News 09:00

BULLETIN 20 May 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa embarks on a two-day state visit to Botswana
# The government is strengthening child protection measures
# And, the FBI reveals new details about the teenage suspects in the San Diego mosque shooting

# President Cyril Ramaphosa will today undertake a two-day state visit to Botswana, for the sixth session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission in Gaborone. The primary objective of the state visit is to deepen and strengthen the existing bilateral partnership between the two countries. South Africa is Botswana’s largest trading partner, accounting for over 50-percent of the country’s imports. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, told the SABC that four agreements are expected to be signed:

# Acting minister of Social Development, Sindisiwe Chikunga, says government is committed to strengthening child protection measures against child sexual exploitation, statutory rape and online threats against children. She tabled the department’s 302-billion-rand budget for the 2026/2027 financial year in Parliament yesterday. Chikunga stressed the importance of protecting the vulnerable and strengthening communities across South Africa:

# The Department of Electricity and Energy says it is currently advancing its newly compiled electricity pricing policy for Cabinet processing as well as public consultation. The policy will provide a revised framework for tariff-setting, wholesale pricing, use-of-system charges, municipal cost of supply enforcement and social protection. In April, Eskom hiked prices for direct customers by 8.76-percent. It has also received approval to impose a nine-percent increase on bulk electricity purchases by municipalities that resell its electricity. The department’s deputy director-general, Thabo Kekana, says electricity affordability is imperative.

# The two teenage gunmen involved in the deadly shooting at the Islamic Centre of San Diego have been identified by police as 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vasquez. Five people, including the two attackers, died in the deadly violence on Monday. The suspects were found dead of apparent self-inflicted wounds in a vehicle near the mosque. San Diego’s FBI, Mark Remily, says Clark and Vasquez shared a broad hatred of multiple religions and racial groups:

# Cricket: The Rajasthan Royals defeated the Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets to boost their chances of reaching the Indian Premier League play-offs. Mitchell Marsh scored 96 off 57 balls as he helped steer the Super Giants to 220 for five in their 20 overs. In reply, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi struck 93 off 38 balls and shared a 75-run opening stand with captain Yashasvi Jaiswal, to lead the Royals to victory in 19.1 overs. The win lifts the Royals into fourth place with one round of matches to go.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-68-cents and the euro at 19-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-36-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-733-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-467-dollars-50-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 106-dollars-62-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….