News 13:00

BULLETIN 8 April 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Pakistan will host the US-Iranian negotiations on Friday following the ceasefire agreement
# Zuma takes his fight to have Judge Khampepe removed from the TRC inquiry to the Constitutional Court
# And roadrunning: Over 30-thousand athletes are expected to participate in this weekend’s Two Oceans Marathon

# Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, says negotiations for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes between the US and Iran will begin in Islamabad on Friday. The two countries have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, with Tehran agreeing to the safe reopening of the strategically-important Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan has been acting as mediator. Iran says its ten-point proposal will be the basis for negotiations. Sharif says they earnestly hope the Islamabad talks succeed in achieving sustainable peace in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, oil prices plummeted by over 13-percent today as geopolitical tensions eased in the Middle-East. Brent crude fell to less than 93-dollars per barrel from 109-dollars overnight following the ceasefire. The opening of the Strait of Hormuz sparked a massive global relief rally, with Asian stock markets surging over five-percent. But analysts warn prices remain volatile pending a long-term diplomatic resolution. Reports indicate the International Energy Agency is considering a release of oil reserves that could exceed 182-million barrels to further stabilise the market.

Back home:

# Former president Jacob Zuma has approached the Constitutional Court to have Judge Sisi Khampepe removed as chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases inquiry. Last month, the High Court in Johannesburg rejected Zuma and another former president, Thabo Mbeki’s application for Khampepe’s removal, ruling they need the Chief Justice’s permission before they can launch legal action against a judge. In his application to the apex court, Zuma argues the High Court erred in its judgment, especially by not addressing the merits of the case.

# Limpopo’s Department of Transport and Community Safety continues to intensify law enforcement operations to ensure the safety of road users and compliance with transport regulations. Over the weekend, traffic officials discontinued the operation of a bus travelling from Zimbabwe with 51 passengers after it was found to be unroadworthy. The department’s spokesperson, Mashudu Mabata, says all operators must comply with the law or face the full might of enforcement:

# Roadrunning: The City Town metro says this weekend’s Two Oceans Marathon is set to host over 30-thousand runners across its flagship events. On Saturday, the ultra marathon will take runners on its iconic 56-kilometre journey. Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith says the route for Sunday’s half marathon over 21.1-kilometre route will take participants through the southern suburbs and culminate at the University of Cape Town’s rugby field:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-42-cents and the euro at 19-rand-18-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-6-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-810-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-802-dollars-68-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 92-dollars-6-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….