News 07:00

BULLETIN 5 June 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says there is untapped potential in both the South African and Kenyan economies
# The DA demands urgent answers over the deepening DNA backlog
# And, the EU approves an additional 1.88-billion-rand for the Lebanese army

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says there is a compelling case for intra-Africa trade and investment, emphasising that both South Africa and Kenya are seeking substantial growth in the volume and value of trade between the two countries. Since 2022, total trade between South Africa and Kenya has grown by an average of 3.5-percent a year. Addressing the South Africa-Kenya Business Forum in Midrand, Johannesburg, yesterday evening, Ramaphosa urged the business sector to keep pressing for market access and to deepen investment:

# The DA is calling for a national audit of the DNA backlog, alongside a full turnaround plan to fix serious staffing shortages, equipment failures and laboratory constraints in the forensic system. This follows new findings that reveal major delays in forensic testing. The party’s Ian Cameron says about 175-thousand DNA cases have exceeded prescribed timelines, affected rape and violent crime investigations and delayed prosecutions:

# South Africa’s manufacturing sector stayed in growth territory in May but showed signs of slowing. The Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 51 points from 53 points in April, as production and new orders weakened after a temporary boost in demand faded. Inventories increased to their highest level in more than two years, while cost pressures remained high despite a small drop in prices. Employment improved slightly but is still weak. However, businesses are more optimistic about conditions later in the year.

# The ANC in Ekurhuleni has criticised the EFF for joining forces with the DA and the Freedom Front Plus to oppose the 71-billion-rand 2026/2027 budget. During an extraordinary council meeting yesterday, the budget failed to secure the required support, with 96 councillors voting in favour and 105 against. The ANC says that the parties that have opposed the budget have effectively turned their backs on the voices of residents who participated in the consultation process and expressed their urgent need for improved service delivery.

# The European Union has approved an additional 1.88-billion-rand package to reinforce the Lebanese Armed Forces. This marks the fourth bilateral military aid package the bloc has committed to Lebanon in recent years. The funding will be used to scale up the Lebanese military’s operational capabilities significantly. EU Foreign Affairs chief Kaja Kallas says the best way to reduce the threat posed by Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah is to strengthen the Lebanese state, empower its institutions, and restore its monopoly on the use of force.

# Tennis: World number 114 Maja Chwalinska’s fairytale run at the French Open continues, as she is through to her first Grand Slam final. The 24-year-old from Poland stunned 25th-seeded Russian Diana Shnaider, 7-6, 6-4, becoming the second qualifier in the Open Era to reach a major final, and the first one at Roland-Garros. She will face Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva, who is also through to her first Grand Slam final, after defeating Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, 6-1, 6-3. The 19-year-old is the third-youngest woman to reach the final in this century.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-32-cents and the euro at 18-rand-95-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-208-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-446-dollars-31-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 94-dollars-54-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….