News 17:00

BULLETIN 7 October 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa launches the FuturePharma facility in Tshwane
# SAFTU calls for an emergency paraffin subsidy for poor households
# And, attorneys seek evidence after Christa Pike’s failed execution

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the launch of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s FuturePharma facility in Tshwane marks an important step towards strengthening South Africa’s health sovereignty. Speaking at the launch, Ramaphosa said the facility will help move pharmaceutical innovations from laboratories towards clinical development, commercial production and manufacturing. He added stronger partnerships between government, universities, industry and regulators are needed to boost local pharmaceutical capacity, create jobs and improve health security:

# Union federation SAFTU says an emergency subsidy for illuminating paraffin is crucial to protect poor households from the sharp increase in fuel prices. The federation argues the three-rand-58-cents-a-litre increase will put further pressure on families who rely on paraffin for cooking, heating and lighting. SAFTU’s Asive Dyani condemned the latest fuel price increases, warning they will worsen the cost-of-living crisis for working-class households:

# Build One South Africa expects a strong performance in Johannesburg and Tshwane in the November 4 local government elections. Bosa leader Mmusi Maimane told the SABC that Gauteng has become a key part of the party’s footprint, with progress also recorded in Limpopo and Cape Town. He emphasised that BOSA will build one South Africa by rejecting race-based politics and addressing inequality:

# Attorneys for Christa Pike are asking a Tennessee court to preserve evidence from last week’s failed execution. Pike survived after receiving two doses of the lethal-injection drug pentobarbital and is now conscious and receiving medical care in hospital. Her lawyers want all evidence preserved, including needles, drug information and execution records. They say the execution team struggled to establish intravenous access, leaving Pike with serious injuries to her arms. Tennessee officials say the evidence is already being preserved. A court hearing on the request is scheduled for today.

# Rugby: Versatile Springbok forward Deon Fourie is happy to play wherever the Stormers need him. The 40-year-old returns from international duty and was picked on the bench for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship home derby against the Sharks. Fourie has worn the number six jersey for the Stormers since his return in 2021 but mostly featured at hooker for the Boks. Bok captain Siya Kolisi and rising star Paul de Villiers are the flankers in the Stormers’ starting team.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-69-cents and the euro at 18-rand-66-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-466-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-92-dollars-85-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 104-dollars-72-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….