News 06:00

BULLETIN 21 October 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says poor water treatment must not put lives at risk
# Hyundai recalls 253 Tucson vehicles over airbags
# And cricket: Bavuma’s masterful century revives the Proteas’ chances

# ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa says the National Water Crisis Committee will address the Bronkhorstspruit water crisis in Tshwane, where tap water has been declared unsafe to drink following an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness. Speaking during an ANC door-to-door campaign in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, Ramaphosa apologised for the illnesses, citing that poor water treatment must not put lives at risk. He added the committee is working on solutions, with progress expected within days.

# SA Canegrowers urges Finance minister Enoch Godongwana to scrap the sugar tax in tomorrow’s medium-term budget policy statement, which is adding to pressure on local sugar producers. The organisation’s Higgins Mdluli says growers are struggling with heavily subsidised sugar imports and uncertainty surrounding Tongaat Hulett. Mdluli warns the levy has contributed to job losses and could further threaten small-scale farmers, calling for its removal to help revive local sugar sales and protect rural livelihoods.

# The National Consumer Commission has announced a safety recall of 253 Hyundai Tucson NX4 vehicles made available for sale across South Africa last year. The recall follows concerns that some vehicles may have been fitted with side-impact airbag sensors that do not meet the correct specifications. The commission’s Phetho Ntaba says Hyundai will use diagnostic equipment to check that the correct sensors are fitted and the airbag systems meet safety standards:

# US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has rejected accusations that Ukrainians were dying because America was withholding intelligence from Kyiv. The US has reportedly choked off much of its shared intelligence as well as blocking weapons sold via the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List initiative. Last week, Starshield restricted the speed at which mobile units could move, limiting Kyiv’s ability to shoot down incoming drones or to launch mid-range drone attacks into Russian-occupied areas. Rubio described the claims as “scandalous”:

# Cricket: Captain Temba Bavuma powered the Proteas to a position where they can push for a series-levelling victory on the third day of the rain-affected second Test against Australia in Gqeberha. Bavuma scored an impressive 179 off 334, sharing a 132-run partnership with Marco Jansen, and a South African eighth-wicket record partnership of 183 runs with Simon Harmer. The Proteas declared their first innings on 425 for nine. At stumps, Australia were on three for one, trailing South Africa by 422 runs.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-38-cents and the euro at 18-rand-40-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-946-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-122-dollars-44-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 110-dollars-40-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Finland’s national broadcaster is attracting huge audiences with a 24-hour livestream following mother dogs and their puppies. The programme, called Pentulive, is now in its sixth season and this time follows Hilkka, a Lagotto Romagnolo, and her litter of six. The curly-coated Italian breed was traditionally used to hunt truffles, thanks to its exceptional sense of smell. The puppies were born on the 10th of October and will be filmed until they leave for their new homes in December. The latest season attracted 6.6 million website visits in just six days.

Stay tuned for more news………….