News 17:00

BULLETIN 18 March 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Statistics South Africa says consumer inflation eased to 3-percent in February
# President Zelensky says Ukraine faces a missile shortage due to the Middle Eastern war
# And rugby: The Stormers, the Lions and the Bulls are in a good place as the URC nears its group stage

# South Africa’s inflation slowed in February, dropping to three-percent from 3.5-percent in January. The decrease was mainly due to lower fuel prices, slower increases in medical aid costs, and cheaper food. Meat, cereals, and cooking oil prices all declined, giving consumers some relief. Statistics South Africa’s Patrick Kelly says alcohol prices increased slightly, and some medical aid hikes could still push inflation up later in the year:

# Solidarity calls on the Department of Social Development to explain delays in finalising regulations governing school social work. The union says the lack of formal regulations is affecting social workers’ ability to operate effectively and compromise support for vulnerable learners. Solidarity’s Bianca Smit urges urgent clarification and action, stressing that clear guidelines are essential to ensure social workers can deliver critical services in schools and protect children’s welfare.

# Forty learners of the Ekwazini Secondary School in Mpumalanga were hospitalised this morning after consuming snacks suspected to cause food poisoning. Three learners initially fell ill with stomach cramps before more were affected. All children have been discharged and are in stable condition. Health inspectors collected samples of the snacks, other food, and water for testing. Education spokesperson Jasper Zwane urges parents to monitor food safety, while praising schools and health officials for their quick and coordinated response.

# President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine will face a missile shortage to fight Russia due to the Middle Eastern war. He told the BBC his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin wants a long war between the US, Israel and Iran because it would weaken Kyiv, with US resources being directed elsewhere. Zelensky says he had a bad feeling about the impact of the conflict on his country. He says peace negotiations are constantly postponed because of the Iranian war, and the situation was benefiting Putin because of increased energy prices.

# Rugby: Only six rounds are left in the United Rugby Championship’s group phase, with the Stormers, the Lions and the Bulls all on course for a playoff place. The Sharks have their work cut out to reach the next round. The Stormers are currently second on the log, the Lions seventh, the Bulls eighth and the Sharks 11th. The top eight will advance. The Stormers and the Lions next play four home and two away games; and the Bulls and the Sharks two home, two away and two home games.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-87-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-41-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-46-cents and Bitcoin trades at 72-thousand-187-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-856-dollars-74-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 104-dollars-64-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….