News 06:00

BULLETIN 19 June 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa calls on citizens to register to vote this weekend
# A tour guide is arrested in connection with the death of a Canadian tourist in the Kruger National Park
# And Soccer: Teboho Mokoena’s penalty earns Bafana Bafana a hard-fought point

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says active civic participation is essential to strengthening democracy. He was speaking at the launch of the milestones of freedom campaign at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. Ramaphosa urged South Africans to take an active role in public life by voting, joining community initiatives, and participating in national dialogue processes. He also encouraged citizens to register to vote this weekend ahead of the local government elections on 4 November:

# The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption has dismissed reports that the Head of Crime Intelligence, Dumisani Khumalo, has been arrested. This follows earlier media reports suggesting he had been taken in and processed at a police station in Pretoria. IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame says the information is inaccurate and has urged the public to disregard the claims:

# A 38-year-old private tour guide has been arrested following the fatal shooting of a 69-year-old Canadian tourist at the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga. The incident happened on Wednesday evening at a concession-operated braai picnic site near Phabeni gate. Police spokesperson, Mavela Masondo, says a male tourist approached the suspect, who was holding a rifle, and asked whether it was a real one: 

# Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has described the memorandum of understanding signed with the US as a historic document, saying it was the result of national resilience, political rationality, and responsible diplomacy. The 14-point document lays out terms for an extended ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a commitment to further talks to reach a final agreement in 60 days. Pezeshkian says the document is the reflection of the voice of a nation that did not trade its dignity and independence for any threat or pressure.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana have kept their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup knockout phase alive, after playing to a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic in Atlanta. Teboho Mokoena converted a penalty in the 83rd-minute to cancel out Michal Sadilek’s early goal for the Czechs, to give both teams their first point in Group A. South Africa fell 2-0 to co-hosts Mexico in their opener last week. Hugo Broos’ men will now have it all to do against South Korea in their third and final group match.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-41-cents and the euro at 18-rand-82-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-68-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-810-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-208-dollars-78-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-81-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape has once again been ranked among the world’s leading universities. In the latest QS World University Rankings, the university is ranked 296 globally, up from 302 last year, placing it third in South Africa and Africa. It has also been ranked among the top 2.2-percent of institutions globally in the Centre for World University Rankings. The university’s deputy vice-chancellor, Sibusiso Moyo, says the improvement is due to stronger performance in areas such as research, reputation, and international collaboration.

Stay tuned for more news………….