News 08:00

BULLETIN 8 April 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA says the country’s forensic pathology units continue to fail
# Inclement weather conditions leave four people dead in KwaZulu-Natal
# And Israel withdraws its troops from southern Gaza

# The DA says the Department of Health has failed in its responsibilities to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. This comes as only 53-percent of the country’s 117 pathology units obtained certificates of competence, due to poor and failing infrastructure as well as unhealthy and unsafe conditions. The DA’s, Michele Clarke, says inadequate forensic units hamper the police and the National Prosecuting Authority in delivering speedy criminal investigations and ensuring justice in cases including murder and rape:

# The KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department is urging road users to be extra vigilant as some parts of the province are experiencing heavy rainfall. Four people died and eleven others were injured in separate motor vehicle accidents over the weekend, which were attributed to the heavy rain. The department’s spokesperson, Kwanele Ncalane, says the deceased were killed when a Toyota Tazz collided with a Toyota Fortuner on the R66 at the Mayiwane intersection in uLundi:

# The Israeli military says it has withdrawn all its soldiers from Khan Younis in southern Gaza due to tactical reasons. Yesterday marked six months since the October 7 Hamas attack, which killed about one-thousand-200 people. Israel’s retaliation attacks in Gaza have left more than 33-thousand dead and triggered a dire humanitarian crisis. The Israeli military says its mission in Khan Younis has been completed but the war is not over, as they will continue dismantling Hamas’ capabilities wherever they are.

# Cricket: The Lucknow Super Giants clinched a comfortable 33-run win over the Gujarat Titans in their Indian Premier League clash. Marcus Stoinis scored 58-off-43-balls as he helped the Super Giants post 163 for five in their 20 overs. In reply, Yash Thakur took the first five-wicket haul of this year’s competition as the Gujarat Titans were bowled out for 130. Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians registered their first victory of this year’s IPL, beating the Delhi Capitals by 29 runs.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-70-cents and the euro at 20-rand-27-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-63-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-393-dollars-73-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-341-dollars-89-cent a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 89-dollars-67-cents a barrel.

# And, finally: The City of Cape Town is asking for donations for residents affected by the current inclement weather over the metro and the recent fires. Heavy rain and strong winds have resulted in homes being damaged, while firefighters have been battling fires in areas including Fish Hoek and Glencairn. The city says donations can be channelled directly to humanitarian relief non-governmental organisations, the Disaster Risk Management offices in Goodwood, and the Sir Lowry’s Pass Fire Station.

Stay tuned for more news………….