News 11:00

BULLETIN 23 June 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The US ambassador to the UN warns Iran against retaliation
# President Ramaphosa says the country’s democratic order is anchored in a progressive constitution
# And, deputy president Mashatile’s sister-in-law has links to the lucrative National Lottery licence

# US ambassador to the United Nations, Dorothy Shea, has warned that any Iranian attack on American citizens or bases will be met with devastating retaliation. Tensions in the Middle East escalated over the weekend when the US bombed three key Iranian nuclear facilities. Shea told the UN Security Council that for 40 years, the Iranian government has posed a constant menace to the peace and security of its neighbours, America, and the entire world:

Meanwhile, the GOOD Party says the US and other global powers have a moral and legal obligation to uphold international law, not to apply it selectively based on strategic interests. GOOD’s secretary general, Brett Herron, says the party echoes president Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the growing conflict in the Middle East:

# Ramaphosa meanwhile says South Africa’s democratic order is in good health, anchored in a progressive constitution and a Constitutional Court that continues to safeguard the rights of all. This year marks 30 years since the apex court convened for the first time. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa says throughout its proud history, the court has carried out its work without fear or favour, not hesitating to hold even the most powerful in society to account. He adds the ConCourt is a product of constitutional solidarity. 

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile’s sister-in-law is linked to Sizekhaya Holdings, which has been awarded the licence to operate South Africa’s National lottery for the next eight years. According to the amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism, among Sizekhaya’s shareholders is Bellamont Gaming, a company co-owned and co-directed by Mashatile’s siter-in-law, Khumo Bogatsu. Sizekhaya Holdings has dismissed any suggestion that its successful bid was tainted by political connections. It adds that Bogatsu is not a political office holder and is fully entitled to pursue any legitimate commercial interest.

# Golf: American Keegan Bradley says he feels like he is playing the best golf of his career at the moment. The US Ryder Cup captain won the Travellers Championship by a shot at 15 under. England’s Tommy Fleetwood finished tied for second with American Russell Henley. Australia’s Jason Day and American Harris English shared fourth spot on 13 under. Bradley says a final decision has not been made on whether he will be a playing captain at Bethpage:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-8-cents and the euro at 20-rand-80-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-31-cents and Bitcoin trades at 102-thousand-1-dollar. Gold sells at three-thousand-354-dollars-29-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-29-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….