News 13:00

BULLETIN 7 May 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The SABC commits to equitable election coverage in all 12 languages
# The US is monitoring its travelers on a cruise ship after a hantavirus outbreak
# And motorsport: Minister McKenzie says everything will be in place before submitting a Grand Prix bid

# The SABC’s group executive for News and Current Affairs, Deidré Uren, says the public broadcaster remains committed to informing and educating citizens ahead of the November 4 local government elections. She says they have a mandate to provide fair and equitable coverage in all 12 official languages. Uren says despite financial pressures, the SABC will ensure communities across the country receive reliable information to help voters make informed decisions:

# The DA is calling on minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, to establish an inquiry into the South African Army Foundation. Two senior officials, Errol Ramphele and Maria Barros, have been debarred and fined over 44-million-rand following an investigation by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority for making unauthorised payments to themselves. The DA’s Chris Hattingh says they will continue to pursue this matter in Parliament:

Moving abroad:

# The Centres ‌for Disease Control and Prevention says the United States is closely monitoring the situation with US travelers on board the ​luxury cruise ship that was hit by a hantavirus outbreak. Three people – a Dutch couple and a German national – have died in the outbreak on the MV Hondius. The World Health Organisation says eight people, including a ​Swiss citizen, are suspected to have contracted the virus. The ship is currently sailing toward Spain’s Canary Islands, and have been given permission by the Spanish government to dock under strict regulations.

# The United Arab Emirates says Iran’s missile and drone strikes on its neighbours and targeting of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz are unlawful and reckless. Its air defence systems intercepted 12 Iranian ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones on Monday. A fire broke out in the Fujairah oil industry zone, injuring three civilians. UAE’s United Nations ambassador, Mohamed Abushahab, says the unprovoked attacks threaten international peace and security:

# Motorsport: Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie says South Africa will first make sure everything is in place before submitting a bid to host a Formula One Grand Prix. To that end, an expert will be appointed to inspect the bid. McKenzie confirmed the required hosting fee of 1.7-billion-rand had been secured through private sector partnerships. He says the bid will include the business model, hosting and event management experience, infrastructure, logistics and government endorsement. South Africa last hosted an F1 race in 1993.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-29-cents and the euro at 19-rand-18-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-78-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-734-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 97-dollars-31-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….