News 11:00

BULLETIN 11 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa meets with Daniel Perez’s family after Hamas release his remains
# Gauteng’s premier commends the multidisciplinary team in the Reiger Park murder case
# And rugby: The Sharks are forced into two late changes for the All Blacks’ clash

# The Presidency has confirmed president Cyril Ramaphosa has met with the family of the late South African‑born Captain Daniel Perez, following government’s intervention in facilitating the release of his remains by militant group Hamas. Perez was killed by Hamas during the 7 October 2023 attacks in Israel. Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says Ramaphosa has affirmed South Africa’s support for an all-inclusive peace process that will deliver a lasting peace for the people of Israel and Palestine:

# The Department of Health has accused the organisation Pharmaceuticals Made in South Africa of misleading Parliament about the reasons behind the recent job losses in the sector. Pharmisa told Parliament the department’s focus on price was squeezing local drug manufacturers out of crucial medicine tenders, trigging the loss of two-thousand-500 jobs in the past 18 months. The department says Pharmisa has failed to take into account the critical market developments putting pressure on manufacturers, such as more stringent regulatory requirements.

# Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi has expressed concern at the growing threat of organised crime, saying gangs, drug wars and illegal firearms are to blame for the escalating killings. This follows the murder of four people, including two Anti-Gang Unit officials in Reiger Park, Ekurhuleni, over the weekend. A known gang leader has been taken in for questioning. Lesufi says the multidisciplinary team on this case must be commended for this breakthrough:

News from abroad:

# Iran’s Foreign Ministry says the US’ latest sanctions have only made a diplomatic solution to ending the war less likely. Last week, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned two digital asset exchanges and the leader of a network of front companies, allegedly used by the Iranian regime to launder funds, evade sanctions and support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other terrorist groups. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei says Tehran has demonstrated over decades that it will not be strangled by sanctions.

# Rugby: Sharks head coach JP Pietersen has made two injury-enforced changes for tonight’s clash against the All Blacks at Kings Park in Durban. Emile van Heerden has a niggle and Springbok utility forward Vincent Tshituka has concussion. Deon Slabbert comes in for Van Heerden in the starting line-up while Corné Rahl replaces Tshituka on the bench. Pietersen has defended selecting 44-year-old All Blacks great Ma’a Nonu, who joined the Sharks last week:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-22-cents and the euro at 18-rand-71-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-936-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-361-dollars-49-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 92-dollars-4-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….