News 18:00

BULLETIN 14 May 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa and Israel face off again at the International Court of Justice this week
# The death toll after the George disaster rises to 33
# And golf: The world number one Scottie Scheffler will start this first major since becoming a father

# South Africa and Israel will face each other again at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. South Africa’s government wants to ensure emergency orders are imposed on Israel to halt its Rafah offensive in the Gaza Strip. The court said in a statement lawyers from South Africa will argue on Thursday, followed by Israel’s lawyers’ response the next day. Earlier this month, Pretoria petitioned the court for provisional measures over the incursion into Rafah, asking the court to order Israel to immediately withdraw and cease its military offensive.

# The death toll in the ongoing rescue and recovery operation after the building collapse in George has risen to 33, with the Forensic Pathology Service confirming the identification of six victims. Nineteen people are still unaccounted for, while 12 are in hospital. The mission, now in its eighth day, has seen rescue workers and other stakeholders dedicating 193 hours to the operation. A cultural prayer service requested by a family member of one of the victims will be held in the Southern Cape city tomorrow.

# The South African Health Professionals Collaboration is preparing a legal challenge against the National Health Insurance Bill. President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to sign the bill into law tomorrow. Representing over 25-thousand healthcare workers, the organisation has expressed disappointment, citing ignored submissions and concerns about the bill’s constitutionality and impact on patient care. Spokesperson Simon Strachan advocates for a sustainable and patient-centric healthcare system:

# The Electoral Commission has authorised over 1.6-million special votes for the upcoming elections. Chief electoral official Sy Mamabolo outlined that one-million special votes will occur at polling stations, and 624-thousand voters visited at home or in places of confinement. Gauteng leads with 335-thousand registered special voters, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 320-thousand. Mamabolo reiterates that special voting is scheduled for 27 to 28 May from 9 am to 5 pm, ensuring secrecy and security:

# Golf: World number one Scottie Scheffler will start the season’s third major as a new father. The 27-year-old American says he is as prepared as possible for this week’s US PGA Championship after he and his wife welcomed their first child. The two-time Masters winner has spent time on the practice range at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky as he aims to win a third major title of his career:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-44-cents and the euro at 19-rand-93-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-18-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-211-dollars-66-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-349-dollars-4-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-80-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….