News 13:00

BULLETIN 19 August 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Overberg High School’s Deveney Nel’s murder case postponed to September
# Tennis: Alcaraz says sorry for racquet smash in ‘worst’ career loss
# And, a nine-month-old girl gets life-changing facial reconstruction surgery

# The case against a 17-year-old charged with the murder of Overberg High School learner Deveney Nel has been postponed to 18 September. The teen appeared at the Caledon Magistrate’s Court this morning after being arrested on Friday evening. Deveney’s body was found in a school storeroom earlier this month, prompting community outrage. The Overberg District community has welcomed the swift arrest and is now calling for increased safety measures in schools to prevent more such tragedies.

# Transport union Satawu is threatening strike action if the wage negotiations with the Air Traffic Navigation Services fail. Talks are resuming today. Workers are demanding a 6.5-percent salary increase while the aviation body has tabled a 4.5-percent offer. The union’s Amanda Tshemese says ATNS is disrespecting workers with this offer as money is available to pay good salaries.

# Virologist Wolfgang Preiser has cautioned that Mpox could become the next global pandemic. Thirteen African Union member states have so far reported cases this year. The World Health Organisation has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Preiser emphasised to the SABC the urgent need for increased access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments across Africa, where these resources remain scarce:

# Tennis:  Carlos Alcaraz has apologised after smashing his racquet in fury during a second-round loss to Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Open. The Spaniard, who currently owns both the French Open and Wimbledon titles, erupted in frustration at his game against the French veteran. The Spanish second seed called his 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 defeat the “worst match” of his career. But he took to Instagram to calm the waters as he prepares for the US Open. He says his attitude was not good and that should not happen on court.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-77-cents and the euro at 19-rand-61-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-657-dollars-83-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-502-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-13-cent a barrel.

# And finally, a nine-month-old girl from Elim in Limpopo received a life-changing surgery for a cleft lip repair at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria. Ortica Tuwani was born with Goldenhar Syndrome, a rare congenital condition characterised by abnormal development of the face and spine. Gauteng Health Department spokesperson, Motaletale Modiba, says she was one of 12 children who received facial reconstruction surgery:

Stay tuned for more news………….