News 08:00

BULLETIN 16 March 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The expelled South African ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool is given 72 hours to leave
# The SACP will contest the 2026 local government elections
# And rugby: France beat Scotland to become the Six Nations champions

# South Africa’s expelled ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, has been given 72 hours to leave that country. The spokesperson for International Relations and Cooperation minister Ronald Lamola, Chrispin Phiri, confirmed to News24 that Pretoria was arranging to have him “back very soon”. Once in South Africa, Rasool will be expected to debrief Pretoria. Rasool’s expulsion stemmed from comments he made while addressing a webinar facilitated by the think-tank, the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection. Among other things, he accused US president Donald Trump’s administration of racism and supremacism. 

In South Africa, the chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Supra Mahumapelo is calling on president Cyril Ramaphosa and International Relations minister Ronald Lamola to urgently deal with the expulsion of Rasool from the US, in the interest of the country. This comes after US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio announced first on social media that Rasool is a persona non grata in the US. Mahumapelo says they are encouraged by Ramaphosa and Lamola’s stand on using diplomatic channels to pursue the work, rather than media platforms.

# The South African Communist Party says it has submitted its application to the Electoral Commission to stand as an independent registered political party. The SACP’s spokesperson, Alex Mashilo, says this aligns with resolutions taken at the Fifteenth National Congress in July 2022, the Augmented Central Committee Plenary in March and April 2023, and the Fifth Special National Congress in December 2024 to contest elections:

# Russian president Vladimir Putin says he is willing to spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region. His comments came as a reply to US president Donald Trump’s appeal for the lives of soldiers blocked by Russian troops to be spared. Putin says a full surrender and withdrawal is necessary in order to implement Trump’s call. Meanwhile, the Russian army, reportedly backed by North Korean troops, are close to completely driving Ukrainian forces from their foothold in the Kursk border region in what would be a major setback for Kyiv.

# And rugby: France beat Scotland 35-16 at the Stade de France last night to take the Six Nations crown. After England’s record 68-14 rout of Wales earlier in the day in Cardiff, Les Bleus needed to beat the visitors and did so with a four-try, bonus-point victory. Fullback Thomas Ramos’ haul included a try as part of a 19-point blitz in 20 minutes just after the interval, which sealed France’s second championship in four years, but they missed out on the Grand Slam after their round two loss to England.

Stay tuned for more news………….