News 08:00

BULLETIN 16 October 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA says the stone fruit export deal with China will bring relief
# Hamas says it has handed over all the hostage bodies it can access
# And motorsport: Russell and Antonelli will continue as Mercedes’ drivers next year

# The DA has welcomed the signing of a landmark stone fruit trade protocol between South Africa and China, saying this is a breakthrough for the agriculture sector. The agreement opens the Chinese market for the first time to five types of South African stone fruit, namely apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and prunes. The DA’s Willie Aucamp says opening doors in Asia and other high-demand regions will help South African agriculture become more competitive and better shielded from global trade shocks:

# Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts inquiry has heard contradictory evidence over direct claims without the use of a lawyer from the Road Accident Fund. Scopa is hearing evidence this week about procurement and financial management. Last week, RAF officials said they were encouraging claimants whose cases are unresolved to come forward to be helped directly. However, RAF’s communications head, McIntosh Polela, told the committee yesterday that it was made abundantly clear to him that the legislation does not allow for direct claims:

# The Freedom Front Plus Youth says the ANC and EFF’s race-based rhetoric is fuelling unrest and violence at university campuses. This follows protests at the University of the Free State over claims that the new financial policy is racially discriminatory. FF Plus youth leader Chriszaan du Plessis says the policy is fair and does not affect National Student Financial Aid Scheme students, accusing some groups of turning it into a racial issue:

# Hamas says it has handed over the remains of all the deceased Israeli hostages that it can reach. Two further bodies were handed over late on Wednesday, after the militant group had already returned the remains of seven of 28 known deceased hostages, along with an eighth body which Israel said was not that of a former hostage. This means 19 are still unaccounted for. Hamas says it needs time and specialised equipment to recover the rest of the deceased from the ruins of Gaza.

# Motorsport: Mercedes has confirmed that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will remain as their driver line-up for the 2026 Formula One season. Russell, who joined the Silver Arrows in 2022, has since clinched five Grand Prix wins. Rookie Antonelli secured pole in the sprint race in Miami and a podium in Canada this year, where he became the youngest podium finisher in F1 history. Just four seats remain on the 2026 grid, one at Red Bull and Alpine, and two at Racing Bulls.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-32-cents and the euro at 20-rand-21-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-26-cents and Bitcoin trades at 111-thousand-560-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-238-dollars-27-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-13-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….