News 06:00

BULLETIN 7 August 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC announces new measures to streamline border management and enhance trade
# The Republicans say Kamal Harris’ running mate is far left
# And the South African veteran actor Connie Chiume has died

# The ANC national executive committee has unveiled plans for two new one-stop border posts to facilitate trade and enhance border security. These measures aim to support the African Continental Free Trade Area by easing the movement of goods and intercepting illegal imports. During a media briefing on the last day of the lekgotla in Boksburg, the NEC member Njabulo Nzuza reported progress on implementing eight key policy recommendations to improve immigration processes and support tourism:  

# The National Student Financial Aid Scheme administrator Freeman Nomvalo has called for enhanced stakeholder engagement and system modernisation to improve operations. In a media briefing, Nomvalo says improved communication and collaboration with universities, students, and other partners are essential to resolve administrative challenges and streamline the financial aid process. He added the scheme is setting up registers for irregular expenditure:  

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has warned against bringing guns near schoolchildren, citing potential anxiety for learners and teachers. Four arrests have been made following the intimidation of staff and learners at Matsediso Primary School. Makaneta stressed the importance of mediation to amicably resolve the family feud that spilled into the school, ensuring the children’s well-being:

# American Republicans describe Democratic candidate Kamala Harris’s running mate for the election as a far-left figure. The current vicepresident yesterday announced Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her choice for deputy should she defeat Donald Trump in November. The 60-year-old is a former Army member and teacher. Florida governor Ron DeSantis says Walz is the most left-wing ticket in American history, while Republican whip Tom Emmer says he’s an empty suit who has worked to turn Minnesota into Harris’ home state of California.

# Olympic Games: Miranda Coetzee ran a personal best time of 50.66-seconds to finish second in her repechage heat to qualify for the women’s 400-metre semifinal in Paris. It was a disappointment in the men’s 400-metre semifinals as both Lythe Pillay and Zakhiti Nene failed to advance to the finals. In canoeing, Hamish Lovemore and Andrew Birkett have progressed to the men’s kayak, double 500-metre semifinals. In the women’s kayak, double 500-metre, Tiffany Koch and Esti Olivier have made the quarterfinals.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-48-cents and the euro at 20-rand-21-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-46-cents and Bitcoin trades at 56-thousand-40-dollars-42-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-386-dollars-33-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-9-cents a barrel.

# And on a sad note: Award-winning veteran South African actor Connie Chiume has passed away at the age of 72. She died at the Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg on Tuesday. Chiume, whose acting career spanned over 45 years, was known for appearing on several popular local television shows including Rhythm City, Zone 14, and Gamora. In 2018, she starred in the Hollywood blockbuster Marvel film Black Panther. Chiume also received several lifetime achievement awards, including honours at the Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards and the South African Film and Television Awards.

Stay tuned for more news………….