News 09:00

BULLETIN 28 October 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# COSATU mobilises support for both the ANC and SACP ahead of local government elections
# The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime warns political killings threaten the electoral process
# And soccer, Kylian Mbappé has issued an apology after facing criticism over his ‘Chinese dictator’ remark

# Union federation COSATU says it is intensifying its election campaign and mobilisation efforts in support of both the ANC and the SACP ahead of the local government elections. It is supporting both political formations at the polls, in line with a resolution adopted at its 15th National Congress. COSATU’s general secretary Zingiswa Losi says its support comes with clear expectations, including job creation, reliable public services, accountable municipalities, affordable basic services and the protection of workers’ rights:

# The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime says political killings pose a serious threat to the integrity and stability of the electoral process ahead of next Wednesday’s local government elections. A total of 45 political attacks were recorded between January first and September 30th this year, in which at least 43 people were killed. This month alone, nine politically linked killings have been recorded. KwaZulu-Natal remains the province most severely affected by political violence. GI-TOC’s Julian Rademeyer told the SABC this violence also points to a criminalisation of politics:

# The deputy minister of Water and Sanitation, Jack Bloom, says Gauteng can save billions of rands and improve water supply by reducing water losses. The province currently loses or fails to account for about 48-percent of its water. Physical water losses through burst and leaking pipes alone amount to an estimated 431-billion litres annually. Bloom says at least 14-billion-rand is revenue lost to municipalities. He adds the department’s new national framework sets a target to bring non-revenue water down to below 25-percent by 2035.

# The International Atomic Energy Agency says there is an urgent need for international inspectors to gain verification access to Iran’s nuclear facilities under the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons safeguards agreement. The nuclear watchdog has been struggling to get information on Tehran’s nuclear material, such as its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has urged Iran to consider gradual technical measures to create the conditions necessary for the return of inspectors, saying impartial technical verification is an integral part of international security:

# Soccer: France and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has apologised for what he described as “ill-judged” comments after he was accused of disrespecting China and the Chinese people. He referred to the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a dictator. This resulted in Mbappé losing brand deals with three different Chinese companies: beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu and cheese maker Milkground. Mbappé says it was not his intention to hurt anyone, emphasising that he has deep respect for the Chinese people and their history.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-66-cents and the euro at 18-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-15-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 80-thousand-855-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-42-dollars-42-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 115-dollars-92-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….