News 08:00

BULLETIN 2 July 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa is going to start with the first-ever vaccination of poultry
# The FF Plus is pleased that the Zondo Commission is finally bearing fruit
# And Israel agrees to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza

# The minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has announced the country’s first-ever vaccination of poultry as a proactive measure to minimise the risk of avian flu outbreaks. A vaccination permit has been issued to Astral Foods, authorising the company to vaccinate about 200-thousand broiler birds. This represents approximately 5-percent of Astral’s total breeding stock, valued at an estimated 35-million-rand. Steenhuisen emphasised that the campaign is a vital step to strengthen flock immunity and prevent the devastating economic losses witnessed during previous outbreaks. The 2023 outbreak resulted in millions of birds being culled, affecting both producers and consumers.

# The Freedom Front Plus says it is pleased that the evidence presented before the Zondo Commission on State Capture is finally bearing fruit. This follows the arrest of former Transnet group CEOs, Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Game, after they were linked to alleged corrupt tenders related to the procurement of locomotives around 2014. The FF Plus, Philip van Staden, says corruption landed Transnet in its current financial distress:

# Expert witness Lisa Vetten says power is complex and shifts dynamically within relationships, including workplace settings. Testifying at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal into sexual harassment claims against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge, Vetten highlighted how power can move between individuals, even within a single conversation. She clarified her comments on appropriate conduct were rooted in workplace policy, not cultural expertise:

# US President Donald Trump says Israel has agreed to finalise a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said they will work with all parties to end the War, without detailing what the conditions are. He added that the Qataris and Egyptians will deliver the final proposal and expressed hope that Hamas will accept the deal. Trump’s announcement comes before a meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu scheduled for next week. Around 50 Israeli hostages are still in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

# Tennis: Iga Swiatek is through to the second round at Wimbledon after beating Russia’s Polina Kudermetova 7-5, 6-1 in the first round. But a number of women were sent home in surprise defeats. The American third seed Jessica Pegula lost in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 against the world number 116 from Italy, Elisabetta Cocciaretto. The Chinese fifth seed and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen became the second big casualty after losing 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 against the Czech Katerina Siniakova. The day’s most surprising exit was the American second seed Coco Gauff, who lost 7-6, 6-1 to Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-61-cents and the euro at 20-rand-77-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 106-thousand-131-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-340-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-92-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….