News 18:00

BULLETIN 21 May 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa calls for collaboration in African migration
# The Western Cape welcomes the expanded Chinese market access for citrus exports
# And, NATO says US troop reductions in Europe will not harm its defences

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned recent acts of violence against foreign nationals in South Africa. Speaking at the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission Summit in Botswana, Ramaphosa said the attacks do not reflect government policy or the values of South Africans. While acknowledging concerns over illegal immigration, he called on government, civil society and migrant communities to work together to combat xenophobia and uphold the dignity of all Africans:

# Union federation Cosatu says it is concerning that the Unemployment Insurance Fund has not shut down its old website. This has resulted in thousands of unemployed South Africans sending their UIF claims through an outdated online system. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Zanele Sabela, says the old platform remains live and gives no indication that it is no longer valid:

# The Western Cape MEC for  Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Ivan Meyer, says a new trade deal with China will boost economic growth, create jobs and strengthen the province’s citrus industry. The new agreement will ease export requirements and strengthen competitiveness for local producers. Meyer added the deal comes at a time of global uncertainty and offers strong long-term opportunities because of China’s large population and demand:

# NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte says US troop reductions in Europe will be structured and not harm defences. His comments come after US president Donald Trump’s most recent attack on the alliance, sparked by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s criticism of the US-Israeli war in Iran. Rutte says Trump’s proposed withdrawal of four to five-thousand troops is a rotational force that would not have an impact on NATO’s defence plans:

# Cricket: Mumbai Indians’ disappointing Indian Premier League season just got worse when captain Hardik Pandya was fined and given a demerit point for equipment abuse during yesterday’s match against Kolkata Knight Riders. He was fined 10-percent of his match fees for taking his frustration out on the wicket bails after conceding 13 runs in his two overs without taking a wicket. Kolkata won by four wickets. Mumbai, who won the IPL five times, is already knocked out after losing nine out of their 13 matches.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-53-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-17-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-15-cents and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-078-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-505-dollars-24-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 104-dollars-14-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….