News 08:00

BULLETIN 23 July 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The MK Party wants Ramaphosa to personally give evidence before the Impeachment Committee
# Frank Chikane is viewed as the most appropriate ANC candidate to rival Helen Zille in Joburg
# And, the US signs a landmark nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia

# The MK Party says president Cyril Ramaphosa must give evidence personally before the Impeachment Committee and cannot do so through legal representation. This comes as the committee has resolved to request its legal advisers to guide the legal position regarding Ramaphosa’s appearance or testimony before it, and the implications should the president elect not testify. The MK Party’s John Hlophe says Ramaphosa should be setting the stage for his impeachment inquiry by giving testimony first:

# Eskom CEO Dan Marokane says the orderly shutdown, repowering, and repurposing of older coal-fired power stations must be informed by evidence, system adequacy, new generation delivery and the readiness of the grid. The power utility has secured minimum emission standards exemptions for eight of its coal-fired power stations, effectively permitting continued operation beyond the thresholds that environmental regulations would otherwise impose. Six stations have received five-year exemptions, while Duvha and Matla hold nine-year exemptions aligned to their 2034 decommissioning dates. Marokane says Eskom’s task is not to abandon coal irresponsibly.

# With the ANC set to finalise its mayoral picks soon, Reverend Frank Chikane has emerged as the front-runner for Johannesburg’s mayoral candidacy. This follows reports that current mayor Dada Morero failed to secure sufficient support during the party’s nomination process. Chikane, who also chairs the ANC’s integrity commission, is reportedly viewed internally as a stabilising figure and the most appropriate candidate to rival the DA’s Helen Zille. Aaron Maluleke and Ntombi Mekgwe have emerged as frontrunners for Tshwane and Ekurhuleni respectively.

# US president Donald Trump has approved a landmark nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, which would allow the Gulf Kingdom to develop a civilian nuclear energy programme with support from American companies. Saudi Arabia, a longtime American ally, hosts several US bases, which Iranian attacks have targeted. The agreements will now be transmitted to Congress for a mandatory review period. The US Energy Secretary Chris Wright says the deal is expected to expand American nuclear technology exports and strengthen America’s energy and national security posture:

# Soccer: The Confederation of African Football has significantly increased the prize money for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Morocco on Sunday. Under the new structure, the champions will now pocket almost 33-million-rand, the runners-up will receive 12.4-million-rand, with third place going home with 8.2-million-rand. Each of the 16 participating women’s national teams will receive 2.5-million-rand. CAF president Patrice Motsepe says the financial upgrade underscores their commitment to growth and long-term sustainability of women’s soccer across Africa:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-36-cents and the euro at 18-rand-69-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-90-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-607-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-130-dollars-94-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 91-dollars-90-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….