News 11:00

BULLETIN 10 July 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Freedom Under Law is going to take legal steps over John Hlophe’s election to the JSC
# Government is urged to prioritise unemployment, crime and education at its first lekgotla
# And, judgment is expected in the Life Esidimeni inquest today

# Freedom Under Law says it will legally challenge Parliament’s decision to elect the MK Party’s John Hlophe as one of its representatives on the Judicial Service Commission. The impeached Western Cape judge president is one of six National Assembly members who will serve on the JSC. Freedom Under Law says to have an individual who was found to have committed gross misconduct and removed from judicial office, now in a position to decide on the suitability of candidates for judicial appointment, is inappropriate and irrational.

# The Foundation for Education and Social Justice Africa says the government of national unity’s first cabinet lekgotla must reflect on unemployment and crime, and resolve to reaffirm education as an apex priority. The two-day lekgotla, tomorrow and Friday, will consider how to collate various party manifestos into coherent government policy. The foundation’s Hendrick Makaneta says government must set clear priorities to improve the lives of citizens:

# The High Court in Pretoria is set to deliver judgment in the Life Esidimeni inquest today. Over 140 mental health patients died in 2016 after being moved from Life Esidimeni facilities to unlicensed non-governmental organisations. The inquest aims to determine the cause of deaths and potential criminal liability. Section 27 executive director Sasha Stevenson expressed relief to the SABC as families seek answers after eight years:

# United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, Joyce Msuya, has condemned the latest Russian attacks on Ukraine. Missile strikes across Ukraine killed 38 people on Monday, including four children. The strikes also destroyed two of the country’s main specialist hospitals for children and women. Msuya says these incidents are part of a deeply concerning pattern of systematic attacks harming healthcare and other civilian infrastructure across Ukraine:

# Soccer: Spain will face either England or the Netherlands in the final of the European Championship in Germany on Sunday. Spain came from behind with goals from 16-year-old Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo to beat France two-one in Munich. Yamal became the youngest-ever player to score at a European Championship. Spain has reached the final having been the best side at these Euros, winning all six of their games and scoring a tournament-high 13 goals.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-8-cents and the euro at 19-rand-57-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 59-thousand-239-dollars-64-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-372-dollars-11-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-8-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….