News 06:00

BULLETIN 4 March 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Health Department will meet organisations over the HIV/Aids funding crisis
# Fuel prices are set for marginal decrease in March
# And cricket: There are only four teams left in the Champions Trophy

# The Department of Health will this week engage with non-governmental organisations to discuss the impact of US funding cuts on HIV/Aids and tuberculosis programmes. The consultations will assess the impact of the USAID funding cuts and inform the government’s response. The department’s Foster Mohale urges patients receiving HIV treatment from affected US-funded centres to continue care at public health facilities:

# The Central Energy Fund says motorists can expect slight relief at the pump this March, with fuel prices set to decrease. The price of 95-unleaded petrol will drop by six-cents per litre, while 93-unleaded petrol will rise by six-cents per litre. Diesel prices are expected to fall by 16-cents per litre. The fund says a weaker US dollar and lower global oil prices have contributed to this positive outlook. The official fuel price adjustments will be announced on Wednesday.

# AfriForum has presented Police minister Senzo Mchunu with details of eight farm murders between October and December 2024, as requested by his Ministry. This comes after AfriForum disputed SAPS data claiming only one farm murder incident. The civil rights group argues that Mchunu is downplaying the crisis and urges government collaboration to combat rural crime. AfriForum’s Jacques Broodryk says ignoring farm attacks disrespects victims’ families:

# The DA urges the City of Johannesburg to reconsider its new by-law, which requires residents and businesses with CCTV cameras facing public spaces to register them. The party demands proper public consultation and transparency, citing that the by-law could lead to higher costs, more bureaucracy, and penalties for those trying to protect their property. The DA’s Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku calls for better oversight and stronger protection of residents’ rights:

# Hamas has accused Israel of trying to collapse the ceasefire agreement, calling the decision to halt humanitarian aid cheap blackmail and a war crime. Israel has cut off humanitarian supplies to Gaza to pressure Hamas into accepting a change in the ceasefire agreement, to allow for the release of hostages without an Israeli troop withdrawal. Fifty-nine hostages remain in Gaza after the return of four bodies last week. Hamas has appealed to mediators to pressure Israel into ending its punitive and immoral measures.

# Cricket: The Champions Trophy has reached the business end, with just four of the eight teams remaining. India topped Group A, with New Zealand in second place. The Proteas ended first in Group B, followed by Australia. In today’s first semifinal, India will play Australia in Dubai, while South Africa and New Zealand will face off in Lahore, Pakistan, tomorrow. The final will take place in Dubai or a city in Pakistan on Sunday, depending on whether India is playing.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-59-cents and the euro at 19-rand-50-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-61-cents and Bitcoin trades at 86-thousand-457-dollar-90-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-892-dollars-30-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-42-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….