News 11:00

BULLETIN 9 October 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA is calling for an urgent and comprehensive review of the military
# A health emergency is declared in Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton
# And, president Ramaphosa pays tribute to pastor Ray McCauley

# The DA says the Department of Defence and Military Veterans has mismanaged its resources, as evidenced by 3.4-billion-rand in unauthorised expenditure and 338-million-rand in irregular expenditure. The South African National Defence Force currently lacks the funding for 62-percent of its critical commitments, such as the ongoing deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The DA says since 2008, over 520-billion-rand has been spent on bailouts, yet the country’s defence capabilities remain hollow. It adds that a new comprehensive review of the military is needed.

# Cosatu has welcomed Mineral and Petroleum Resources minister Gwede Mantashe’s support for calls for the price of fuel to be slashed. The minister revealed that discussions between his department and the National Treasury on how to decrease fuel prices are ongoing. This includes how to decrease fuel taxes that have pushed up prices at the pump to over 20-rand. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says government must develop a concrete plan alongside business and labour at the National Economic Development and Labour Council:

# US Health secretary Xavier Becerra has declared a public health emergency for Florida to address the potential health impacts of Hurricane Milton. This marks the second such declaration for the state within the past two weeks following last month’s deadly Hurricane Helene. Milton is currently a category-five storm. Becerra says they have deployed about 100 responders as well as medical equipment and supplies, to assist the state in meeting public health and medical needs.

# Golf: Winning European Ryder Cup captain Luke ­Donald says Sergio García is considering rejoining the DP World Tour to be eligible for next year’s Ryder Cup. The Spaniard resigned from the tour last year, after a sports arbitration panel ruled sanctions imposed on the former Masters champion and others who joined LIV Golf, were appropriate. García was absent when Donald’s European team saw off the US in Rome last year. ­Donald says García understands what is required:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-63-cents and the euro at 19-rand-32-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-3-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-200-dollars-98-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-610-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-75-cents a barrel.

# And finally: President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sadness at the passing of Rhema Bible Church founder pastor Ray McCauley. He died yesterday evening at the age of 75. He was also the former National Interfaith Council of South Africa co-chairperson. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says the president has described McCauley as a remarkable leader:

Stay tuned for more news………….