News 15:00

BULLETIN NEWS AGENCY 26 July 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Police detain 95 Libyans suspected of military training in Mpumalanga
# Parliament’s oversight committee commits to a hands-on approach in the reconstruction after the devastating fire
# And, the Olympic Games: France wants to take revenge for the World Cup loss to the Boks in tomorrow’s sevens semifinal

# Police in Mpumalanga have taken 95 Libyan nationals into custody for questioning after discovering them at a suspected military camp in White River. They allegedly misrepresented themselves on their visa applications, claiming they were coming to South Africa for security guard training. Police are also investigating possible links to other criminal activities. Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Jackie Macie, confirmed the Libyans have been in the country since April and are currently being processed by authorities: 

# Parliament’s oversight Committee of Public Works and Infrastructure has pledged a hands-on approach to the reconstruction after the devastating fire of January 2022. Speaking after touring the gutted National Assembly, chairperson Carol Phiri said the reconstruction, which began this year, is on track and must be completed by May 2026. She emphasises the project should adhere to the stipulated time frame:

# Former US president Barack Obama says he would endorse Kamala Harris’s bid for the White House. He wrote on social media platform X that earlier this week he and his wife, Michelle, called their friend Harris. They told her they think she’ll make a fantastic president of the United States, and that she has their full support. The Democratic Party is expected to name Harris as its candidate for the November election next week.

# Olympic Games: Tomorrow’s rugby sevens semifinal between South Africa and hosts France is touted as a revenge match after the Springboks beat the French in the quarterfinal of last year’s World Cup. France’s 15-man captain, Antoine Dupont, who criticised the referee after the devastating loss to the eventual champions, switched to sevens afterwards and will take on the Blitzboks at the same venue, the Stade de France. South Africa can expect a very hostile reception at 3.30 tomorrow afternoon.

Meanwhile, the University of Pretoria says it is proud to support its athletes and coaches who will represent Team South Africa in Paris. The institution has more than 20 members in the team. They include swimmers Erin Gallagher and Kaylene Corbett, hockey players Bradley Sherwood and Calvin Davis, and rower John Smith. Interim vice-Chancellor Themba Mosia says the university’s sports programme, under the TuksSport banner, is the leading development and elite sporting programme in South Africa, if not in Africa.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-26-cents and the euro at 19-rand-82-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-50-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-177-dollars-92-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-372-dollars-81-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-1-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….