News 12:00

BULLETIN 23 June 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola and Zambia’s president discus hte impasse over the repatriation of former president Lungu’s remains
# Saftu’s NEC resolves to participate in the National Dialogue
# And the US ambassador to the United Nations warns Iran against retaliation

# International Relations and Cooperation minister, Ronald Lamola, met with Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema to discuss the impasse over the repatriation of former president Edgar Lungu’s remains. The 68-year-old died at a Pretoria hospital on the fifth of this month, but has not yet been laid to rest owing to a dispute between his family and the Zambian government. Lamola’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, says government is committed to navigating this sensitive matter with the utmost dignity:

# Union federation Saftu’s special National Executive Committee meeting has resolved to participate critically and reluctantly in the National Dialogues. It says this is based on a clearly defined class perspective and an unwavering commitment to the working-class cause. The dialogue is set to address a wide range of the country’s pressing issues, including unemployment, poor governance, poverty and hunger, and gender-based violence. Saftu says they will ensure the dialogue is not monopolised by technocrats, capital, and political elites. 

# The US ambassador to the United Nations, Dorothy Shea, has warned that any Iranian attack on American citizens or bases will be met with devastating retaliation. Tensions in the Middle East escalated over the weekend when the US bombed three key Iranian nuclear facilities. Shea told the UN Security Council that for 40 years, the Iranian government has posed a constant menace to the peace and security of its neighbours, America, and the entire world:

# Golf: American Keegan Bradley says he feels like he is playing the best golf of his career at the moment. The US Ryder Cup captain won the Travellers Championship by a shot at 15 under. England’s Tommy Fleetwood finished tied for second with American Russell Henley. Australia’s Jason Day and American Harris English shared fourth spot on 13 under. Bradley says a final decision has not been made on whether he will be a playing captain at Bethpage:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-4-cents and the euro at 20-rand-74-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-23-cents and Bitcoin trades at 102-thousand-and-26-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-361-dollars-53-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-43-cents a barrel.

# And finally, Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon remake has remained at number one in the North American box office for the second weekend. Sony’s zombie thriller 28 Years Later starring Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes debuted at number two, with Disney and Pixar’s intergalactic adventure Elio entering the box office at number three. Disney’s live-action Lilo and Stitch is fourth in its fifth weekend, while A24’s comedic romantic drama Materialists rounds out the top five.

Stay tuned for more news………….