News 12:00

BULLETIN 26 August 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Madlanga commission’s hearings are delayed due to infrastructure procurement issues
# The UN chief calls for an investigation into the deadly hospital airstrikes in Gaza
# And tennis: First round victories for South Africa’s Harris and Spaniard Alcaraz at the US Open

# The Madlanga commission, tasked with investigating allegations of political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system, will not start its hearings on September first as planned. This is due to issues with the procurement of vital infrastructure by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga says regrettably, a substantial portion of the three-month period after which it is expected to submit an interim report, has gone by without them having heard a single witness.

# Agricultural organisation TLU SA is concerned about the state’s limited capacity to effectively control the foot and mouth disease outbreak, which has been reported in at least four provinces. TLU SA’s Bennie van Zyl says the movement of livestock without adequate control measures exacerbates the situation, while the economic pressure on farmers continues to grow. He says the current regulatory framework prevents the private sector from becoming involved in the production and distribution of vaccines:

Moving abroad:

# United Nations secretary general, António Guterres, has called for a prompt and impartial investigation into the deadly Israeli airstrikes on Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza. The airstrikes killed at least 20 people, including five journalists who had worked with Reuters, Associated Press, Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye. Guterres’ spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, says an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza is now needed more than ever:

# Tennis: South Africa’s Lloyd Harris beat Argentina’s Sebastian Baez  in the first round of the US Open. Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz defeated big-serving American Reilly Opelka in three sets, with the second seed aiming for his second crown at Flushing Meadows. Norwegian Casper Ruud saw off Austrian Sebastian Ofner. In the women’s draw, Australian Open champion Madison Keys suffered a shock three-set defeat to Mexico’s Renata Zarazua. Another American, Venus Williams, also lost in three sets to Czech Karolina Muchova.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-64-cents and the euro at 20-rand-48-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-75-cents and Bitcoin trades at 110-thousand-91-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-377-dollars-1-cent a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-68-cents a barrel. 

# And finally: The Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa is gearing up to commemorate Heart Awareness Month in September, culminating on World Heart Day, 29 September, under the global theme Don’t Miss a Beat. According to the World Health Organisation, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, accounting for approximately 32-percent of all deaths. Notably, 85-percent of these deaths were due to heart attacks and strokes. The foundation says the diseases can be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and air pollution.

Stay tuned for more news………….