News 11:00

BULLETIN 20 April 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# COSATU warns VAT hike legal challenges could disrupt tax framework
# Border Authority calls for stronger SADC cooperation on illegal migration
# And Max Verstappen’s Red Bull gets wings in Saudi Arabia

# Cosatu has warned that legal challenges to the proposed VAT increase could destabilise the country’s tax system. Parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks emphasised the risk to fiscal stability. While COSATU opposes the 0.5-percentage point VAT hike set for 1 May, Parks says he supports alternative revenue options such as wealth taxes and higher corporate taxes to ease the burden on workers:

# The Border Management Authority is calling for improved communication among SADC nations to tackle illegal migration. Commissioner Michael Masiapato praised new technologies at border posts, revealing that 89 people were recently arrested at the Lebombo Border Post. He stressed the importance of regional collaboration to address migration’s root causes and enhance security measures across member states for more effective border control:

# Northern Cape police are offering a 100-thousand-rand reward for information leading to the arrest of suspects who stole three bodies. A baby girl and two adult men were stolen from the Motheo Wa Bophelo funeral parlour in Kuruman on 17 March. Police spokesperson Cherelle Ehlers says the intruders assaulted and tied up a security guard before fleeing with the corpses, which remain missing.

# Pope Francis is expected to delight Catholics all over the world during Easter celebrations at the Vatican today, just weeks after he was fighting for his life in hospital while suffering from pneumonia. The ailing 88-year-old pontiff has been recovering from his health ordeal since leaving hospital on 23 March, having spent 38 days receiving treatment. He is expected to deliver the “Urbi et Orbi” benediction from a balcony overlooking Saint Peter’s Square from midday in what is the most important Christian celebration.

# Motorsport: Max Verstappen said his Red Bull car had “come alive” after he nailed pole for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri with a track record in a gripping qualifying session. Piastri’s teammate, championship leader Lando Norris, crashed and will start on the fifth row of today’s race. Four-time world champion Verstappen was in irrepressible form under the floodlights on the high-speed Jeddah Corniche Circuit. It was a huge turnaround for the Dutchman after he and his Red Bull team had struggled in Bahrain last weekend.

# And finally: Tennis, It’s the battle of the 21-year-olds as Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz face Denmark’s Holger Rune in the final of the Barcelona Open. Alcaraz cruised into his third Barcelona Open final with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Arthur Fils. After winning in Monte Carlo last week, Alcaraz remains perfect on clay this season. He has not lost in Barcelona since 2021. He won the tournament in 2022 and 2023 before missing last year’s event with an arm injury. Earlier, world number 13 Rune outclassed Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-2.

Stay tuned for more news………….