News 08:00

BULLETIN 19 May 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The defence force dismisses reports of soldiers being stranded in the DRC
# Joe Biden is diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer
# And soccer: South Africa is crowned U20 AFCON champions for the first time

# The South African National Defence Force has dismissed reports that its soldiers have been stranded in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, with no support. According to the City Press, buses that were supposed to transport a group of South African soldiers out of Goma have not arrived, with blame placed on a lack of funds. The SANDF says the withdrawal of the Southern African Development Community Mission contingent in the DRC is proceeding according to plan, adding that no member is stranded or without support.

# The DA says it supports artists who feel let down by Sport, Arts, and Culture minister Gayton McKenzie. According to the party, growing protests reflect mounting frustration in the sector, especially over delays in releasing Mzansi Golden Economy funding. The DA’s Joe McGluwa accuses McKenzie of empty promises, cancelled applications without explanation, and neglecting creatives in rural and township areas:

# The Gauteng Department of Health has frozen the salaries of 230 employees, 188 permanent and 42 part-time, whose employment could not be verified. This is part of the Ziveze campaign aimed at rooting out ghost workers. Internationally, ghost employees represent an estimated eight-percent of occupational fraud cases. MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko told eNCA that those who fail to verify their employment risk being permanently removed from the payroll and could face criminal charges:

# Former US president Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. The 82-year-old was diagnosed last Friday after he saw a doctor for urinary symptoms. Biden’s office says while this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management. It adds that the former president and his family are reviewing treatment options. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer affecting men, behind skin cancer.

# Soccer: South Africa defeated Morocco 1-0 to win their maiden U20 Africa Cup of Nations title in Cairo, Egypt. Gomolemo Kekana’s 70th-minute goal proved decisive, as Amajita secured their first-ever continental title. South Africa capped off a historic tournament by sweeping key individual awards. Tylon Smith was named best player, and Fletcher Lowe won the best goalkeeper award, recording the highest number of saves, 24, during the tournament. Nigeria claimed third place after beating hosts Egypt 4-1 on penalties.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-4-cents and the euro at 20-rand-18-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-99-cents and Bitcoin trades at 104-thousand-314-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-225-dollars-89-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-74-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….