News 09:00

BULLETIN 7 Augustus 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa stresses the importance of economic policies that empower women
# The EFF criticises Ramaphosa’s presidential izimbizo events costing 44-million-rand
# And Olympic Games: Over 40 athletes tested positive for Covid-19

# ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa says the economic growth that must be pursued must lead to the empowerment of women, young people, and vulnerable groups. He delivered the closing remarks at the ANC’s national executive committee lekgotla held in Boksburg in Ekurhuleni yesterday. Ramaphosa says the lekgotla has agreed that they should implement economic policies and have a greater focus on infrastructure, agriculture, transport, energy, and industrialisation:

# The EFF says the misuse of public funds on president Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidential izimbizo events is disgraceful, unethical, and unacceptable. Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa disclosed that the four events have cost taxpayers 44-million-rand. The events were held over eight months, to address public service delivery concerns. The EFF says this wasteful expenditure directly robs the African child of adequate education, housing, infrastructure, safety and a future.

# Cosatu says schools must be a place of safety for children to be free and where educators can provide a conducive learning environment. In the latest incident, controversial pastor Paseka Motsoeneng was caught on video wielding a machete at Matsediso Primary School in Katlehong, and forcefully removing two children. Cosatu’s, Zanele Sabela, says South Africans must stop tolerating the violence, gangsterism, and anarchy that has been endemic for years across many township schools:

# Nobel laureate and a pioneer in microfinance, Muhammad Yunus, has been appointed as Bangladesh’s interim leader. This comes after prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on Monday and fled the country after weeks of deadly unrest. At least 300 people were killed in a crackdown on demonstrations that began as student protests against preferential job quotas. Yunus has played down any fears over instability in the country and called the ridding of Hasina a revolution.

# Olympic Games: The World Health Organisation says the fact that over 40 athletes tested positive for Covid-19 in Paris highlights a new international rise in cases. It says the virus behind the pandemic is still circulating and warns countries to improve their response systems. The WHO’s Maria van Kerkhove says data from over 80 countries shows the percentage of positive tests has been on the rise recently. She says the virus continues to evolve and change, putting mankind at risk of a potentially more severe virus.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-41-cents and the euro at 20-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-42-cents and Bitcoin trades at 57-thousand-142-dollars-46-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-391-dollars-16-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-64-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….