For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.

Making headlines: US Senate advances dozens more Trump nominees, including South Africa pick; DWS investigating possible dam failure at Thabo’s dam; And, US aid cuts disrupt life-saving treatment for starving children in Kenya

US Senate advances dozens more Trump nominees, including South Africa pick

The US Senate yesterday advanced the nominations of dozens of President Donald Trump's picks for government positions, voting along party lines for nominees including conservative activist Leo Brent Bozell III to be ambassador to South Africa and former Fox News contributor Tammy Bruce to be deputy ambassador to the United Nations.

The tally was 52-47 in a procedural vote to advance the nominations of 97 nominees for ambassadorial and sub-cabinet level positions. The vote was along party lines with all of Trump's fellow Republicans voting in favor and every Democrat opposed.

Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana did not vote.

Repeating debunked claims that whites are persecuted in South Africa, Trump has established a refugee programme favoring white South Africans and cut aid to the country. In March, his administration expelled South Africa's ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, who was described by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a "race-baiting politician" who hates Trump.

DWS investigating possible dam failure at Thabo’s dam

The Department of Water and Sanitation has sent a team of engineers to investigate a possible dam failure on a farm along the R568 road near Bronkhorspruit.

The team is assessing Thabo’s dam for the potential impact and advice after the DWS was alerted to the potential failure.

The DWS, in a statement issued late yesterday, said that the dam is not registered with the DWS dam safety office and, as such, the department does not have information on the size of the dam or the owner’s details.

Members of the public are advised to avoid the R568 road, follow municipality and disaster management notices and instructions to ensure safety.

And, US aid cuts disrupt life-saving treatment for starving children in Kenya

US President Donald Trump’s decision to dismantle the US Agency for International Development and slash global aid programmes severed a lifeline for children, five current and former aid officials said.

The US agency was funding the purchase and distribution of roughly half the world’s supply of ready-to-use therapeutic food, a nutrient-dense, peanut-based paste used to treat children with the most lethal form of undernourishment, known as severe acute malnutrition or wasting.

UNICEF said drought was increasing demand for the nutritious paste in parts of Kenya, while funding cuts for community outreach to screen for malnutrition meant children were reaching health facilities in more critical condition.

Most of its funding for RUTF supplies was restored in March, the United Nations children's agency said, noting that shortages at some facilities were related to "short-term operational issues".

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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