• US growth slows in Q2

• 2. Apple and Amazon end Big Tech earnings season on a strong note
• 3. Market update

The Global Briefing: Tensions are rising on NATO's eastern flank after Poland launched an investigation into a reported airspace violation during another wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine.

A UN fact-finding mission is urging Venezuela to reverse its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, warning the move could weaken accountability for alleged human rights abuses

Australia is taking messaging platform Telegram to court in a case that could test how far governments can go in holding tech companies accountable for online safety and regulatory compliance.

Guest: Dr Joan Swart - Researcher in Military Science at the University of Stellenbosch 

Built in Mzansi: why science engagement is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ but a national imperative, and about the National System of Innovation to improve public participation in science. 

Guest: Dr Saahier Parker - Senior Research Specialist in the Centre for Science in Society of the Equitable Education and Economies (EEE) unit  at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)

Municipal Watch: The South African Municipal Workers’ Union, SAMWU, says that National Treasury’s recent withdrawal of withholding equitable shares from poor-performing municipalities came after extensive damage was already done, leaving many municipalities unable to pay workers’ salaries in July. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s announcement that R7.1 billion withheld from 49 municipalities early this month will be to them tomorrow 

Dumisane Magagula - SAMWU General Secretary

Reality Check with Dr Stavros Nicolau: Access to precision Meds & dealing with illicit trade in meds & Compounded meds

Guest: Dr Stavros Nicolau - Group Senior Executive, Aspen Pharma Group

The legal battle involving Chidimma Adetshina continues to raise important questions about South Africa's immigration system, citizenship laws and public confidence in government institutions. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber insists the department acted within the law, saying its investigation uncovered alleged identity fraud involving Adetshina's mother and that the courts will ultimately decide the matter. Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs is considering concerns over a perceived conflict of interest involving Immigration Advisory Board member and immigration attorney Stefanie de Saude-Darbandi, who is also representing Adetshina in her legal challenge against the department.

Guest: Craig Smith - immigration lawyer and immigration law expert.  

A decade after the implementation of the amended Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, a new report paints a mixed picture of South Africa's transformation journey. While Black ownership, skills development and enterprise supplier development have shown measurable improvement, progress in management control and representation at board and executive level remains slow.

Guest: Lindiwe Ncube - Accreditation Manager from the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS).  

The Madlanga Commission has delivered another significant ruling, ordering North West businessman Suliman Carrim to appear in person before the commission on 14 August, unless an independent medical assessment confirms he is unfit to testify. Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga also raised concerns about whether suspended former National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola was correctly grouped with other accused in the R360 million Medicare24 tender case, questioning the legal basis for the charges brought against him under the Public Finance Management Act.

Guest: Sibahle Motha - SABC reporter

The Project Management Institute, in partnership with The Presidency, Republic of South Africa, the South African Revenue Service, and the UNISA Graduate School of Business Leadership, is launching the Public Sector Project Management Community of Practice. This, they say, is a new initiative designed to strengthen project delivery capability across South Africa's public sector.

Guest: Dr Sanele Nhlabatsi – Senior Lecturer: Project Management at Unisa Graduate School of Business School

Market Brief with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter

• Fed leaves rates unchanged
• Microsoft shines, Meta stumbles as AI spending divide emerges
• Market update