News 15:00

BULLETIN 3 April 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# An economist warns Donald Trump’s tariff hikes are set to disrupt global trade
# TLU SA says US agriculture representatives emphasise the need for reciprocal trade in agricultural products
# And Cricket: Punjab’s batters praise coach Ricky Ponting’s positive attitude for their huge improvement

# North West University Business School economist Raymond Parsons says US president Trump’s announcement of higher tariffs will disrupt the global economy, with negative effects for South Africa. Parsons warns the tariffs could lead to higher inflation, slow global growth, and risk recession in some economies. He adds the South African economy faces a tough challenge, particularly in the automotive sector, with a 30-percent tariff on local goods, and urges the government to explore new trade markets like the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Meanwhile, agricultural organisation TLU SA says representatives of the American Department of Agriculture emphasised the need for reciprocal trade in agricultural products and that open markets benefit both of the farming communities. The organisation held an important discussion with the representatives based in South Africa yesterday. TLU SA’s Bennie van Zyl says during the meeting, in-depth discussions were held over the impact of the Expropriation Act and the uncertainty it causes, as well as the reality of farm attacks and murders:

# ActionSA says the DA’s legal action against the proposed VAT hike is within their rights. While the party disagrees with the approach, it acknowledges that legal remedies are available in a constitutional democracy. They engaged with multiple parties, including the DA, MK Party, and EFF, to stop the tax increases. ActionSA’s Athol Trollip insists that stopping unfair tax increases should remain the top priority while ensuring responsible government spending:

# Cricket: Punjab Kings’ batters say new coach Ricky Ponting has already made a positive impact in this year’s Indian Premier League. The team is currently on top of the log after winning their first two matches. Punjab contracted the former Australian captain for four years in September after they finished ninth last season. Batter Nehal Wadhera says Ponting is one of the best coaches he’d ever worked with. He says he talks positive, which automatically boosts players’ confidence.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-87-cents and the euro at 20-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-81-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-199-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-and-93-dollars-96-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-4-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Scientists say they have developed the world’s tiniest pacemaker, a temporary heartbeat regulator smaller than a grain of rice that can be injected and controlled by light before dissolving. While still years away from being tested in humans, the wireless pacemaker was hailed as a transformative breakthrough that could spur advances in other areas of medicine. The US-led team of researchers behind the new device say they were motivated to help the one percent of children born with congenital heart defects who need a temporary pacemaker in the week after surgery.

Stay tuned for more news………….