News 12:00

BULLETIN 18 May 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Constitutional Court strikes down parts of the National Health Act  
# The road between Oudtshoorn and the Cango Caves remains closed following a significant rockfall
# And an earthquake hits China

# The Constitutional Court has ruled that sections of the National Health Act dealing with the Certificate of Need are unconstitutional. The law would have required state approval for healthcare providers to open, expand or relocate practices. Government argued the system would improve equal access to healthcare services, but critics, including Solidarity, said it gave the state excessive control over the health sector. The matter has now been referred back to Parliament for reconsideration.

# The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure says the road between Oudtshoorn and the world-renowned Cango Caves remains closed, as teams continue to clear the debris of a significant rockfall. Motorists travelling to the caves are advised to make use of the alternative route via the MR363, travelling along the R62 towards Calitzdorp before turning off towards Buffelskloof and Matjiesrivier. MEC Tertuis Simmers says safety remains top priority:

Moving abroad:

# The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda points to the need for local vaccine and medicine manufacturing capacity. The World Health Organisation has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern after 88 deaths and over 300 suspected cases have been reported. CDC director general Jean Kaseya says the need for vaccines is an equity issue:

# A magnitude 5.2 earthquake hit China’s southwest region ​in the early hours of this morning, killing two people and forcing more than seven thousand people in the city of ​Liuzhou to evacuate. State broadcaster CCTV reported that 13 buildings collapsed, while ⁠railway authorities inspected the integrity of ​the rail line infrastructure. Communication and ​power ⁠lines, water and gas supply, and traffic ​were operating normally. Search and rescue operations are underway, and ⁠authorities warn of transport ​disruptions.

# Rugby: Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says they will have to improve in a few areas ahead of their United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Ireland’s Munster at Loftus Versfeld next Saturday. The Bulls defeated Italian side Benetton 45-19 to secure a home quarterfinal, their sixth consecutive URC victory, consolidating their fourth spot on the table. Munster edged the Lions 24-17 to end fifth. Ackermann highlighted their execution on attack as a key focus area:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-66-cents and the euro at 19-rand-39-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-25-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-965-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-545-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 107-dollars-7-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….