News 15:00

BULLETIN 24 February 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A fire breaks out at Cape Town International Airport
# Solidarity secures a court order suspending the rollout of the National Health Insurance Act
# And soccer: Banyana targets a perfect Group A finish against Lesotho at the COSAFA Women’s Championship clash

# A fire has broken out near the international terminal at Cape Town International Airport, prompting evacuations. Authorities say parts of the terminal were cleared as firefighters responded to the blaze and brought it under control. Operations, including check-in and security screening, are affected while emergency crews remain on site. Passengers and staff were moved to safety and no injuries have been reported as investigations into the cause continue.

# The High Court in Pretoria today ordered an immediate halt to the implementation of the National Health Insurance Act following an application brought by civil rights and labour movement Solidarity. In welcoming the move, spokesperson Theuns du Buisson says the provisional suspension will remain in force until the Constitutional Court rules on the 2024 signing of the act:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the return of some of the 17 South African men lured into the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Government, working with Russian authorities, secured their safe return after distress calls. Four men have arrived home and eleven are expected soon, while two remain in Russia, including one hospitalised in Moscow. The Presidency’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says Ramaphosa has welcomed continued investigations into the men’s alleged recruitment:

# US president Donald Trump’s new global tariffs of ten-percent have officially come into effect. Last Friday, the Supreme Court declared Trump’s tariffs illegal. The court decided a 1977 law designed to address national emergencies did not provide the legal justification for most of the Trump administration’s tariffs on countries across the world. Trump called the court’s ruling ridiculous. He says his administration will continue to work to rebalance trade relationships to benefit American workers, farmers, and manufacturers.

# Soccer: Banyana Banyana aims to maintain their perfect Group A record when they face Lesotho at the COSAFA Women’s Championship in Polokwane, Limpopo, this afternoon. Banyana already secured a semi-final spot after defeating Angola and Malawi. Coach Desiree Ellis praised the impact of new talent as key in preparation for this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. She emphasised the bigger picture is squad development:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-97-cents and the euro at 18-rand-82-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-55-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-157-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-174-dollars-45-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-3-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….