News 06:00

BULLETIN 4 September 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA urges national action against the extortion crisis
# The Ukrainian Foreign minister condemns a deadly Russian missile strike
# And athletics: Bayanda Walaza turns down offers from overseas universities

# The DA is calling for urgent national action to combat the rising extortion crisis, warning it poses a significant risk to economic stability. During the Parliament’s debate, the DA’s Ian Cameron highlighted that extortion is rapidly spreading across various sectors, including small businesses, public services, and the construction industry. Cameron called for specialised units, stronger community policing, and tackling the root causes of crime, such as poverty and unemployment: 

Meanwhile, the EFF has criticised Police minister Senzo Mchunu’s approach to tackling extortion, accusing him of lacking a concrete strategy and merely presenting a public relations exercise. They argue that the current measures, including collaborations with provincial governments and private security companies, have been tried before without success. The EFF’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi demanded a more comprehensive strategy that includes counterintelligence and an end to reliance on tenders: 

# The Standing Committee on Public Accounts has unanimously adjourned a hearing on the National Skills Fund and NSFAS after deputy minister Buti Manamela failed to attend. It is understood that Manamela was launching an academic programme in Johannesburg. SCOPA chairperson Songezo Zibi criticised Manamela’s absence as unacceptable, stressing the need for accountability. SCOPA is demanding a ministerial appearance to address pressing issues affecting thousands of students.

# Ukraine’s Foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has condemned the Russian strike against a military educational facility in central Ukraine, killing at least 49 people and injuring over 200 others. According to preliminary information the attack was carried out using two ballistic missiles. This is one of the deadliest single attacks since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Kuleba told CNN that restrictions imposed on Ukraine to use all weapons against Russia must be lifted:

# Athletics: Young sprint sensation Bayanda Walaza turned down offers from various overseas universities and will stay in South Africa to further his studies and sports career. He burst onto the scene during the Olympic Games in Paris when he won silver as part of the four-by-100-metre relay team, and later clinched double gold in the sprint races at the World Athletics Under 20 championships in Peru. Walaza is currently in matric at Curro Hazeldean in Pretoria, and will study at the University of Pretoria next year.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-96-cents and the euro at 19-rand-85-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-56-cents and Bitcoin trades at 57-thousand-662-dollars-90-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-493-dollars-94-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South African actor Nomzamo Mbatha and Robert Irwin, the son of the late wildlife expert Steve Irwin, have been named the first-ever Earthshot Global Ambassadors. The Earthshot Prize was launched in 2020 by Prince William and natural historian David Attenborough to find innovative climate change solutions. From 2021 to 2030, the Prince of Wales and a panel representing six continents annually award The Earthshot Prize to five winners. The awards, previously held in London, Boston, and Singapore, will occur in Cape Town this year.

Stay tuned for more news………….