News 11:00

BULLETIN 23 April 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Eskom says its diesel procurement and storage investigation is in its final stages     
# Libanon’s prime minister accuses Israel of war crimes following the killing of another journalist
# And Cricket South Africa is searching for alternative UK broadcast partners to air the series between South Africa and England

# Eskom says its internal investigation into possible irregularities relating to the procurement of diesel fuel and storage contracts is nearing completion. The Supreme Court of Appeal ordered Eskom to provide AfriForum with access to certain coal, diesel and transport contracts. Eskom spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena, says the investigation being conducted by the newly established Group Investigations and Security Department, remains subject to internal governance, legal and assurance processes:

# The South African Human Rights Commission is concerned the Constitutional Court ruling could lead to some transgressors of human rights ignoring its recommendations in the absence of a court order. The apex court yesterday ruled the commission’s directives are not legally binding, and must seek judicial intervention to have its findings implemented. The SAHRC’s Henk Boshoff told the SABC this does not diminish the constitutional importance of the commission:

# Statistics South Africa says retail trade sales increased by 1.6-percent year-on-year in February, driven mainly by growth in other retailers and clothing, footwear and textile stores. Sales declined by one-percent compared to January on a seasonally adjusted basis, reflecting mixed monthly performance. Stats SA’s Raquel Floris says over three-months, retail sales were up by 2.8-percent, supported by general dealers and clothing stores, while food and beverage outlets recorded a decline:

Moving abroad:

# Lebanese prime minister, Nawaf Salam, has accused Israel of war crimes after Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed a journalist. Amal Khalil, who worked for Lebanon’s Al Akhbar newspaper, was killed while covering developments near the town of al-Tayri. She is the fourth journalist killed by Israel in Lebanon since March. The Israeli military says it does not target journalists and acts to mitigate harm to them, while maintaining the safety of its soldiers. Salam says Lebanon will spare no effort in pursuing war crimes before the relevant international bodies.

On to sports news:

# Cricket South Africa is reportedly struggling to secure a UK television rights deal for England’s series in South Africa from December to January, which will include three Tests and three one-day internationals. This will be England’s first Test series in South Africa in seven years. According to The Guardian, Sky Sports has declined an offer to renew a long-term contract that expired last year. TNT Sports is interested in purchasing the television rights for the series, but costs are a problem.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-55-cents and the euro at 19-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-33-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-162-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-711-dollars-30-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 97-dollars-91-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….