News 18:00

BULLETIN 3 July 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC confirms the Gauteng premier will announce the executive council tonight
# A union calls for solutions to overcrowding and staff shortages in prisons
# And cricket: The T20 World Cup winners India are eventually on their way home

# The ANC has confirmed that Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi will announce his executive council today still. Despite progress in discussions, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says an agreement with the DA has not been reached. Briefing the media at Luthuli House in Johannesburg, Mbalula says they are unable to accede to the DA’s latest proposals, citing that negotiations are ongoing with multiple parties, not just the DA, for the formation of the government of provincial unity:

# The South African Correctional Services Workers Union, has expressed concern over issues like prison overcrowding, staff shortages, and violence in correctional facilities. The union anticipates significant improvements in prison conditions with the appointment of new minister of Correctional Services, Pieter Groenewald. Spokesperson Alude Jizana pledges the union will collaborate closely with Groenewald to enhance safety, justice, and rehabilitation within correctional facilities:

# Britain’s political leaders made a final push for votes today on the last day of an election campaign expected to return a Labour government after 14 years of Conservative rule. Voters will cast ballots from tomorrow morning, with polls predicting that Labour will win its first general election since 2005, making its leader Keir Starmer prime minister. That outcome would see Britain swing leftwards back to the centre ground after almost a decade and a half of right-wing Conservative governments.

# Cricket: India’s T20 Cricket World Cup winners are finally heading home today after a hurricane in the West Indies delayed their departure. Favourites India won the title on Saturday after defeating South Africa in a thrilling final, but their travel plans were disrupted by Hurricane Beryl. Rohit Sharma’s men were scheduled to reach the Indian capital New Delhi tomorrow morning, where they will meet prime minister Narendra Modi. The special flight was arranged after the players were stranded in a hotel for three days after the victory.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-35-cents and the euro at 19-rand-83-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-44-cents and Bitcoin trades at 60-thousand-446-dollars-2-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-360-dollars-73-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-57-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Economic Development and Planning Committee for Durban Tourism says its ready for Saturday’s Durban July horse racing event at Greyville Racecourse. Speaking to the SABC, chairperson Thembo Ntuli said he expects an economic boost and over five-thousand new jobs, with more than 50-thousand attendees at Africa’s biggest horse racing event. The Durban July Preview Show on Friday will showcase KwaZulu-Natal’s fashion industry. Ntuli assures tight security for tourists and residents:

Stay tuned for more news………….