of Transport Barbara Creecy confirmed that a draft regulation will soon be open for public comment. AfriForum’s Louis Boshoff warns that delays leave competent drivers with expiring licences and pledges to continue pressuring the department to finalise the licence extension promptly:

# Cricket: New Zealand Women defeated their South African counterparts by six wickets in the third T20 in Auckland today, to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Captain Laura Wolvaardt top-scored with 37 from 39 balls as the Proteas Women posted 149 for seven in their 20 overs. In reply, Sophie Devine was impressive with the bat, scoring 55 from 38 balls as the White Ferns reached the target in 18.4 overs. The fourth T20 will be played in Wellington on Sunday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-82-cents and the euro at 19-rand-46-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-56-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-289-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-679-dollars-94-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 104-dollars-58-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….