News24 | White House visit was a success - Team SA; Crime stats: Today’s top 7 stories in 7 minutes

South Africa’s murder rate decreased by 12.4% in the fourth quarter of the financial year.

• Police Minister Senzo Mchunu announced a decrease in murder and robbery in SA for the last quarter.
• However, the statistics also revealed an increase in sexual offences, including rape and contact sexual offences.
• Mchunu expressed deep concern over the rise in sexual offences, calling for renewed focus and urgent intervention.

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US President Donald Trump meets with President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. (Jim Watson/AFP)

• Team SA is confident they reset and revitalised bilateral relations with the US during their White House visit.
• Key objectives included addressing economic cooperation, trade, AGOA, and securing US participation in the G20 project.
• Despite a hostile environment, the delegation focused on demystifying narratives of genocide and emphasising trade benefits for both countries.

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The Wits Health Consortium, a wholly owned company of Wits University, has applied for R1.8 billion from Treasury.

• US aid cuts have significantly impacted South African universities, particularly UCT and Wits, affecting 44 research programmes worth R2.5 billion.
• Universities, through USAf, have requested R1.8 billion from National Treasury to replace lost US funding and sustain critical research, postgraduate training, and prevent job losses.
• UCT faces a potential loss of R437 million in research funding in the next 12 months, while Wits has already terminated projects and retrenched staff due to the cuts.

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The Constitutional Court has dismissed former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's appeal for direct access.

• The Constitutional Court denied Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s direct appeal for her R10 million gratuity.
• Mkhwebane claimed her suffering worsens daily without the gratuity payment.
• The court stated no case was made for a direct appeal and refused to award costs.

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Communications and Digital Technology Minister Solly Malatsi has published a policy direction for public comment that could pave the way for Elon Musk’s Starlink to operate in South Africa.

• Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has proposed a policy that could allow Starlink to operate in South Africa, despite not meeting the 30% historically disadvantaged ownership requirement.
• The policy suggests an “equity equivalent programme” where companies can invest in socio-economic development instead of meeting the ownership requirement, but it won’t exempt them from transformation objectives.
• This move comes after criticism from Elon Musk regarding South Africa’s “racist laws” and the challenges he faces in obtaining a license due to his race.

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Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi during the Betway Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium.

• The final round of Premiership fixtures will determine survival, the third-place finisher, and the teams in the top eight.
• Several teams, including Cape Town City, SuperSport United, and Golden Arrows, are battling to avoid relegation.
• Kaizer Chiefs are fighting to finish in the top eight and qualify for the MTN8.

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• Renowned jewellery designer and philanthropist Jenna Clifford died from advanced-stage cancer, leaving behind a legacy of creativity, compassion, and a revolutionary presence in the jewellery industry.
• Her daughters, Shayna, Chanel, and Summer, remember her as a nurturing, generous, and loving mother who inspired them with her warm personality, creative spirit, and unmaterialistic values.
• The daughters are committed to honoring her legacy by continuing the family business and upholding her values of giving back through gender equality, NGOs, and animal rights.

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