News 17:00

BULLETIN 27 June 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA warns president Cyril Ramaphosa to stick to the cabinet agreement or face the collapse of the deal
# The Automobile Association anticipates fuel price drops for July
# And Rugby: The former Wallaby coach is heading out to Leicester

# The DA has issued an ultimatum to president Cyril Ramaphosa, demanding he adhere to the original cabinet offer or risk the collapse of their agreement. According to News24, Ramaphosa altered his initial offer, replacing the key portfolio of Trade, Industry, and Competition with Tourism, which has outraged the DA. The party insists on the original terms, warning they will not compromise further. They maintain their acceptance was final and the party will not renegotiate.

# The Automobile Association expects significant fuel price decreases in July based on unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund. Petrol prices could drop by around one-rand-per-litre, while diesel and paraffin prices may decrease by approximately 30-cents-per-litre and 25-cents-per-litre respectively. Spokesperson Eleanor Mavimbela highlights that this second consecutive monthly drop will benefit consumers and the economy:

# ABSA Corporate Investment Banking has announced it will not fund any new coal-powered projects. The bank’s Msizi Khoza says they instead support financing a balanced energy mix, including projects aimed at making existing coal-powered plants more efficient and environmentally friendly. Khoza highlighted that this approach aligns with their commitment to sustainability:

# The commander of the Bolivian Army, Juan Jose Zuniga, has been arrested following an attempted coup in the South American country yesterday. Sky News reports Bolivian armed forces took over the capital’s central square as an armoured vehicle rammed through the entrance of the presidential palace. Bolivian TV showed two tanks and a number of soldiers in front of the government palace in La Paz. The country’s president, Luis Arce, warned an “irregular” deployment of troops had taken place. It is uncertain what charges the general will be facing.

# Rugby: Michael Cheika, who guided Australia to the 2015 Rugby World Cup final and Argentina to the 2023 semi-finals, has been appointed coach of English Premiership side Leicester. His appointment will see the Australian get to work with Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard and former Bulls loose forwards Hanro Liebenberg and Corné Beets. The charismatic straight-talking 57-year-old Australian replaces compatriot Dan McKellar at the helm of the two-time European champions.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-37-cents and the euro at 19-rand-70-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-24-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-627-dollars-57-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-323-dollars-60-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-44-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….