News 18:00

BULLETIN 25 June 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The MK party views itself as the official opposition and plans a collaboration with the EFF and the ATM
# Numsa welcomes the signing of an above inflation wage agreement with Almar Investments
# And Cricket: Afghanistan hails Brian Lara’s inspiration in the T20 World Cup heroics

# The MK Party says it positions itself as the official opposition, planning a collaboration with the EFF and ATM. Newly sworn-in member of parliament John Hlophe notes teething problems within the government of national unity, attributing them to different party values. Hlophe says they haven’t yet decided on supporting an impeachment motion on president Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala scandal:

# The National Union of Metalworkers has welcomed the signing of the wage agreement with Almar Investments based in Wonderkop, North West. Numsa’s spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says the union has signed a three year wage agreement which is above inflation and is a minimum of 7-percent increase for each year of the agreement. Hlubi-Majola says they always seek to improve the lives of workers and their families and this wage agreement reflects that:

# The Northern Cape Premier, Zamani Saul, has emphasised the provincial government’s readiness to accelerate progress in tackling unemployment, boosting the economy, enhancing education, improving infrastructure, and addressing energy sector challenges. In his inauguration address, Saul also highlighted plans with various organisations to enhance skills development across the province:

# Kenyan police has fired tear gas at crowds of young protesters in the capital Nairobi as demonstrators rallied across the country against the government’s proposed tax hikes. The mainly Gen-Z-led rallies, which began last week, have taken President William Ruto’s government by surprise, with the Kenyan leader saying that he was ready to speak to the protesters. There was a heavy police presence in Nairobi’s business district with officers blocking access to parliament, where lawmakers are debating the controversial finance bill containing the tax proposals.

# Cricket: Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan hailed the inspiration of cricket legend Brian Lara for helping them secure a place in the T20 World Cup. Afghanistan reached the last four for the first time. The team achieved this courtesy of a knife-edge, eight-run victory over Bangladesh, a win that also saw mighty Australia eliminated. Khan said they have proven Lara right – the only one who said Afghanistan will be in the semi’s. Afghanistan will face undefeated South Africa in the first semifinal in Trinidad tomorrow.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-16-cents and the euro at 19-rand-43-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-3-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-282-dollars-67-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-323-dollars-25-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-87-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….