News 13:00

BULLETIN 25 May 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cosatu is proud of the victories for workers under minister Patel
# An agriculture body says the redistribution of 100 farm title deeds is a political ploy
# And, motorsport: Lando Norris says anything can happen in Monaco

# Cosatu says it is proud of the victories workers achieved under the leadership of Trade, Industry and Competition minister Ebrahim Patel. The federation thanks Patel, a proud son of the trade union movement, for his service, not only to workers in his three terms, but to the nation at large. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks reacted to Patel’s announcement that he won’t return to government after the elections:

# The Southern African Agri Initiative, Saai, says the 100 title deeds of redistributed farms Agriculture minister Thoko Didiza handed over to beneficiaries could have been an important step, if it had not been so conspicuously misused as a political ploy shortly before the election. Saai’s Theo de Jager says the initiative has been fighting since 2020 to force the department to work more transparently, fairly and honestly in the awarding and cancellation of leases:

# China has warned of war over Taiwan and said it will ramp up countermeasures until complete reunification is achieved. Chinese forces conducted military drills around the self-ruled island yesterday. Warships and fighter jets encircled Taiwan on the second day of exercises that Beijing said were a test of its ability to seize the island, days after its new president was sworn in. China’s military kicked off the two-day war games on Thursday morning, surrounding democratic Taiwan with naval vessels and military aircraft.

# Motorsport: The Monaco Grand Prix is one of Formula One’s most iconic races. This weekend will once again see F1 cars racing through the narrow twists and turns of the famous street circuit in Monte Carlo. Lando Norris has been Max Verstappen’s closest challenger at the last three races, scoring a hat-trick of podiums. Norris believes McLaren can take the fight to Red Bull in the remaining part of the season but adds Monaco can be unpredictable:

# And, Chester Zoo in England has announced the arrival of a rare roloway monkey family, one of the world’s most endangered primates. The family includes parents Masaya and Grizu, and their sons Anum and Ilo. Director of Animals and Plants, Mike Jordan, expressed concern as the monkeys are on the brink of extinction, losing around 90-percent of their population, due to habitat loss in West Africa. He confirmed the family will join an international breeding programme to help save the species from extinction.

Stay tuned for more news………….