News 07:00

BULLETIN 17 June 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africans in Iran are urged to assess their safety
# Jacob Zuma believes the youth will liberate the country
# And Paul Mashatile visits Russia to boost economic ties

# The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is encouraging South Africans in Iran to contact the embassy in Tehran to ensure they are registered and their whereabouts are known. This comes as deadly hostilities between Israel and Iran continue to escalate. Dirco says South Africa’s support in Iran is limited, and it could be assumed that no face-to-face consular assistance will be possible in an emergency. The department says citizens are encouraged to assess their own safety and security and act accordingly.

# MK Party leader Jacob Zuma says he is confident that the youth is going to liberate South Africa. He launched the party’s Youth League in Clermont, KwaZulu-Natal, yesterday. This comes more than a year since the league’s formation. Qiniso Cibane will continue to hold the fort as president, while Nkateko Mkhabela will continue being the secretary general. Zuma says the voices of the youth are an integral part of the MK Party:

Meanwhile, EFF leader Julius Malema says the government has failed to create opportunities including jobs for young people. On Monday, he delivered the keynote address at the party’s Youth Day commemoration in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal. Malema urged the youth of today to draw inspiration from the Class of 1976 by fighting for free education and combating gender-based violence:

# The City of Johannesburg has launched Project Lokisa, a major debt collection drive targeting wealthy residential and commercial defaulters. Acting head of Revenue Services, Malope Ramagaga, says the initiative aims to recover billions owed for electricity, water, and rates. Project Lokisa also tackles illegal connections and aims to more consistently enforce credit management and bylaws. He told SABC News that outdated systems and inaccurate billing have worsened the financial crisis:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile will undertake a working visit to Russia from today to Saturday to strengthen trade ties. Mashatile will meet Russian leaders, including president Vladimir Putin, in Moscow, for high-level talks. Mashatile will attend the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum and speak at key events promoting South Africa’s G20 Presidency and trade potential. According to the Presidency, the visit highlights growing economic cooperation in sectors including energy, agriculture, mining, and technology.

# Rugby: Former England captain Owen Farrell is rejoining his boyhood club, Saracens, on a two-year contract. His return follows a one-year stint with French side Racing 92, where he made 17 appearances, scoring one try and kicking 41 points. Farrell’s return to Saracens means he is available for selection by England for their forthcoming tour to Argentina. Farrell says Saracens is his home, and the opportunity to come back excites him enormously.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-83-cents and the euro at 20-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-19-cents and Bitcoin trades at 107-thousand-50-dollar-60-cents. Gold sells at three-thousand-400-dollars-14-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-50-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….