News 08:00

BULLETIN 20 July 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Ramokgopa says South Africa is forging ahead with its Nuclear programme
# The trial of the 62 alleged instigators during the protests in 2021 will begin today
# And motorsport: Antonelli extends his championship lead following victory in the Belgian Grand Prix

# Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says government is forging ahead with plans to expand South Africa’s nuclear energy programme. This is despite safety concerns at the country’s only nuclear power station, Koeberg in Cape Town, following three incidents of radioactive contamination in recent weeks. Ramokgopa says the expansion forms part of the Integrated Resource Plan to reduce reliance on coal, diversify the country’s energy mix, and grow the nuclear industry, with implementation planned through to 2039:

# Nearly five years since the July 2021 riots in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, the trial of 62 alleged instigators will begin in the Durban High Court today. A total of 354 people died during the unrest. Sixty-five people were initially charged, but three have since died. The accused are facing charges including terrorism, incitement to commit public violence, and conspiracy to commit murder. They organised themselves on WhatsApp groups to protest against former president Jacob Zuma’s 15-month jail sentence. The case has been set down for two weeks with over 100 witnesses.

# The Western Cape acting provincial police commissioner, Luyanda Damoyi, has strongly condemned the senseless acts of violence that claimed the lives of four people in separate shooting incidents in Asanda Village, Lwandle, over the weekend. Police spokesperson, Andrè Traut says between three and four armed suspects allegedly opened fire on the victims following brief arguments before fleeing the scenes. He says the loss of life under these circumstances is deeply concerning:

# The US military launched its ninth consecutive night of strikes on Iran Sunday evening. The attacks come after an American service member was killed in northern Iraq on Saturday, while two others died during strikes in Jordan on Friday. The US Central Command says the strikes will continue to degrade Iranian military capabilities. President Donald Trump says he feels very badly about the American service members who have died in the war with Tehran, as the number of troop fatalities hits 17:

# Motorsport: Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli won his sixth race of the season at the Belgian Grand Prix. The 19-year-old Italian fought back from losing position during a virtual safety-car period to pass Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and become the first driver in five years to convert pole position into a victory at Spa-Francorchamps. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished third. Antonelli has increased his championship title lead over Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton to 45 points and over his teammate George Russell, who was taken out in a collision on the first lap, to 50 points.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-51-cents and the euro at 18-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-22-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-632-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-23-dollars-36-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 88-dollars-35-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….