News 18:00

BULLETIN 30 March 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Foundation for Human Rights welcomes the ruling on TRC recusal bid
# SANTACO in the Western Cape warns of possible taxi fare hikes amid fuel increases
# And, oil rises above 115-dollar, as dharesd in Asia slide as the Iran war enters its fifth week

# The Foundation for Human Rights director Zaid Kimmie has welcomed the dismissal of former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki’s application to recuse Judge Sisi Khampepe from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission inquiry. The court found no basis for claims of bias. Kimmie told Newzroom Afrika that the ruling allows the commission to focus on its work, however warns the matter could still be appealed:

# The South African National Taxi Council in the Western Cape says taxi fares could rise following steep fuel price hikes expected from Wednesday. Petrol is set to increase by five-rand-per-litre, while diesel may rise by more than nine-rand-per-litre. Provincial chairperson Mandla Hermanus says no final decision has been taken yet. Associations will first assess the impact before adjusting fares, with final decisions varying by route and local conditions.

# Global oil prices jumped and stocks fell sharply in Asia today with the US-Israeli war with Iran entering its fifth week. The price of Brent crude rose by more than three-percent to above 115-dollar, on track for its biggest monthly gain on record. Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 2.8-percent, while the Kospi in South Korea closed almost three-percent lower. It comes after Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen attacked Israel over the weekend and Iran threatened to expand retaliatory strikes against universities and the homes of US and Israeli officials.

# Motorsport: Four-time world champion Max Verstappen is considering retiring from Formula One at the end of this season, admitting he is not enjoying the sport. The Dutchman has been critical of the new engine regulations, with Red Bull producing its own power unit this season. Verstappen, who finished eighth in yesterday’s Japanese Grand Prix, has dismissed suggestions his doubts over his future are caused by Red Bull’s lack of competitiveness:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-19-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-70-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-66-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-420-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-520-dollars-87-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 107-dollars-17-cents a barrel.

# And finally, the Gauteng Department of Health has partnered with Life Healthcare and the South African National Council for the Blind to conduct a two-phase cataract surgery marathon to reduce surgical backlogs. More than nine-thousand patients are currently waiting for treatment. The department’s Virginia Mawela says that recently, 334 surgeries were conducted at the Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital and the Pholosong Hospital:

Stay tuned for more news………….