News 18:00
BULLETIN 4 May 6 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The Health Department says there is no need for panic after a cruise ship illness
# Austria expels three Russian diplomats over spying
# And rugby, there is much on the line for the three SA teams still in the running for the URC playoffs
# The Department of Health has reassured the public that there is no need for panic after three people who tested positive for Hantavirus following an Atlantic cruise have died. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases is carrying out contact tracing, while the World Health Organisation is leading an international response to help contain the outbreak. The department’s Foster Mohale says the overall risk to the public is low:
# ActionSA says the kidnapping of Mazwi Mpumelelo Kubheka and civic mobilisation by the March and March Movement have renewed debate on law enforcement and governance. The party’s Mongezi Ntsebenzo says while immigration policy is a national responsibility, municipalities must play their part by enforcing by-laws and maintaining order. He says as the elections approach, the focus is on action across all spheres of government to ensure consistent application of the rule of law:
# Groundwater scientist Surina Esterhuyse says proposed regulations by the Water and Sanitation Department are a key step to curb overuse and pollution. The draft rules will require borehole registration, water monitoring and stricter drilling standards. However, she warns that the department fails to address climate risks as South Africa becomes hotter and drier. In her opinion piece on Money Web, Esterhuyse says as demand for water increases, groundwater is often seen as an accessible water supply option. She warned that population growth and urbanisation add to these pressures.
# Austria declared three Russian diplomats persona non grata over an “antenna forest” on the roofs of diplomatic buildings that could be used for spying. Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said in a statement it is unacceptable that diplomatic immunity be used to commit espionage. She confirmed that the three diplomats had already left the country. It brings to 14 the number of Russian diplomats Austria has expelled since 2020. This move follows previous expulsions in 2023 and 2024 to curb covert Russian operations on Austrian soil, often described as a hub for foreign intelligence.
# Rugby: Much is on the line for the three South African teams still in the running for the United Rugby Championship knockout stage. The Stormers are currently on top of the standings with two group matches remaining, the Lions are third and the Bulls seventh, with the top-eight qualifying for the quarterfinals. The Stormers play their remaining group matches against Ulster in Ireland, and against Cardiff in Wales. The Lions face Leinster and Munster in Ireland, and the Bulls hosts Italian sides Zebre Parma and Benetton in Pretoria.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-80-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-66-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-75-cents and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-578-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-530-dollars-80-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 112-dollars-48-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….