News 06:00

BULLETIN 8 April 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa reiterates his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Middle East
# Iran warns that if the US crosses red lines, its response will go beyond the region
# And, South Africa receives the first batch of the new HIV prevention medicine

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that continued hostilities in the Middle East risk further destabilising the region. This comes as the US and Israel have continued military strikes on Iran, with president Donald Trump threatening to destroy the entire country. Tehran has imposed retaliatory strikes on countries in the region and has closed off the critical Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan is currently engaging the US and Iran with the aim of mediating a truce. Rampahosa says the whole world needs this horrible war to be over:

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it has shown considerable restraint and exercised care in selecting targets for retaliation against the US and its regional partners. However, it says from this point forward, all such considerations will be set aside. This comes as US president Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants and other civilian infrastructure. The IRGC has warned that if the US military crosses red lines, its response will go beyond the region. It added that it will disrupt regional oil and gas supplies for years.

# The Department of Health has welcomed the arrival of the first batch of the HIV prevention medicine Lenacapavir in South Africa. The shipment includes 37-thousand-920 doses of the six-monthly injectable, expected to help prevent new HIV infections, especially among high-risk groups. The department’s Foster Mohale says the medicine will support efforts to reduce new HIV infections and help end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030:

# Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson says the government will act decisively to restore the rule of law at Knoflokskraal in the Western Cape. The minister detailed a structured response to years of unlawful occupation, intimidation, and alleged criminal activity, including illegal land sales. A coordinated approach will now focus on containment, social facilitation, community engagement, and stronger law enforcement. He stressed that without consequences, the rule of law cannot be restored, adding that the government must act to reclaim state-owned land.

# Golf: Last year’s runner-up, Justin Rose, believes he still has a shot at US Masters glory at the age of 45. The Johannesburg-born Englishman’s only major title came at the US Open in 2013, and he also clinched gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, but he has since finished second at three different Masters. Rose clinched his 13th PGA Tour title at Torrey Pines in February and is confident he has what it takes when this year’s Masters tees off at Augusta in Georgia tomorrow.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-60-cents and the euro at 19-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-18-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-460-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-811-dollars-45-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 102-dollars-35-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South African financial education company Fintr has launched its award-winning board game FinMaster nationwide at Exclusive Books stores. The game teaches saving, investing, and building wealth through play, using South African themes like load-shedding and cabinet reshuffles. It was developed from a pizza-box prototype created by two industrial engineers and has since gained international recognition. The company’s co-founder and CEO, Elijah Djan, says the game encourages young people and families to learn better financial habits in a fun way.

Stay tuned for more news………….