News 08:00

BULLETIN 22 February 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA slams the 28-million-rand National Health Insurance advert spend as wasteful amid the healthcare crisis
# The Trump administration ends protection for 500-thousand Haitians
# And rugby: The Bulls and the Lions have it all to play for in the Jukskei derby

# The DA says the government has wasted over 28-million-rand on National Health Insurance advertising while public hospitals struggle with staff shortages. The party argues that the funds, spent since April last year, should have been used to fill two-thousand vacant medical posts instead of promoting an unrealistic healthcare scheme. The DA’s Michele Clarke warns the doctor-to-patient ratio remains critically low, forcing many medical professionals to seek jobs abroad:

# Action Society supports Police minister Senzo Mchunu’s call for stronger partnerships between police and communities to fight crime. This follows the latest crime statistics showing over six-thousand-900 murders and eleven-thousand-800 rapes between 1 October and 31 December last year. Action Society’ Juanita du Preez called for crime conviction rates to be included in crime stats to better understand the justice system’s effectiveness:

# Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, will today host a welcoming event for the first group of tourists arriving via the newly-launched digital Trusted Tour Operator Scheme at the Cape Town International Airport. Schreiber will be joined by minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, Western Cape premier Alan Winde, Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, and other key stakeholders. This initiative aims to enhance tourism and streamline the digital travel process to South Africa.

# The Trump administration is ending protection for approximately 500-thousand Haitians, leaving them vulnerable to deportation by August. The Department of Homeland Security announced that it is reversing former president Joe Biden administration’s renewal of Temporary Protected Status, which shields immigrants from deportation. Critics say the move is inhumane, given Haiti’s instability, gang violence, and humanitarian crisis. Immigration advocates, including Tessa Petit of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, urge the government to reconsider, prioritising humanity over politics.

# Rugby: The Bulls and Lions have everything to play for today when they meet in a thrilling United Rugby Championship Jukskei derby in Pretoria. The Bulls, who are in third place on the log, need a victory to build a cushion between themselves and the fourth-placed Sharks. The Bulls are also keen to close the gap between themselves and the second-placed Glasgow Warriors to stay within striking distance of finishing in the top two. Kick off is at 2pm.

The Lions will face the Bulls with a team that shows just one change from the one that beat the Stormers recently. Coach Ivan van Rooyen picked Jarod Cairns at flanker in place of injured JC Pretorius. He will partner Springbok Ruan Venter, with captain Francke Horn at eighthman. The Lions are currently in twelfth position on the log and the Bulls in third.

Meanwhile, Bulls director of rugby Jake White reshuffled his team for today’s match. The team shows seven changes from the one that lost to the Sharks recently. One of the casualties is Sergeal Petersen, who is replaced by Sebastian de Klerk at right wing, while Springbok Canan Moodie shifts to left. Bok player Willie le Roux, usually playing at fullback, retains the number 10 jersey.

Stay tuned for more news………….