News 14:00

BULLETIN 18 April 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA tables a motion to establish a committee to probe the inflated salary of Parliament’s Secretary 
# The IFP emphasises a coalition collaboration 
# And soccer: An Italian court orders Juventus to pay Cristiano Ronaldo 196-million-rand owed to him 

# The DA has tabled a motion to establish an ad hoc joint committee to investigate the inflated salary of Parliament’s secretary, Xolile George. The motion follows revelations of a 70-percent increase in George’s remuneration, allegedly approved by the speaker of the National Assembly and the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces. The DA’s Siviwe Gwarube stresses the need for transparency and accountability in the management of public funds:

# The Inkatha Freedom Party remains open to working with political parties sharing its vision. Deputy president Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi highlighted the need for clear legislation and guidelines for effective governance during a political debate at the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape. He emphasised that unity in governance promotes development, and urged coalition governments to focus on advancing their agenda for the betterment of society:

# FNB Senior Economist, Koketso Mano says heightened tensions in the Middle East could weigh on oil supply, posing an upside risk to fuel and logistical costs. The rand is also adversely affected by hawkish monetary policy rhetoric in the United State. All of this could keep inflation much stickier than anticipated. Mano says it would follow that interest rates remain at current levels for longer:

# Soccer: An Italian court has ordered Juventus to pay it’s former player Cristiano Ronaldo 196-million-rand in salary owed to him. Portugal’s captain agreed to defer his salary when the sport was halted in the 2020/21 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He initially demanded 404-millon-rand. The court found he should be paid what he would have received after deductions. Ronaldo left Juventus in 2021 after three seasons in which they won two Serie A titles. He currently plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-3-cents and the euro at 20-rand-31-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-556-dollars-76-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-380-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-46-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa urges concerted action to combat plastic pollution ahead of World Earth Day, under the theme Planet versus Plastics. The institute’s president, Mpendulo Ginindza, emphasises South Africa’s linear plastic economy, leading to environmental harm. Ginindza highlights the institute’s efforts in raising awareness, organising clean-ups, and promoting sustainable solutions. With a goal to reduce plastic production by 60-percent by 2040, the institute seeks partnerships to address this pressing issue and protect wildlife and ecosystems.

Stay tuned for more news………….