News 07:00

BULLETIN 26 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Lindiwe Zulu urges African unity at the ANC Liberation Movements Summit
# Ford recalls thousands of vehicles nationwide over safety risks
# And cricket: New Zealand is the favourite in the tri-nations final against the Proteas in Zimbabwe

# The ANC’s Lindiwe Zulu has urged African liberation leaders to defend past gains and unite for socio-economic progress. Speaking at the ANC’s Liberation Movements Summit, Zulu called for integrated development and stronger solidarity amid rising global challenges. She stressed to SABC News the need for good governance, institutional reform, and economic transformation to tackle poverty and unemployment:

# Judgment has been reserved in AfriForum’s court challenge against the Tshwane Metro’s new city cleansing levy. AfriForum’s Arno Roodt says that the 194-rand monthly charge affects nearly 260-thousand residents and businesses. Roodt argues it’s unfair double taxation, especially where private waste services are used. Roodt insists that the metro failed to submit key policy documents to the court, drawing criticism for a lack of transparency. He says the levy masks deep-rooted mismanagement in Tshwane:

# The National Consumer Commission has announced a major recall of several Ford models, including the Ranger, Everest, Puma, and EcoSport, due to serious safety risks. Affected vehicles may experience engine stalling, fuel leaks, or rollaway incidents. The recall covers various models sold between 2021 and 2025. The commission’s spokesperson, Phetho Ntaba, urges Ford owners to contact their nearest dealership immediately for a free inspection and repair:

# The Kremlin said that a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could only happen as a final step to seal a peace deal. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that it was unlikely that such a meeting could occur by the end of August, as Ukraine has proposed. Peskov told reporters a summit meeting can, and should, put the final point on a settlement and cement the agreements worked out by experts. He added It is impossible to do it the other way round.

# And finally, sports news:

# Cricket: New Zealand is considered the favourite when they take on South Africa in today’s final of the T20 tri-series in Zimbabwe. The Black Caps are undefeated in the series, having beaten the Proteas as well as the hosts twice. South Africa sent an under-strength team because big names were rested before the white-ball tour of Australia, and struggled to get the combinations right. The stats are on the Proteas’ side, having beaten New Zealand 11 times out of their 17 previous T20 encounters.

# And rugby: The famous Melbourne Cricket Ground, the MCG, will play host to the second Test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions today, and over 90-thousand spectators are expected. The huge stadium should set the tone for an intense encounter, with a series victory at stake. The Lions won the first of the three Tests and another victory would seal their first series win since 2013 – also against the Wallabies. Australia’s coach, Joe Schmidt, expects his players to muscle up and force a series decider.

Stay tuned for more news………….