News 07:00

BULLETIN 24 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa advocates for new approaches to infrastructure funding
# Former Transnet executives appear in court over 34-million-rand fraud
# And the director of the US Secret Service resigns

# President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the Infrastructure Fund will explore new approaches to blended financing for infrastructure projects. This initiative aims to boost rapid and inclusive economic growth, create jobs, reduce poverty, and foster a just society. Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of collaboration with the private sector through Infrastructure South Africa to enhance infrastructure investment and implementation:

# EFF leader Julius Malema has reiterated his call for the reduction of cabinet and do away with deputy ministers. Cabinet has increased to 32 ministers from 30 and there are now 43 deputy ministers from 36 in the government of national unity. It has been estimated that the bloated cabinet may cost well over 1.5-billion-rand. Malema says the bloated cabinet puts more pressure on taxpayers:

# Former Transnet executives Lerato Makenete and Hawkins Madubane appeared at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court on charges of defrauding Transnet of nearly 34-million-rand during the Covid-19 pandemic. They are accused alongside service providers Jacob Malusi Ramoyadi and Kenneth Rikhotso. NPA’s Phindi Mjonondwane says they face charges of fraud, theft, and money laundering:

# US Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle has resigned following the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. There have been bipartisan calls in Congress for her resignation, and a push by Republican lawmakers to impeach her for the security lapses in the incident. In her resignation letter, Cheatle, says she acknowledges that on the day of the shooting, the agency fell short of its mission to protect Trump. President Joe Biden says he is grateful for Cheatle’s decades of public service.

# Olympics: Britain’s joint-most decorated female Olympian, Charlotte Dujardin, has pulled out of the Paris Games after a video allegedly showing her mistreating a horse during a coaching session emerged. The International Federation for Equestrian Sports is investigating the incident. The dressage rider was bidding to become Britain’s most decorated female Olympian in Paris. Dujardin says what happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how she trains her horses or coaches her pupils. She adds that she is deeply ashamed.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-39-cents and the euro at 19-rand-95-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-578-dollars-24-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-409-dollars-97-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-29-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South Africa has been ranked as the third-best African country to visit with kids. A study by tour operator Go2Africa says the country has a well-developed tourism infrastructure and is considered safe for family travel. Seychelles comes out on top both in Africa and globally as the top most kid-friendly country to visit. It boasts the most family-friendly hotels, attractions, and restaurants, making it the top choice for parents. Morocco is second in Africa with Namibia and Madagascar fourth and fifth respectively.

Stay tuned for more news………….