News 11:00

BULLETIN 26 June 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cosatu is disappointed by the decline in employment during the first quarter
# Kenya protesters are shot dead and fires started in parliament after a controversial tax bill passes
# And tennis: Wimbledon men’s singles will most likely belong to the young ones

# The Congress of South African Trade Unions has expressed disappointment over a 0.6-percent decline in formal employment in the first quarter of 2024. Statistics SA reports a decrease of 67-thousand jobs in the non-agricultural sector. The federation’s Matthew Parks, says with unemployment at 41.9-percent and youth unemployment at 59.7-percent, the government of national unity should abandon austerity, stimulate the economy, and expand the Presidential Employment Programme:

# ActionSA says the critical work of the seventh administration is being delayed by the intense struggle for positions. According to the party, backroom negotiations for ministerial posts have sidelined issues like cabinet size and executive accountability, with leaked details revealing non-transparent discussions. ActionSA’s Athol Trollip critisised president Cyril Ramaphosa’s reversal on reducing the cabinet’s size and the DA and ANC’s attempt to influence directors-general appointments:

# On International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Department of Social Development expressed concern over alcohol being the first drug of choice among youth. The National Anti-Drug Awareness Week highlights the importance of responsible alcohol trading and community involvement. The department is offering engagements throughout the week and seeks to spearhead more initiatives and partnerships with local organisations. Spokesperson Lumka Oliphant says the focus is on prevention, education, and finalising policies:

# Protesters in Kenya have been shot dead and fires started inside parliament after politicians voted in favour of a controversial tax bill. The Kenya Medical Association said at least 13 people had been killed and dozens more injured. It happened as police opened fire when protesters in Nairobi overwhelmed them and entered the parliament compound. Video footage from inside parliament shows tables and chairs overturned and smashed, while footage outside shows fires, tear gas, and a water cannon.

# Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz will start defending his 2023 Wimbledon title on Monday. His main rival is likely to be world number one Jannik Sinner. Victory for the 21-year-old Spanish crowd-pleaser will give him back-to-back Grand Slam crowns after his French Open triumph. Djokovic, the seven-time champion, is an injury doubt, as is 2013 and 2016 winner Andy Murray. And with Roger Federer retired and Rafael Nadal sitting out for the Olympics the men’s final is likely to be the first in 22 years not to feature at least one of the Big Four.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-33-cents and the euro at 19-rand-61-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-24-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-620-dollars-78-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-316-dollars-32-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-69-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….