News 06:00

BULLETIN 12 June 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fikile Mbalula says the ANC needs to form a government that ensures national unity and stability
# Solidarity calls on political parties to reject National Health Insurance in their discussions
# And Hunter Biden is found guilty on all three counts in his federal gun case

# ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says they have been meeting with all political parties keen to contribute ideas on how collectively they can move the country forward to form a government. Parties are moving with haste to expedite the terms of the government of national unity ahead of the National Assembly sitting on Friday. Mbalula says they need to form a government that ensures national unity and stability, continues the transformation of South Africa, and safeguards constitutional democracy.

# Trade union Solidarity has urged political parties involved in talks for a government of national unity to oppose the National Health Insurance Act. The call comes amid president Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that he will oppose the union’s court application against the NHI. Solidarity’s Anton van der Bijl argues the NHI is unconstitutional, unaffordable, and would reduce access to quality healthcare. Van der Bijl vows to challenge the NHI to the highest court:

# Health minister Joe Phaahla is expected to brief the media today in Pretoria on the Mpox outbreak. This follows the National Institute for Communicable Diseases confirming two new Mpox cases in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, linked to a previously confirmed case, and indicating local spread. Department spokesperson Foster Mohale says the minister will be joined by health experts from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the World Health Organisation:

# ActionSA has appointed its Gauteng chairperson, Funzi Ngobeni, to serve as the caucus leader in the legislature. Ngobeni, who has extensive experience in local government and various municipal committees, will lead opposition efforts, guided by party president Herman Mashaba. ActionSA pledges to address critical issues like healthcare, education, and corruption. The party vows to be a constructive opposition, supporting beneficial proposals and rejecting detrimental ones, particularly in a political landscape where opposition parties are moving towards co-governance with the ANC.

# A federal jury has found Hunter Biden guilty on all three counts in his federal gun crimes case in Delaware. The 12-person jury found US president Joe Biden’s son lied about his drug use on a form when purchasing a handgun in 2018. With this conviction, Biden could face up to 25 years in prison, though such a sentence would be highly unusual given that he is a first-time offender. The verdict marks the first time the child of a sitting president has been convicted of a crime.

# Rugby: The Springboks are busy with a training camp in Pretoria ahead of their first Test of the season against Wales at Twickenham in London next Saturday. The match falls outside the international window, so clubs are not obligated to release their international stars. Players based in Europe, England, and Ireland are therefore not available. Bok coach Rassie Erasmus says it is a good opportunity to build depth in the squad:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-56-cents and the euro at 19-rand-93-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-64-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-144-dollars-21-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-311-dollars-96-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-8-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….