News 11:00

BULLETIN 17 March 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# An economist calls for economic preparedness amid the global oil price surge
# Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of targeting a hospital, killing at least 400 people
# And cricket: The Proteas Women beat New Zealand in the second T20 to level the series

# North West University Business School economist Raymond Parsons says the escalating Middle Eastern conflict is driving global oil prices over 100-dollar per barrel, with the potential to rise even higher. He says South Africa, as an oil-dependent economy, faces higher transport, supply, fuel and fertiliser costs, and pressure on inflation and growth. Parsons believes coordinated government action, clear communication, and targeted measures could protect households and businesses from the impact:

# Eskom is working to ensure future tariff increase requests remain reasonable, recognising the affordability pressures on both residential and business customers. Energy regulator NERSA has approved an average electricity price increase of 8.76-percent for customers supplied directly by the power utility. Municipal bulk purchasers’ tariff increases will average 9.01-percent in July. Eskom spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena, says NERSA considered both customer affordability and the long‑term sustainability of the electricity system:

# Gauteng police have arrested one suspect in connection with the deadly Eldorado Park shooting over the weekend. About eight men entered a social gathering on Saturday night and opened fire randomly. Two people were declared dead at the scene, while six others were wounded. Police spokesperson, Fezeka Khobo, says they will ensure all the suspects involved in this incident are brought to book:

Moving abroad:

# Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of carrying out an airstrike that killed at least 400 people at a drug treatment hospital in Kabul. Nearly 250 people were injured. This marks an escalation of the conflict that began late last month and has seen repeated cross-border clashes. The Afghan government says it considers this act to be against all accepted principles and a crime against humanity. Pakistan has denied targeting civilian sites, saying it precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure.

# Cricket: The Proteas Women claimed an 18-run victory over New Zealand in Hamilton to level the five-match T20 series. Tazmin Brits scored 53, captain Laura Wolvaardt an unbeaten 41 and Kayla Reyneke a whirlwind 28 off just nine balls, and the visitors posted 177 for five. Ayabonga Khaka then took four wickets and Nonkululeko Mlaba three, as the homeside was bowled out for 159. New Zealand won the opening match by 80 runs. The third T20 will be played in Auckland on Friday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-76-cents and the euro at 19-rand-25-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-28-cents and Bitcoin trades at 74-thousand-153-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-and-14-dollars-9-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 100-dollars-69-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….