News 11:00

BULLETIN 30 April 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Oil prices soar to the highest level since 2022 as Trump considers extending the Iranian blockade
# The Institute of Race Relations calls for a professional Public Service to drive economic growth
# And soccer: Afghanistan’s women are allowed to return to international action after five years

# Oil prices have surged again following reports US president Donald Trump is considering extending the blockade of Iranian ports. Brent crude has risen by almost seven-percent to 126-dollars a barrel in daily trade – the highest level since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The US military has reportedly prepared plans for a short, powerful wave of strikes on Iran if negotiations remain deadlocked. Trump says the blockade is somewhat more effective than bombings:

# The Institute of Race Relations says South Africa’s weak Public Service is holding back economic growth and needs urgent reform. The organisation argues political interference and cadre deployment have undermined the state’s ability to deliver services since 1994, reducing efficiency and damaging the economy. The institute’s Terence Corrigan says a reformed Public Service is essential to support faster economic growth and help address the country’s social and economic challenges.

# The DA supports reforms that secure South Africa’s borders while facilitating trade and economic growth. Over 600-thousand people have been deported from the country recently, for either attempting to illegally enter South Africa, or from the interior. The DA’s Adrian Roos says efficient borders are not only a security imperative but an economic necessity, with delays at ports of entry historically costing South Africa billions in lost trade and reduced competitiveness:

# Union federation Cosatu has welcomed the Postbank’s investment of more than 500-million-rand in technology and infrastructure over the past three years. Postbank customers who have been using a Post Office branch to access their accounts will now use new and expanded banking channels. This includes accessing deposit and withdrawal services through Standard Bank and retailers. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says customers now have access to more reliable banking services:

# Soccer: Afghanistan’s women’s team is allowed to return to international action after last playing officially five years ago. The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 led to restrictions on women’s rights, including a ban on sport. This forced many women to leave the country. World governing body FIFA officially recognised Afghanistan under an amendment allowing the registration of a representative team under exceptional circumstances if it isn’t recognised by its member association.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-85-cents and the euro at 19-rand-67-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 75-thousand-725-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-590-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil in forward pricing for the month ahead is quoted at 111-dollars-42-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….