News 08:00

BULLETIN 24 June 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Panyaza Lesufi postpones the announcement of his provincial cabinet
# A Gallup report indicates South African employees rank among the happiest in the world
# And cricket: England obliterated the USA to reach the T20 World Cup semi-finals

# Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi postponed the announcement of the provincial Cabinet on Sunday, signalling further disarray in assembling the government of national unity. Premier spokesperson, Sizwe Pamla, says the appointment of the incoming MECs takes into consideration the competency, and skills as well as ensuring representativity across genders as mandated by the people of Gauteng:

# The General Industries Workers Union says they were able to find common ground and successfully secure a wage increase for members and workers in the fast-moving consumer goods sector. Giwusa’s spokesperson, Koketso Phasha says this increase will be based on the average Consumer Price Index plus one-percent, with a floor of 5.5-percent and a ceiling of 7-percent:

# South African employees are among the happiest in the world, showing higher levels of engagement and enthusiasm compared to the global average. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report, 29-percent of South African employees are engaged at work, surpassing the global average by six-percent. This is attributed to strong labour rights and positive work experiences. High engagement boosts productivity, retention, and customer service, reflecting positively on business outcomes. Despite challenges like daily stress, 56-percent of employees show decreasing levels of dissatisfaction and actively seek new jobs.

# Thirteen people have been arrested following a forest fire on the Greek island of Hydra, which authorities allege was sparked by fireworks launched from a superyacht. The blaze burnt through 121.4 hectares of the only pine forest on the renowned tourist island. Greek media reported all those arrested were crew members of the superyacht, Persephone, which is available for summer charters from about 4.8-million-rand per week. The alleged cause of the fire has prompted outrage in Greece, which is already battling several wildfires and is in the grip of its first heatwave of the year.

# Cricket: England beat the USA with brutal efficiency to guarantee themselves a place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals. England were set a target of 116 after winning the toss and bowling first, dismissing their opponents for just 115. They did that in rapid time, winning by ten wickets. Captain Jos Buttler dominated with bat in hand, scoring an unbeaten 83 off 38 balls as England needed just nine overs and four balls to reach 117 without loss and secure victory. It was the first time England and the USA had met in any format of the game.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-1-cents and the euro at 19-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-77-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-846-dollars-51-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-325-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-28-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….