News 09:00

BULLETIN 27 February 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Deputy minister Gina says science remains a powerful diplomatic instrument
# AfriForum questions deputy minister David Mahlobo’s visit to Japan
# And, Hillary Clinton says she answered every question on Epstein before the House Committee

# Deputy minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina, has described the strength of science, technology, and innovation cooperation between South Africa and Japan as one of the future-oriented pillars of the bilateral relationship. She celebrated Japan’s National Day in Pretoria yesterday. Gina says the cooperation in science and innovation between the two countries complements expanding economic and trade relations, positioning the partnership to respond effectively to global challenges. A partnership on green hydrogen between the two countries is expected to inject over 300-billion-rand into the economy.

# AfriForum has questioned deputy minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo’s visit to Japan. The visit, which ends today, focused on capacity building, skills transfer, and sustainable water management solutions. AfriForum’s Lambert de Klerk says the Water Research Commission and other local centres of expertise are authorised and funded to promote research support, training programmes, and operational water management solutions on home soil:

# The South African Social Security Agency has dismissed five officials implicated in a fraud and corruption case at its Johannesburg office. Internal disciplinary proceedings were instituted after eight officials were arrested and charged. An investigation revealed that the officials had been withdrawing large amounts of cash using more than 150 fraudulent SASSA and bank cards at a Shoprite supermarket in Soweto. SASSA spokesperson, Paseka Letsatsi, says the cases of the remaining three are at an advanced stage, pending court judgments:

# Following her closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee in its Jeffrey Epstein investigation, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she answered every question fully and based on what she knew. After spending six hours speaking to committee members, Clinton told reporters that she was disappointed that her testimony was not made public. Clinton says she is confident that her husband, former president Bill Clinton, who will testify today, knew nothing about Epstein’s crimes:

# Tennis: 2023 champion Daniil Medvedev has advanced to his third Dubai Open semifinals after defeating American Jenson Brooksby, 6-2, 6-1. The third-seeded Russian will face in-form Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the final, after he beat Czech eighth seed Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 7-6. Russia’s Andrey Rublev maintained his unbeaten record against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech with a 6-2, 6-4. He will take on Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, who matched his run to the semifinals last year by ousting Czech sixth seed Jakub Mensik 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-89-cents and the euro at 18-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-46-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-850-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-187-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-85-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….