News 16:00

BULLETIN 24 June 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cosatu calls on the government of national unity to implement the national health insurance
# Satawu alleges corruption in Transnet’s management
# And, Olympics: US athletes are to be given air conditioners in Paris amid heat fears

# Cosatu welcomes the government of national unity’s commitment to protect workers’ rights and engage labour, business and civil society. The federation sees this as crucial for worker welfare amid economic challenges. Cosatu also urges effective implementation of the National Health Insurance. After its central executive committee meeting, general secretary Solly Phetoe says alignment with the ANC election manifesto and constitutional rule of law is imperative:

# The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union vows to fight corruption and privatisation at Transnet. The union welcomes Transnet’s decision to charge National Ports Authority CEO Pepi Silinga with corruption and nepotism, accusing him of illicitly awarding tenders. Satawu spokesperson Amanda Tshemese opposes the privatisation of the state-owned entity due to corruption, ensuring workers’ interests are prioritised and clean management practices are upheld:

# The 3rd ordinary session of the sixth sitting of the Pan-African Parliament started today at its headquatres in Midrand. It runs until 5 July. New members will be sworn in following recent elections across the continent. This session aligns with the African Union’s 2024 theme: Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the session will feature meetings of the eleven permanent committees and include participation from various officials, organisations and diplomats.

# Olympic Games: The US team will supply air conditioners for its athletes in Paris, joining a handful of other countries in a move that undercuts organisers’ plans to cut carbon emissions. US Olympic and Paralympic CEO Sarah Hirshland says the move is aimed at safeguarding the consistency and predictability of Team USA’s performance. Germany, Australia, Italy, Canada and Britain are among the other countries with plans to bring air conditioners to France.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-19-cents and the euro at 19-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-383-dollars-49-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-326-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-54-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A 13-year-old boy with severe epilepsy has become the first patient in the world to trial a new device fitted in their skull to control seizures. The neurostimulator, which sends electrical signals deep into his brain, has reduced Oran Knowlson’s daytime seizures by 80-percent. His mother, Justine, told the BBC he was happier and had a much better quality of life. Oran has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a treatment-resistant form of epilepsy which he developed at the age of three.

Stay tuned for more news………….