News 13:00

BULLETIN 6 May 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Macpherson urges the NPA to act on the anniversary of the George building collapse
# Iran says it wants a fair and comprehensive agreement with America
# And tennis: The men’s division of the Italian Open started in Rome this morning

# Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson has called on the National Prosecuting Authority to act after police completed their investigation into the George building collapse. The disaster killed 34 people and injured 28 others. Marking the second anniversary, Macpherson says the tragedy remains a painful reminder of the need for accountability in the built environment. He stresses justice for victims and their families cannot be delayed:

# The Department of Basic Education says a multi-stage quality assurance process guides its textbook catalogue. Minister Siviwe Gwarube last week asked Treasury to investigate alleged irregularities in the procurement of textbooks after the awarding of a 285-million-rand tender. Spokesperson Terence Khala says publisher and author details are removed to ensure impartial evaluation based on curriculum fit and teaching value. He says the three most cost-effective options are normally selected:

# KwaZulu-Natal police have seized cocaine worth approximately 13-million-rand at the Durban Harbour. Spokesperson Robert Netshiunda says following the recovery of drugs in Gauteng last month, information indicated the drugs entered South Africa through the harbour. He says intelligence was activated and certain vessels were profiled:

Moving abroad:

# Iran says it will only accept a fair and comprehensive agreement in its negotiations with the US on ending ​the war in the Middle East. Foreign Affairs minister Abbas Araqchi was speaking to media in Beijing after a meeting with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi. This comes as US president Donald Trump cited great progress in the ‌negotiation process. Araqchi did not directly address Trump’s offer of a pause in the US operation to escort ​ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

# Tennis: The men’s division of the Italian Open started in Rome today after the women got going yesterday. The 32 seeded players have a bye in the first round and will only join the action in the round of 64. Local hero and world number one, Jannik Sinner, is competing in the tournament for the seventh time. He lost to great rival Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s final. The Spaniard isn’t competing this year after suffering a wrist injury. Sinner is expected to play his first match on Friday.  

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-38-cents and the euro at 19-rand-27-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-31-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-715-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-695-dollars-22-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 101-dollars-60-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….