News 17:00
BULLETIN 2 April 5 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The DA demands an immediate debate and vote of no-confidence motion against Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
# Giwusa warns the energy price hikes will deepen the cost of living crisis
# And rugby: A former Samoan captain is appointed as new head coach
# The DA has called for an immediate debate and vote on a motion of no confidence against National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, after the High Pretoria in Court dismissed her bid to prevent potential arrest. The party feels Parliament must hold the speaker accountable given the severity of the allegations against her, including corruption and money laundering charges. The DA’s Siviwe Gwarube insists the integrity and credibility of the National Assembly are at stake:
# Union Giwusa says upcoming fuel and electricity price hikes will exacerbate poverty and living costs. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy announced significant hikes in petrol prices, with 93- and 95-octane petrol increasing by 65-cents and 67-cents per litre respectively. The department attributes the increases to rising Brent crude oil prices. The union calls for the nationalisation of energy monopolies to ease worker hardships. Giwusa’s Koketso Phasha says workers, already grappling with stagnant wages, face heightened financial strain:
# The United Democratic Movement says the ANC has been asleep at the wheel for three decades and failed to address the water service delivery and infrastructure crisis. Deputy President Paul Mashatile announced he has been appointed by president Cyril Ramaphosa to lead a task team on the water crisis. The UDM’s secretary general, Yongama Zigebe, says Mashatile will have a lot on his plate in the coming weeks as he will also have to campaign for the ANC, and saving the country water infrastructure, over and above his usual duties:
# British Foreign secretary David Cameron says the UK had urged Israel to provide a full explanation about an air strike that killed seven aid workers in Gaza. US-based charity World Central Kitchen says the attack killed seven of its staff unloading food brought by sea to the Gaza Strip. The group paused operations after the strike that killed Australian, British, Palestinian, Polish and US-Canadian staff. The Israeli military says it is conducting a thorough review at the highest levels to understand the circumstances of the incident.
# Rugby: Samoa’s former captain, Mase Schwalger, has been appointed head coach of the national team until the 2027 World Cup in Australia. He was assistant coach during last year’s World Cup in France where Samoa could only win one match. Schwalger, who played 40 Tests as hooker, says representing his country as player and as coach is the pinnacle of sporting achievement. Samoa will play Italy and Spain at home in July before participating in the Pacific Nations Cup the next month.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-85-cents and the euro at 20-rand-29-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-68-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-864-dollars-43-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-259-dollars-17-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 88-dollars-46-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….