News 11:00

BULLETIN 31 July 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# ActionSA says government’s silence on the looming US tariff deadline is deafening
# UNICEF says Gaza is a perfect storm of suffering for children
# And rugby: Wallabies star Rob Valetini is ruled out of the final Test against the Lions

# ActionSA says the government of national unity has been woefully inadequate in its efforts to address the deteriorating relationship with the USA. South Africa and America have still not reached a trade deal, as president Donald Trump’s 30-percent tariff on the country’s goods is due to take effect tomorrow. ActionSA’s president, Herman Mashaba, says the fallout from the imposition of these trade tariffs is projected to reduce economic growth by a further 0.3-percent and, consequently, increase the cost of living:

# South African Social Security Agency CEO Themba Matlou has called on executives and senior managers across all nine provinces to assist beneficiaries during the August payment review cycle. The initiative aims to reduce long queues and ensure seamless grant reviews. Matlou emphasised that no beneficiary should be turned away. SASSA spokesperson Andile Tshona urged affected beneficiaries to visit their offices with valid documents to update personal information:

# The DA will address the media today ahead of the Johannesburg council sitting, raising concerns over the city’s ongoing failings. With the G20 summit just three months away, the DA questions the effectiveness of parallel structures like the Presidential Working Group and mayor Dada Morero’s bomb squad. They party also accuses the mayor of being missing in action amongst other issues. The briefing will be led by DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga and Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku.

Moving abroad:

# The United Nations’ Children’s Fund, UNICEF, says humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain catastrophic, with children starving, aid workers overwhelmed, and fuel and water supplies critically low. More than 500-thousand people, nearly a quarter of the population, are enduring famine-like conditions, while the rest is facing emergency hunger levels. More than a thousand Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military since late May while trying to access food aid. UNICEF’s Ricardo Pires says Gaza is a perfect storm of suffering for children:

# Rugby: Australia’s star loose-forward Rob Valetini has been ruled out of Saturday’s third and final Test against the British and Irish Lions due to a recurrence of a calf injury. He has been replaced by Tom Hooper. Taniela Tupou will make his long-awaited return for the Wallabies in place of the injured Allan Alaalatoa in the front row. Scrumhalf Nic White also comes into the side, replacing Jake Gordon, while Dylan Pietsch starts on the left wing in place of the injured Harry Potter.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-96-cents and the euro at 20-rand-57-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-621-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-300-dollars-64-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-27-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….