News 09:00

BULLETIN 16 May 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The emergence of new parties is seen as a significant step for the upcoming elections
# Cosatu says the healthcare system needs the NHI
# And today is the International Day of Light

# The emergence of new political entities, including independent candidates, pervasive uncertainty, and a clamour for change and economic revitalisation, underscore the significance of the May 29 elections. This is the view of University of the Free State professor Theo Neethling. Expectations are that the ANC will obtain support of below 50-percent in the elections. He says gone are the days when the ANC had no serious political contender at the polls, with new parties entering the elections, competing with more established opposition parties.

# The African Transformation Movement has welcomed the signing of the National Health Insurance Bill into law, saying quality healthcare for all is imperative. The government promises the NHI will provide improved health coverage to all citizens. Some opposition parties and organisations are already threatening legal action. ATM’s spokesperson, Zama Ntshona, says access to quality healthcare is a fundamental human right:

Meanwhile, Cosatu says it remains convinced that South Africa’s myriad of healthcare crises require the creation of a National Health Insurance. Its spokesperson Matthew Parks says it is critical government move with speed to resource and build a quality NHI, that will guarantee quality, accessible, and affordable universal health coverage for all citizens:

# Soccer: Manchester United, Chelsea, and Newcastle are still in the hunt for European qualification heading into the final day of the Premier League season. United defeated Newcastle three-two, while Chelsea won two-one against Brighton to move up to sixth in the table. A fifth or sixth-placed finish would give the Blues a spot in next season’s Europa League, while seventh is only good enough for the Europa Conference League. United, currently in eighth, could qualify for the Europa League if they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-27-cents and the euro at 19-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-19-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-930-dollars-94-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-390-dollars-36-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-11-cents a barrel.

# And finally, today is International Day Of Light, an opportunity to reflect on the multitude of ways light influences our daily lives. This day celebrates the role light plays in science, culture and art, education, sustainable development, and fields as diverse as medicine, communications, and energy. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation says light goes hand in hand with knowledge; it is a lens through which to see and understand the world.

Stay tuned for more news………….