News 17:00

BULLETIN 23 June 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Police in KwaZulu-Natal warn against crime during the planned marches on 30 June
# BOSA says lowering the cost of living must be government’s priority
# And, the UN chief urges AI companies to come clean on their environmental footprint

# KwaZulu-Natal acting police commissioner Phumelele Makoba says anyone who uses planned protests to commit crime will face the full force of the law. She was briefing the media on policing matters. This comes as the anti-illegal migration group March and March will embark on a protest on Tuesday, calling for stricter enforcement of immigration laws. Makoba says police will monitor the protest to ensure public safety during the demonstration:

# Build One South Africa says the national budget should be judged by whether it makes life easier for citizens and reduces the cost of living. Speaking in Parliament during the Appropriations Bill debate, BOSA deputy leader Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster said while government’s fuel levy relief is welcomed, broader reforms are needed to ease financial pressure on households. Hlazo-Webster warns that inefficiencies in the state create hidden costs for citizens, from transport expenses to delays in accessing services:

# Witness K has told the Madlanga Commission that she received 22-thousand-rand from a 110-thousand-rand payment linked to information about suspected precious stones. This forms part of evidence relating to suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi. Witness K said the money was shared among five people after information she provided led to an operation involving the stones in which information could be exchanged for financial reward:

# UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on artificial intelligence companies to disclose their growing environmental footprint and commit to powering every data centre with renewable energy by 2030. Guterres said at the London Climate Action Week if AI was going to help build a better future, it must be honest about what it costs the world now. A UN study earlier this month found that data centres consumed more electricity than all but 10 countries in 2025. By 2030, they could use more power than all but five countries.

# Motorsport: Seven-time MotoGP champion, Marc Márquez, has agreed to a two-year contract extension to remain with Ducati through the 2028 season. The 33-year-old Spaniard joined the team last year, after his switch from Honda, dominating the season by winning his seventh championship title. Marquez is fourth in the championship after a tough start to this season, following several injuries. He says he is truly happy to continue his journey with Ducati, adding that he wants to achieve even more with the team.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-49-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-88-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-114-dollars-75-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-17-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….