The Weekend View

The United Nations says it is not aware of any biological weapons programmes in Ukraine. This was revealed in a Security Council briefing convened at the behest of Russia that alleges the United States is supporting Ukraine in military biological research - a claim Washington has dismissed as preposterous. Moscow says its military had uncovered evidence and documents of U.S-funded military biological weapons programmes in Ukraine, including the stocking of dangerous pathogen and bio-agents capable of selectively targeting different ethnic populations'. The United States hit back accusing Russia of calling a council meeting for the sole purpose of lying and spreading disinformation

Energy experts say due to ageing infrastructure and Eskom's waning capacity to provide coal based power, consumers are set to pay 300% more for electricity over the next five years. They say the Eskom increases will hit consumers harder as municipalities will be passing cost on to consumers in their mid-year adjustments. They say this coupled with rising cost of fuel spells disaster for consumers who are already struggling to keep up with current costs.

With just over two years left in his term of office, much is expected from the newly appointed Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo, who will assume his role next month. Several quarters, including the Judicial watch dog group, Judges Matter, have outlined their expectations from Zondo and have called for a reform of the Judicial Service Commission. Whilst most political parties have welcomed Zondo's appointment, the EFF have labelled it as the capture of our judiciary by white-monopoly capital

Whilst obesity and being overweight has nearly tripled since 1975 around the globe, in South Africa it has been no different. Health experts say Obesity is not just a cosmetic concern and a proper diet can help fight the condition. Experts furthermore say Obesity is a medical problem that increases the risk of many other serious diseases and health problems, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, certain cancers, and susceptibility to viral infections

The Road Accident Fund says it is operating in a highly litigious environment wherein it has experienced push back from law firms, medical institutions and individuals who seek to unjustifiably secure large payments from the fund.  RAF says the push-back comes from firms which have enjoyed fixed allocation payments which went up to as much as 100-million-rand per month.   The Road Accident Fund says it holds the office of the Auditor General in high regard despite an ongoing court battle between the two entities over the release of the AG's report regarding RAF's financial affairs.  Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula and RAF board and executive team briefed the media on the RAF's financial position in Centurion, north of Johannesburg.

The South African women's proteas got off to a winning start in the ICC women's ODI world cup in New Zealand. They beat Bangladesh by 32 runs yesterday to set their tournament up perfectly. I reached out to SABC cricket Anchor Natalie Germanos who is at the tournament as one of the world feed commentators. I began by asking her if South Africa's batting unit did enough in scoring just 207 runs in their first game. 

The number of Ukrainian refugees is expected to reach one-point-five-million TODAY. This as Russia continues its attack 11 days after invading Ukraine and Kyiv presses for further Western action, including more sanctions and weapons. Moscow and Kyiv are trading blame over a failed ceasefire plan that would have let civilians flee Mariupol and Volnovakha, two southern cities that Russian forces have besieged. Another round of talks is tentatively planned for tomorrow as Ukrainians who can escape spill into neighbouring Poland, Romania, Slovakia and elsewhere

Ukraine's foreign ministry has reportedly called on the international community to take decisive action after Russian forces in Ukraine seized Europe's largest nuclear power plant, a move the ministry says risked nuclear disaster. Officials have said Zaporizhzhia plant in South Eastern Ukraine is operating normally after it was captured by Russian forces in fighting overnight. The capture of the nuclear power plant has left many questioning Russia's military strategy in it's invasion of Ukraine

eThekwini Municipality says they are also embarking on collecting debt owed to the metro by citizens, businesses and some government departments. However the city says it's approach is different to that of Johannesburg and Tshwane Metro. In the past few weeks the City of Johannesburg has been hard at work cutting off the utilities to businesses, citizens and government buildings that have electricity debt. The city is trying to recoup 38 billion rand in unpaid rates,taxes and levies.

As consumers are facing increasing hardship compounded by WEDNESDAY's unprecedented fuel prices at the pumps, labour union Solidarity has put forward an alternative petrol price model. The proposal is contained in a draft petition sent to Parliament THIS WEEK.  Economists have warned of even higher fuel prices in April - with international crude oil prices spiralling above the $100 a barrel mark - largely as a result of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. To make matters worse the Reserve Bank is set to hike the repo rate by an even higher margin when its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets later this month.