News 12:00

BULLETIN 1 August 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The death toll from the learner transport accident in Mpumalanga rises to six
# The Patriotic Alliance plans to challenge a Miss SA contestant’s citizenship
# And, cricket: A stern test on the opening day of the Proteas’ Caribbean warm-up

# The death toll from a collision between a learner transport bus and a train on the R-104 road outside Middelburg in Mpumalanga climbed to six. The sixth learner died in hospital. It is understood the driver of the bus was attempting to cross a railway line when the accident happened. He reportedly fled the scene. Transport minister Barbara Creecy has expressed shock at the accident and has called on law enforcement agencies to intensify the road safety campaign.

# Union federation Cosatu in the Western Cape has called for enhanced health and safety standards from the Sea Harvest Group in the fishing industry. This follows the MVF Lepanto sinking in May, which resulted in eleven fishermen being presumed drowned. Sea Harvest has 13 days to respond to the federation’s demands. Cosatu’s Malvern de Bruyn demands better safety measures, including adequate equipment, regular medical checks, and improved living conditions on vessels: 

# The Patriotic Alliance has announced plans of legal action to verify if Miss South Africa contestant Chidinma Adetshina is South African. This follows revelations that her father is Nigerian. Despite being born in Johannesburg and holding South African citizenship, some believe she shouldn’t compete. The PA seeks to confirm her mother’s nationality and has criticised Miss SA organisers for lack of clarity. However, the organisers say all Adetshina’s documentation is thoroughly vetted and meets competition requirements.

# Authorities in Singapore are investigating the source of food poisoning after scores of employees became ill at the headoffice of popular social media platform TikTok’s owner, ByteDance. At least 60 people developed symptoms, with most of them needed to be taken to hospital. Ambulances, fire engines, the Civil Defence Force and a mass decontamination vehicle were deployed to the building. Sky News reports the company uses external suppliers in the office canteen, and no food is prepared on-site.

# Cricket: A West Indies invitational eleven will resume its first innings on 245 for six today in the warm-up match against the Proteas, who are preparing for the first of two Tests against the Windies. South Africa won the toss in Trinidad and Tobago and chose to bowl. Opener Jeremy Solozano top-scored with 111, while pace bowler Kagiso Rabada picked up three wickets. Rabada says he loves being in the West Indies:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-25-cents and the euro at 19-rand-69-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-33-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-509-dollars-54-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-433-dollars-51-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-31-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….