News 14:00

BULLETIN 27 May 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa hails the infrastructure symposium as the key to growth
# Soccer: Real’s new manager believes he can deliver the goods
# And Miss World South Africa wins a global fashion honour at Miss World in India

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium in Cape Town as a gateway to endless opportunities. Addressing delegates, he emphasised infrastructure’s vital role in driving economic growth through investment, social progress, and job creation in South Africa. Ramaphosa called infrastructure the flywheel of the economy, essential for uplifting communities and improving citizens’ lives through sustainable and inclusive development:

# Communications and Digital Technologies minister Solly Malatsi has denied claims that proposed changes to broad-based black economic empowerment regulations in the information and communication technology sector are designed to benefit businessman Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink. Briefing Parliament’s portfolio committee on Communications, Malatsi said the policy direction aims to align ICT licensing rules with existing sector codes and allow for equity equivalent investment programmes:

Meanwhile, SpaceX is set for the next test flight of its Starship megarocket, the linchpin of Musk’s Mars ambitions, after the vessel’s last two outings ended in fiery explosions. A launch window opens tonight from the company’s Starbase facility in Texas. Standing 123 metres tall, the largest and most powerful launch vehicle ever built carries Musk’s hopes of making humanity a multi-planetary species. NASA is also counting on a variant of Starship to serve as the crew lander for the mission to return Americans to the moon.

# Soccer: Real Madrid’s new coach, Xabi Alonso, promised to do big things worthy of the Spanish giants, believing he has the energy and excitement to deliver the goods. The 43-year-old former Spanish player was announced as Carlo Ancelotti’s replacement after the Italian left to coach Brazil’s national team. Alonso takes charge before next month’s Club World Cup in the US, with Real failing to win a major trophy this season. Alonso says they have fantastic players capable of a very good present and a very good future.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-90-cents and the euro at 20-rand-30-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-23-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-861-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-295-dollars-29-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-21-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Miss World South Africa, Zoalize Jansen van Rensburg, has won the prestigious World Designer Award at Miss World 2025 in Hyderabad, India. Dressed in a protea-inspired gown by designer Juan William Aria, the Pretoria-born beauty stunned judges with a vibrant tribute to South Africa’s flora and unity. The satin-glass masterpiece features hand-embroidered motifs and custom artwork. She expressed heartfelt thanks, calling it a celebration of who South Africans are. The Miss World finale takes place on Saturday.

Stay tuned for more news………….