News 16:00

BULLETIN 8 July 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Creecy says the transport sector will be revolutionised by an acceleration of digital technology
# Ekurhuleni calls on residents not to ignore the early signs of M-pox
# And, tennis: Wimbledon’s women’s draw is blown wide open with the exit of the top-two

# Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy says in the next decade, the transport sector will be revolutionised by an acceleration of digital technology and new inventions powered by renewable energy. Creecy was speaking during the Southern African Transport Conference in Pretoria. She says New York has announced that sales of nearly all gas- and diesel-powered cars and trucks in the state will be banned by 2035:

# The City of Ekurhuleni says it is on high alert following the detection of M-pox in the country. The Department of Health recorded 20 cases of the disease since May, with three deaths. Of those 20 cases, 15 people have since received a clean bill of health while five remain in hospital. The city’s spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, says residents are urged to seek healthcare once they experience M-pox-like symptoms or come into direct contact with someone who tested positive:

# Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko announced a significant reduction in medical legal claims against the department. The claims previously amounted to around 30-billion-rand, dating back to 2003. Nkomo-Ralehoko attributes the decrease to successful mediation and negotiation efforts, which have substantially lowered the numbers. Speaking to eNCA, she emphasised this achievement reflects the department’s commitment to financial sustainability and improved healthcare delivery.

# Hurricane Beryl made landfall today in the southern US state of Texas, where some residents were evacuated over warnings of flooding and power outages. The US National Hurricane Centre says Beryl hit the town of Matagorda with wind speeds of 130 kilometers per hour. The National Weather Service issued a tornado alert for parts of Texas, including Houston, which is home to 2.3 million people.

# Tennis: Wimbledon’s women’s draw was blown wide open this weekend when both the top-two seeds were eliminated. After the exit of world number one, Iga Swiatek of Poland, and number two Coco Gauff of America, only two of the top ten remain. They are fourth-seeded Elena Rybankina of Kazakhstan and seventh-seeded Jasmine (Jazz-mien) Paolini of Italy. Local favourite Emma Raducano also lost, while 19th-seeded American Emma Navarro looks dangerous after beating both Gauff and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-14-cents and the euro at 19-rand-66-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-29-cents and Bitcoin trades at 57-thousand-91-dollars-65-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-375-dollars-93-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-10-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….