News 11:00

BULLETIN 12 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Archbishop Makgoba is urging the G20 to partner with faith leaders for inclusion
# TLU SA is concerned about the impact of the Mineral Resources Development Amendment Bill
# And rugby: The Bok Women’s coach believes he has the right balance in the World Cup squad

# The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, has called on global leaders to work with faith organisations to improve lives, especially for the poor and vulnerable. Speaking at the G20 Interfaith Forum in Cape Town, Makgoba urged governments to invest in life-enhancing programmes and peace-building efforts. He stressed that faith networks are trusted grassroots partners and should collaborate with political and business leaders to promote solidarity, equality, and sustainability:

# The agricultural organisation TLU SA says the country’s agricultural sector is under serious threat due to the proposed Mineral Resources Development Amendment Bill. The bill aims to address key regulatory gaps, streamline licensing processes, and ensure equitable distribution of mining benefits. TLU SA’s Bennie van Zyl says the broad application of small-scale and artisanal mining permits as proposed in the bill could lead to a dramatic increase in mining activities on agricultural land without the necessary environmental and agricultural controls:

# The Western Cape High Court will, over the next two days, hear applications for leave to appeal the convictions and life sentences in the Joslin Smith case. Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn were sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of human trafficking and ten-years for kidnapping in May. This is in connection with the disappearance of Smith’s young daughter in February last year. Judge Nathan Erasmus will also determine whether former-accused-turned state witness, Lourentia Lombaard, should be criminally charged. Joslin has still not been found.

Moving abroad:

# A US federal judge has denied the Justice Department’s bid to unseal grand jury testimony from the criminal case of Ghislaine Maxwell. The department had sought to release grand jury testimony and exhibits from cases involving late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell, a longtime associate of Epstein, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking and other offences in connection with Epstein. Judge Paul Engelmayer stated that the Maxwell grand jury testimony is not a matter of significant historical or public interest.

# Rugby: The Springbok Women’s squad will assemble in Johannesburg today before departing for the World Cup in England on Thursday. Thirty-two players, led by Nolusindiso Booi, have been selected, with the squad boasting a combined total of 689 Test caps. South Africa will face Brazil, Italy, and France in Pool D. Bok Women head coach Swys de Bruin says what excites him most are the combinations they will work with, which he believes will push them towards the play-offs:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-70-cents and the euro at 20-rand-57-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-81-cents and Bitcoin trades at 119-thousand-and-5-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-347-dollars-6-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-51-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….