News 09:00

BULLETIN 19 June 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Bantu Holomisa wants to join the government of national unity, but has reservations
# AfriForum says Media24’s plan to close Afrikaans newspapers is a huge setback
# And Malaysia and China sign five-year trade deal

# UDM leader Bantu Holomisa expressed his desire to join the government of national unity, should the ANC iron out certain issues, Holomisa says the UDM has reservations about the basic minimum programme of priorities as well as the modalities of the government of national unity.  He said the UDM was in support of the concept of a government of national unity but remains of the view all stakeholders must play a role in its formation and have ownership. The document has so far been signed by the DA, ANC, IFP, GOOD and the Patriotic Alliance.

# Media24 has announced up to 400 employees may lose their jobs, with another 400 positions being transferred to other companies. Media24 CEO Ishmet Davidson said decades of declines in advertising and circulation have had a devastating impact on print publications. Part of the restructuring will be closing the print editions of Beeld, Rapport, City Press, Daily Sun, and Soccer Laduma. The last day of print publication is expected to be 30 September. Media24 plans a fully digital future and will be transitioning Rapport, City Press and Daily Sun into digital-only brands.

AfriForum has described this news as a huge setback for quality journalism in the country, especially Afrikaans media. The organisation’s head of cultural affairs, Alana Bailey, says Media24 betrays the Afrikaans community and the titles of publications that form part of the foundation upon which this business giant was built:

# Malaysia and China will sign a five-year Programme for Economic and Trade Cooperation during Chinese premier Li Qiang’s inaugural visit to Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian Investment, Trade, and Industry minister, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, announced at the launch of the Chery Malaysia Assembly Plant that the agreement would deepen ties in manufacturing, the digital economy, robotics, entrepreneur development, innovation, startups, and agricultural research and development:

Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz saved three set points on his way to beating Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 7-5 as he launched his title defence at Queen’s Club on Tuesday. Spain’s Alcaraz, who lifted his third Grand Slam at the French Open earlier this month, was not at his best in his first grass-court match of 2024 but recovered from a mid-match dip to triumph. The world number two, who followed up last year’s victory at Queen’s by winning his first Wimbledon, will next face either the Brit Jack Draper or Argentine Mariano Navone.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-3-cents and the euro at 19-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-533-dollars-7-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-327-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-30-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….