News 11:00

BULLETIN 18 May 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa urges voters to exercise their democratic right
# Bail has been denied for the six accused in the Kaizer Chiefs player Luke Fleurs’ murder
# And, motorsport: Leclerc is on top at Imola in a difficult day for Verstappen

# President Cyril Ramaphosa is calling on eligible voters to exercise their democratic right on 29 May. Ramaphosa emphasises the significance of the vote as it marks 30 years of democracy. The president highlights the right to vote is a cornerstone of South Africa’s democratic order, enshrined in the Bill of Rights. He states casting a vote demonstrates faith in democracy and influences the country’s future direction:

# The Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court has denied bail to six men accused of murdering Kaizer Chiefs player Luke Fleurs. Ndumiso Moswane, Fernando Sive, Nhlakanipho Dlamini, Franky Xaba, Maredi Mphahlele, and Thembinkosi Hlomikhawu remain in custody until 27 June as investigations continue. NPA Gauteng spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, says they face murder, robbery and possession of firearms charges:

# Aid deliveries began arriving at a US-built pier off the Gaza Strip yesterday, as Israel comes under growing global pressure to allow more supplies into Gaza. The temporary floating pier was pre-assembled at the Israeli port of Ashdod. Meanwhile, Israeli forces battled Hamas fighters in Jabalia in northern Gaza yesterday in some of the fiercest engagements since they returned to the area a week ago. Residents told Reuters Israeli bulldozers were demolishing homes and shops in the path of the advance.

# Motorsport: Charles Leclerc was fastest in his upgraded Ferrari in practice for the Italian team’s home Emilia Romagna Grand Prix yesterday, as Red Bull’s Formula One leader Max Verstappen endured a difficult day. Reuters reports Leclerc, whose home Monaco race follows next week, led both sessions at Imola’s Enzo and Dino Ferrari. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was closest to Leclerc in the second session. RB’s Yuki Tsunoda was third in session two. Verstappen lapped only fifth and seventh fastest respectively after going off track in both sessions.

# And, a trial vaccine has succeeded in generating low levels of antibodies needed to target HIV, marking a crucial step toward preventing infection. Developed at Duke University in the US, the experimental vaccine triggered a rare type of broadly neutralising antibody in a small group of participants in a 2019 clinical trial. This breakthrough, published in the journal Cell, offers hope for an effective HIV vaccine. Experts, including the South African Medical Research Council’s Glenda Gray, hail the findings as a pivotal advancement in the field.

Stay tuned for more news………….