News 09:00

BULLETIN 26 July 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Lindiwe Zulu criticises the proposed US Sanction Bill
# Netanyahu and Trump have apparently abandoned negotiations with Hamas
# And soccer: Ghana denies Banyana Banyana the bronze at WAFCON

# ANC’s Lindiwe Zulu has described the proposed US sanctions bill targeting ANC leaders as unfortunate. This comes after the US House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act by 34 votes to 16. Speaking to the SABC News amid the Liberation Movement Summit in Johannesburg, Zulu urged for dialogue and highlighted the ANC’s US support base, stressing the importance of safeguarding bilateral ties for mutual benefit:

# Economic analysts say the 6.3-billion-rand settlement in the Steinhoff scandal marks a key step toward closure. The Reserve Bank has wrapped up its seven-year probe, calling the deal with successor Ibex Group reasonable and justifiable. The funds go to the state, with asset restrictions lifted to allow Ibex’s wind-down. While not fully addressing investor losses, experts say the move helps resolve one of South Africa’s biggest financial scandals.

# The DA has commended the Western Cape government for reaching its first target in the provincial energy resilience programme ahead of schedule. The programme has reduced the province’s reliance on Eskom by up to 750 megawatts, helping to shield businesses and residents from the impact of load-shedding. The DA’s Benedicta van Minnen says while energy generation isn’t a provincial responsibility, building resilience is crucial for economic growth and job security:

# Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump appeared on Friday to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. Both said it had become clear that the Palestinian militants did not want a deal. Reuters reports Netanyahu said Israel was now mulling “alternative” options to achieve its goals of bringing its hostages home from Gaza and ending Hamas rule in the enclave. Trump said he thought Hamas leaders would now be “hunted down” and that Israel wanted to finish the job. This comes as starvation is spreading, and most of the population is homeless.

# And sports news:

# Soccer: Ghana defeated South Africa 4-3 on penalties to claim the bronze medal at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after regulation time ended 1-all at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, yesterday. Nonhlanhla Mthandi scored for South Africa in the 45th minute, which was answered by the Ghanians in the 68th minute to level the score. With no extra time, the winner was decided with a penalty shootout. This was South Africa’s fourth encounter with the Black Queens in the tournament.

# And swimming: Fourteen swimmers will represent South Africa at the World Aquatics Championships, starting in Singapore tomorrow. The only South African to win a medal at last year’s World Swimming Championships, Pieter Coetzé, will lead the country’s challenge after just clinching three medals at the World University Games. Erin Gallagher, also from the University of Pretoria, will compete in the 50- and 100-meter butterfly as well as the 100-meter freestyle. Kaylene Corbett and Rebecca Meder will represent South Africa in die 200-meter breaststroke.

Stay tuned for more news………….