News 13:00

BULLETIN 23 July 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA will unveil its election manifesto in Johannesburg next month
# Seven people are killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the N4 in Mpumalanga
# And Commonwealth Games: Chad le Clos is one medal away from making history

# The DA has announced it will launch its manifesto for the local government elections in Johannesburg on 8 August. The party says the city was chosen because they believe poor governance has left Johannesburg in decline and voters have an opportunity to change this at the ballot box on 4 November. The DA’s Ashor Sarupen says party leader Geordin Hill-Lewis will outline plans and priorities for local government:

# Seven people were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the N4 in Mpumalanga. The collision involved two minibus taxis and a truck. Three people died in one of the taxis, and four in the second taxi. Preliminary reports indicate one taxi lost a trailer before the truck collided with it, and another taxi then crashed into the truck. Emergency services remain on the scene, with fears the death toll could rise.

# The Department of International Relations and Cooperation says South Africa remains committed to open, constructive, and action-oriented dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States, especially on regional stability and migration management. ECOWAS condemned xenophobic attacks against West Africans in South Africa and wants to raise the issue at the African Union assembly. The department’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, says South Africa categorically rejects all forms of social prejudice:

# Iran has accused the US of using Pickaxe Mountain as a pretext for further attacks. This is believed to be an underground nuclear site where Tehran is suspected of building an undeclared enrichment facility. US president Donald Trump earlier this week threatened to attack the facility soon. Iran has warned any American attack on its nuclear facilities would be treated as an expansion of the war in the Middle East. It maintains its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful energy purposes.

# Commonwealth Games: Olympic medallist Chad le Clos is aiming to become the most decorated male athlete in the Games’ history when he dives into the pool in Glasgow, Scotland. He already ties with Australia’s Phillip Adams and England’s Mick Gault with 18 medals, and one more would see the South African stand alone on top of the all-time list. South Africa’s strong 112-member contingent includes middle-distance star Prudence Sekgodiso, Olympic javelin silver medallist Jo-Ané du Plessis and cyclist Mitchell Sparrow. The Games begin today and run until next Sunday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-42-cents and the euro at 18-rand-74-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-95-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-686-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-89-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-23-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….