News 16:00

BULLETIN 8 April 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Bozell flags continuous America-South African investment hurdles
# Saftu says Trump’s continued threats against Iran are a direct threat to humanity
# And tennis: Medvedev is handed the first double bagel of his career in Monte-Carlo

# US ambassador to South Africa, Brent Bozell, says his country is ready to bring billions of rand in investment, but key challenges remain. Speaking in Pretoria, Bozell highlighted concerns around private property rights and ownership requirements for foreign companies. He says these issues may deter major investors. Bozell acknowledges South Africa’s unique history and says US firms have an ethical duty to invest in the country’s future, beyond just profit:

Meanwhile, union federation Saftu says US president Donald Trump’s continued threats to Iran represent a real and present danger to global peace. Trump had threatened to launch massive strikes against Iranian energy and transportation infrastructure if Tehran did not make a peace deal, which was halted as he agreed to a two-week ceasefire. Saftu’s Asive Dyani rejects Trump’s claim Iranians are calling for more bombs and destruction to secure their freedom:

# Tshwane Metro Police chief Yolande Faro has denied knowledge of service level and land tender agreements, including one with El Shaddai Security Services. Testifying before the Madlanga Commission, commissioner Sandile Khumalo questioned her lack of knowledge despite being on leave when the agreements were signed by an acting official. Faro says she had also not seen any drafts beforehand, and maintains she was unaware of the process:

# Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, has welcomed the cabinet’s approval of the revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection, describing it as fundamental reform. It is designed to clamp down on fraud and abuse, enhance national security, improve service delivery through digital transformation, and promote economic development. Schreiber says the policy direction outlined in the document charts a new course for the country to build modern, efficient and secure systems that serve South Africa’s interests.

# Tennis: World number ten Daniil Medvedev of Russia was handed the very first double bagel of his career in the round of 32 of the Monte-Carlo Masters. He lost 6-love, 6-love to unseeded Italian Matteo Berrettini within 49 minutes, leading to a serious meltdown halfway through the second set. The 30-year-old Medvedev demolished his racquet after his umpteenth unforced error. Another Russian, 13th-seeded Andrey Rublev, was also eliminated, losing in straight sets to unseeded Zizou Bergs of Belgium.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-36-cents and the euro at 19-rand-13-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-1-cent and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-700-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-770-dollars-54-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 91-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….