News 12:00

BULLETIN 30 June 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Government announces huge fuel price cuts for July
# Amnesty International accuses government of inflaming tensions between South Africans and other African citizens
# And cricket: Wolvaardt asks the Protea Women for a brave batting performance in the World Cup semifinal

# Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, has announced huge fuel price decreases, coming into effect at midnight. The price of 93 unleaded petrol will decrease by two-rand-one-cent per litre and 95 leaded-replacement by one-rand-96-cents per litre. The department’s spokesperson, Lerato Ntsoko, says diesel prices will decrease by between three-rand-14- and three-rand-59-cents per litre. She adds the price of illuminating paraffin will see a reduction of five-rand-23-cents per litre:

# The Beitbridge border post in Limpopo remains calm this morning despite an expected surge in travellers crossing into Zimbabwe. Thousands of people are expected to pass through the border as buses transporting Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals arrive throughout the day. Law enforcement and border officials remain on high alert to manage increased traffic and ensure the safe and orderly movement of people across the border. Authorities say border operations are continuing without major disruptions.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International South Africa has accused government of causing a divide and inflaming tensions between South African citizens and fellow Africans living in the country. It cites government persisting with a broken immigration system that leaves those trying to claim asylum undocumented and in limbo. Spokesperson Shenilla Mohamed says using asylum seekers, refugees and migrants as excuses for unemployment, inequality and an overburdened public service, is wrong and dangerous. She adds violence and vigilantism will never fix these problems, but only destroy lives and deepen division.

Moving abroad:

# United Nations secretary-general António Guterres says terrorism is evolving amid global instability, characterised by heightened geopolitical tensions, protracted conflicts and growing fragmentation. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which is the world’s only global framework for tackling terrorism. Guterres has warned terrorism is evolving, exploiting emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital platforms and unmanned weapons:

# Cricket: Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt asked her team for a brave batting performance in Thursday’s T20 World Cup semifinal against England at the Oval in London. South Africa struggled to chase a mediocre target during Sunday’s final group match against Bangladesh at Lord’s, and Wolvaardt is especially frustrated with herself for being dismissed for a duck. She says she is determined to lead from the front on Thursday. Australia and the West Indies face off in today’s first semifinal, with the final on Sunday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-41-cents and the euro at 18-rand-69-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 59-thousand-465-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-23-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….