News 9:00

BULLETIN 30 March 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC plans to resolve issues with the Trump administration
# South Africa urges global action to eliminate cervical cancer
# And, a union welcomes the signing of an above inflation wage agreement with a major food suppplier

 # ANC national executive committee member, Parks Tau says the party is planning to continue engaging with the Trump administration and also strengthening the relationship with the United State of America. He was addressing the media on the second day of the ANC’s four day NEC meeting in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni. The Trump administration halted aid to South Africa citing concerns over its land expropriation policy. Tau says the annual conference of the preferential trade agreement, AGOA, takes place in the US around June and July, and South Africa will also be attending:

# The global health initiative, Unitaid, and the World Health Organisation has called for scaled up efforts to eliminate cervical cancer, the only noncommunicable disease that can be eradicated. The two health organisations revealed at the G20 Health Working Group meeting in Zimbali, KwaZulu-Natal, that cervical cancer remains a major issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Despite advancements in vaccines and treatments, funding shortfalls hinder progress. South Africa committed to progressing national prevention programmes to enhance the elimination strategy for cervical cancer.

# The South African Industrial Commercial and Allied Workers Union has reached a valid and binding  three-year wage deal with RCL Foods Pies, back-dated from 1 of March. Union president Simon Munyai says they signed a three year wage agreement which is above inflation and is a minimum of 9-percent increase for each year of the agreement. Munyai says they negotiated in good faith and conducted the wage talks with integrity in order to save jobs:

# Hamas has agreed to a Gaza ceasefire proposal it received two days ago from mediators Egypt and Qatar, the Palestinian militant group’s chief said yesterday. Khalil al-Hayya said in a televised speech his group received a proposal from the mediators in Egypt and Qatar, dealt with it positively and accepted it. Hayya said he hoped that the Israeli occupation would not undermine it. Hayya is leading the Hamas negotiating team in indirect talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in the Hamas-Israel war in Gaza that erupted in October 2023.

# And, Soccer: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted he and his players do not deserve a bonus even if they win the Club World Cup. Guardiola’s side are in fifth place in the Premier League and crashed out of the Champions League and League Cup. English champions for the previous four seasons, City could finish without a major trophy for the first time since Guardiola’s maiden season in charge in 2016/17. Their last hope of landing domestic silverware lies in the FA Cup, with a quarter-final tie at Bournemouth this afternoon.

Stay tuned for more news………….