News 14:00
BULLETIN 8 April 2 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Minister Motsoaledi confirms the roll-out of the lenacapavir injection after the coming launch
# ActionSA takes legal action against minister Tolashe over undeclared gifts
# And rugby: Ma’a Nonu receives a three-week ban for a dangerous tackle on the Stormers’ Wandisile Simelane
# Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi says a twice-yearly HIV prevention injection will be distributed to 350 high-burden health facilities after the launch. A total of 37-thousand-920 doses have arrived from Ireland. The drug, developed by Gilead Sciences, aims to expand prevention options and improve adherence. Motsoaledi says it is expected to benefit vulnerable groups, including sex workers and same-sex couples. He says the launch date is expected soon with the roll-out anticipated to begin next month. South Africa is the first African country to distribute lenacapavir.
# ActionSA opened a criminal case and lodged complaints with the Public Protector and Parliament’s Ethics Committee against Social Development minister Sisisi Tolashe over undeclared luxury vehicles from Chinese officials reportedly worth one-million-rand. Tolashe claimed the vehicles were donated to the ANC Women’s League, but records show registration in her children’s names. Spokesperson Dereleen James calls for her immediate dismissal and highlights the need for stricter anti-corruption measures and accountability:
# A lecturer in political science at the University of Pretoria, Professor Chris Isike, criticized US president Donald Trump’s threat to bomb Iran’s entire civilisation to death, calling it genocidal. He warns such rhetoric could increase the risk of conflict and violate international humanitarian law. Isike adds the situation is not a victory but a tactical course, and Iranians should remain cautious and vigilant:
Hezbollah militants in Lebanon meanwhile halted fire on northern Israel and Israeli soldiers in Lebanon this morning as part of the US-Iranian ceasefire announced earlier. Key intermediary in ceasefire talks, Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, says the two-week ceasefire would include Lebanon, where a new war between Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Israel broke out early last month. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier the truce would not include Lebanon. Israel has issued a new evacuation order for a southern city, indicating it would strike there soon.
# Rugby: Toulon will be without legendary All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu for their Champions Cup quarterfinal clash against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday. The 43-year-old was suspended for three weeks after his yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Wandisile Simelane in their 28-27 victory over the Stormers in the round of 16. Nonu’s suspension was reduced from six to three weeks after he accepted he had committed an act of foul play, and his good disciplinary record. He will be available to play again on April 27.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-40-cents and the euro at 19-rand-17-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-640-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-781-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 92-dollars-26-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….