News 06:00

BULLETIN 21 May 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa is optimistic ahead of the meeting with Trump
# Minister Steenhuisen says his meeting with the US Trade representative ambassador was constructive
# And Britain suspends its trade talks with Israel

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says he is looking forward to a really good and positive meeting with US president Donald Trump today. He visited the South African embassy in Washington on Tuesday, where he received a strategic briefing from his ministers. The government has labelled the much-anticipated talks an opportunity to reset relations. Ramaphosa says a more enhanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship with America is imperative:

Meanwhile, minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Parks Tau, and minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Lee Greer in Washington. America is South Africa’s second-biggest trade partner after China. Minister Steenhuisen says the meeting centred on ensuring open and mutually beneficial access for agricultural products that create jobs and drive economic growth:

# Civil society groups including Blind SA, SECTION27 and the South African Democratic Teachers Union, will picket outside the Constitutional Court today, ahead of hearings on the Copyright Amendment Bill and Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill. The protest supports equitable access to information and royalties for creatives. President Cyril Ramaphosa referred the bills to the court after years of delays and revisions. Blind SA and SECTION27 argue that urgent adoption is critical for educational and disability rights in South Africa.

# Government has urged communities to protest peacefully and within the law following a violent housing protest in Diepkloof, Soweto, that left two people dead. Residents took to the streets on Monday over delays in land development, blocking roads and looting trucks before clashing with police. Government Communication and Information System spokesperson William Baloyi condemned the violence and said government respects the right to protest, warning it must not lead to criminal acts:

# The UK Secretary of State, David Lammy, addressing the UK Parliament, said the threat of starvation is hanging over hundreds of thousands of civilians in Gaza. He added that the eleven-week blockade by the Israeli Defence Force stopping humanitarian aid reaching Gaza is “indefensible and cruel”. ” Lammy says the UK is suspending negotiations with the Israeli government on a new free trade agreement and is summoning the Israeli ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, to the Foreign Office.

# Rugby: Matt Sherratt has agreed to return as Wales interim head coach for the tour of Japan in July. Sherratt’s first job was to name a 33-player squad, featuring six uncapped players, for the two Tests against Japan. He selected Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake as Wales captain in the absence of Jac Morgan, who is on tour with the British and Irish Lions in Australia. Cardiff boss Sherratt initially took charge for Wales’ last three Six Nations matches earlier this year after Warren Gatland stepped down.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-92-cents and the euro at 20-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-1-cents and Bitcoin trades at 106-thousand-883-dollar-50-cents. Gold sells at three-thousand-293-dollars-38-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-85-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….