News 11:00

BULLETIN 14 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Manamela says NSFAS’ missing-middle loan scheme needs to be revamped
# Four people are dead and over 400-thousand are urged to evacuate due to unprecedented torrential rain in Japan
# And rugby: The All Blacks’ coach says player performances against the Bulls could settle the selection for the Boks Test

# Minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela, says the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s missing-middle loan scheme requires urgent improvement, including simplifying the eligibility and application process. Over 53-thousand students applied for loans this year, but only three-thousand-102 have been assessed as eligible. Manamela says the increase in applications is encouraging, but the conversion of eligible applicants into concluded and disbursed loans remains too low and too slow:

# The ANC’s parliamentary caucus says the Constitutional Court’s ruling on president Cyril Ramaphosa’s interdict strengthens the principle that no parliamentary majority, opposition party or political campaign stands above the law. The court dismissed political parties and the impeachment committee’s bid to appeal an interim interdict prohibiting public hearings in the Phala Phala matter. Spokesperson Cameron Dugmore says the judicial review process must run its course without political interference or manufactured urgency:

# The City of Cape Town says the proposed sale of municipal land in Mitchells Plain to Christel House South Africa for the expansion of its school is being handled through a transparent public process. Mayoral committee member for Economic Growth, James Vos, says the proposal is open for public comment, with residents able to submit alternative ideas for the land. He adds the proposed expansion could improve access to quality education, create jobs and benefit vulnerable communities.

Moving abroad

# At least four people have died after record-breaking torrential rain triggered massive floods in Japan’s Chiba region. Five people have been injured and one is missing, while more than 400-thousand people have been urged to evacuate. More than 45-thousand homes have lost power, as the Japanese Meteorological Agency has issued the highest level five warning for heavy rains and landslides. Chiba governor Kumagai Toshihito says they will continue to prioritise saving lives, minimising damage, and exploring measures to facilitate a swift recovery.

# Rugby: All Blacks coach Dave Rennie says players could still force their way into the squad for the first Test against the Springboks with their performance against the Bulls. He has named a strong squad for tomorrow’s match at Loftus Versfeld, but insists it’s quite different to the team for next Saturday’s Test at Ellis Park. Rennie still faces selection dilemmas in positions such as scrumhalf, lock, loose forward and wing:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-19-cents and the euro at 18-rand-68-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-86-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-897-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-333-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-51-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….