News 18:00

BULLETIN 24 April 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Stage 2 load-shedding is implemented due to strain on the power system
# President Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump are to meet over SA-US tensions
# And tennis: Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from the Madrid Open due to injury

# Eskom has announced that Stage 2 load-shedding was implemented from 4PM today until 5AM tomorrow due to higher than expected electricity demand. Spokesperson Daphne Mokoena says the loss of generation units, and extensive planned maintenance have resulted in the decision. She says despite progress in recovery efforts, these ongoing constraints have placed significant pressure on the system. Eskom urges the public to use electricity sparingly to help alleviate the strain on the national grid.

# President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump have agreed to meet soon to ease growing tensions between the two countries. The rift, driven by differences over the Ukrainian war, trade, and South Africa’s Expropriation Act, which Trump claims targets white farmers, has led to cuts in US aid. During Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Pretoria, Ramaphosa confirmed he and Trump want to end the war in Ukraine and are committed to strengthening ties:

In the meantime, Ramaphosa and Zelensky have agreed to strengthen cooperation between their countries, working together in key areas including trade, energy, and education. During talks at the Union Buildings, the two leaders discussed ways to expand bilateral relations and explore joint projects in key sectors. Ramaphosa also pledged to work together on peace, development, and people-to-people partnerships:

# ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba says the scrapping of the VAT increase is a victory for ordinary South Africans. Mashaba says despite being outside the government of national unity, his party played a key role by offering alternative revenue solutions and negotiating with the ANC in good faith. He dismissed claims ActionSA backed the VAT hike, citing the party helped deliver on its promise to stop it:

# Tennis: Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Madrid Open due to an injury sustained in the final of the Barcelona Open last weekend. The Spaniard was due to start competing in his home tournament tomorrow. The two-time champion says he and his team decided not to take risks, and he hopes to be back on court soon. The reigning French Open champion won his first clay-court tournament of the season, the Monte-Carlo-Masters, before losing to Holger Rune of Denmark in Barcelona.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-70-cents and the euro at 21-rand-27-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-897-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-309-dollars-58-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-47-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….