News 08:00

BULLETIN 22 May 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ambassador Roelf Meyer says improving trade relations is the most pressing issue
# Oscar Mabuyane will lead the ANC’s Eastern Cape provincial task team
# And more than 400 Gaza flotilla activists have been deported by Israel

# South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States, Roelf Meyer, says he received a warm reception at the White House and is looking forward to representing the country. He presented his credentials to US president Donald Trump yesterday, formally replacing Ebrahim Rasool after more than a year of tension between Pretoria and Washington. Speaking to the SABC, Meyer says the most pressing issue for South Africa is improving trade relations between the two countries:

# Parliament’s Subcommittee on the Review of Assembly Rules legal team says there are a few processes that must happen before the 31-member impeachment committee can start its work. The Subcommittee will establish the operational road map for the impeachment committee. The Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament acted unconstitutionally when it voted against an impeachment inquiry and a panel report finding that Ramaphosa may have violated the Constitution. The subcommittee’s legal advisor, Andrew Breitenbach, says there are a few topics that the impeachment committee must consider:

# ANC secretary general, Fikile Mbalula, has announced the Eastern Cape Provincial Task Team, which Oscar Mabuyane will lead. The new leadership is tasked with leading the province to a decisive victory in the upcoming local government elections. The Deputy Provincial is Mlungisi Mvoko; Helen Sauls-August is the coordinator, with her deputy, Nanziwe Rulashe; and the provincial fundraiser is Zolile Williams. Mbalula says the new task team is ready to hit the ground running in executing its mandate.

# Israel says it has deported all foreign activists, who were detained after their Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted in international waters on Monday. A total of 422 activists, including six South African nationals, were flown from southern Israel on three Turkish Airlines-chartered planes yesterday. Over 50 boats taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Turkey last Thursday carrying aid. Israel’s far-right national Security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has received international backlash after posting a video showing himself taunting activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs.

# Cricket: The Gujarat Titans recorded an emphatic 89-run victory against the Chennai Super Kings to strengthen their push for a top-two finish in the Indian Premier League. Chasing a crucial win that would improve their chances of securing two shots at the final through Qualifier One, the Titans posted 229 for four. Opener Sai Sudharsan top-scored with 84. In reply, Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada took three wickets each, as CSK were bowled out for 140, marking the end of their campaign, with their elimination now officially confirmed.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-47-cents and the euro at 19-rand-12-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-11-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-645-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-521-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 101-dollars-13-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….