News 11:00

BULLETIN 19 July 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The FF Plus says decades of empty promises are over under the government of national unity
# Cycling: Pogacar maintains his Tour de France lead
# And, tributes are pouring in following the death of legendary comedian Bob Newhart

# The Freedom Front Plus says president Cyril Ramaphosa’s opening of Parliament address was inclusive and embraced the input of the partners in the government of national unity. The president promised a single-minded focus on growth, job creation, and a compromise on the National Health Insurance. FF Plus’s parliamentary leader, Corné Mulder, says for the first time in decades, South Africans can have hope and expect that the promises Ramaphosa made are not just empty words:

Meanwhile Build One South Africa says the jury is out as to whether the government of national unity will be able to deliver on the ideas and direction Ramaphosa has set out. BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane says he is disappointed that Ramaphosa did not push forward a reform agenda:

# The DA in Tshwane will today respond to the ANC’s intention to table a motion of no confidence in mayor Cilliers Brink. The ANC says the motion is because of the deterioration of the state of the metro under the DA mayor. The DA believes the motion is motivated by the private business interests of ANC leaders. It adds this is because Brink has been clamping down on the deep-rooted networks of corruption that have undermined service delivery for far too long.

# Cycling: Belgium’s Victor Campenaerts emerged from a breakaway trio to clinch victory in stage 18 of the Tour de France. This is the 32-year-old Lotto–Dstny rider’s first-ever Tour stage win. Tadej Pogacar maintained his overall race lead of three minutes and eleven seconds. The 25-year-old Slovenian, who is three days away from winning the gruelling race for a third time, says he is remaining confident:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-30-cents and the euro at 19-rand-93-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-69-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-217-dollars-12-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-420-dollars-76-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-64-cents a barrel.

# And finally, American stand-up comedy legend Bob Newhart died at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 94 after a series of short illnesses. He is best known for the television shows, The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart. To the younger audiences, Newhart is known for his guest appearances on The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon. Comedy great Carol Burnett has described him as kind and funny. Comedy film director Judd Apatow says Newhart’s brilliant comedy and gentle spirit made everyone he encountered so happy.

Stay tuned for more news………….