News 18:00

BULLETIN 17 April 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cyril Ramaphosa urges fair global trade rules amid climate transition
# Tshwane CFO denies links to a security company amid tender probe at the Madlanga Commission
# And, Minister Dean Macpherson says the new forensic lab in KZN strengthens the fight against crime

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for fair global trade rules as countries shift toward a low-carbon economy. Speaking at a business forum in Spain, Ramaphosa said climate policies should not unfairly disadvantage developing economies, and urged stronger support through climate finance, technology transfer and transition measures. He stressed while South Africa supports climate action, global trade systems must remain equitable as the world moves toward greener industries:

# Suspended Tshwane chief financial officer Gareth Mnisi has denied any links to Gubis 85 Solutions, El Shaddai Security Services, Ngaphesheya Construction, or other companies. Testifying at the Madlanga Commission, Mnisi said he has never had any direct or indirect relationship with the company. His suspension follows allegations, including WhatsApp messages discussing municipal tenders. He maintains he has no interest in any implicated entities as investigations into procurement irregularities continue:

# Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson has officially handed over a new KwaZulu-Natal Forensic Science Laboratory to the SAPS. The facility in Mayville is expected to strengthen forensic analysis, improve investigations, and boost conviction rates. Macpherson says the lab will enhance the criminal justice system by providing modern infrastructure to support evidence processing. He says this will improve state capacity in tackling crime and ensuring effective law enforcement nationwide:

# A Russian drone attack damaged port infrastructure in ​Ukraine’s largest port on the Danube River, Izmail. Ukrainian authorities say one ‌drone strayed into Romanian territory. The port lies on the southwestern tip of Ukraine facing Romanian ​territory across the Danube. It has become an ​important logistical area for Ukraine’s war effort. The Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories says the attack ⁠triggered fires, which were quickly brought under control by emergency services. Administrative and production buildings as well as ​railway infrastructure facilities were damaged.

# Golf: One of LIV Golf’s biggest name, Spaniard Jon Rahm, isn’t too concerned over the future of the breakaway league. This follows rumours the league may lose the financial backing of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. LIV’s latest tournament in Mexico teed off yesterday, with Rahm scoring a first round total of 65, three behind leader Victor Perez of France. Rahm says it doesn’t make sense to waste time thinking about the rumours until the people in charge confirm whether they were valid or not.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-19-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-15-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-152-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-863-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-21-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….