News 13:00

BULLETIN 17 July 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Mmusi Maimane urges president Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint a Police minister from within the force
# At least 180 people are killed in monsoon rains in Pakistan
# And rugby: Curry and Tuipulotu are in the Lions’ squad for the first Test as Farrell misses out

# Build One South Africa’s leader, Mmusi Maimane, has called on president Cyril Ramaphosa to take decisive action and appoint an ethical Police minister from within the force. During the Presidency’s budget vote, Maimane questioned the ethics of current Police minister Senzo Mchunu’s conduct and warned against placing him as a ghost worker. He urged Ramaphosa to follow constitutional provisions and select a leader police members can trust:

RISE Mzansi meanwhile says South Africans want to see a sense of urgency from the executive in dealing with corruption and lawlessness. Mchunu has become the latest government official accused of corruption. RISE Mzansi’s leader, Songezo Zibi, told Parliament an increasing number of people speak of their preference for a military dictatorship, because they believe it will not be constrained by due process, and will deliver the urgency citizens now so deeply crave:

# The City of Tshwane’s council has approved a reviewed by-law which seeks to regulate the keeping of bees in urban areas. Bees are important to food security, as they pollinate most of the edible plants, fruits, and vegetables in gardens, as well as ornamental plants. Mayoral committee member for Environment and Agriculture Management, Obakeng Ramabodu, says the by-law is necessary to strike a balance between the keeping of bees in urban areas and the health and safety of residents.

Moving abroad:

# Heavy rains in Pakistan have been linked to 54 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the toll to about 180 since the arrival of the monsoon in late June. Torrential rain has poured almost without pause across parts of Punjab province since yesterday morning, causing urban flooding. Residents living near a river that runs through the city of Rawalpindi, next to the capital of Islamabad, have been ordered to evacuate after a sharp rise in the water level.

# Rugby: England’s flanker, Tom Curry, and Scottish centre Sione Tuipulotu are in the British and Irish Lions’ squad for the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday. Tuipulotu has earned the nod ahead of Bundee Aki, while Curry has beaten out the likes of Jac Morgan, Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock. Marcus Smith is on the bench ahead of Fin Smith and Owen Farrell. Coach Andy Farrell says they have the right balance for the match:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-87-cents and the euro at 20-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-94-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-993-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-331-dollars-82-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-90-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….