News 08:00

BULLETIN 27 February 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The government says it supports an independent and pluralistic media sector
# Hamas hands over the bodies of four hostages
# And cricket: England is knocked out of the Champions Trophy

# Government has welcomed the provisional outcomes of the Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry, led by the Competition Commission. The commission argues that Google generates more revenue for news content than it provides value to publishers. One of its recommendations is that Google should pay as much as 500-million-rand yearly to compensate South Africa’s news industry. Deputy minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, says the government remains committed to supporting an independent, pluralistic, and sustainable media sector:

# Cosatu says the government’s new proposed framework to cap exorbitant medical tariffs through draft block exemptions is a long overdue intervention. This move addresses a two‐decade regulatory vacuum blamed for runaway costs, opaque pricing, and a system where patients are increasingly burdened with unforeseen expenses. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks, says the high levels of monopolies, collusion, and exorbitant tariffs, charged by medical service providers at the expense of patients are concerning:

# ActionSA in Gauteng says it is deeply alarmed by the mismanagement, corruption, and blatant disregard for public funds in the healthcare infrastructure projects in the Merafong Region. This follows the recent findings by the Special Investigating Unit on the unlawful 600-million-rand AngloGold Ashanti Hospital refurbishment scandal, and the neglect of the Khutsong South Clinic. ActionSA’s, Katlego Molefe, says the misuse of taxpayers’ money and total disregard for procurement processes cannot continue:

# Israel has confirmed that it has received the bodies of four hostages from Hamas, as part of the ceasefire agreement. The bodies were handed over to the Red Cross and were named by Hamas as Shlomo Mantzur, Tsachi Idan, Ohad Yahalomi, and Itzhak Elgarat, who were taken during the October seven 2003 attack. However, Israel says DNA tests on the bodies to confirm their identities are still being carried out. Israel is in the process of releasing more than 600 Palestinian prisoners.

# Cricket: England is out of the Champions Trophy after suffering an eight-run defeat to Afghanistan in Lahore, Pakistan. Opener Ibrahim Zadran scored 177 from 146 balls, his sixth ODI century, as Afghanistan posted 325 for seven. In reply, despite Joe Root’s 120 off 111 balls, England were bowled out for 317 with one ball remaining. Fast bowler Azmatullah Omarzai took five wickets. England captain, Jos Buttler, says to be eliminated from the tournament is disappointing:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-45-cents and the euro at 19-rand-32-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-36-cents and Bitcoin trades at 84-thousand-854-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-907-dollars-74-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-23-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….