News 07:00

BULLETIN 21 October 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa encourages matrics as they sit for their final exams
# The US is investigating the leak of classified documents on Israel’s planned attack on Iran
# And Jeremy Clarkson has a heart procedure after a sudden deterioration in his health

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged matriculants to surpass the achievements of those who have gone before them by acing their exams. Over 800-thousand Grade 12 pupils will start their final National Senior Certificate exams today, with English and Afrikaans paper three. Ramaphosa says these examinations are not an obstacle but a gateway to the matric learner’s continued success and a new phase of their lives:

The DA meanwhile also extends its best wishes. The DA’s Delmaine Christians says the party acknowledges the hard work and dedication of both learners and teachers, recognising the challenges they face. She says good quality education is the best way to ensure that young people are lifted out of poverty:

# The families of the three Lily Mine workers, who died after being trapped underground when the mine collapsed in 2016, say they have lost hope that the remains will be retrieved. The families of Pretty Nkambule, Yvonne Mnisi, and Solomon Nyirenda, held a prayer service on Sunday to mark 2000 days since they began their vigil outside the mine. Speaking on behalf of the affected families, former mineworker, Harry Mazibuko says they just want to bury the three with the dignity they deserve.

# The US is investigating a leak of highly classified intelligence about Israel’s planned response to Iran’s major missile attack earlier this month. Iran said the attack was launched in retaliation for Israel’s assassination of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, its war on Gaza, and the assault on Lebanon. The documents are attributed to the US Geospatial Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency. The leaks came amid preparations for Israel’s widely expected retaliatory strike on Iran, which could include strikes on economic infrastructure or oil facilities.

# Golf: South Africa’s Robin Williams successfully defended his Fortress Invitational title at Glendower Golf Club in Gauteng. He cruised to a three-stroke victory, shooting a five-under 67 to finish 22-under-par. Daniel van Tonder finished second on 19-under-par with Yurav Premlall and Keenan Davidse sharing third place on 15-under-par. Williams says he just tried to focus on what worked last year and did not think about the leaderboard:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-58-cents and the euro at 19-rand-12-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-97-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-27-dollar-33-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-727-dollars-93-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-95-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Jeremy Clarkson has revealed he underwent a heart procedure after a sudden deterioration in his health. It’s not the first health scare for the ex-Top Gear star, who last year said doctors had warned about a worrying rise in his blood pressure. The 64-year-old said a swim on holiday appeared to cause him difficulties using stairs, with symptoms worsening when he returned to the UK. Tests including an electrocardiogram ruled out a heart attack. However, one of his arteries was completely blocked and he was fitted with a stent to keep it open.

Stay tuned for more news………….