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BULLETIN 5 April 1 pm

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In this bulletin:

# Ronald Lamola condemns a U.S. congressman for spreading misinformation
# The Blitzboks get a magic win, to stay in the hunt for Singapore glory
# And, a giant African pouched rat called Ronin sets a new world record for sniffing out mines

# International Relations and Cooperation minister Ronald Lamola has rebuked U.S. congressman Troy Nehls for disseminating false information about South Africa’s foreign policy. This comes as Nehls tabled the Afrikaner Act to grant Priority-2 refugee status to South Africa’s Caucasian Afrikaner minority due to alleged human rights violation. Lamola dismissed Nehls’ claims as false and propagandistic, asserting they misrepresent South Africa’s foreign policy. He reaffirmed the country’s dedication to an independent foreign policy, driven by national interests and adherence to international law.

Meanwhile the former CEO of Goldman Sachs for Sub Saharan Africa, Colin Coleman, says US tariffs on South African exports, announced by Donald Trump, may extend beyond his presidency. Speaking at the eighth PGM’s Industry Day, Coleman emphasised that the 31-percent tariffs levy signal a long-term shift in US policy. He warned that South Africa must brace for continued economic strain, noting the impact on trade and mining. He urge improved competitiveness and resilience, as global growth drivers shift.

# Pikitup will implement a waste collection recovery plan this weekend to address backlogs caused by a two-day work stoppage earlier this week. The stoppage resulted from employees protesting the suspension of transport services due to safety concerns raised by the taxi industry. Spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi urges residents to place their bins outside for collection this weekend:

Rugby: After losing badly to Great Britain, the Blitzboks needed a miracle win against Argentina to keep their hopes of winning their pool in the Singapore Sevens alive. They came alive against world-leaders Argentina, leading by two points at the end of the first half. The two teams swopped tries with the Blitzboks scoring the winning try two minutes into extra time to win by 26-24, leaving South Africa within reach of the playoffs.

# Motorsport: Four-time world champion Max Verstappen smashed the track record to snatch pole position for Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris. Verstappen clocked a blistering lap of one minute 26.983 seconds in his Red Bull, ahead of championship leader Norris, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri third. Verstappen, who has won the Japanese GP for the last three years, set a new Suzuka track record with his final lap. It was Verstappen’s first pole position of the season. The Dutchman is still looking for his first Grand Prix win of the new campaign.

# And finally, a landmine-hunting rat in Cambodia has set a new world record by sniffing out more than 100 mines and pieces of unexploded ordnance. Ronin, a giant African pouched rat, has tracked down 109 landmines and 15 other potentially deadly war remnants since his deployment in August 2021. The Belgian charity APOPO says five-year-old Ronin is the most successful mine detection rat in the organisation’s history. His exceptional accomplishments have earned him the Guinness World Records title for most landmines detected by a rat, highlighting the critical role of HeroRats in humanitarian demining.

Stay tuned for more news………….