News 07:00

BULLETIN 27 June 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa is through to the final of the T20 World Cup
# COSATU says it stands in solidarity with the Kenyan protesters
# And the Land Bank is encouraged by the growing number of young farmers

# We start this bulletin with exciting sports news: The Proteas are through to the final of the T20 World Cup for the first time ever after they beat Afghanistan with 9 wickets. Afghanistan won the toss at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad, and opted to bat first, but was bowled out for 56 runs in 11 overs and 5 balls.  This is the lowest total by any team in a T20 World Cup semifinal and the lowest total against South Africa.  South Africa replied with 60 runs for the loss of one wicket in the eighth over. The second semifinal between India and England takes place this afternoon, with the final scheduled for Saturday.

# COSATU has rallied its support to the masses in Kenya protesting against the 2024 Finance Bill. The union has condemned state violence against peaceful demonstrators and calls for accountability for the use of force. The union also supports the Seven Days of Rage, marking a historic moment for Kenyans protesting against harsh economic conditions. National spokesperson Zanele Sabela says despite Ruto conceding, the struggles of the working class continue:

Meanwhile, the Kenyan president William Ruto has withdrawn a contentious finance bill that lawmakers passed yesterday. This follows dozens of deaths due to the Seven Days of Rage protests. In a televised address, Ruto said the bill was anticipated to assist various sectors including health and education by raising 48-billion-rands. The president has proposed budget cuts and austerity measures for parliament, the judiciary, and county governments to ensure fiscal responsibility:

# The Land Bank has welcomed the increase in numbers of young farmers joining the sector. The bank’s CEO Themba Rikhotso says it is encouraging that more young South Africans are thriving in agriculture. According to Statistics SA, while youth unemployment is high, agriculture saw employment gains last year. Rikhotso highlights eleven-percent of their loans went to young farmers, emphasising agriculture’s role in employment and food security. He reiterates the Land Bank’s Blended Financial Scheme aids young farmers, offering grants and loans to support sustainable growth.

# South Africa has requested panels at the World Trade Organisation and the Dispute Settlement Body to examine the European Union’s regulations on Citrus Black Spot and False Codling Moth. The government argues that these measures are unscientific and discriminatory, harming local citrus growers. The citrus industry in South Africa is crucial as it supports 140-thousand jobs locally. The establishment of these panels marks South Africa’s first progression of a dispute beyond the panel stage at the World Trade Organisation. A decision is expected in nine months.

# A US soldier has been charged with the kidnapping and rape of a teenage girl in Okinawa, a Japanese island chain that hosts the region’s largest American military base. According to the BBC, the case is likely to stoke the long-standing local opposition to US military presence, with 54-thousand US soldiers serving in Japan. The anger has also been fuelled by previous sexual assault cases. One of the most high-profile was in 1995, when a twelve-year-old girl was raped by three US service personnel, sparking months-long protests.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-14-cents and the euro at 19-rand-40-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 60-thousand-968-dollars-26-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-299-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-12-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….