News 17:00

BULLETIN 11 August 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Sports minister Gayton McKenzie claims his racial tweets are AI-generated
# Zelensky warns against giving in to Putin’s demands during his talks with Trump
# And rugby: A star sevens player has to withdraw from the Australian Women’s World Cup squad

# Sports, Arts and Culture minister Gayton McKenzie insists the racial tweets circulating online, which have sparked controversy, were generated by artificial intelligence and are not his. McKenzie’s remarks follow calls for his resignation for alleged racist comments against black South Africans. The minister maintains he has never used racist language. He urges the public to question the authenticity of the posts amid rising concerns over AI misinformation:

Meanwhile, DA leader John Steenhuisen says racist language has no place in South Africa, just like the ‘Kill the Boer’ chant. During a media briefing, Steenhuisen called for consistent action against hate speech, urging leaders to avoid language that divides the nation:

# Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia is concerned about the ongoing blocking of foreign nationals to access public health facilities by Operation Dudula and other xenophobic groups. Spokesperson Dorothia Mabelebele says this follows the arrest of three women at Lillian Ngoyi Clinic in Diepkloof, Soweto, for demanding identity documents from patients to verify their nationality. She says Kopanang Africa demands concrete action from government and police against Operation Dudula and other xenophobic groups:

Moving abroad:

# Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has warned against capitulating to the demands of Russian president Vladimir Putin ahead of Friday’s talks with his US counterpart, Donald Trump. The summit, so far planned without Zelensky, will be the first between a sitting US and Russian president since 2021. Kyiv is concerned Trump and Putin could strike a deal requiring Ukraine to cede territory to Russia. European Union Foreign ministers are discussing the summit today, with many fearing any deal made without Ukraine could force unacceptable compromises.

 # Rugby: Australia Women’s World Cup campaign suffered a heavy blow when sevens star Charlotte Caslick had to withdraw because of an ankle injury. The Olympic gold medallist and sevens World Cup winner switched to 15s earlier this year and was named in the squad last week despite undergoing surgery last month. She hoped to be fit, but was ruled out now. Caslick is replaced by uncapped teenager Manua Moleka. The tournament starts in England next Friday and the Wallaroos’ first match is against Samoa the next day.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-78-cents and the euro at 20-rand-66-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-87-cents and Bitcoin trades at 119-thousand-573-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-349-dollars-70-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-60-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….