News 18:00

BULLETIN 7 April 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Stock markets collapse as Donald Trump stands firm on tariffs
# The DA blows the whistle on a one-billion-rand disaster at 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria
# And cricket: Harry Brook is named England’s new white-ball captain after Jos Buttler’s departure

# Stock markets and oil prices collapsed further today as US president Donald Trump stood firm over his tariffs despite recession fears. Trading floors across Asia and Europe were overcome by waves of further selling after last week’s sharp losses. Hong Kong’s drop of 13.2-percent today was its worst in nearly three decades. Taipei stocks suffered their worst fall on record, tanking 9.7-percent today, while Frankfurt plummeted as much as 10-percent and Tokyo closed down by almost eight-percent.

Meanwhile, Trump called for Americans to be strong, courageous, and patient, minutes before the New York stock market opened with further sharp declines forecast. He says the United States has a chance to do something that should have been done decades ago. Trump had this message for Americans: Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid!… Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!”

Back home:

# The DA says over one-billion-rand has been wasted on refurbishments at 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria, with critical areas still in a dire state after 25-years. The party says essential areas like emergency theatres and pharmacies remain gutted. The DA’s Nicholas Gotsell says corruption has forced the hospital to outsource procedures, costing millions more and showing ongoing government failure:

# The G20 Digital Economy Working Group’s Task Force on Artificial Intelligence convened in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape today. The five-day meeting aims to advance discussions on critical technologies and enhancing of the digital economy. Communications minister Solly Malatsi emphasises prioritising digital public infrastructure and artificial intelligence, recognising their transformative potential for economies:

# Cricket: Harry Brook is England’s new white-ball captain. The 26-year-old batter succeeds Jos Buttler, who stepped down from the role after the country failed to survive the group stage of the Champions Trophy. Managing director Rob Key says Brook had been part of their succession planning for some time. He describes him as an outstanding player with an excellent cricketing brain and a clear vision for both teams that will help drive England towards winning more series, World Cups and major global tournaments.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-33-cents and the euro at 21-rand-18-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-799-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-and-29-dollars-36-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-56-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….