News 13:00

BULLETIN 19 June 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Government says the increasing trend of extortion will not be tolerated
# The Israeli Defence Force is ordered to intensify strikes on strategic targets in Iran
# And rugby: Rassie Erasmus is happy with the Boks’ preparations for next weekend’s game against the Barbarians

# Government says the increasing trend of extortion, where criminals demand payment from business owners or charity organisations under threat of violence, will not be tolerated. Yesterday, Police minister, Senzo Mchunu, condemned the threats and intimidation directed at Gift of the Givers while they were delivering lifesaving assistance to flood-affected communities in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. Government spokesperson Nonkululeko Mtshali says extortion is illegal, and undermines economic activity and threatens the safety and livelihoods of hardworking South Africans:

# Statistics South Africa says retail trade sales rose by five-percent in April compared to the same month last year. The biggest growth came from general dealers, up 5.3-percent, and retailers of textiles, clothing, footwear, and leather goods, which jumped 12.5-percent. Stats SA’s Raquel Floris says sales dipped 0.5-percent compared to the previous three months, mainly due to declines in general dealers and food, beverage, and tobacco stores:

# The Israeli Defence Force has been ordered to intensify strikes against strategic targets in Iran. This comes after Iran launched its latest wave of around 30 ballistic missiles at Israel today. A hospital in Beersheba was hit directly, leaving more than 60 people injured. Israel’s Defence minister, Israel Katz, says the deliberate attacks on hospitals and residential buildings are the gravest form of war crimes. He says the IDF’s intensified strikes are to destabilise the Ayatollah regime.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says they are well on track with preparations for their clash against the Barbarians in Cape Town next Saturday. The Boks are close to being a full contingent of players following the arrival of the Bulls players, Leinster lock RG Snyman, and Leicester Tigers flyhalf Handré Pollard, after their involvement in the United Rugby Championship and Premiership finals last weekend. Erasmus says some of the players are also making a strong return from injury:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-4-cents and the euro at 20-rand-88-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-21-cents and Bitcoin trades at 104-thousand-973-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-371-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-89-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Africa’s greatest horse racing and fashion event, the Durban July, will feature a star-studded lineup of South Africa’s most celebrated music talent. Multi-award-winning Afro-pop duo Mafikizolo, the band Sunset Sweatshop, songstress Lira, and DJ Dalootz are some of the artists who will grace the Greyville Racecourse on July 5th. Spokesperson, Zandile Dlamini, says this year’s Durban July is more than just a race; it’s a full cultural experience, where the public will truly feel the pulse and the essence of this lifestyle event.

Stay tuned for more news………….