News 13:00

BULLETIN 7 June 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The IFP is to explore the dynamics of a government of national unity  
# City Power disconnects defaulting businesses and residential complexes 
# And tennis: Carlos Alcaraz against Jannik Sinner is the French Open semifinal showdown worthy of a final

# The IFP is set to explore the possibility, viability, and dynamics of a government of national unity following the ANC’s preference for this option. The IFP’s Coalitions Task Team will engage with the ANC and other parties, with a report to be presented to the National Executive Committee on Monday. IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa says the party is open to a government of national unity, but needs detailed discussions to make a well-considered decision, prioritising national interest and their policies:

Meanwhile, the rand regained some of its losses after yesterday briefly hitting 19-rand against the dollar. This followed after president Cyril Ramaphosa announced plans for a government of national unity. The agreement will include targets for economic growth, inclusion, and service delivery. The rand found support in a weak dollar, hovering close to an eight-week low ahead of a crucial US jobs report.

# City Power in Johannesburg says it has disconnected three defaulting businesses and two residential complexes, which collectively owe over 20.7-million-rand in unpaid electricity bills. Meredale Estates, in the south of the city, owes the power utility over seven-million-rand. The estate reportedly last paid in 2014. City Power’s spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, says the non-payments affect the revenue in a whole totality.

# Tennis: It is the men’s semifinals at the French Open in Paris today. Fourth-seeded German Alexander Zverev will take on Norway’s seventh-seed Casper Ruud, with both men looking for their first Grand Slam title. Before that, it is an expected huge battle between second-seeded Jannik Sinner of Italy and third-seeded Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz is looking forward to the challenge: 

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-82-cents and the euro at 20-rand-49-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-7-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-76-dollars-48-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-343-dollars-82-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-77-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Barcelona’s Disfrutar restaurant tops the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for 2024. It has been praised for its combination of brilliantly imaginative dishes, unsurpassed technical mastery and playful presentation. Coming in at number two is Asador Etxebarri of Atxondo, near the Spanish port city of Bilbao. The French capital’s Table by Bruno Verjus is third while Madrid’s Diverxo comes in fourth and Lima’s Maido is fifth, one of three restaurants from Peru to make the list. Cape Town’s La Colombe is ranked 49th on the list.

Stay tuned for more news………….