News 06:00

BULLETIN 29 April 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The government extends the fuel levy relief
# The UAE is quitting OPEC, posing a major blow to the oil producers’ group
# And, minister McKenzie describes Mimi Coertse as an enduring symbol of South African excellence

# The Ministries of Finance and Mineral and Petroleum Resources have announced an extension of temporary fuel levy relief to help cushion consumers against rising fuel prices driven by the ongoing Middle East conflict. The three-rand per litre fuel levy cut introduced this month will now continue into next month and June, with additional relief for diesel. The support will be phased out from July, with the plan expected to cost about 17-billion-rand in lost revenue.

# Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber says the planned upgrade of South Africa’s six busiest land ports of entry will significantly strengthen border security and help reduce illicit trade. Speaking at the announcement of successful public-private partnership bidders, Schreiber said the 12.5-billion-rand redevelopment project will modernise infrastructure, introduce advanced technology systems, and improve coordination between border agencies:

Meanwhile, the Border Management Authority has announced the successful bidders to redevelop six major land ports of entry through public-private partnerships. Among the winning bidders are Baobab Concession for Beitbridge and Oshoek, Raulux Consortium for Lebombo, Kgorong Consortium for Maseru Bridge, Kopfontein Consortium for Kopfontein, and Imbani Consortium for Ficksburg Bridge. Commissioner Michael Masiapato told the media the project will upgrade border infrastructure, improve security, and make travel and trade more efficient:

# The United Arab Emirates will withdraw from OPEC and OPEC+ groups of major oil-producing nations next month, ending its membership of over 50 years. OPEC was formed in 1960 to defend the interests of major oil exporters by coordinating production to ensure steady revenue for its members. UAE Energy minister, Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei says this decision would help it meet growing global energy demand in the long term. He adds that this will not have a huge impact on the market because of the constraints in the Strait of Hormuz.

# Rugby: The Lions face an uphill battle in their final two United Rugby Championship matches after winning their six previous games. The Johannesburg team is currently third on the log, their best position ever, but faces defending champion Leinster and Munster in Ireland next. The Lions could finish in the top four, or even fail to qualify for the quarterfinals if certain results go against them. Coach Ivan van Rooyen says they are focusing only on Leinster at the moment and will then start planning for Munster.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-50-cents and the euro at 19-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-34-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-315-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-596-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 103-dollars-69-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has described the passing of internationally acclaimed South African opera legend, Mimi Coertse, as a great loss to the arts and cultural community. The 93-year-old died at her home in Pretoria. Over a distinguished career spanning decades, she performed in some of the world’s most iconic operas, including Mozart’s The Magic Flute as the Queen of the Night and Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos as Zerbinetta. McKenzie says Coertse was a national treasure and an enduring symbol of South African excellence. 

Stay tuned for more news………….