News 08:00

BULLETIN 16 July 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Presidency welcomes the UN report on Palestinian children
# Fikile Mbalula says the ANC is finalising its mayoral and ward candidates
# And soccer: Argentina beat England and set up a final against Spain

# Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the government has welcomed the latest United Nations report on the occupied Palestinian territories, as it supports their case before the International Court of Justice. Magwenya added South Africa will continue to pursue legal and diplomatic efforts in support of the Palestinian people. He states the findings highlight the urgent need for greater international action to protect civilians and uphold international law:

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the party is continuing with preparations for the November local government elections, including finalising its mayoral candidates. He says the party was nearing completion of its interview process across metros and would soon conclude the selection of candidates in secondary cities. The ANC is also finalising the selection of more than ten-thousand candidates who would contest wards across the country. Mbalula says this process has highlighted weaknesses in the party’s previous approach to deploying personnel in municipalities.

# The Gauteng Political Killings Task Team has arrested a 35-year-old suspect in connection with the murder of EFF Tshwane Region 2 Secretary and election coordinator Monicca Dube. The 44-year-old was shot multiple times and killed at her home in Wallmannsthal, north of Pretoria, last month. The suspect is expected to appear before the Cullinan Magistrate’s Court today. Her murder drew immediate condemnation from the EFF and its leader, Julius Malema, who called for a thorough investigation and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice.

# The US military launched fresh waves of strikes against Iran yesterday evening. It says the strikes targeted Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels freely transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. It came after Iran claimed it had struck US military targets in the region, including in Bahrain and Kuwait. Speaking at the Defence and Innovation Summit in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, president Donald Trump warned Tehran it “better behave”, adding that they will soon decide whether to settle with Iran:

# Soccer: Reigning champions Argentina scored two late goals to defeat England 2-1 in Atlanta and advance to Sunday’s final to face Spain in New York, New Jersey. England took the lead through Anthony Gordon in the second half. However, Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th-minute, before substitute Lautaro Martinez headed in a 92nd-minute winner from Lionel Messi’s cross. Argentina are aiming to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. England will take on France in the third-place play-off in Miami on Saturday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-34-cents and the euro at 18-rand-73-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-11-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-577-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-28-dollars-89-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-77-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….