News 12:00

BULLETIN 19 May 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Diesel prices are poised to hit three-year lows next month
# The GOOD Party says state bickering over legal costs further delays apartheid cases
# And US political leaders offer message of support to Joe Biden following his cancer diagnosis

# Diesel prices could drop by up to 94-cents-per-litre next month, potentially reaching their lowest levels in three years. The Central Energy Fund says the anticipated decreases are attributed to declining global oil prices and a strengthening rand, which has appreciated over ten-percent since mid-April. It is expected that diesel prices will reduce between 74- and 94-cents-per-litre, offering significant relief to freight and agricultural sectors. The fund has however warned that fluctuations in oil prices and exchange rates may influence the final adjustment.

# The GOOD Party is calling on president Cyril Ramaphosa to instruct his ministers of Police and Justice to cover the legal costs of former state agents, who are appearing as accused or key witnesses in apartheid-era cases. Former police death unit chief Eugene de Kock approached the courts last week. GOOD’s secretary general, Brett Herron, says De Kock wants funds to pay a lawyer to assist him in giving evidence as a witness at the reopened inquest into the Cradock Four:

# DA leader John Steenhuisen says the highest issues on his priority list will be securing trade relations between the US and South Africa, particularly in agriculture. Steenhuisen, in his capacity as minister of Agriculture, is part of the delegation accompanying Ramaphosa to the US this week to engage with president Donald Trump and senior officials. He says preferential trade agreements such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act contribute significantly to South Africa’s economy, and losing these benefits would be disastrous.

Trump has meanwhile expressed sadness at the cancer diagnosis of his predecessor, Joe Biden, wishing him a fast and successful recovery. The 82-year-old has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, which has spread to his bones. Biden’s vice president, Kamala Harris, says she knows he will face this challenge with the same resilience and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. Former president Barack Obama says he is certain Biden will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace.

# Cricket: England Test captain Ben Stokes says he gave up alcohol in a bid to aid his latest recovery from hamstring surgery. He is set to make his comeback in England’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe, starting at Trent Bridge on Thursday, after being sidelined since December after tearing his left hamstring in New Zealand. Stokes told the Untapped podcast it is unlikely he will give up alcohol entirely, but he has learned to manage his behaviour with it:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-99-cents and the euro at 20-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 103-thousand-342-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-223-dollars-11-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-48-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….