News 06:00

BULLETIN 23 August 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Cabinet reaffirms its commitment to nuclear energy
# The UN says mass evacuations have displaced 90% of the people in Gaza
# And rugby: The Currie Cup season is almost over

# Cabinet has reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear energy as vital to South Africa’s energy mix. An additional two-thousand-500 megawatts will be added to the national grid by the end of next month, aiming to enhance energy security and stabilise the power supply. The minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, says the move is part of broader efforts to diversify energy sources, address energy challenges, and bolster economic growth: 

# MK Party leader Jacob Zuma has reaffirmed the importance of black unity in the fight against racial inequality. In his media address, Zuma highlighted the historical and ongoing struggles faced by black people and stressed that unity is essential for overcoming systemic oppression. He said the MK Party is dedicated to the cause of black liberation and called for collective action to address racial disparities and injustices: 

# Ace Magashule’s former assistant, Moroadi Cholota, has filed an urgent application at the High Court in Bloemfontein to withdraw fraud and corruption charges linked to the multi-million-rand asbestos case. Cholota, who refused to turn state witness, was deported from the US and released on bail. She argues her extradition and arrest were unconstitutional, claiming they serve as punishment for not cooperating with police.

# Two foreign nationals have been arrested after police discovered drugs worth 80-million-rand during a raid at a clandestine drug laboratory in Douglasdale, Johannesburg. The suspects were allegedly manufacturing Mandrax tablets. Gauteng Police Commissioner, Tommy Mthombeni, says drug manufacturing equipment and multiple high-calibre firearms were recovered. He adds that they are making progress in dismantling a transnational crime syndicate:

# The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says successive mass evacuation orders issued by Israeli forces have displaced 90-percent of Gaza’s residents since October last year. This month alone, the Israeli forces have issued 12 evacuation orders, forcing as many as 250-thousand people to move. The UN says the way forward is as clear as it is urgent, protect civilians, release the hostages, facilitate humanitarian access, and agree on a ceasefire.

# Rugby: Only three rounds remain in the Currie Cup before the semifinals. The Bulls are currently on top of the log, followed by the Lions and the Cheetahs. The Sharks are in fourth place, followed by the Pumas, Western Province, Griquas, and Griffons. The Bulls host Griquas in Pretoria this evening. Tomorrow Province and the Sharks will meet in Cape Town and the Cheetahs and the Lions will face off in Bloemfontein. The Griffons and the Pumas will play in Welkom on Sunday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand and the euro at 20-rand-2-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-59-cents and Bitcoin trades at 60-thousand-409-dollars-97-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-486-dollars-9-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-8-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….