News 09:00

BULLETIN 29 March 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa and Vladimir Putin talk about the Ukraine conflict and the Moscow terrorist attack
# The president says work is ongoing to improve border crossings on the most critical road corridors 
# And Rugby: A Lions prop is suspended for three weeks after a red card

# President Cyril Ramaphosa and the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, had a telephonic conversation yesterday about, amongst other things, bilateral cooperation, peace in Ukraine, and the recent terrorist attack in Moscow. The two leaders discussed ongoing efforts to bring about a peaceful end to the conflict in Ukraine. They also discussed broad areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Ramaphosa also expressed his condolences to Putin and the people of Russia after the recent terrorist attacks in which more than 140 people died.

Meanwhile the president says work is ongoing to improve border crossings on the most critical road corridors. He was chairing the meeting of the National Logistics Crisis Committee to receive an update on progress since the committee was established in June last year. Ramaphosa says significant progress has been made in recent months in reducing processing times at priority border posts. The president’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya says Transnet’s recovery plan is showing significant progress:

# The DA has denounced the passing of the Expropriation Bill, alleging it’s another attack on the Constitution by the ANC ahead of the elections. DA deputy chief whip Annelie Lotriet asserts the Bill is unconstitutional and threatens rights. Lotriet says the DA plans legal action and emphasises their commitment to challenging the bill’s constitutionality:

# Rugby: The Lions will be without prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye for the next three weeks following his red card in last weekend’s United Rugby Championship game against Connacht in Galway. He was sent off early in the first half for a dangerous tackle on loose forward Conor Oliver. The disciplinary committee reduced his suspension from six to three weeks after he pleaded guilty and apologised, and because of his good disciplinary record. The Lions play Ospreys in Wales tomorrow.

# And finally: A doctor at the National Health Service in England incurred the wrath of many Britons after a warning that people should not eat more than one Easter egg at a time. Doctor Andrew Kelso says an average Easter egg contains almost three quarters of the calories which an adult needs on a daily basis. He says tooth decay, obesity and type 2 diabetes are on the rise worldwide and it’s always better to eat in moderation. Reaction on social media ranged from “You’re not my mother” to “I’m going to eat two right now”.

Stay tuned for more news………….