News Bulletin of 17 July 2025, 7am

Headline 1
Home Affairs Launches Sydney Office to Enhance Global Citizen Services
Story 1
The Home Affairs Department has launched a new facility in Sydney, Australia, to enhance services for citizens living abroad.
The new facility reduces processing times for passports and birth certificates from 18-months to just 5-weeks.
This development marks a major improvement in the department's efforts to provide efficient services to South Africans world-wide.
Further expansions to more cities and services are planned to better support citizens globally.
Minister Leon Schreiber:
*sound*
Story 1 category
Headline 2
EduFeArn Collaborates With Airports Company SA To Donate Maths Dictionaries in Tembisa
Story 2
EduFeArn, in partnership with Airports Company South Africa donated maths dictionaries to Tembisa West Secondary School to support grade 9-12 learners.
The aim is to improve maths performance and understanding among learners.
The school has seen a significant improvement in its matric pass rate, rising from 84.8% to 99.4% in 2024.
Learners have attribute the support to their improved marks.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
China's Economy Beats Expectations With 5.2% Growth
Story 3
China's economy grew 5.2% in the second quarter surpassing expectations despite an ongoing trade war with the US.
The growth was driven by diversification efforts to non-US markets, which boosted exports.
The National Bureau of Statistics reported the growth rate, which was higher than the 5.1% predicted by economists.
Although the growth slowed from 5.4% in the first quarter, China's economy still achieved 5.3% growth in the first half of the year.
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 17.80 to the US Dollar, 23.89 to the British Pound, and 20.71 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 3,334.75 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 68.76 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 118,379.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
Win R2500
Teaser / Tailpiece story
919 FM is calling on listeners to share their creative solutions to improve the City of Johannesburg.
The station is partnering with Sandton-based businesses to reward the best idea with a R2500 prize.
Listeners are encouraged to submit their ideas on various challenges facing the city, including safeguarding substations against vandalism and preventing illegal dumping.
To participate, simply WhatsApp your voice notes to 084 22-12-919.
The best ideas will be featured live on air throughout the week and the winner will be announced at the end of the month.
Split analysis
Local: 57 words (29%), National: 0 words (0%), International: 139 words (71%)