News 11:00

BULLETIN 22 March 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The NSPCA calls for government action amid a warning of a threatening avian flu disaster
# No foul play is suspected in the substation fire that led to Heathrow’s closure
# And rugby: The Bulls host the URC log-leader Leinster at Loftus this afternoon

# The National Council of SPCAs warns South Africa is on the brink of an avian flu disaster due to government inaction. Senior inspector Nazareth Appalsamy says another outbreak could devastate the poultry industry and threaten wild birds. He urges Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen to revise vaccination policies. Appalsamy emphasises that without urgent intervention, an outbreak is inevitable, with dire economic and animal welfare consequences:

# Al Jama-ah has urged South Africans to use their voice against injustice. Party leader Ganief Handricks paid tribute to the victims of the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960 on Human Rights Day. He emphasised that the struggle for justice continues, advocating for land expropriation without compensation. Hendriks called attention to global human rights violations in Palestine, Kashmir, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He emphasised the need for history’s lessons guiding future actions:

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta is calling on the Department of Basic Education to implement its anti-bullying policy as a matter of urgency in order to curb the rising incidents of bullying in schools. Makaneta says South Africa still have a long way to go despite the Bill of Rights that is crucial to the constitutional democracy:

# No foul play is suspected in yesterday’s fire at an electrical substation in London which led to the complete closure of one of the world’s busiest airports, Heathrow. It was only able to reopen 16 hours later, causing air traffic chaos worldwide. It is suggested that over 145-thousand passengers may be affected. The airport’s CEO, Thomas Woldbye, apologised for the disruption, describing the closure as an incident of major severity. He says they expect to be back in full operation today.

# And rugby: The Bulls host United Rugby Championship log-leader Leinster of Ireland in Pretoria this afternoon. Kick-off at Loftus is at 5 – the same time as the match between the Stormers and Scarlets in Wales. Earlier, the Sharks will be at home in Durban against Italy’s Zebre. Last night, the Lions lost 20-17 to Cardiff in the Welsh capital to remain in eighth position on the log. Glasgow is currently second on the log, followed by the Bulls and the Sharks. The Stormers are in twelfth position.

Stay tuned for more news………….