News 15:00

BULLETIN 20 April 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The diesel cost spike may trigger load-shedding warnings
# Japan issues a tsunami warning after a major offshore earthquake
# And rugby: New Zealand plans a massive onslaught during their tour of South Africa

# Labour analysts have warned rising diesel prices could potentially trigger load-shedding and worsen service delivery in the workplace. Higher fuel costs are expected to strain Eskom’s diesel-reliant open cycle gas turbines. Debt Rescue’s Neil Roets cautions without intervention, higher stages of load-shedding may return. Job Crystal CEO Sasha Knott told IOL fuel shortages and long queues are already affecting workers, urging businesses to adopt hybrid or remote work models to ease financial pressure and maintain productivity, as failure to adapt may impact staff retention.

# The Freedom Front Plus says uncertainty over South Africa’s automotive manufacturing sector is deepening due to slow government decision-making and policy delays. The party’s Jaco Mulder warns the industry, which contributes 22.6-percent of manufacturing output and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, is under pressure from global competition and local challenges. He says weak infrastructure, energy constraints, and rising costs are accelerating deindustrialisation:

# State prosecutor Tholoana Sekhonyana has told the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court that bail decisions against suspended SAPS sergeant Fanni Nkosi must centre on the interests of justice. Sekhonyana argued evidence of unexplained cash and alleged planned offences shows a propensity for crime. She stresses release could hinder investigations and compromise the prosecution’s case, leading to Nkosi evading justice:

Moving abroad:

# A tsunami has been observed about 50-kilometres off the Japanese coast following a powerful earthquake north-east of the country. Prime minister Sanae Takaichi urged people in impacted areas to seek higher ground. Public broadcaster NHK reports the quake struck at a depth of 10-kilometres and was felt in the capital of Tokyo, hundreds of kilomatres away from the epicentre. Japan’s Meteorological Agency warns a bigger tsunami may hit after the first wave. Tsunami warnings have been issued in parts of Hokkaido and Iwate.

# Rugby: New Zealand is planning a massive onslaught during this year’s tour of South Africa, starting in August. The size of the squad could be in the region of 80. The All Blacks will face the Springboks in three Tests in South Africa and another in America, and the visitors will also play the Stormers, the Sharks, the Bulls and the Lions. New Zealand’s new coach, Dave Rennie, reportedly faces a unique challenge before the tour because he still has club commitments in Japan until early June.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-35-cents and the euro at 19-rand-25-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-11-cents and Bitcoin trades at 75-thousand-150-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-788-dollars-53-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 91-dollars-46-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….