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2 months ago
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Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes.
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News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature.
President Cyril Ramaphosa looks on as a video is played in the Oval Office during a meeting on 21 May 2025, while US president Donald Trump narrates, making false claims, that the images of white crosses by a roadside - part of a protest in Normandien on 5 September 2020 - are burial sites for white farmers.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Trump’s Oval Office video of white farmer ‘burial sites’ was posted by Twatterbaas account
- A video of a 2020 anti-farm murder protest, posted by Sebastiaan Jooste (@twatterbaas), was used by Donald Trump as "proof of persecution" against white South African farmers.
- Elon Musk amplified the video to his millions of followers on X, and Trump later shared it on Truth Social, making false claims about the footage depicting burial sites of white farmers.
- The video actually showed a protest against farm murders, including victims of all races, and the South African government faces criticism for its lack of action on rural safety despite acknowledging farm murders.
A 28-year-old man, accused of raping several female pupils at a high-achieving school in KwaZulu-Natal, has been rearrested after fleeing police custody earlier this week.
Suspect in KZN school rapes rearrested after fleeing from police custody
- A 28-year-old man accused of raping pupils at Bizimali Secondary School in Nkandla was re-arrested after escaping police custody by faking a medical emergency.
- KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli will visit the Mariannhill police station to address the escape and ensure accountability, including opening a case against the suspect's brother for witness intimidation.
- The suspect's re-arrest was aided by a traditional healer who alerted police after the suspect sought intervention, and the KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC will visit the affected school.
Amber Lee Hughes has been charged with the rape and murder of her ex-boyfriend's four-year-old daughter, Nada-Jane Challita.
Gardener’s location debated as Amber Hughes denies assaulting and killing child
- Amber Hughes, accused of raping and murdering four-year-old Nada-Jane Challita, was cross-examined, with the State focusing on her access to the child during the critical timeframe.
- Hughes claimed gardener Lloyd Dzapasi was present, contradicting previous testimonies, and denied raping or killing Nada-Jane, asserting she did not know when the alleged rape could have occurred.
- Hughes and Elie Challita had a heated dispute regarding infidelity, and Hughes claimed she found Nada-Jane drowned in the bath, failing to notice any signs of sexual assault, despite her experience working with children.
President Donald Trump engaging with President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office.
Ramaphosa fends off Trump’s claims, secures path for future US-SA trade - analysts
- Analysts say President Cyril Ramaphosa successfully diffused tension and preserved South Africa's dignity during his meeting with US President Cyril Trump by focusing on investment potential.
- Ramaphosa's strategy of including white South African figures like Ernie Els and Johann Rupert helped debunk Trump's misinformation about white farmer killings.
- Despite Trump's confrontational approach, analysts believe the meeting opened doors for strengthened trade relations and conveyed the message that there is no white genocide in South Africa.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau.
Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images
SA forced to revise trade offer as US demands lower tariffs
- South Africa submitted a new trade proposal to the US, including investment incentives, to avoid a potential 31% import tariff on SA goods.
- The US rejected the initial proposal, demanding lower tariffs on its goods, leading SA to submit a revised proposal with new tariff adjustments.
- The SA framework also included incentives for US gas supplies and mineral exploration in SA, discussions on AGOA renewal, and potential review of black ownership regulations.
Former All Blacks captain Sam Cane will be eager to get one over the Springboks.
Timothy Rogers/Getty Images
Barbarians call on ex-All Blacks skipper, Irish legends for clash against Springboks
- The Barbarians have announced Sam Cane, Peter O'Mahony, and Conor Murray as their first players for the match against the Springboks on 28 June.
- These three rugby legends have a combined total of 352 Test caps and will be playing for the Barbarians for the first time.
- Barbarians coach Robbie Deans and Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus both expressed excitement for the upcoming match and the quality of players involved.
South African celebrities remember Jenna Clifford.
‘We have lost an icon and a legend’: South Africa mourns Jenna Clifford
- South African jewellery designer Jenna Clifford died on 20 May 2025, after battling advanced-stage cancer.
- Celebrities and fans, including Zozibini Tunzi and Minnie Dlamini, have shared tributes, highlighting her craftsmanship and compassion.
- Industry leaders like Gert-Johan Coetzee and Basetsana Kumalo also expressed their condolences, acknowledging her significant impact.
*These summaries were written with the support of Gemini Pro AI.
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