News 11:00

BULLETIN 9 May 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Hawks are still investigating treason against AfriForum and Solidarity
# The media wants to broadcast the court proceedings of the missing journalist case
# And Donald Trump announces a US-UK trade agreement

# Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya says the four high treason dockets involving AfriForum and Solidarity are still under investigation. The cases concern the alleged spreading of misinformation in the US about South Africa’s Expropriation Act, and claims made against president Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC. AfriForum has maintained that there are no legal grounds for the charges. Lebeya says these kinds of matters need to be approached carefully:

# The National Press Club and the African Media and Communicators Forum have expressed shock and sadness over the deaths of Pretoria journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Precious Mdhluli. They went missing in February. Police found remains believed to be the couple’s outside Rust De Winter in Limpopo yesterday, and five suspects have been arrested. The Press Club’s acting chairperson, Antoinette Slabbert, says they want permission for the live broadcasting of the proceedings:

# Transnet Port Terminals is making strides in operational efficiency and asset investment since launching its turnaround strategy in October 2023. Speaking at a Transport Forum, CEO Jabu Mdaki emphasised cost-effectiveness and customer focus across South Africa’s 21 ports. Transnet’s chief operating official, Solly Letsoalo, highlighted improvements at Durban and Cape Town terminals. He emphasised that with digital upgrades, private sector collaboration, and a freight target of 250-million tonnes in five years, Transnet is driving growth and reducing logistics costs.

# US president Donald Trump announced a trade agreement with the United Kingdom. He has removed the 25-percent tariff on UK steel and aluminium, and cut the rate on most car exports from 27.5 to 10-percent. In return, the UK has removed the tariff on ethanol for US goods. Trump says with this deal, the UK joins the US in affirming that reciprocity and fairness are a vital principle of international trade:

# Cricket: The eight remaining games of the Pakistan Super League have been moved to the United Arab Emirates amid escalating border tensions between India and Pakistan. At least 31 civilians were killed and 46 wounded when India fired missile strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered parts of Kashmir on Wednesday. According to reports, one drone misfired and led to an explosion near the Rawalpindi cricket stadium. The PSL’s organisers say they remain keen for the tournament to be completed, but the safety of players remains their priority.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-22-cents and the euro at 20-rand-18-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 103-thousand-409-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-328-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-13-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….