News 07:00
BULLETIN 22 April 7 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Minister Nzimande says the Trinity International Bible University is not a registered institution
# The Ukraine president says the US military aid package will be a game-changer
# And finally: Today is World Earth Day
# Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Blade Nzimande, says Trinity International Bible University is not a registered private institution and therefore has no authority to offer any qualifications. This follows social media posts over the weekend showing veteran actor, Sello Maake Ka-Ncube, receiving a doctorate from the institution. Nzimande’s spokesperson, Veli Mbele, says the minister is deeply disturbed by the persistent disregard for the department’s regulations by the institution:
# The Afrikaner Leadership Network have released a Joint Afrikaner Declaration in which it is agitating for the creation of a cultural accord for Afrikaners which is recognised by the government. The network is comprised of organisations and individuals from different sectors of the Afrikaner community. The network’s coordinator, Theuns Eloff, says a cultural accord can guarantee cultural continuity. The presidency’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says there is enough protection for cultural rights in the Constitution, and there is no need to make a special pact with any specific group. The network has set a meeting at the Voortrekker Monument today.
# ActionSA in Tshwane has welcomed the decision to place five municipal officials on precautionary suspension, regarding the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant tender. Their suspension follows the conclusion of an internal disciplinary process that found them guilty of gross negligence. The 290-million-rand tender, which was found to be irregular, was awarded to Blackhead Consulting. ActionSA says the suspension of the officials signifies a crucial step towards holding those responsible for the irregularities in the Rooiwal tender accountable.
# Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he now sees a chance for victory for his country against Russia. This follows the US House of Representatives passing the long-delayed military aid package. The aid is likely to include air defence systems, mid to long-range missiles, and artillery shells. The aid package will be sent to the Senate this week before president Joe Biden signs it into law. Zelenskyy says if Ukraine is given the right weapons it could change the situation on the frontline.
# Tennis: Norwegian third seed Casper Ruud won the Barcelona Open, his eleventh career title. The 25-year-old beat fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, 7-5, 6-3, to win the biggest title of his career. The win also avenged the Norwegian’s defeat by Tsitsipas in last week’s Monte Carlo Open final. Ruud says he is happy to capture his first title of the year:
# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-5-cents and the euro at 20-rand-33-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-61-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-757-dollars-52-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-375-dollars-94-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-66-cents a barrel.
# And finally: Today marks World Earth Day, a reminder of the importance of environment conservation and sustainability. This year’s theme is Planet versus Plastics, which calls on government leaders, businesses, and ordinary people to work towards reducing plastic production by 60-percent by 2040. Earthday.org is working with Malaysian organisations to host the largest cleanup in Earth Day history this year. At least 100-thousand volunteers will be cleaning up beaches and forests in the country, and also planting more than one million trees.
Stay tuned for more news………….