News 16:00

BULLETIN 6 May 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Electricity minister denies the election timing is linked to the energy security gains
# Human Rights Watch warns against xenophobic rhetoric in the elections
# And tennis: Jannik Sinner’s participation in the French Open is in doubt due to a hip injury 

# Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has dismissed claims of a connection between energy security improvements and the upcoming elections. In a media briefing on the energy action plan’s progress, Ramokgopa highlighted the role of planned maintenance. He noted a five-percentage-point recovery in the unit capability factor between April 2023 and April 2024, suggesting an end to load-shedding is near. He cautions that challenges persist, but assures progress is underway:

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch says the rising xenophobic rhetoric in election campaigns is endangering foreign nationals. The organisation warns that political candidates, including Rise Mzansi, ActionSA, and the Patriotic Alliance, are scapegoating undocumented migrants, linking them to crime and unemployment. It urges the Electoral Commission to condemn the harmful language. Human Rights Watch’s researcher, Nomathamsanqa Masiko-Mpaka, says this jeopardises the country’s stability and international obligations:

# Russian shelling of energy infrastructure led to power outages overnight in the Ukrainian regions of Sumy and Kharkiv that border Russia. Moscow has intensified strikes on Ukraine’s energy facilities in recent months, knocking out a significant chunk of production, and triggering blackouts and energy rationing across the country. Kyiv says Moscow is escalating attacks ahead of nationwide celebrations on Thursday, when Russia marks victory in World War Two, and while Ukraine awaits the arrival of crucial weapons supplies from the United States.

# Tennis: World number two Jannik Sinner’s participation in the French Open is in doubt after he had to withdraw from the Italian Open in his home country. A hip injury forced him to withdraw from the Madrid Open last week. Sinner says he will only play at Roland Garros if he fully recovers by the time the clay-court Grand Slam tournament starts on the 26th after learning of the seriousness of the injury. He admits missing out on the Rome tournament affects his preparations for the French Open.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-40-cents and the euro at 19-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-16-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-111-dollars-8-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-316-dollars-37-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-51-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The cast of The Lord of the Rings has bid farewell to co-star Bernard Hill, known for his role as King Théoden. He passed away at 79. Cast members Elijah Wood, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan and Sean Astin, who played the four hobbits, expressed their grief and called Hill a family member. Renowned for his role as the captain in Titanic, Hill’s breakout performance was in Boys from the Blackstuff. He starred as Yosser Hughes, a man struggling with unemployment.

Stay tuned for more news………….