News 08:00

BULLETIN 7 June 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A former South African diplomat says the Trump-Musk fallout was inevitable
# Illegal Starlink services are suspended in South Africa
# And Tennis: It’s Alcaraz against Sinner in the French Open final

# Former diplomat Kingsley Mkhubela says the fallout between US president Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk was inevitable. Speaking to SABC News, Makhubela cited Musk’s informal behaviour, like bringing his child to the White House, as diminishing its stature. Makhubela says Trump fiercely protects the White House’s credibility. He warned that South Africa may not benefit from this dispute as Trump holds a mandate from his electorate:

# Former president FW de Klerk’s widow, has sent a supportive message to the families of the Cradock Four, before the reopening of a third inquest into the murders.  The four were abducted and brutally murdered by the South African security police in 1985. Lukhanyo Calata, the son of one of the victims, said on Friday that Elita de Klerk wished him and the rest of the families strength and expressed the wish that the inquest will finally bring the truth and justice they require for healing and closure. The inquest continues on Monday.

# The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre urges residents to donate items to support families affected by fires and floods this winter. Seven fire stations across the city will serve as drop-off points, open around the clock. Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says items needed include clothing, non-perishable food, baby formula, and hygiene products:

# Businessman Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, has begun suspending Starlink services used illegally in South Africa. This follows a warning from the communications regulator, ICASA, which raised concerns about users exploiting loopholes to access the satellite internet. According to News24, Starlink isn’t licensed to operate locally due to Black Economic Empowerment ownership rules, but roaming packages were being used to bypass this. The company has asked for an interim solution while seeking legal approval.

# And finally sports news:

# Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz took his Roland Garros title defence all the way to book his spot in the final after eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti retired injured in the fourth set of their semi-final on Friday. The 22-year-old Spaniard led 4-6, 7-6, 6-0, 2-0 when Musetti quit with a thigh issue. The world number two is now into his second French Open and fifth major final. He will meet the world number one Jannik Sinner, in what is bound to be a blockbuster encounter.  Sinner finished off 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6.

And still on the court at Roland Garros: It will be number one versus number two for the French Open women’s title at Roland Garros for the first time in more than a decade. World number one Aryna Sabalenka dethroned three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in the first semifinal and number two Coco Gauff ended Lois Boisson’s Cinderella story in the second semifinal to advance to today’s final. Gauff, runner-up to Swiatek in 2022, will look to capture her second Grand Slam title in Paris after winning the 2023 US Open, where she rallied to beat Sabalenka in three sets.

Stay tuned for more news………….