News 14:00

BULLETIN 22 October 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fikile Mbalula says the ANC is going to intervene in a big way with regards to spaza shops
# Disaster risk teams are on high alert in KZN as severe weather persists today
# And the American president honours entertainment greats at the White House

# ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says the party is going to intervene in a big way with regards to spaza shops following several incidents of food poisoning. Six children died in Naledi, Soweto, after allegedly eating contaminated snacks purchased from a spaza shop. Mbalula says the ANC will convene the cluster of ministers to give answers to this matter, and work with provinces to immediately resolve the challenge:

# KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, says disaster risk management teams are on high alert as severe weather is expected to impact the province today. The South African Weather Service has warned of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and potential flooding. The department’s Senzelwe Mzila urges residents to exercise caution, especially on the roads, as the adverse weather poses significant risks:

Meanwhile, Gift of the Givers is assessing flood damage in the Eastern Cape while rescuing residents in Gqeberha and Kariega following heavy rains. The Weather Service has since issued an Orange Level 6 flood warning. The organisation’s Mario Ferreira says relief centres are housing evacuees, while flooded roads block access to some areas. He says over five-thousand meals are planned for distribution today:

# Soccer: Virgil van Dijk said he is in discussions with the right people over his Liverpool future as the club captain moves into the final months of his contract. The Dutchman is one of a number of high-profile players whose deals expire at the end of the season, with uncertainty also surrounding the futures of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold. As it stands, the trio will be able to discuss pre-contract terms with overseas clubs from January, but Van Dijk says he is in talks over extending his stay at Anfield.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-58-cents and the euro at 19-rand-2-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-83-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-904-dollars-55-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-734-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-89-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Entertainment greats including Steven Spielberg, Missy Elliott, Spike Lee, and Queen Latifah were honoured by American president Joe Biden at the White House. The president honoured the 2022 and ’23 National Medal of Arts and Humanities recipients. The Arts Medal, the highest award given to artists, recognises exemplary individuals and organisations that have advanced the arts in America. Honourees in the humanities category include educators Robin Harris, Robert Martin and Ruth J Simmons.

Stay tuned for more news………….