News 09:00

BULLETIN 17 March 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Bantu Holomisa is concerned about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East
# The EU rejects the relaxation of Russian oil and gas sanctions
# And rugby: Debutants Emeris record their first Varsity Cup victory

# UDM leader and deputy minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Bantu Holomisa, says the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East remain a matter of deep concern. He met with the U.S. ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell, who has faced criticism for undiplomatic comments about the country’s judiciary and policies. Holomisa says the UDM does not see a sustainable solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine other than through dialogue and negotiations around the table:

Meanwhile, the European Commission has ruled out easing the European Union’s ban on Russian oil and gas. Last week, US president Donald Trump’s administration decided to temporarily loosen sanctions preventing other countries from buying Russian oil and petroleum already loaded on vessels at sea. This is in a bid to stabilise the markets over the disruption of Middle Eastern oil and gas supplies. European Commission vice-president, Kaja Kallas, says the international community should maintain pressure on Moscow over its war against Ukraine:

# South Africa’s National AIDS Council has invited local drug companies to apply to produce generic versions of the anti-HIV injection lenacapavir. The once-every-six-months jab, made by US pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, could expand access and help end AIDS as a public health threat by 2043, if widely used. Applications are due by 7 April. If Gilead grants licences, locally made doses could be available next year, with international support to ensure affordable pricing and high manufacturing standards.

# The Freedom Front Plus says that although the Ekurhuleni Municipality is compelled by a court order to settle its debt with Eskom, the metro’s financial crisis runs far deeper than the ANC-led administration is willing to admit. Ekurhuleni owes the power utility approximately 3.4-billion-rand, of which 1.7-billion-rand was settled in March. The FF Plus’ Denise Janse van Rensburg says the remainder of the amount will be paid off over a period of 18 months:

# Rugby: The North West University-Eagles have moved up to the top of the Varsity Cup log, after handing University of Pretoria-Tuks their first defeat of the season. The Eagles held off a second-half surge from Tuks to secure a 30-22 victory. Debutants the Emeris defeated Central University of Technology 26-24, to record their first-ever win in the competition. The University of Johannesburg returned to winning ways with a 29-17 victory over the University of the Free State-Shimlas, while University of Stellenbosch-Maties thrashed University of Cape Town-Ikeys 34-7.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-70-cents and the euro at 19-rand-18-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-21-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 74-thousand-601-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-28-dollars-67-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 100-dollars a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….