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Here’s your daily news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
Photo: iStock/The Citizen/Cheryl Kahla
News today includes a rare medical phenomenon involving a 15-year-old Lesotho girl who fell pregnant via oral sex, although she had no vaginal opening became.
Meanwhile, ArcelorMittal has made a final decision to close its long steel business in Newcastle and Vanderbijlpark, putting 3 500 direct jobs on the line.
Furthermore, the Department of Health has assured parliament that antiretroviral (ARV) medication supplies remain secure, despite the freezing of USAid funding for health organisations across South Africa.
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Oral sex and stab wound led to teen pregnancy – here’s what doctors say
In a rare medical phenomenon, a teenage girl without a vaginal opening became pregnant via oral sex.
The 15-year-old girl from Lesotho was admitted to a hospital with symptoms of abdominal pain. Routine testing revealed the patient was nine months pregnant.
More astonishing than the surprise pregnancy was that she was born with distal vaginal atresia, a rare condition that left her without a vaginal opening.
CONTINUE READING: Oral sex and stab wound led to teen pregnancy – here’s what doctors say
ArcelorMittal long steel business closing for good due to policy inaction
ArcelorMittal has made a final decision to close its long steel business in Newcastle and Vanderbijlpark after postponing it for a month to see if the government could help keep the steel plants afloat and retain 3 500 direct jobs.
The closing of the long steel business was delayed partly to enable ArcelorMittal to fulfil its higher-than-anticipated outstanding order book, prioritising automotive and seamless tube customers.
Also, to continue discussions with the government on the future of the long steel business with an announcement expected in the second half of this month of February.
CONTINUE READING: ArcelorMittal long steel business closing for good due to policy inaction
Government assures no ARV shortages despite Trump’s permanent freeze of USAid funding
The Department of Health has assured parliament that antiretroviral (ARV) medication supplies remain secure, despite the freezing of USAid funding for health organisations across South Africa.
Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) MP Nompumelelo Mhlongo recently raised questions in parliament about continuity of care and drug procurement for vulnerable communities following the withdrawal of funding from the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar).
In response, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi provided a reassurance about medication supplies.
“Fortunately, 90% of the supply of ARVs comes from the South African fiscus, while 10% is from the Global Fund which is not affected by Pepfar,” he said.
CONTINUE READING: Government assures no ARV shortages despite Trump’s permanent freeze of USAid funding
Spaza shop registrations: Paperwork uncertainty clogging deadline day
Despite government promises to streamline the spaza shop registration process, business owners have blamed the government for the last-minute scramble to get their shops registered before the 5pm deadline.
The rush to register spaza shops before the 28 February deadline has business owners flustered.
Despite the complaints from the spaza shop owners, the government has declared that no additional extension to the deadline will be given.
CONTINUE READING: Spaza shop registrations: Paperwork uncertainty clogging deadline day
Is Spar in trouble? Retailer closes stores as sales decrease
Spar, one of South Africa’s biggest retailers, has had to close non-performing stores while navigating a challenging economic climate.
In its trading update for the 18 weeks to 31 January 2025, released on Thursday, the retailer said the group’s total sales from continuing operations decreased by 1.6%.
However, it said the group has seen positive momentum in improving operating margin levels through focused cost control and promotional activities.
CONTINUE READING: Is Spar in trouble? Retailer closes stores as sales decrease
Here are five more stories of the day:
- Senior US diplomat Dana Brown resigns amid US and SA tensions
- FlySafair flight FA 268’s near-disaster: Was a serious incident covered up?
- ‘EFF should not speak about corruption’: Malatji slams red berets for questioning ANCYL leader’s qualifications
- Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard rejoins the Bulls
- 10 years later, ‘the dress that broke the internet’ still has us seeing blue… or white
Yesterday’s News recap
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