News 11:00

BULLETIN 25 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Four people have been killed and three are injured after a building fire in Jeppestown, Johannesburg
# The SACP stands firmly behind the NHI and condemns capitalist greed
# And, rugby: Former Boks assistant coach Felix Jones quits as England’s defence expert

# Four people have been killed and three injured in a fire at abandoned building on the corner of Janie and Jules Street in Jeppestown in the Johannesburg CBD. The spokesperson of the city’s Emergency Management Services, Robert Mulaudzi says the fire broke out early this morning. He says firefighters recovered the bodies of the victims while conducting a search and recovery operation:

# The SACP is urging the government to proceed decisively with the implementation of the National Health Insurance, which is now enshrined in law. The SACP’s Alex Mashilo says they cannot overemphasise the importance of access to quality healthcare for all citizens, regardless of social, economic or historical status, as a fundamental right guaranteed by the constitution. Mashilo says the Communist Party will strengthen its efforts in pursuit of maximum working-class unity and mobilisation against what it calls greedy capitalists who seek to reverse advances in healthcare provision.

# Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed the release of 115 prisoners of war from Russia. Zelenskyy thanked the United Arab Emirates for acting as an intermediary between the countries. It is the first prisoner swap since Ukraine launched its offensive inside Russia this month. The Russian military says its swapped soldiers were captured in Kursk. They are now in Belarus and will receive medical treatment and rehabilitation once they are back in Russia.

# Rugby: England defence coach Felix Jones has resigned with immediate effect after seven months in the job. It comes after strength and conditioning guru Alex Walters also recently left to join Ireland. Former Ireland international Jones won two Rugby World Cups with the Springboks, in 2019 and 2023 before joining England men’s outfit in what is a brief tenure at Twickenham. Reports say he was unhappy with what is described as an unstable working environment in the England set-up.

# And, Canada’s minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, urges residents of Johannesburg to protect nature and build climate resilience in the city. Joly visited the Jukskei River to view the work of the Alexandra Water Warriors. The city’s spokesperson, Virgil James, says the group is dedicated to rehabilitating the river and to plant trees under the international Scaling Urban Nature-based Solutions project. It aims to reduce flood risks and enhance climate adaptation:

Stay tuned for more news………….