News 18:00

BULLETIN 1 July 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Council of Geoscience investigates the possible causes of tremors in Johannesburg
# The AA welcomes the new cabinet and urges action on transport and fuel pricing
# And the Boks launch a new rallying cry for World Cup 2027

# The Council for Geoscience is investigating recent tremors in Johannesburg, including a 2.6 magnitude tremor recorded this morning. This follows a magnitude three earthquake over the weekend. News24 seismologist Eldridge Kgaswane suggests that the tremors could be linked to mining dumps and old tunnels, where activities like water catchment or illegal mining may destabilise underground rock layers, leading to seismic events. While tremors below magnitude three are common in mining areas, they prompt scientific interest if occurring outside such zones in Johannesburg’s stable seismic environment.

# The Automobile Association has welcomed the finalisation of president Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet stating that it brings certainty to key departments. Spokesperson Layton Beard emphasises the need for effective leadership from new Transport minister Barbara Creecy and re-appointed Mineral Resources and Energy minister Gwede Mantashe. Beard highlights the importance of improving public transport, road safety, and fuel pricing. He calls for collaboration with civil organisations to address these critical issues:

Meanwhile, the Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation warns of increased evictions and exploitation of farm workers under newly appointed Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen. It criticised the DA’s poor relationship with labour unions and lack of compassion for farm workers. Amid concerns of neglect and heightened vulnerability under the new leadership, the organisation’s executive director Billy Claasen urges immediate action from the government to protect farm workers’ rights:

# Rugby: The Springboks have launched a new rallying cry in the run-up to the next World Cup in Australia in 2027, where they will try for a third successive title. South Africans are asked to go Forever Green, Forever Gold to amplify the demonstration that the country really is stronger when its people are together. The Boks say they have won the World Cup for the fourth time with players with five different home languages, which encapsulates the belief that diversity is a powerful force when aligned.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-20-cents and the euro at 19-rand-55-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-6-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-551-dollars-68-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-327-dollars-23-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-38-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A video-gaming Italian teenager will become the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint after his cause for canonisation was approved by church authorities. Carlo Acutis died from leukemia at the age of 15 in 2006. He was renowned for using his computing skills to spread awareness of the Catholic faith, and earned the nickname God’s Influencer. Carlo is associated with the healing of two children after he was prayed to. His canonisation is likely to occur at some point during the Catholic Church’s jubilee celebrations next year.

Stay tuned for more news………….