News 12:00

BULLETIN 3 July 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Minerals Council criticises cabinet for the lack of consultation on chrome industry interventions
# Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre remains on high alert before an intense cold front
# And tennis: Jasmine Paolini is the latest star to crash out of Wimbledon

# The Minerals Council South Africa has voiced concern over government plans to intervene in the chrome and ferrochrome industry. They warn that proposed measures such as export taxes could harm the mining sector, threaten jobs and stunt economic growth. The council calls for urgent talks to ensure value-added beneficiation doesn’t harm mining sustainability. Spokesperson Allan Seccombe welcomed the lower electricity costs and tax breaks for local smelters:

# The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre will remain on high alert as an intense cold front is expected to make landfall in the Western Cape tomorrow. The South African Weather Service has issued a warning for yellow level 4 disruptive rainfall this coming weekend. Spokesperson Charlotte Powell says the city has also alerted its non-profit organisation partners who will provide humanitarian assistance where needed:

# At least four people have died and dozens are missing after a ferry sank off Indonesia’s tourist island of Bali. The National Search and Rescue Agency says the boat was carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members when it sank on its way to Bali from the eastern coast of the island of Java. Twenty-nine survivors have been rescued so far. The vessel reportedly developed engine trouble shortly before it sank. Marine accidents are frequent in Indonesia, where uneven enforcement of safety regulations is a longstanding concern.

# Tennis: Last year’s runner-up, Jasmine Paolini, became the latest star to crash out of Wimbledon. In the first two days, nine of the top 10 seeded men’s and women’s singles players were eliminated. Second-seeded Coco Gauff, third-seeded Jessica Pegula, and fifth-seeded Zheng Qinwen all lost in the first round, while fourth-seeded Paolini was ousted in the second round. On the men’s side, 13 seeded players have alteady been eliminated, with American 12th seed Frances Tiafoe becoming the latest casualty, losing against world number 61 Cameron Norrie.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-50-cents and the euro at 20-rand-65-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-567-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-353-dollars-68-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-15-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has paid tribute to the city’s head of corporate and forensic audits, Mpho Mafole, who was shot dead in Kempton Park on Monday. Xhakaza described Mafole as a fearless champion for ethical governance. He says the murder, amid a string of attacks on anti-corruption officials, signals a threat to the city’s renewal agenda. The mayor urges police and state security to urgently intervene and for the swift arrest of the killers.

Stay tuned for more news………….