News 17:00

BULLETIN 20 August 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Leon Schreiber warns the manual systems at Home Affairs pose a national security threat
# Qatar Airways acquires a 25-percent stake in Airlink
# And, rugby: Israel Dagg believes the All Blacks can beat the Boks if they improve their scrums and line-outs

# Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber has urged Parliament to support the digital transformation of his department to safeguard national security. Speaking to Parliament’s portfolio committee on Home Affairs, Schreiber warned that outdated, paper-based systems leave the department vulnerable to fraud, corruption, and identity theft. He says only a digital-first approach can resolve these issues, enhance service delivery, and prevent further threats to the country’s security: 

# Qatar Airways Group has acquired a 25-percent stake in Southern Africa’s leading independent regional carrier, Airlink. The investment enhances a code-sharing partnership between the two airlines, supporting Qatar Airways’ Africa growth strategy. Airlink, which operates in 15 African countries, will benefit from increased capacity and expanded market reach. Qatar Airways’ CEO, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, emphasises Africa’s significance to their business. Airlink CEO Rodger Foster hails the deal as a boost to the company’s growth and partnerships.

# European clean energy lobby group, Transport and Environment, is warning of the environmental impact of the rapidly growing global cruise industry. The biggest cruise ships setting sail in 2050 could be nearly eight times larger than the Titanic. Cruise ships and other maritime vessels are thought to be responsible for nearly three-percent of global greenhouse gas emissions each year. The Transport and Environment group says the speed at which the cruising industry has boomed has come at a price for the environment.

# Rugby: Former All Black fullback Israel Dagg believes his team can beat the Springboks if they fix two facets. The two old foes face off in the Rugby Championship at Ellis Park on the 31st, and Cape Town a week later. South Africa impressed in the first two rounds, achieving two bonus-point victories over the Wallabies while New Zealand had mixed results against Argentina. Dagg says the All Blacks could win if they match the world champions in the scrums and the line-outs.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-80-cents and the euro at 19-rand-76-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-19-cents and Bitcoin trades at 60-thousand-421-dollars-50-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-524-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-50-cents a barrel.

# And finally, University of Pretoria academic Taneshka Kruger is calling on the Southern African Development Community region to collaborate and tap into the partners’ mutual dedication to address the multifaceted challenges posed by malaria. The world is commemorating World Mosquito Day today. Kruger says the mosquito is the deadliest animal in the world, killing more than 700-thousand people each year:

Stay tuned for more news………….