News 18:00

BULLETIN 4 June 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Freedom Front Plus warns of a red meat industry crisis
# Social Development moves forward with the basic income support policy
# And Tennis: The French fairytale continues as Boisson reaches the French semi-finals

# The Freedom Front Plus says South Africa’s red meat industry is facing a crisis after foot-and-mouth disease was detected at a Karan Beef feedlot in Gauteng. The company has temporarily halted livestock purchases, disrupting supply chains nationwide. FF Plus’s Wynand Boshoff blames poor disease control and lack of government urgency, as over 300 cases were recorded in five-years:

# The Department of Social Development says progress is being made toward finalising a basic income support policy for people aged 18 to 59 years. Briefing Parliament’s portfolio committee, the department revealed that a first draft was submitted to the cabinet last year, with further consultations planned to ensure affordability. The department’s Bathembu Futshane says a follow-up workshop will be held next month, after which the policy will go back to cabinet for approval and public comment:

# Government has strongly condemned violent protests at Walter Sisulu University’s Mthatha campus in the Eastern Cape, after the release on bail of acting residence manager Manelisi Mampana, charged in a student’s fatal shooting. Protesters barricaded the N2 highway with burning tyres, disrupting services and endangering lives. While government supports the right to protest, it urges students to engage peacefully. Authorities call on student leaders and management to restore calm and uphold the rule of law.

# Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says a US proposal for a nuclear agreement was against the national interest, amid sharp differences over whether Tehran can continue to enrich uranium. The longtime foes have held five rounds of talks since April to thrash out a new accord to replace the deal with major powers that US President Donald Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. Khamenei said in a televised speech the latest US proposal is 100-percent against the ideals of the 1979 Islamic revolution.

# Tennis: The French fairytale for 22-year old wild card and world number 361 Lois Boisson continues after she beat six seed Mirra Andreeva 7-6, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the French Open. Boisson beat third seed Jessica Pegula in die round of 16 in her maiden Grand Slam tournament. She now faces second seed Coco Gauff in tomorrow’s first semi-final. The American battled back from a set down to beat Australian Open champion Madison Keys 6-7, 6-4, 6-1.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-80-cents and the euro at 20-rand-32-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-13-cents and Bitcoin trades at 104-thousand-692-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-364-dollars-98-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-60-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….