News 08:00

BULLETIN 30 October 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Tau says South Africa is ready for any outcome on AGOA’s future
# The EFF is seeking to uncover an alleged covert state intelligence operation targeting the party
# And, Star Trek’s Captain Picard, Patrick Stewart, has died at 86

# Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau says South Africa is ready for whatever decision the US makes next week on its eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act. South Africa is the scheme’s largest beneficiary, but its eligibility has come under scrutiny as Washington steps up criticism of Pretoria, including false allegations of discrimination against white Afrikaners. Tau says they have engaged constructively on all concerns raised by the US, while also exploring other markets:

# The EFF have launched an urgent application in the High Court in Pretoria, seeking access to court records in the 12-million-rand fraud trial involving two former State Security Agency officers. This follows allegations that the agency funded a covert state intelligence operation to gather information on the party and its internal activities, including its parliamentary caucus. EFF deputy president Godrich Gardee told Newzroom Afrika they are seeking access to transcripts of open-court proceedings, exhibits and other relevant court documents:

# The Gauteng government has rejected allegations by DA Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille that premier Panyaza Lesufi is taking undue credit for electricity interventions in the province. The DA released a campaign video about raising funds to buy a new blue transformer and coordinating with Eskom to restore power in areas like Dobsonville, Meadowlands, and Snake Park. Lesufi also posted pictures of a transformer replacement in Snake Park under Operation Khanyisa. Provincial government spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga says Zille’s claims are false and misleading:

# Tennis: Alexander Zverev is guaranteed to replace Jannik Sinner as the men’s world number one for the first time in his career on Monday, after reaching the Vienna Open quarterfinals. The 29-year-old German defeated Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, 6-4, 7-5, to become the 30th man to reach the ATP world number one ranking. He has had a dominant year, claiming his first two Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros and the US Open. Zverev will face British number one Arthur Fery in the quarterfinals, a repeat of their Wimbledon semifinal.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-60-cents and the euro at 18-rand-58-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-24-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-406-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-dollars-and-5-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 117-dollars a barrel.

# And finally, Patrick Stewart, famously known for his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the science fiction series Star Trek: The Next Generation, has passed away at the age of 86. He died at his home in Los Angeles following a brief battle with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. In a career that spanned six decades, Stewart also starred in X-Men, Dune, and Green Room. The Englishman won multiple Emmys and Golden Globes, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth The Second.

Stay tuned for more news………….