News 08:00

BULLETIN 20 July 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The AA welcomes the fuel price review announcement by president Ramaphosa
# A Russian court sentences a US journalist to 16 years in jail for espionage
# And Olympics, a young Japanese gymnast is banned from Paris for smoking and drinking

# The Automobile Association applauds president Cyril Ramaphosa’s pledge to review fuel prices and expand VAT exemptions on essential food items. Spokesperson Eleanor Mavimbela says the AA has long advocated for a fuel price review due to rising costs impacting consumers. She says the association hopes the review will address issues, particularly with the Road Accident Fund levy, to provide relief:

# Business Unity South Africa is reassured by president Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to unify stakeholders on the National Health Insurance Act. BUSA CEO Cas Coovadia has supported a collaborative approach, emphasising that the NHI Act in its current form is unaffordable and unsustainable. He urges amendments to leverage private sector resources and ensure economic stability while advancing universal health coverage:

# A Russian court has sentenced the US reporter Evan Gershkovich to 16 years prison for espionage. The US denounced the three week long court proceedings as a sham. Russia has a policy of not exchanging prisoners internationally unless they have already been convicted, potentially paving the way for the 32-year-old to be swapped in a deal. The Wall Street Journal correspondent, who pleaded not guilty, became the first journalist in Russia to be charged with spying since the Cold War when he was detained in March 2023.

# Olympics: Japanese gymnast Shoko Miyata had been withdrawn from the country’s team for the Paris Games after she was caught smoking and drinking. The 19-year-old was set to captain Japan’s women’s gymnastics in the French capital, but was sent home from the training camp in Monaco after admitting to violating the code of conduct. Smoking and drinking are illegal for under 20s in Japan. Miyata clinched the bronze medal in the balance beam at the world championships in Liverpool in 2022.

# And, a report by Cisco Systems has highlighted the benefits of hybrid work for South African organisations, noting that it boosts employee well-being and productivity. Despite 72-percent of local CEOs favouring a full return to the office, the younger workforce prefers hybrid arrangements for their flexibility. The report indicates that hybrid work saves costs, enhances communication, and improves workplace culture. With 40-percent of office interactions involving remote participants, technology is essential for optimising hybrid work and updating traditional office layouts to better support flexible work environments.

Stay tuned for more news………….