News 11:00

BULLETIN 27 October 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ambassador Meyer says the strained relations between South Africa and America require urgent restoration
# The DA calls for an urgent parliamentary probe into the chronic medicine shortages
# And rugby: Esterhuizen is one of three injured Sharks players ruled out of the URC clash with Munster

# South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Roelf Meyer, has acknowledged diplomatic relations between the two countries are under pressure and require urgent attention from both sides. Tensions between Pretoria and Washington escalated recently after the US government announced new visa restrictions targeting individuals it accused of involvement in race‑based discrimination and uncompensated land seizures in South Africa. Meyer told the Cape Town Press Club the relationship extends beyond politics and diplomacy, arguing it has direct implications for South Africa’s economic growth, investment prospects and employment opportunities.

# The DA says up to 50 essential medicines are out of stock in the public healthcare system, including treatments for high blood pressure, diabetes and mental health conditions. The party is calling for an urgent parliamentary investigation into the shortages. The DA’s Michele Clarke warns patients could face health risks if they cannot get their regular medication or struggle with replacement medicines:

# Police arrested 17-thousand-914 suspects during nationwide crime-fighting operations in the past week, as preparations for the festive season intensify. They also arrested 267 alleged drug dealers, dismantled two clandestine drug laboratories in Gauteng and North West, and seized cocaine worth more than 200-million-rand at OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng that arrived from Brazil. Police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk says the operations aim to fight crime and improve safety:

Moving abroad:

# United Nations secretary-general António Guterres is alarmed by surging Israeli settler violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank. Israel has moved to seal off the territory following a deadly attack on its soldiers in Hebron. The Israeli incursion has involved the demolition of homes and commercial properties, as well as sweeping restrictions on movement, leaving many Palestinians confined to their homes or immediate neighbourhoods. Guterres warns these measures could amount to ethnic cleansing:

# Rugby: The Sharks will be without captain André Esterhuizen, prop Phatu Ganyane and centre Jurenzo Julius for their United Rugby Championship clash with Munster in Ireland on Saturday. The players suffered injuries in last week’s bonus-point 36-21 victory over Cardiff. Esterhuizen injured his right ankle, Ganyane sustained a right elbow injury, while Julius is nursing a right hamstring problem. The squad has been bolstered by prop Cameron Dawson, winger Litelihle Bester and outside back Suleiman Hartzenberg, who joined the team on Sunday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-66-cents and the euro at 18-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-513-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-80-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 116-dollars-46-sents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….