News 14:00

BULLETIN 22 May 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Government signs a memorandum of collaboration to improve disaster response 
# The Mineral Resources and Energy Department commends Eskom on its recent performance
# And cricket: The Rajasthan Royals and RCB face off in the IPL eliminator 

# The minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thembi Nkadimeng, and the Defence and Military Veterans minister, Thandi Modise, have signed a memorandum of collaboration on disaster management. This agreement integrates the expertise and resources of their departments to improve disaster response times. Nkadimeng told the media the collaboration includes the creation of a disaster fund:

# The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has commended Eskom for suspending load-shedding for nearly two months. Speaking at the Enlit Africa Conference in Cape Town, director general Jacob Mbele praised Eskom’s leadership and efforts. He says progress is also being made in other areas of the Energy Action Plan such as fast-tracking the procurement of new generation capacity. Meanwhile, Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has expressed hope in the signing into law of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, ending Eskom’s monopoly and fostering market competition.

# Norway has officially recognised Palestine as a State. Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre says there cannot be peace in the Middle East without recognition. He says by recognising a Palestinian state, Norway supports the Arab peace plan. Ireland and Spain have also joined Norway in this recognition. Norwegian Foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide, says the official recognition by the three nations will take effect on 28 May. Several European Union countries are also considering recognition, seeing it as vital for lasting peace.

# Cricket: Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru face off in the eliminator of the Indian Premier League today. RCB turned around a very weak start to the season by winning six games in a row to clinch fourth place on the log, while Rajasthan ended third. The winner will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Friday’s second qualifier. Sunrisers lost by eight wickets to Kolkata Knight Riders in yesterday’s first qualifier. This means Kolkata awaits Friday’s winner in Sunday’s final.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-15-cents and the euro at 19-rand-69-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-12-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-41-dollars-27-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-417-dollars-90-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-38-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Xiluva party has paid tribute to former DA Federal Council chairperson, James Selfe, praising him for his leadership in South African politics. The 68-year-old who passed away after a long illness yesterday, entered politics in the 1970s and served nearly three decades in the legislature, notably in justice and correctional services. National spokesperson Portia Adams praised Selfe’s dedication to public service and his crucial role in shaping South Africa’s democracy:

Stay tuned for more news………….