News 16:00

BULLETIN 22 May 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Presidency clarifies Mcebisi Jonas’ US travel status
# The GOOD Party says the relationship between Afriforum and the DA is troubling
# And soccer: Bruno Fernandes offers to leave in order for Manchester United to get money to rebuild

# The Presidency has clarified recent commentary about the special envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas, confirming he holds a valid US visa. Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says Jonas contributed to planning ahead of president Cyril Ramaphosa’s meeting with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, including overseas consultations. Magwenya notes that initial misunderstandings on procedural matters were corrected and says no concerns regarding his professional duties have been raised. He confirms that Jonas’s absence from Washington yesterday was by personal request.

Meanwhile, the GOOD Party says the relationship between AfriForum and the DA is troubling, given that the one has been responsible for trashing South Africa’s integrity in the US, while the other is part of the government of national unity. GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron says AfriForum started legal action against Tshwane over new levies, but hasn’t made a peep about drastic new cleaning tariffs contained in Cape Town’s proposed budget:

# Western Cape schools will on 30 May begin to make offers to parents of admission for Grade 1 and 8 learners for next year. Parents must confirm acceptance by 17 June through the Western Cape Education Department’s website to avoid delays. MEC David Maynier insists that parents and guardians should ensure their contact information is current, as outdated details could result in missed offers for learners:

# Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered stepped-up security measures at Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide after a gunman who shouted “free Palestine” shot dead two embassy staff outside a Jewish museum in Washington. Foreign minister Gideon Saar attributed the killings to a wave of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel incitement, saying European governments were also to blame. Netanyahu issued instructions to enhance security arrangements at Israeli missions around the world and to increase protection for state representatives.

# Soccer: Captain Bruno Fernandes has offered to leave Manchester United if the club needs to cash in on him in order to rebuild after the heartbreak of their Europa League final defeat by Tottenham. United lost 1-0 in Bilbao, Spain, last night, compounding a miserable season. Head coach Ruben Amorim said afterwards if the club no longer wanted him, he would quit without any conversation about compensation. Now his captain has followed suit, aware of United’s need for an overhaul of the playing staff despite financial constraints.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-2-cents and the euro at 20-rand-39-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-19-cents and Bitcoin trades at 110-thousand-919-dollars-14-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-307-dollars-38-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-47-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….