News 11:00

BULLETIN 28 October 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa is embarking on a state visit to Switzerland to strengthen bilateral relations
# The US Hurricane Centre warns Hurricane Melissa will bring catastrophic flooding to Jamaica
# And rugby: The Bok assistant coach says the end-of-year tour will be a challenging test

# President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a two-day state visit to Switzerland tomorrow and Thursday to strengthen political, economic and social ties. Switzerland remains one of South Africa’s key European trading partners, with total trade volume amounting to 18.2-billion-rand last year. The Presidency says a key focus of the visit will be the advancement of a youth cooperation framework, aimed at promoting training and capacity building to equip young people with the skills required in the modern economy. To date, there are 22 bilateral agreements between the countries. 

# Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi has welcomed the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority’s decision to approve the anti-HIV medicine Lenacapavir. South Africa is the first country on the continent to approve the groundbreaking twice-a-year injection. Lenacapavir is a revolutionary long-acting drug that offers six months of protection. Motsoaledi says the drug has the potential to address critical gaps in current HIV prevention methods:

# ActionSA in Johannesburg has averted a legal challenge from eight of its councillors. The councillors were removed from their positions at the end of last month, with the party reportedly citing poor performance as one of the reasons for their removal. The eight argued they were not given a fair hearing or a chance to appeal, resulting in them approaching the courts. The councillors’ spokesperson, Elmari Atterbury, says ActionSA reached out to their legal representatives to find a resolution:

Moving abroad:

# The US National Hurricane Centre has warned that Hurricane Melissa, expected to make landfall in Jamaica today, could bring catastrophic and life-threatening winds, flooding and storm surge to the country. The Category 5 storm has already been blamed for three deaths in Jamaica, and four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The centre’s Michael Brennan says they are anticipating complete damage, destruction of shelters, homes and other buildings in the path of Melissa’s eye-centre. Warnings are also in place for Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas.

# Rugby: Springbok assistant coach, Jerry Flannery, says their end-of-year tour will be a great and challenging test for the team. South Africa will face Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales. The Boks kick off the tour with a clash against Japan at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday. With five Tests in five weeks, Flannery admitted the schedule will push the world champions mentally and physically, but believes it’s exactly the type of test the squad needs:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-25-cents and the euro at 20-rand-11-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-2-cents and Bitcoin trades at 114-thousand-186-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-944-dollars-14-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-85-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….