News 08:00

BULLETIN 17 October 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC reassures the public Fikile Mbalula is doing well
# The City of Cape Town recognises acts of bravery by law enforcement and firefighting staff
# And, Larry, the Downing Street cat, recovers after surgery

# The ANC says its secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, is resting and on the road to recovery. This follows his collapse during a briefing on Thursday, after the Constitutional Court cleared 181 ANC candidates to contest the 4 November elections following missed submission deadlines in six municipalities. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu thanked the public for their support and urged respect for Mbalula’s family’s privacy:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says reliable electricity, strong infrastructure and strategic partnerships are key to attracting investment and processing more minerals locally. Speaking at the launch of Vedanta Zinc International’s Gamsberg Phase Two Expansion Project in the Northern Cape, Ramaphosa said the expansion will create jobs, and strengthen South Africa’s position in the global zinc industry. He says local mineral processing can help the country gain greater economic benefits from natural resources:

# Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate has honoured staff members for bravery and outstanding service at its annual awards ceremony. Marine law enforcement officer Marco Africa was recognised for rescuing a man caught in a rip current, while firefighter Morne Moolman was honoured for helping a colleague who had suffered an electric shock. Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, praised staff for their dedication to protecting the public:

# Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised a US deal to buy diesel from Russia, saying it will put money into the Kremlin’s war effort. Speaking at a European Union summit in Brussels, he accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of having no genuine interest in peace talks. Zelensky welcomed a bigger role for European leaders in efforts to end the war. EU leaders rallied behind Ukraine amid fears that Washington could reduce military and intelligence support. Zelensky also said Ukraine’s Starshield satellite service was still not fully restored.

# Tennis: Former world number one Daniil Medvedev has beaten American Tommy Paul in three sets to reach the Shanghai Masters semifinals. The fifth-seeded Russian recovered from a second-set collapse to win 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, hitting 16 aces in the match. The 2019 champion will face rising Spanish star Rafael Jódar, who beat Norway’s Casper Ruud in three sets. The 20-year-old became the youngest semi-finalist in Shanghai Masters history. Top seed Alexander Zverev will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in today’s other semifinal.

# And finally, Larry, the famous cat who keeps watch over the British Prime Minister’s residence, is recovering well after an operation to remove a cyst. The 19-year-old chief mouser was spotted back at Downing Street with a scar on his side and a patch of shaved fur. Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s office says Larry is already roaming the building again. In a light-hearted message, it said he was “feline much better” but taking things “one paw at a time”.  Larry has lived at Number 10 since 2011 and has served under seven prime ministers.

Stay tuned for more news………….