News 08:00
BULLETIN 25 April 8 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The IFP demands clarity on electricity spending
# Netanyahu says the student protests at American universities are antisemitic
# And cricket: The Lions book their spot in the Cricket South Africa T20 Challenge final
# The Inkatha Freedom Party is urging Electricity minister Kgosientso Ramakgopa to disclose the amount spent on diesel supplies since the suspension of load-shedding. This comes as Eskom has yet to present its budget for the 2024/2025 fiscal year. IFP’s national spokesperson, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, stresses the need for transparency regarding how load-shedding is being avoided, suspecting it may be an election tactic. Hlengwa demands a clear timeline for resolving Eskom’s issues and permanently ending load-shedding.
# Cosatu welcomes the agreement reached by the South African Post Office with unions to temporarily suspend retrenchments. This as the business rescue practitioners have launched an urgent application for assistance from the Unemployment Insurance Fund Temporary Employment Relief Scheme. Cosatu’s, Matthew Parks, says it is fundamental that governments at all levels utilise the Post Office and the Post Bank as their postal and banking service provider, injecting invaluable liquidity, which will ensure the viability of jobs:
# The Freedom Front Plus in Tshwane says it will propose that more funds should be earmarked for infrastructure when the budget for the 2024/2025 financial year is tabled. During a meeting with the Public Accounts Committee, the Auditor-General said appointing experts in key positions has led to a significant improvement in the metro’s finances and overall functioning. The FF Plus’, Mari Joubert, says backlog in infrastructure repairs needs to be eradicated to keep the metro from losing millions in revenue from water and electricity:
# Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says protests at major American universities against the war in Gaza must stop. Protesters’ main policy demand is that the US government stop sending military aid to Israel. Some students have also called on universities to stop investing in weapons manufacturers, they say profit from Israel’s invasion of Gaza and the occupation of Palestinian lands. Netanyahu has characterised the protesters as antisemitic mobs:
# Cricket: The Lions defeated the Titans by eight wickets in the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method at the Wanderers to make the CSA T20 Challenge final. The match was reduced to 18 overs after a floodlight failure delayed play. Nqaba Peter took four wickets to help restrict the Titans to 131 for nine. In reply, Rassie van der Dussen scored an unbeaten 73 as he led the Lions to victory with 20 balls to spare. The Lions will play either the Dolphins or the Warriors in the final.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-22-cents and the euro at 20-rand-58-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-95-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-200-dollars-64-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-308-dollars-98-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 87-dollars-99-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….