News 12:00

BULLETIN 4 June 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cosatu says the government must honour its commitments for a review of various fuel taxes
# The ATM calls for Starlink to be banned in South Africa
# And roadrunning: eThekwini is gearing up for the Comrades Marathon

# Cosatu says the government must honour its 2018 and 2022 commitments for a comprehensive review of the various fuel taxes and levies, which consume approximately a third of the fuel price. The fuel levy increase has come into effect, after the Western Cape High Court dismissed the EFF’s application to suspend it. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Matthew Parks, says it is equally important that Eskom be assisted to reduce the currently increasingly unaffordable price of electricity:

# The African Transformation Movement is demanding an immediate ban on Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service, accusing it of operating illegally in South Africa. ATM slammed the Independent Communications Authority for failing to act, calling Starlink’s operations a threat to national sovereignty. ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona has criticised the ANC-DA coalition for inaction, warning against digital imperialism and urging government to protect South African laws and interests:

# Ghana and the United Arab Emirates have signed a 17-billion-rand agreement to build a cutting-edge artificial intelligence and technology hub, aimed at attracting major tech companies such as Microsoft and Meta. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to position both nations as leaders in artificial intelligence innovation, leveraging their respective strengths in technology and investment. The hub is expected to foster job creation, technological advancement, and economic growth in the region.

# Roadrunning: The eThekwini Municipality says it is in full swing preparing for the 98th Comrades Marathon, one of the biggest sporting events on the South African calendar. More than 80 nations will be represented in the race, a down-run over approximately 89 kilometres from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Sunday. The municipality’s spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, says they are working diligently to ensure a clean, safe, and welcoming environment across the entire race route:

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-79-cents and the euro at 20-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-7-cents and Bitcoin trades at 105-thousand-576-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-355-dollars-93-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-44-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South African comedians Jason and Nicholas Goliath are returning with an all-new edition of The Happiness Economy Comedy Tour. While maintaining its signature tone of laughter-fuelled self-reflection, the 2025 edition incorporates brand-new stories, material, and revelations gathered from the duo’s personal lives and nationwide engagements. Jason Goliath says the show is interactive, personal, and unlike anything they have done before. The duo will be live at the Pieter Toerien Theatre, Montecasino, Johannesburg, from 18 June to 6 July.

Stay tuned for more news………….