News 11:00

BULLETIN 19 June 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF is not surprised that the UK declined Malema’s visa
# The UN chief is concerned about the escalating war between Israel and Iran
# And tennis: Big names commit to the new-look US Open mixed doubles

# The EFF says it is not surprised by the confirmation from the UK that the visa application of leader Julius Malema has been denied due to political reasons. This follows a separate incident last month, when Malema was barred from travelling to the UK for a conference at Cambridge University. The UK’s Home Office says the visa denial is due to Malema’s extremism, which includes his support for Hamas. The EFF says the UK has revealed itself as an intolerant bully that seeks to impose its beliefs on the world.

# The DA is calling on Labour and Employment minister, Nomakhosazana Meth, to immediately scrap the proposed quotas that would severely restrict the employment of skilled foreign nationals in South Africa. Provisions in the national labour migration policy white paper limit the hiring of foreigners in certain businesses and sectors. The DA’s Michael Bagraim says the country needs direct foreign investment, which requires attracting highly skilled expatriates into the economy:

# Rise Mzansi is demanding the urgent deployment of crime intelligence and visible policing units to the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal which were affected by recent floods. This comes after threats to disaster relief workers, including reports of extortion by a group known as the ‘water tank mafia’ in Mthatha. The party’s Makashule Gana also expressed sorrow over the growing number of lives lost to extreme weather events:

# United Nations secretary general, António Guterres, has expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. The crisis erupted last Friday when Israel began targeting nuclear and military sites across Iran, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes on Israeli cities. Over 500 people have been killed across both countries. Guterres’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, says the secretary general has emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire to prevent further regional instability:

# Tennis: The US Open is introducing a different format to the mixed doubles event this year, and a host of big names already committed to playing. It will take place over two days before the main tournament starts on the 24th of August, with the organisers hoping this will attract more high-profile singles players. Among the entries received so far are Spanish world number two Carlos Alcaraz, who plans to team up with Britain’s Emma Raducano, world number one, Jannik Sinner of Italy, and Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-10-cents and the euro at 20-rand-76-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-27-cents and Bitcoin trades at 104-thousand-840-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-357-dollars-57-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-20-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….