News 11:00
BULLETIN 24 November 11 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The DA says the NHI Bill will spell disaster for the public and private health sectors
# ATM is calling for a commission into the alleged rand manipulation by major banks
# And, the four-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has started
# The DA says the ANC government’s insistence on implementing the National Health Insurance will spell disaster for the public and private health sectors. The National Council of Provinces select committee on Health and Social Services has adopted the contentious NHI Bill. The bill proposes sweeping reforms to the country’s healthcare system that include, establishing a single NHI fund to purchase healthcare services on behalf of eligible patients. The DA’s Michele Clarke says this will reduce the role of medical schemes drastically:
# The African Transformation Movement has requested a commission of inquiry into the alleged manipulation of the rand by major South African banks. This comes as a recent revelation by the Competition Commission about collusion among 28 banks to manipulate the rand/dollar currency valuation raised significant concerns. The ATM emphasises the impact on the economy and citizens, expressing dissatisfaction with regulatory bodies’ oversight. The party’s Vuyo Zungula calls for an in-depth investigation into potential violations of legislative frameworks:
# An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of a fire that broke out at the Eugene Marais Hospital in Pretoria yesterday evening, resulting in 20 patients being evacuated from one of the wards. Emergency services say the fire was sparked by a standby generator situated on the ground floor of the hospital. The area was being load-shed with the generator in use when the fire broke out. No deaths or injuries have been reported, but smoke has affected operations at the hospital.
# A four-day pause in the fighting between Israel and Hamas has begun, however, the Israel Defence Force has made it clear that this is temporary and the war is not over. The temporary ceasefire agreement includes the release of 50 women and children held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, of which 13 will be released today. In return, Israel will release 150 Palestinian women and teenagers held in its prisons. According to reports, the hostages will be released across the Rafah border crossing into Egypt and then brought to Israel by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
# Motorsport: Max Verstappen will be back in his Red Bull for the final time this year at this weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Dutchman’s victory in Las Vegas this past weekend was his 18th in 21 races this season and the 53rd of his career. Red Bull already won the constructors’ title and Verstappen wrapped up a third consecutive world title with seven races to go. He says he will not relax in Abu Dhabi:
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-80-cents and the euro at 20-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-57-cents and Bitcoin trades at 37-thousand-361-dollars-70-cents. Gold sells at one-thousand-993-dollars-88-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-24-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….