News 12:00

BULLETIN 27 May 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Concern over the US’s absence during the G20 agricultural scientists’ meeting
# The Activists and Citizens Forum says “Kill the Boer” is a liberation song
# And a farm attacker is jailed for 20 years over the vicious assault on an award-winning Free State farmer            

# South Africa has expressed concern over the absence of the United States during the international agricultural scientists’ meeting underway in Polokwane, Limpopo. The four-day summit brings together experts from G20 countries to tackle global agricultural challenges, including climate change and limited funding for farmers in developing nations. Delegates aim to strengthen food security through research collaboration and information exchange. Deputy minister Zoleka Capa says the US’ absence weakens global efforts:

# The Activists and Citizens Forum is disappointed that president Cyril Ramaphosa failed to explain to US president Donald Trump that “Kill the Boer” is a liberation song. During a meeting with Ramaphosa last week, Trump played a video of EFF leader Julius Malema singing the song and presented articles on farm murders to support his narrative that white farmers are being persecuted in South Africa. The forum’s spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, says the song is not meant to be taken literally:

# The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the 20-year prison sentence handed to Moeketsi Mphatlatsa for a brutal 2020 farm attack on award-winning farmer Mimie Jacobs in the Free State. The Magistrate’s Court in Winnie Mandela, formerly Brandfort, described the assault as merciless and orchestrated. NPA regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane says the sentence sends a strong message that violent rural crimes will not go unpunished:

# Motorsport: Thailand plans on bidding to host a Formula One race by 2028. Prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held her latest talks with motorsport bosses at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix. A bid and feasibility proposal will be submitted to the Thai cabinet for approval next week. Plans for a Thai Grand Prix, most likely run as a street race in the capital of Bangkok, have been under serious discussion for more than a year.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-90-cents and the euro at 20-rand-33-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-23-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-675-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-307-dollars-64-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-12-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South Africa’s music sensation, Tyla, won the Favourite Afrobeats Artist category at the American Music Awards held in Las Vegas. Billie Eilish was the big winner with seven awards, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Hit Me Hard Soft, Favourite Female Pop Artist, and Song of the Year for Birds of a Feather. Beyoncé, SZA, and Eminem won two awards each. Gracie Abrams was awarded New Artist of the Year, Rod Stewart was given the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Janet Jackson received the Icon Award.

Stay tuned for more news………….