News 13:00

BULLETIN 29 March 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomes the additional provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice
# KwaZulu-Natal expects an economic boost of 2.5-billion-rand over the Easter holidays
# And Rugby: Four key players return to the Blitzboks under a new coach

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed additional provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice to prevent Israel from causing irreparable harm in respect of the ongoing siege of Gaza. The Court agreed with South Africa’s assertion that the situation in Gaza had deteriorated significantly since the Court’s Order of 26 January, as a result of Israel’s failure to comply with that order. The president’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya says it is necessary for the court to indicate further provisional measures:

# Tourism KwaZulu-Natal anticipates an economic injection of 2.5-billion-rand as thousands of holidaymakers flock to the province for the Easter season. With an estimated 65-percent occupancy rate and around 600-thousand visitors, provincial MEC Siboniso Duma highlights the province’s appeal before winter sets in. Attractions like uShaka Marine World and Splashy Fen promise an array of activities. Moreover, cutting-edge technology deployed by the KZN Sharks Board underscores the commitment to beach tourism, safety and economic development in the region. The MEC’s spokesperson, Ndanezinhle Sibiya:

Meanwhile, the National Sea Rescue Institute says emergency services are on high alert this Easter weekend. With the full moon spring tide still present along the coastline, bathers, boaters, and coastal hikers are urged to exercise caution. The tide brings higher than normal high tides and lower than normal low tides. It is anticipated to gradually subside toward the end of the Easter Weekend. NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon reminds boaters and paddlers to wear life jackets, and parents to supervise children around water:

# Rugby: New Blitzbok head coach Philip Snyman has recalled four key players for next weekend’s Hong Kong Sevens. Christie Grobbelaar, Ronald Brown, Dewald Human and Quewin Nortjé all missed out on the horrible North American part of the world series in which South Africa could only gain six points, leaving them seventh on the log. That led to Snyman replacing Sandile Ngcobo. After Hong Kong, the tour moves to Singapore at the start of May, and ends in Madrid at the end of May.

# And finally: Germany’s beloved sausage dog, the dachshund, could be under threat. The country’s national kennel club is considering a new draft law that looks at prohibiting the breeding of dogs with skeletal anomalies. The draft bill seeks to strengthen existing laws on so-called “torture breeding” and could ban the reproduction of breeds prone to particular problems, such as the frequent spinal issues seen in dogs with short legs and a long back. Other favourites like the German Shepherd, the Schnauzer, and even the beagle, could also be affected.

Stay tuned for more news………….