News 08:00

BULLETIN 20 May 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Presidency says president Ramaphosa is ready to revitalise relations with the US
# ActionSA calls for a lifetime ban to prevent the return of criminal foreign nationals
# And the UK, France, and Canada threaten Israel with sanctions over its renewed offensive in Gaza

# The Presidency says president Cyril Ramaphosa is looking forward to a very successful meeting with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, on Wednesday, aimed at resetting the relationship between the two countries. The president arrived in Washington, DC on Monday. He is accompanied by four ministers, Ronald Lamola, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, John Steenhuisen, Parks Tau, and Special Envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says that the agenda will include the discussion of the African Growth and Opportunity Act:

# ActionSA has welcomed the deportation of controversial Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, from South Africa. The pastor, who was acquitted on charges including rape and human trafficking last month, has been declared an undesirable person. He has been banned from returning to the country for five years. ActionSA leader, Herman Mashaba, says they want the five-year ban to be extended to a lifetime ban, ensuring that once deported for criminal acts, no foreign national is ever allowed to return to South Africa:

# The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed that seven teenagers accused of assaulting another teenager appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court for a preliminary inquiry on Monday. The girls, aged between 13 and 14, were arrested after a video showing a group attacking a 14-year-old Bedfordview High School pupil went viral on social media. NPA Gauteng spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, says the pupils from Bedfordview High School, Kensington High School, Queens High School, and Phoenix College each face a charge of common assault:

# The leaders of Britain, France, and Canada have threatened to take concrete action, including targeted sanctions if Israel does not stop its renewed military offensive in Gaza. The new ground offensive over the weekend resulted in over 100 people being killed. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to take control of all of Gaza while eliminating Hamas. Britain, France, and Canada have attacked Israel’s expansion of its war as disproportionate and described conditions in Gaza as intolerable.

# Cricket: The Lucknow Super Giants’ hope of making the Indian Premier League playoffs is over, after suffering a six-wicket defeat to the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Mitchell Marsh struck 65 to help Lucknow manage 205 for seven in their 20 overs. In reply, Abhishek Sharma hit 59 off 20 balls as the Sunrisers eased to victory with ten balls to spare. With one playoff spot remaining, Mumbai Indians or Delhi Capitals, who will clash on Wednesday, will join Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-7-cents and the euro at 20-rand-32-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-16-cents and Bitcoin trades at 105-thousand-992-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-213-dollars-24-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-92-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….