News 17:00
BULLETIN 24 July 5 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The DA urges a swift resolution in president Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala review
# The High Court in Johannesburg postpones the pre-trial in the DJ Warras murder due to docket issues
# And: Spain declares a national emergency over wildfires near Madrid and in Avila
# The DA says while it respects the decision by the Cape High Court in the Western Cape to pause Parliament’s section 89 impeachment inquiry, the review of president Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala case must be resolved as soon as possible. Party leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says the ruling does not clear Ramaphosa of wrongdoing but only delays the inquiry until the court case is decided:
# The High Court in Johannesburg has postponed the pre-trial hearing of two men accused of the assassination of media personality Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock to Monday. Alleged shooter Armindo Pacula appeared in court, while co-accused Victor Majola was absent because of administrative prison issues. Both face charges of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Judge William Karam delayed proceedings due to issues with the docket:
# The National Union of Mineworkers has signed a five-year wage agreement with Gold Fields South Deep Mine in Westonaria, Gauteng, covering workers until February 2031. The deal includes above-inflation salary increases, higher entry-level wages, adjustments to benefits, and a once-off cash incentive of up to 50-thousand-rand for qualifying employees. Following successful negotiations with the company, NUM says the agreement provides long-term job security and stability for workers.
# The Spanish government declared a national emergency after a series of wildfires threatened communities near Madrid and the neighbouring province of Avila. Over ten-thousand people were forced to evacuate while firefighters struggled to contain the blazes. The Interior Ministry says the decision was taken because of the simultaneous outbreak of several fires, adverse weather conditions and the need to mobilise extensive resources from different public administrations, increasing the complexity of firefighting and civil protection efforts. Madrid’s regional government requested assistance, describing the situation as one of extreme gravity.
# Soccer: Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has been named German coach and now has the task of rebuilding the struggling European giants to the top of the international game. Germany had won four World Cups and three European Championships, but have struggled in recent years. Klopp’s appointment was widely expected for weeks, and his contract will see him through to the 2030 World Cup. The 59-year-old spoke publicly of his desire to take on the role after predecessor Julian Nagelsmann resigned this month.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-87-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-17-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-45-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-310-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-46-dollars-67-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 91-dollars-91-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….