News 16:00

BULLETIN 1 April 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Good news as fuel prices will drop from tomorrow
# The minister of Electricity announces a major step in energy infrastructure expansion
# And tennis: Jasmine Paolini splits with her coach Renzo Furlan after ten years

# The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has announced a fuel price drop effective from tomorrow, with 93-octane petrol decreasing by 58-cents per litre and 95-octane petrol by 72-cents per litre. Diesel prices will see a decrease of between 84- and 86-cents per litre. Prices at the coast will decline by 4-cents a litre more than inland. The department’s Robert Maake says the adjustments are attributed to lower crude oil prices and a stronger rand:

# Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says the government is taking a significant step in addressing its energy crisis by expanding electricity transmission infrastructure. He emphasised the need to enhance energy security and integrate renewable power sources. Ramokgopa told the media the move aims to resolve structural energy constraints and unlock economic growth by ensuring a more efficient and reliable power supply:

# The ANC’s National Executive Committee has stressed the urgency of party renewal. Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula outlined plans for a radical overhaul, eliminating complacency and gatekeeping. He reaffirmed the ANC’s commitment to discipline, activism against corruption, and integrity through the smart membership card. He also highlighted the importance of political education in the party’s renewal efforts, ensuring a stronger and more accountable ANC for the future:

# Vietnam cut import duties on a range of goods including cars, liquefied gas and some agricultural products in what appeared to be pre-emptive action to blunt US president Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. Prime minister Pham Minh Chinh said last month Hanoi was reviewing levies in order to encourage increased imports from the US. Washington’s trade deficit with Vietnam is the third highest of any country, after China and Mexico, and there are increasing fears it could be a key target of the White House’s tariff drive.

# Tennis: World number six, Jasmine Paolini, has ended her ten-year partnership with coach Renzo Furlan. Under his guidance, the Italian broke into the top ten, made two Grand Slam singles finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, won an Olympic gold medal, and qualified for the season-ending WTA Finals for the first time in both singles and double. Paolini says Furlan has been an important part of her growth, adding that she is grateful for the amazing journey they have shared.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-36-cents and the euro at 19-rand-80-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-67-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-993-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-131-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-46-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….