News 08:00

BULLETIN 25 June 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Bafana Bafana reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time
# Geordin Hill Lewis appeals for calm amid tensions surrounding illegal immigration
# And, mass casualties are feared as back-to-back earthquakes strike Venezuela

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana have made World Cup history by reaching the last 32 following a 1-0 victory against South Korea in Monterrey, Mexico. Thapelo Maseko’s 63rd-minute goal was enough to ensure South Africa finished second in Group A behind co-hosts Mexico and qualify automatically for the knockout stages. This was a must-win game for South Africa, having lost their opening game to Mexico 2-0 and drawn 1-1 with the Czech Republic. Bafana Bafana had failed to advance from the group stage in 1998, 2002 and as host in 2010.

# DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has appealed for calm amid growing tensions surrounding illegal immigration, saying public frustration must never be allowed to descend into hatred, vigilantism or violence. This comes ahead of next week’s planned mass demonstration against illegal migration. Hill-Lewis says South Africans must not allow certain politicians or vigilantes to abuse the hardship caused by a failing economy, to scapegoat and incite violence against foreign nationals to promote their own agendas:

Meanwhile, the South African National Taxi Council has rejected calls for any transport shutdowns or road blockades planned for 30 June, while acknowledging citizens’ constitutional right to protest against illegal immigration. SANTACO president, Abnar Tsebe, says their drivers and members have assured them that they will work next Tuesday and will not take part in the demonstrations:

# Johannesburg deputy mayor, Loyiso Masuku, says Eskom has committed to working with City Power to improve revenue collection, meter balancing, and to stop power wastage. City Power owes the power utility 5.3-billion-rand in historical debt and 1.6-billion-rand on its current account. Eskom has threatened to cut power to four substations, Fordsburg, Beyers Naudé, Crowthorne, and Allandale, due to City Power failing to pay its debt. Masuku says discussions with Eskom will continue, adding that they remain committed to helping City Power with its challenges.

# Two powerful earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck the Venezuelan capital of Caracas seconds apart, leading to collapsed buildings. Emergency workers are trying to rescue people from collapsed and damaged buildings, while residents have been urged to leave their homes and wait outside due to possible aftershocks. The government has shut off direct gas supplies to certain buildings as a preventative measure, while authorities assess damaged structures. The US Geological Survey says high casualties and extensive damage are probable, with a 44-percent chance of more than ten-thousand fatalities.

#And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-55-cents and the euro at 18-rand-81-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-81-cents and Bitcoin trades at 60-thousand-739-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-973-dollars-62-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-75-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….