News 15:00

BULLETIN 19 June 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Treasury is to tighten procurement laws to curb illicit political financing
# The Eastern Cape government honours the 92 victims of the deadly floods
# And China calls on countries in the Middle East – especially Israel – to cease fighting

# Finance minister Enoch Godongwana says the National Treasury is working to tighten procurement laws to help stop illegal political funding. Delivering his keynote address during day two of the Electoral Commission’s political funding symposium in Durban, Godongwana said changes will be made to the Public Procurement Act and other finance laws to close loopholes and improve accountability:

BACKLINK: This report was brought to you by the National Press Club.

# Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Xolani Williams, has described the recent floods as catastrophic and unimaginable. So far, 92 people have been confirmed dead, with thousands being displaced. Numbers are expected to rise as search and recovery efforts continue. Speaking at a memorial in Mthatha, Williams said grieving families are still awaiting missing loved ones. He urged all South Africans to observe the national day of mourning:

# China urged countries in the Middle East – especially Israel – to cease fighting after fresh exchanges of fire with Iran. China also says it opposed the use of force in response to a question about US president Donald Trump warning he was weighing US military action in the conflict. Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun says Beijing opposes any act that infringes upon the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of other countries, and opposes the use or threat of use of force in international relations.

# Netball: The world governing body announced plans for a World Cup every two years instead of the current four because of uncertainty over the future of the Commonwealth Games. The Games’ organisers are struggling to find host cities because of escalating costs. The next World Cup is set to take place in Australia in two year’s time. World Netball says they want to grow the sport over the long term. It also announced plans to introduce a men’s World Cup since the men’s game is gaining momentum rapidly.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-7-cents and the euro at 20-rand-76-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-28-cents and Bitcoin trades at 104-thousand-885-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-373-dollars-16-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-1-cent a barrel.

# And finally: Proudly South African documentary, M.A.D Stories, short for Music, Art, and Dreams, has won best documentary at the Cannes Indie Short Film Festival. The film, directed by Mark Anthony and produced by Denis Leach with music by Christopher Beukman, follows two Cape Town creatives navigating South Africa’s underground music scene. The documentary has been praised for its raw and honest exploration of friendship, identity, fame and the price of creative pursuit. It has now been nominated for the Tokyo Indie Short Festival and the Venice Shorts Film Festival.

Stay tuned for more news………….