News 11:00
BULLETIN 13 May 11 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The minister of Health says there is no risk of a hantavirus outbreak in South Africa
# Donald Trump says he doesn’t need China’s help to end the war with Iran
# And cricket: The experienced fast bowler Darcie Brown is left out of the Australian Women’s T20 World Cup squad
# Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi says South Africa is not at risk of a hantavirus outbreak. Ninety-seven contacts in the country are linked to the outbreak on the Dutch ship MV Hondius, which resulted in three deaths. Health officials in Johannesburg first detected the virus when treating a British man who had disembarked the ship, about three weeks after the first passenger had died. Motsoaledi says the virus does not spread easily between people:
# Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy warns South Africa is facing growing competition from neighbouring countries investing in new rail and port infrastructure. The department’s 102-billion-rand budget for the 2026/27 financial year is aimed at building a transformed, inclusive and competitive transport system. Creecy says significant strides have been made in unlocking investment and accelerating infrastructure delivery, including the Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 Concession, which has reached financial close. She says logistics and mobility reform must be at the heart of the programme for long-term, sustainable economic growth.
# AfriForum calls for a full investigation into repeated security breaches at Defence Force facilities in Gauteng, including burglaries and weapons theft. It says the incidents raise serious national security concerns and may indicate possible syndicate involvement or internal collusion. It has also offered to assist the SANDF with training on conducting security assessments. AfriForum’s Jacques Broodryk says stronger controls are needed to protect strategic military infrastructure and prevent further breaches:
Moving abroad:
# US president Donald Trump says he does not need Chinese president Xi Jinping’s help to end the war with Iran. The leaders of the world’s two largest economies will hold their first face-to-face talks in more than six months tomorrow. Trump is expected in Beijing this evening, the first visit by a US president to China in nearly a decade. China relies on Iran for cheap oil. Trump says he will discuss the war with Xi:
# Cricket: Fast bowler Darcie Brown has been left out of Australia’s 15-player squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales. Selectors have opted for inexperienced left-armer Lucy Hamilton in her place. All-rounder Sophie Molineux has been passed fit and will captain the side. The experienced Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney are also included. Selector Shawn Flegler says leaving out Brown is based on the conditions they are expecting and the make-up of the side. Australia will open their tournament against South Africa at Old Trafford on 13 June.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-45-cents and the euro at 19-rand-29-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-27-cents and Bitcoin trades at 80-thousand-979-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-700-dollars-55-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 104-dollars-32-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….