News 09:00

BULLETIN 6 August 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa is concerned about the dangerous criminals deported to Eswatini
# The Hiroshima mayor warns about nuclear weapons
# And Olympic Games: Donald Trump establishes a White House Task Force for 2028

# The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has expressed concern about the recent arrival of dangerous criminals of various nationalities to Eswatini from the US. Last month, Eswatini announced that it had agreed with the US to house five most dangerous criminals in its prisons, with the possibility of over 150 terrorists following. The five men originate from Cuba, Jamaica, Vietnam, Laos, and Yemen. The department’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, says this could impact South Africa’s national security:

# Parliament joint standing committee on Defence co-chairperson, Malusi Gigaba, has denied allegations that he is shielding minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, from accountability. The DA claims the minister has been shielded from accounting for the Democratic Republic of Congo deployment calamity, and the missing 813-million-rand that is unaccounted for by the South African National Defence Force. Gigaba says the DA’s allegations are unfounded and disingenuous, emphasising that the minister has attended many committee meetings in which she has accounted for the department’s work.

# The City of Tshwane says it continues to affirm its position as a dynamic hub for business events in the country. According to the metro’s 2023–2025 Return on Investment report, over 187-million-rand in direct economic impact has been generated from recent conferences, summits, and exhibitions. Mayoral committee member for Economic Development and Spatial Planning, Sarah Mabotsa, says these events are not just milestones on Tshwane’s calendar; they are engines for economic growth, innovation, and global engagement:

# Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui has warned that the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty is on the brink of dysfunction. Today marks 80 years since the US dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima in Japan, killing more than 200-thousand people. Over 70 countries have ratified the treaty, which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy. However, the US and Russia have opposed it. Matsui expressed concern at the idea that some countries believe nuclear weapons are essential for national defence.

# Olympic Games: US president Donald Trump has signed an executive order establishing a White House task force on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The executive order calls for the task force to coordinate security and planning for the Games, streamline visa processing and credentialing for the athletes, coaches, media, and other visitors coming to America. Trump, who will serve as chair of the task force, says this will be the greatest Games the world has ever seen:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-85-cents and the euro at 20-rand-68-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-76-cents and Bitcoin trades at 113-thousand-463-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-374-dollars-40-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-81-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….