News 07:00

BULLETIN 10 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa is heading to France for an official state visit
# Public Interest SA has laid a criminal complaint against the acting national police commissioner
# And, the UN chief says renewed US-Iran attacks will have catastrophic consequences

# President Cyril Ramaphosa is undertaking an official visit to France from today until Sunday, where he is scheduled to hold several bilateral engagements, including with president Emmanuel Macron. During his visit, he will participate in high-level education discussions at UNESCO, engage French business leaders, and attend the 110th Commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood. The Presidency says relations between South Africa and France remain comprehensive and productive, underpinned by strong cooperation at the multilateral level across a multitude of sectors.

# The Public Interest SA has lodged a criminal complaint with the Hawks against acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane, alleging possible contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act. This is in relation to the controversial 228-million-rand SAPS Medicare24 Tshwane contract. Public Interest SA chairperson, Tebogo Khaas, says that as SAPS Chief Financial Officer at the time of the contract, Dimpane failed to fulfil statutory duties relating to financial oversight, despite concerns about the procurement process and an ongoing internal audit:

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse says the City of Johannesburg must first prove it can manage its finances responsibly before the National Treasury releases withheld grant funding. The organisation has welcomed Treasury’s decision to withhold the money, citing the need for the city to demonstrate lasting financial reforms, accountability and proper governance. OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage argues residents need improved service delivery and real results, not more promises or recovery plans:

# Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Ivan Meyer encourages South Africans to use Savings Month to build better financial habits. Meyer says regular saving, budgeting and improving financial literacy can help households cope with rising living costs, debt and unexpected expenses. He has urged consumers to start small, avoid unnecessary debt and build emergency savings to improve their long-term financial security.

# The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, warns that the resumption of strikes and counterstrikes between the US and Iran risks derailing diplomatic progress made since a ceasefire framework was agreed in April. This week, the US military hit over 150 targets in Iran, killing 14 people, while Tehran attacked US military bases in the Middle East. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric says a return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences for the peoples of the region and for international peace and security:

# Tennis: Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova will face compatriot Linda Noskova in the Wimbledon women’s singles final on Saturday, a match that will guarantee a first-time Grand Slam champion. Muchova battled past American Coco Gauff, 6-2, 1-6, 7-6, while Noskova defeated Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, 6-4, 6-4. At 20, Noskova becomes the youngest women’s finalist since 2014. This will be the first time two women representing the same nation have contested a Grand Slam final since the 2017 US Open, when Americans Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys faced each other.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-30-cents and the euro at 18-rand-53-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-383-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-113-dollars-33-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-20-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….