News 09:00

BULLETIN 30 March 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cosatu says government needs to expedite the review of the fuel price regime
# The DA accuses Home Affairs of wasting R147-million on a failed asylum backlog project 
# And, tennis: Jannik Sinner destroys Daniil Medvedev to reach Miami final

# Cosatu says government needs to expedite the review of the fuel price regime to see where taxes can be reduced to give relief to consumers, commuters and the economy. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has announced the retail price of 93 unleaded petrol will rise by 65-cents per litre on Wednesday and 95 unleaded will increase by 67-cents per litre. Cosatu’s acting spokesperson Matthew Parks says further interventions are needed at Transnet Freight Rail and Metrorail:

# The DA says the Department of Home Affairs has wasted over 147-million-rand in funding on the asylum backlog project with little to no progress made. The DA’s Angel Khanyile says the Auditor General raised alarm bells when they indicated in 2020 that it would take the department 68 years to clear the backlog. In 2021, the United Nations provided the department with 147-million-rand to deal with the 153-thousand-391 asylum decisions appeal backlog:

# A year after Russia’s arrest of American journalist Evan Gershkovich, president Joe Biden says the United States is working every day to secure his release. Biden says the US condemns what he calls “Russia’s appalling attempts to use Americans as bargaining chips” and promised he would maintain hope for The Wall Street Journal reporter’s freedom. The 32-year-old Gershkovich and his publication have consistently denied allegations that he had been spying for the US while on assignment in a city in the Urals.

# Tennis: Italy’s Jannik Sinner swept away Daniil Medvedev of Russia’s challenge 6-1, 6-2 in just 69 minutes to reach the final of the Miami Open. The world number three will face either Germany’s Alexander Zverev or Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in tomorrow’s final and will be a clear favourite after his display of power and skill in the semifinals. The Italian had lost to Medvedev in the Miami final last year but beat him in the Australian Open final in January.

# And finally: RISE Mzansi requests religious leaders to pray for and encourage adherents of the Christian faith to exercise their power and vote for new leaders in the upcoming elections. Spokesperson Mabina Seabe says the leaders have to be committed to ensuring the dignity and happiness of all South Africans, a peaceful campaign season, and free and fair elections. He adds prayers over the Easter weekend could help usher in new leaders who will build the South Africa everybody deserves:

Stay tuned for more news………….