News 13:00

BULLETIN 5 May 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Julius Malema says Donald Trump’s form of diplomacy is manipulation and extortion
# Anti-corruption leaders gather in Cape Town for the 15th Commonwealth regional conference
# And rugby: The Blitzboks coach is proud of his team after winning in Los Angeles

# EFF leader Julius Malema says since US president Donald Trump assumed office in January, he has been engaged in what can be described as manipulation and extortion as his form of diplomacy. He addressed the second Central Command Team meeting in Bela Bela, Limpopo. Malema says under the principle of an American Golden Age, Trump has subjected the world to diplomacy through the gun, and his gun is the American dollar and the US military-industrial complex.

# The 15th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa is underway in Cape Town. Hosted by South Africa’s Special Investigating Unit, the theme for the week-long event is, Enhancing an Inclusive Participation of State and Non-State Actors to Prevent and Combat Corruption. The conference aims to strengthen anti-corruption agencies, promote innovative strategies, and advance Sustainable Development Goal 16 through shared best practices and international collaboration.

# The chief of the Defence Force, Rudzani Maphwanya, says the complete withdrawal of South African troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo will be finalised by the end of the month. Maphwanya says security measures are in place to ensure a smooth, systematic process following an agreement with the M23 rebels and the DRC government. He warns against misinformation that could endanger troops during the sensitive withdrawal phase:

# Rugby: Springbok Sevens coach Philip Snyman says winning the Sevens World Championship in Los Angeles proves the team is back to where they should be. Following pool wins against France, Great Britain, Argentina, and then over New Zealand in the semifinals, the Blitzboks defeated Spain 19-5 in the final. Snyman says the team delivered an amazing performance throughout the entire tournament:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-31-cents and the euro at 20-rand-76-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-34-cents and Bitcoin trades at 94-thousand-611-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-301-dollars-35-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-61-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South Africans are once again encouraged to support Slipper Day on May 30th, which is an annual Reach For A Dream fundraiser. By simply buying a 20-rand sticker, wearing slippers, and showing support, people can help bring joy to children with life-threatening illnesses. Reach For A Dream CEO, Julia Sotirianakos, says every sticker sold helps turn dreams into reality, whether it’s the children meeting their hero, flying in an aeroplane, or receiving something they’ve dreamed of:

Stay tuned for more news………….