News 18:00

BULLETIN 24 July 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Preschool teacher Amber Lee Hughes confesses to murdering her ex boyfriend’s child
# Ramaphosa is confident of a positive outcome in US trade talks
# And rugby: The Bulls pick an experienced starting team for the Currie Cup clash against Province

# Gauteng preschool teacher Amber Lee Hughes has confessed to drowning the daughter of her ex-boyfriend. Her new legal team made supplementary submissions in the High Court in Johannesburg. Hughes confessed to drowning four-year-old Nada-Jane Challita at her Glenvista home in Johannesburg in 2023 after a dispute with the girl’s father over his alleged infidelity. The National Prosecuting Authority’s Phindi Mjonondwane says Hughes cited borderline personality disorder and claimed full awareness of her actions. She denied the rape charge. The case resumes on 7 August for closing arguments.

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the recent tariffs imposed by the US have forced South African businesses to explore new markets. Speaking on the sidelines at the launch of the BMW X3 plug-in hybrid in Tshwane, Ramaphosa said the exact reasons behind the tariffs remain unclear. However, he expressed confidence that ongoing talks will lead to a positive outcome and a return to strong trade relations:

Ramaphosa also says government is finalising targeted incentives to boost electric vehicle production, battery cell localisation, and clean mobility innovation in South Africa. He says these measures will support the transition to a low-carbon economy and unlock new opportunities for local manufacturing. Ramaphosa calls on manufacturers to invest in South Africa’s green economy:

# Rugby: The Bulls have selected an experienced starting team for their opening Currie Cup match against Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday. Several players have experience in the United Rugby Championship. They include fullback Henry Immelman, centre Stedman Gans and wing Stravino Jacobs. The experienced Boeta Chamberlain is at flyhalf with Zak Burger at scrumhalf. Springbok lock Marvin Orie partners Sintu Manjezi in the second row. The loose trio looks impressive with captain Nama Xaba, Jeandré Rudolph and Junior Pokomela. Kick-off is at 10-past-5.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-60-cents and the euro at 20-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-and-40-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-372-dollars-68-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-52-cents a barrel.

# And finally: University of the Western Cape researchers have found that methamphetamine, commonly known as tik in South Africa, can seriously harm male fertility, even after short-term use. The groundbreaking study was led by David Fisher. One of the researchers involved in the study, Chontrelle Willemse, says they found that tik’s harmful effects on male fertility occur within 24 hours of use and some long-term effects over 96 hours:

Stay tuned for more news………….