News 06:00

BULLETIN 13 May 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Cele says the probe into the George building collapse has begun
# Load-shedding continues to be suspended due to a sustained improvement in generation
# And rugby: The Springbok Women book their World Cup spot

# Police minister Bheki Cele says an investigation into the George building collapse has started, The death toll has risen to 20 after three more bodies were recovered on Sunday. Thirty-two of the estimated 81 construction workers are still unaccounted for. Cele, who visited the site and addressed the worker’s family members, says they have ten forensic teams present on the scene:

# Eskom says the generation fleet is gradually becoming more reliable, resulting in load-shedding being suspended. Today marks the 47th consecutive day with no blackouts. The power utility’s spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena, says the suspension of load-shedding is primarily due to the continued, sustained improvement in generation performance. She says this is owing to extensive planned maintenance during the summer period and the implementation of the Generation Operational Recovery Plan in March:

# Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has expressed shock at the tragic death of a learner at David Makhubo High School in Kaalfontein. The Grade 12 learner boy collapsed while in the schoolyard and died after emergency services arrived on the scene last week Thursday. The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says before the announcement of the death could be made, some learners experienced fainting spells:

# US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says they believe that Israel has killed more civilians than Hamas terrorists as part of its war in Gaza. The Health ministry in Gaza has reported that the number of people killed in the Strip as a result of Israeli military operations has risen above 35-thousand. Blinken also raised concern that a major ground offensive in the southern Gazan city of Rafah would lead to widespread civilian casualties. At least 300-thousand people have fled the city since last week.

# Rugby: The Springbok Women have booked their place in next year’s World Cup in England after successfully defending their Africa Women’s Cup title. They defeated hosts Madagascar 46-17 in the final at the Stade Makis in Antananarivo. South Africa is now undefeated in six consecutive Tests. The Bok Women are set to arrive in South Africa today, and the players will return to their provinces for the Women’s Premier Division.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-43-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-10-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-390-dollars-49-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-359-dollars-31-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-40-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Eskom Expo says a group of six outstanding young scientists from South Africa are showcasing their brilliance at the world’s largest pre-college science, technology, engineering, and mathematics competition in Los Angeles, California. These exceptional young people have the opportunity to represent the country at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair until Friday. Alutha Botha, Likitha Chundru, Keamogetse Monna, Zaahid Sader, Nicholas Zhang, and Matthew Collier-Reed are participating following their successful entries in the Eskom Expo International Science Fair, held in October last year.

Stay tuned for more news………….