News 11:00

BULLETIN 21 October 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Gastrointestinal illness cases hit Rhodes University’s campus
# Trump wants Zelensky to make a deal with Russia to end the war
# And rugby: The Stormers reject JJ Kotzé’s proposed three-week suspension

# Rhodes University in Makhanda in the Eastern Cape has reported 109 cases of gastrointestinal illness among students in 15 of the on-campus residences. Similar cases are being reported elsewhere in the town, while the City of Tshwane is battling its own outbreak, with 408 gastrointestinal illness cases recorded in Bronkhorstspruit. The university’s spokesperson, Olwetu Gwanya, says reported cases are being monitored and medical support has been coordinated for affected students:

# South Africa’s major municipalities are facing severe financial pressure, driven by an inability to manage debt, crumbling infrastructure, and a lack of long-term administrative planning. This is according to the Paternoster Group’s City Risk Monitor, which assessed the eight metros, plus Mbombela and Polokwane. Four risk areas were evaluated: financial sustainability; infrastructure and services; the development environment; and political/institutional risk. Founding partner Lawson Naidoo told Polity.org structural and financial deficiencies are actively restricting economic growth and weakening investor confidence:

# Agricultural organisation TLU SA says Grain SA’s legal challenge against the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s soybean pricing decision is necessary to protect farmers. Grain SA has asked the High Court in Johannesburg to review the JSE’s July decision to use one geographical reference point in the country to determine soybean futures prices. It argues the pricing system affects farmers’ income and profitability. TLU SA’s Bennie van Zyl supports keeping multiple reference points so prices reflect different transport costs.

Moving abroad:

# US president Donald Trump has urged Ukraine to settle the war with Russia. Relations between Ukraine and the US have soured after America agreed to purchase Russian diesel. Trump continues to criticise Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, saying it was time for Kyiv to get a new president, and for someone else to negotiate on behalf of the country. Russian president Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trump says the war needs to end:

# Rugby: The Stormers have rejected a three-week suspension proposed for hooker JJ Kotzé after his red card against Bristol Bears in the opening round of the Champions Cup. He was sent off for a dangerous tackle on scrumhalf Kieran Marmion while defending the Stormers’ line in their 49-12 victory. A Foul Play Review Committee reviewed the incident and recommended the suspension. The matter will now be considered by a full judicial panel, with a virtual hearing scheduled for today.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-42-cents and the euro at 18-rand-42-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-96-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-729-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-113-dollars-94-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 111-dollars-36-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….