News 06:00
BULLETIN 16 April 6 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Rise Mzansi urges the Finance minister to break the budget deadlock
# Nobody has been arrested in connection with the deadly Walter Sisulu University shooting
# And Ace Magashule is confident the state has no case against him
# Rise Mzansi has called on Finance minister Enoch Godongwana to urgently resolve the ongoing budget impasse. The party says the delay is damaging South Africa’s credibility and economy. It proposes cutting 500-million-rand from the army’s withdrawal from the Democratic Republic of Congo, collecting billions in unpaid taxes, and reducing wasteful public spending. Rise Mzansi’s Mabine Seabe also urges quicker action on gambling tax reforms and warns that the deadlock is eroding public trust in government:
# Eastern Cape police say no arrests have been made in the Walter Sisulu University Mthatha Campus shooting incident on Tuesday morning. The student was allegedly shot by a campus residence manager during a protest over issues including the deplorable state of accommodation. Two other students were admitted to the hospital. Police spokesperson, Nobuntu Gantana, says they are committed to thoroughly investigating this deadly shooting:
Meanwhile, the ANC Youth League has condemned the fatal shooting. The league is calling for the immediate arrest of the suspect and a thorough investigation into the university’s staff recruitment processes. They demand accountability to prevent future violence on campuses.
# Former ANC secretary-general, Ace Magashule, says he is confident that the state has no case against him. The former Free State premier and controversial businessman Edwin Sodi are among 18 accused of fraud, corruption, and money laundering. This relates to the dodgy awarding of a 255-million-rand tender by the Free State Human Settlements Department. Magashule says he is happy that the truth will finally come out during the trial:
# Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is satisfied with talks with the US but warns they could ultimately prove fruitless. Tehran and Washington are due to meet again in Muscat on Saturday, a week after top officials held the highest-level talks since the 2015 nuclear accord collapsed. President Donald Trump, who pulled out of the deal during his first term, revived his “maximum pressure” sanctions campaign after returning to office. In March, he sent a letter to Khamenei urging talks and warning of possible military action if Iran refused.
# Rugby: Ireland has announced the union’s four provinces will have to contribute 40-percent to national players’ contracts from August next year in comparison to 30-percent at the moment. This will have the biggest effect on Leinster, which has the most nationally contracted players. The Irish Rugby Football Union says the funds generated by the increase will be invested in provincial player pathways. It says the change will ensure the model remains equitable and financially sustainable for all involved.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-2-cents and the euro at 21-rand-48-cents. One British pound costs 25-rand-18-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-652-dollar-90-cents. Gold sells at three-thousand-244-dollars-35-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-68-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….