News 08:00

BULLETIN 4 April 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa’s G20 Sherpa says there is progress in tackling global challenges
# Global markets are in turmoil over Trump’s tariffs
# And golf: England’s Mimi Rhodes leads the Joburg Ladies Open

# Department of International Relations and Cooperation director-general, Zane Dangor, says the country’s Presidency of the G20 is making significant progress in tackling global challenges, through an inclusive and collaborative approach. Dangor, who is also the country’s G20 Sherpa, chaired the second virtual meeting of the G20 Sherpas in Pretoria on Thursday. He says they aim to develop in-depth discussions on geopolitical matters through ministerial and leadership channels:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 60th anniversary event at the Durban International Conference Centre today. The Presidency says the event will reflect on six decades of dedicated work toward the economic empowerment of African businesses and ongoing economic transformation. It adds that the gathering will also celebrate the achievements and legacy of the chamber’s founding members, who dedicated their lives to the liberation and economic emancipation of South Africa’s marginalised communities.

# The long-awaited decision by the Judicial Service Commission on whether to confirm a gross misconduct finding against suspended Gauteng High Court judge, Nana Makhubele, was postponed on Thursday. This was due to the absence of Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi, who was unable to attend the meeting. The Judicial Conduct Tribunal found Makhubele guilty of misconduct in January. This follows a complaint by #Unite Behind that she violated the separation of powers principle, by occupying dual membership as a chairperson of PRASA and a judge.

# US president Donald Trump insists that his global tariffs package will boost the economy. All three major US stock markets closed down on Thursday, their worst day since June 2020. The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell six-percent, while the S&P 500 and the Dow dropped 4.8-percent and 3.9-percent respectively. The global markets also fell sharply. Trump says the reaction of the markets is to be expected, but is confident that they will bounce back fast:

# Golf: England’s Mimi Rhodes opened with a bogey-free eight-under-par 65 to claim the clubhouse lead in the first round of the Joburg Ladies Open at the Modderfontein Golf Club. South Africa’s Casandra Alexander is one shot behind her. A heavy afternoon downpour forced the suspension of the round because of a waterlogged course and it will be completed this morning. Rhodes says her win at the Ford Women’s NSW Open in Australia last week has boosted her confidence:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-75-cents and the euro at 20-rand-77-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-54-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-961-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-90-dollars-65-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-31-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….