News 18:00

BULLETIN 18 August 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Russian president Vladimir Putin updates president Cyril Ramaphosa on talks with Trump
# The corruption case against Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is postponed to November
# And rugby: Siya Kolisi and another three key players are out due to injury after the Ellis Park disaster

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has received a briefing from his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin last week’s talks with US president Donald Trump, where both leaders signalled support for dialogue to end the conflict in Ukraine. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says Ramaphosa and Putin agreed to keep communication open and continue working together on areas of mutual interest:

# The Ministry of Agriculture says South African farmers saw strong US exports from April to June, with exports rising to over two-billion-rand, up 26-percent from last year. Citrus, grapes, apples, pears, nuts, and wine led the surge, supported by bountiful harvests and efficient ports. The Ministry’s spokesperson, Joylene van Wyk, says the 30-percent US tariff shows the need to diversify markets and secure long-term trade deals to protect farmers and the agricultural sector.

# The High Court in Pretoria has postponed former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s corruption case to 21 November, allowing her attorney time to consult on the state-provided docket. She faces 12 counts of corruption and money laundering, including allegedly receiving 4.5-million-rand, with 2.1-million-rand in cash. The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption’s spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, says her legal team will file representations with the National Director of Public Prosecutions:

# Rugby: The Springboks suffered another huge setback after Saturday’s humiliating loss to the Wallabies when it was confirmed captain Siya Kolisi and three other key players won’t be able to play in Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Cape Town. Kolisi’s knee injury could keep him out of action for a month and he is in doubt for the two matches against the All Blacks in New Zealand. Pieter-Steph du Toit sustained concussion, and wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe are also injured.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-64-cents and the euro at 20-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 115-thousand-410-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-336-dollars-89-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-22-cents a barrel. 

# And finally: Dubai police caught three thieves just hours after they stole a very rare pink diamond worth 440-million-rand. A diamond trader who had brought the jewel from Europe was lured to a villa by a crime gang under the pretence of a viewing by a potential wealthy client. But the gem was stolen when the diamond dealer arrived. Police say within eight hours three people from an unspecified Asian country were arrested thanks to the efforts of specialised and field teams, and by using the latest artificial intelligence technologies.

Stay tuned for more news………….