News 09:00

BULLETIN 29 June 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa reportedly ordered the ANC to withdraw its opposition to his review application
# More than one-thousand-300 deaths are linked to the European heatwave
# And cricket: Ben Stokes to retire from international cricket

# President Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly personally instructed the ANC to abandon its intervention in his review application challenging the Section 89 Independent panel report into the Phala Phala scandal. The party formally withdrew its bid to participate in the case last week. This comes after National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza decided not to oppose Ramaphosa’s review application. According to the Sunday Times, the president’s intervention followed an explosive national working committee meeting, in which some of his closest allies openly questioned whether the ANC should continue to defend him.

# The civic group Soil of Africa says the current illegal immigration crisis is the direct consequence of years of failed leadership, poor economic planning, weak border management and rampant corruption. This as anti-illegal migration groups are demanding that all undocumented foreigners leave the country by tomorrow, with planned protests across the country. Soil of Africa president, Bongani Ramontja, says they reject any form of vigilantism or violence against individuals based on their nationality or ethnicity:

Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal police arrested two teenagers in connection with the murder of an Ethiopian shopkeeper. The 23‑year‑old was found stabbed to death inside his container tuck shop in Matiwaneskop last week. This is amid heightened tensions over immigration in the country. Police spokesperson, Robert Netshiunda, says the motive of the killing is suspected to be robbery:

# The World Health Organisation has warned that Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average. This as more than one-thousand-300 excess deaths have been recorded in connection with Europe’s record-breaking heatwave since June 21st. The heat is particularly intense in France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. WHO director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says they are working with their Member States and partners to address the health threats posed by extreme heat through focusing on preparedness, prevention, and stronger health system responses.

# Cricket: England captain Ben Stokes has announced he will retire from international cricket at the conclusion of the current third and final Test match against New Zealand. This brings an end to his 15-year international career and a four-year tenure as Test captain. The 35-year-old all-rounder has made 122 Test appearances for England, played 114 one-day internationals and 43 T20s, including a starring role in the T20 2022 World Cup final. Stokes says this decision is the best thing for him right now:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-47-cents and the euro at 18-rand-74-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-73-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 59-thousand-841-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-64-dollars-48-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-19-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….