News 18:00

BULLETIN 22 April 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa and Vladimir Putin commit to a peaceful resolution of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict through dialogue
# Business Leadership South Africa warns of economic threats to automotive exports
# And cricket: Wisden names Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana as its leading players in 2024

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that he spoke with Russian president Vladimir Putin yesterday, reaffirming strong ties between the two nations. The leaders committed to supporting efforts for a peaceful resolution to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa is set to meet with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday. The talks will focus exclusively on the ongoing war in Ukraine. Zelensky’s visit comes amid growing global calls for peace and reports of strained relations between Ukraine and the US.

# Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso has called for a reassessment of the 2018 South African Automotive Industry Masterplan following looming US tariffs on South African vehicle exports. In her latest newsletter, Mavuso urges immediate engagement with US leaders as the sector exports 6.5-percent of vehicles to the US. She stresses the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and adapting plans for Africa-focused mobility solutions.

# The Free State Health Department has confirmed that a 15-year-old girl delivered her baby unassisted in a bathroom at Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein. The teenager reportedly called for help, but nurses allegedly ignored her. Speaking to SABC News, department spokesperson Mondli Mvambi denied negligence, stating that an investigation into the matter has been launched:

# Cricket: Esteemed Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack has named Indian duo Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana as the leading men’s and women’s player in 2024, respectively. It says rarely has a player stood out so overwhelming as Bumrah did last year. Windies batter Nicholas Pooran was named leading T20 player in the world. Gus Atkinson, Liam Dawson, Jamie Smith and Sophie Ecclestone of England, and Dan Worrall of New Zealand was named Wisden’s five players of the year. The almanac has been published annually since 1864.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-60-cents and the euro at 21-rand-33-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-308-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-426-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Stellenbosch Business School climate expert Jako Volschenk says optimism, backed by science and real progress, could be the key to fighting climate change. Speaking on World Earth Day, he says South Africa is well-positioned to lead in renewables, with solar and wind now cheaper than coal. Volschenk believes sharing positive stories, not just bad news, helps people stay motivated in tackling climate challenges:

Stay tuned for more news………….