News 09:00

BULLETIN 18 July 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA accuses the ANC of shielding minister Motshekga
# Deputy president Mashatile emphasises the importance of our relations with China
# And road running: The marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich was suspended over a banned substance

# The DA has accused the ANC of shielding minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, from accountability in Parliament. This comes after the joint standing committee on Defence co-chairperson, Malusi Gigaba, abruptly backtracked on a committee undertaking to demand answers from Motshekga, about the 813.3-million-rand reportedly allocated by National Treasury for soldier deployment allowances. The DA says it wants to know how the funds were spent amid ongoing reports that SANDF troops remain unpaid for deployment allowances. 

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has reaffirmed South Africa–China’s commitment to deepening cooperation in support of inclusive economic growth and sustainable development. He is on a working visit to China, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries. Mashatile says while the relationship has benefited both nations by increasing trade and investment, there are some drawbacks, such as a continuing trade deficit that favours China:

# The GOOD Party says Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis’s attempt to paint critics of the metro’s 2025/2026 budget as enemies of the poor is disingenuous and misleading. The total budget increased from 76.6-billion-rand in 2024/2025 to 84.1-billion-rand. GOOD’s secretary general, Brett Herron, says the true pro-poor elements of this budget, including free basic services and expanded sanitation provision, are not funded by cross-subsidisation from wealthy residents:

# The United Nations has warned that the surge in sectarian violence in southern Syria and Israeli airstrikes reaching central Damascus have pushed the war‑scarred country into a volatile juncture. The Israeli military carried out an airstrike on the outskirts of Sweida city, as clashes between tribal fighters and Bedouin fighters intensified on Thursday. UN Assistant Secretary‑General Khaled Khiari says Israel’s actions undermine efforts to build a new Syria at peace with itself and the region:

# Road running: Women’s marathon world record-holder, Ruth Chepngetich, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit. She tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide, a banned diuretic and masking agent, on March 14th. Chepngetich is facing a two-year ban, but has the right for her case to be heard at a Disciplinary Tribunal. The Kenyan stunned the world when she ran 2-hours-9-minutes-56-seconds at the Chicago marathon last October, a time that shattered the previous record by almost two-minutes.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-82-cents and the euro at 20-rand-70-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 120-thousand-250-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-334-dollars-90-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-12-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….