Category: In The News

“Tonga continues to slowly recover following the massive volcano eruption and subsequent tsunami in January. Communications have been disrupted. Recovery has been complicated due to an Omicron outbreak caused by relief workers.”

“The region continues to be affected by extreme weather patterns as a result of climate change,” said Rev. James Bhagwan, general secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches.

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Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

Photo: Pixabay

Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Thembi Siweya, says everyone in South Africa must be counted.

“Even those South Africans who are outside the borders of South Africa must be counted,” Siweya said.

Taking part in a webinar organised by Government Communications (GCIS), in partnership with the National Press Club, Siweya encouraged everyone to participate in the Census, saying the data will assist government to plan.

“As government, we are interested in the data as it is going to assist in planning. We are encouraging everyone to participate in the Census and get counted,” Siweya said.

Siweya explained that from the numbers that will be obtained, government will be able to plan for the future.

“We encourage our people to cooperate with the field workers, be honest and give them accurate information,” the Deputy Minister said.

At a media launch of Census 2022, Siweya urged all social partners to get behind the Census 2022 project.

In total, Statistic South Africa will deploy a total of 165 000 field workers throughout the country.

South Africans are also encouraged to register online for Census 2022.

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Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

Photo: Pixabay

Until recently, the treatment options for patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 have been limited. New oral antiviral medicines are becoming available for the treatment of confirmed COVID-19 in adults who do not require supplemental oxygen and who are at risk of progression to severe COVID -19.

One of these new medicines is molnupiravir. In a phase 2/3 clinical trial, molnupiravir was shown to reduce the risk of hospitalisation or death compared with placebo, but only when treatment was initiated within 5 days of the first symptoms of COVID-19. Molnupiravir is only indicated for use in patients aged 18 years and older.

SAHPRA has authorised, with conditions, the importation of molnupiravir 200mg capsules (“LAGEVRIO”), to be provided by MSD (Pty) Ltd, in terms of section 21 of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965. This authorisation is for a limited quantity of “LAGEVRIO” and is initially limited to a period of six (6) months. Imported “LAGEVRIO” will be distributed through the usual distribution chain, and will require a prescription by an authorised prescriber in accordance with the control measures applied to Schedule 4 substances.

Read the official statement below:

Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

Photo: Shutterstock

With government taking bold steps to modernise its systems, the era of long queues that forced motorists to take time off work in order to access traffic services will soon become a thing of the past. 

This is according to Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula who together with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) launched an online payment gateway for the renewal of driver and vehicle licences among other services on Thursday in Johannesburg.

“These services, we are rolling out today will undoubtedly improve efficiencies and minimise the time the end-user spends in a queue. Motorists will be able to access most of the services they had to travel and queue at a Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) in the past, from the comfort of their homes and offices.

“We have reached a culmination of a process that started two years ago, intended to deliver faster and innovative ways of improving the experience of our motorists in a manner that will elevate service delivery to a higher trajectory,” Mbalula said.

A bouquet of online traffic services, which were previously only accessible by visiting a registering authority or DLTC, have been made available on the RTMC’s online platform effective immediately.

– SAnews.gov.za

Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

Photo: GCIS

Fuel price data, as on 15 February 2022, indicates a steep rise for both petrol and diesel motorists.

Here are the mid-month changes (as indicated):

• Petrol 95: increase of R1.26 per litre;
• Petrol 93: increase of R1.25 per litre;
• Diesel 0.05%: increase of R1.32 per litre;
• Diesel 0.005%: increase of R1.34 per litre;
• Illuminating Paraffin: increase R1.26 per litre.

This prices could, however, change due to a number of factors.

Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

Photo: Pixabay

“For prayer to be effective, it must be habitual. By now, you should be in the habit of waking up for the 5 AM prayer. If not, it is never too late to start,” Bishop Mosa Sono said in a statement on Twitter.

“Join the family of believers every weekday at 05:00 on the Grace Bible Church Facebook page.” 

Read more below:

For prayer to be effective, it must be habitual. By now, you should be in the habit of waking up for the 5 AM prayer. If not, it is never too late to start.

Join the family of believers every weekday at 05:00 on the Grace Bible Church Facebook page.#HourOfPrayer pic.twitter.com/K4AglkB8R8

— Mosa Sono (@BishopMosaSono) February 15, 2022

Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

Photo: Facebook

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, says before the country ends the National State of Disaster, there is a need to ensure there are enough measures in place to handle future COVID-19 waves.

He said this when he participated in a debate on the State of the Nation Address on Monday.

“As we are exiting the fourth wave of COVID-19, everyone is eager for this pandemic to come to an end. The reality, however, is that while we have learned more about the virus, we have more weapons and the virus is seemingly getting weaker, the war is far from over,” he said.

Phaahla said as the President stated on Thursday in the SONA, the country wants to get out of the disaster situation sooner rather than later.

In his speech, the President said the country is now ready to enter a new phase in the management of the pandemic.

“It is our intention to end the national state of disaster as soon as we have finalised other measures under the National Health Act and other legislation to contain the pandemic,” he President said.

He also said this was at the back of the fact that nearly 42% of all adults and 60% of everyone over 50 is fully vaccinated.

Read more below: 

[Read] @HealthZA Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, says before the country ends the National State of Disaster, there is a need to ensure there are enough measures in place to handle future COVID-19 waves https://t.co/ryBTB4kgDM #SONADebate pic.twitter.com/tCTaWMKGW8

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 15, 2022

Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

Photo: GCIS

The World Council of Churches invited a few members of the central committee to share a message on “Love heals, not hurts.” They also shared why they participate in the global Thursdays in Black  campaign—why they speak up against violence and rape.

The special Valentine’s message, also shared via social media cards, is an annual tradition that’s part of the WCC’s work toward gender justice.

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🗓 9-15 February 2022 ➡️ WCC #CentralCommittee convenes to prepare for #WCC11thAssembly
🔗 Learn more: https://t.co/l1vmuVwKMp pic.twitter.com/OsYDbjneeT

— World Council of Churches (WCC) (@Oikoumene) February 8, 2022

Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

Photo: Pixabay

In a Facebook post, The Paws-A-While revealed that an animal adoption fair was held at Observatory on Sunday, 13 February 2022 once again gave cats and dogs the chance at finding a furever home. The popular event, and its first pop-up of the year, is supported by the City and creates an opportunity for residents to adopt a new family member registered with animal welfare organisations.

The fair hosted 57 stalls, which included more than 20 animal organisations such as the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Animal Welfare Society of South Africa, Animal Anti-Cruelty League as well as the City’s Law Enforcement Animal Unit.

Read the full post below:

Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

Photo: Facebook / City of Cape Town