News 11:00

BULLETIN 5 October 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# An expert says the American ambassador to South Africa is failing in his diplomatic mission
# The US Coast Guard suspends the search for a medical transport jet with six people aboard
# And cricket: Anrich Nortjé is ready for his Test comeback against Australia

# International relations expert Kingsley Makhubela says the US ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell, is failing in his diplomatic mission to rebuild relations between the countries. Bozell has accused minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, of personally insulting him. Lamola said Bozell “must get out of the kitchen” if he no longer believes in diplomatic engagement with Pretoria. Makhubela told the SABC says Bozell’s demarche is concerning:

# The GOOD Party has raised concerns about the condition of social spaces in municipalities ahead of the November municipal elections. Secretary-general Brett Herron says poorly maintained parks and public facilities are leaving communities without safe recreational areas. He says children’s play equipment is rusting in stagnant sewer water, while sports grounds and soccer fields are being neglected while some clubhouses damaged by fires are left unrepaired. Herron calls for the rehabilitation of public spaces.

Meanwhile, secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says suggestions the ANC in the Eastern Cape is in a state of collapse are false. Last week, the High Court in KuGompo City ordered the party to hand over electronic membership data. This relates to a case brought by three ANC members, who wanted the party to produce raw data relating to the province’s failed elective conference in March. Mbalula says the party is ready to contest the elections:

Moving abroad:

# The US Coast Guard has suspended its search for six people aboard a medical transport plane that went missing near Nantucket after leaving Bermuda on Saturday. The crew of the air ambulance was in contact with New York controllers when they declared an emergency. The air medical transport provider, Canadian-based company Latitude Air Ambulance, says the six occupants are presumed dead. The Coast Guard’s Matthew Lake says they were four Canadians and two Bermudans:

# Cricket: Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortjé is excited about the prospect of wearing the Test cap again. The 32-year-old, who last played a Test in 2023, is in South Africa’s 18-player preliminary squad for the three-match World Test Championship series against Australia. Nortjé says he has been preparing for a possible recall, focused on executing his skills with the red ball, building loads gradually, and getting the overs up. The first Test starts at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday. 

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-70-cents and the euro at 18-rand-69-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-7-cents and Bitcoin trades at 86-thousand-208-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-155-dollars-73-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 104-dollars-75-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….