News 18:00

BULLETIN 13 March 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Sadec ends its military mission in the DRC
# The ANC wants to expand the zero-rated VAT basket to ease food insecurity
# And rugby: Gregor Townsend makes two changes to Scotland’s starting-15 for the clash against France

# The Southern African Development Community has decided to end its military deployment in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following heavy casualties. A virtual summit today confirmed a phased withdrawal of SADC troops. The mission, deployed in December 2023, aimed to restore stability but faced mounting losses, including 14 South African soldiers. Meanwhile, Angola announced peace talks between the DRC and M23 rebels will begin in Luanda next week.

# The ANC has prioritised expanding the zero-rated VAT basket to combat food insecurity and shield the underprivileged from rising living costs. This proposal is contained in Finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s budget. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula highlights that this demonstrates the ANC’s commitment to protecting the working class and the poor from economic challenges:

# Science, Technology and Innovation minister Blade Nzimande has urged South Africa to embrace artificial intelligence for inclusive growth. Speaking at the inaugural National System of Innovation Transformation Summit in Boksburg, he stressed the need for technology to address societal challenges. Nzimande also called for science-based governance and warned against intellectual property leaks. He urges more learner interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics for future generations:

# Rugby: Scotland’s head coach, Gregor Townsend, made two changes to his starting-15 for Saturday’s final round Six Nations match against France in Paris. Jonny Gray moves to the bench to make way for Gregor Brown at lock, and Matt Fagerson replaces injured Jack Dempsey in the number eight jersey. Fagerson’s brother, Zander, plays prop in the starting team. Scotland lost two of their four previous matches and is fourth on the log behind France, England and defending champion Ireland.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-34-cents and the euro at 19-rand-92-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-76-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-213-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-953-dollars-50-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-23-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Amazon MGM Studios is developing a biopic about 15-time major golf champion Tiger Woods, which will be the adaptation of Kevin Cook’s biography, The Tiger Slam. The film is set to focus on Woods’ greatest achievement, when he won the 2000 US and British Opens and PGA Championship, and then added the 2001 Masters to capture four major trophies in a row. Higher Ground Productions, founded by former US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, is in talks to produce the biopic along with Winkler Films.

Stay tuned for more news………….