News 18:00
BULLETIN 18 June 6 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Small parties call for their fair share of party political funding
# A series of strong blasts are heard in the Iranian capital as the Israeli Air Force strikes military targets
# And rugby: Owen Farrell does not regret his short, disappointing stay at Racing 92
# Tempers flared on the opening day of the Electoral Commission’s Political Party Funding Symposium in Durban, as smaller parties called for urgent reforms in the way political funding is allocated. The two-day event has brought together representatives from political organisations to reassess the implications and effectiveness of the Political Party Funding Act. The National Press Club reports small parties raised concerns that the current funding model overwhelmingly favours larger, more established parties, leaving smaller formations with inadequate resources to participate meaningfully in democratic processes.
# Police minister Senzo Mchunu has strongly condemned threats against humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. The group was allegedly intimidated by members of a so-called water mafia linked to municipal service providers while delivering clean water to flood victims. The recent floods have claimed 90 lives and displaced hundreds. Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi says police have also been deployed to prevent looting at the homes of victims:
# The Western Cape Education Department says double-parked spots by parents with multiple offers for Grades R, 1, or 8 placements in 2026 have now been auto-confirmed to top-ranked schools. Spokesperson Kerry Mauchline says parents and guardians had until yesterday to confirm the schools of choice, freeing up thousands of places, and urged parents to stay in touch with schools in case additional places are opened:
# A series of strong blasts was heard in parts of the Iranian capital of Tehran on the sixth day of the conflict with arch-nemesis Israel. At least five columns of smoke could be seen in the east and southeast of the city. The Israeli Air Force also confirmed that it is currently striking military targets belonging to the Iranian regime in the capital. In Israel, relatives of staff working at the UK embassy in Tel Aviv and consulate in Jerusalem were temporarily withdrawn as a precautionary measure.
# Rugby: Owen Farrell says that he does not regret his move to France even though he ended up spending just one disappointing season with Racing 92 before returning to Saracens. Poor form and a series of injuries restricted him to just 17 appearances in all competitions. The former England captain ended his 16-year stay with Saracens at the end of the 2023/24 season, having made more than 250 appearances. He now rejoins Saracens on a two-year deal, returning to the club where he won three European Cups and six Premiership crowns.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-98-cents and the euro at 20-rand-17-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 105-thousand-180-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-377-dollars-34-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-99-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….