News 12:00

BULLETIN 11 June 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A school bus is recovered in the Dikolini River after the Eastern Cape floods
# President Cyril Ramaphosa urges caution as severe winter conditions continue
# And soccer: Another Bellingham brother signs a huge deal with Borussia Dortmund

# Search and rescue teams in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape have retrieved the school bus which was swept away by floodwaters in the Dikolini River. No bodies were found inside. Thirteen learners, two other passengers and the driver were on board, with three learners being rescued yesterday. Authorities say the search for the remaining passengers is ongoing, adding that teams will also be going through flooded homes to search for and recover any bodies trapped during the floods.

Meanwhile, president Cyril Ramaphosa says the devastation that comes with nature’s forces demands that everyone works together to bring relief to families and communities who need this the most. This comes as flood-related incidents in the Eastern Cape has claimed the lives of nine people. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says national, provincial and municipal authorities, including the National Disaster Management Centre, are giving the requisite attention to crises as they unfold. He urged people to exercise caution on the roads:

# The average level of six major dams in the Western Cape is back above 60-percent of capacity. Combined levels are now 63.2-percent, up from last week’s 60.3-percent. The largest dam, Theewaterskloof, is at 62.1-percent, and Voëlvlei at 58.2-percent. Recent heavy rainfall has pushed levels higher across all six dams. The City of Cape Town believes although the dam levels are slightly lower than this time last year, the increase is significant as winter sets in.

# The European Union has revealed its 18th package of sanctions against Russia, further targeting the Kremlin’s ability to make money from its oil and gas production. The sanctions include a ban on the use of the Nord Stream pipelines to funnel gas between Russia and Germany, and lowering the price cap on Russian oil exports. The new package still needs approval from the EU’s 27 member states. European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, says they want peace for Ukraine:

# Soccer: Borussia Dortmund had signed 19-year old English midfielder Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland until 2030, five years after bringing older brother Jude to the club. Dortmund reportedly paid a fee of around 667-million-rand to secure the midfielder’s services, the most the club has paid up front for a player. Bellingham says he is very happy to wear the black and yellow shirt of the club at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-71-cents and the euro at 20-rand-24-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-562-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-344-dollars-76-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-46-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….