News 13:00

BULLETIN 23 October 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The South African Freight and Logistics Association launches a Gauteng chapter to tackle freight delays
# Trump hints at resuming military action against Iran after the midterms
# And motorsport: Verstappen hopes to ruin Antonelli’s party in Austin this weekend

# The South African Freight and Logistics Association has launched its Gauteng chapter focused on strengthening industry representation, improving stakeholder engagement and addressing border delays and port bottlenecks. The association has appointed Eric Pillay as regional chairperson. He says the initiative aims to improve cargo movement and support regional economic growth. Safla chairperson Arend du Preez says stronger regional representation will help develop local solutions. Industry leaders also highlight rail reforms, fair pricing and effective regulation to boost freight efficiency.

# The National Treasury has invited public comment on a proposed climate transition planning and disclosure framework for financial institutions. The framework aims to guide banks, insurers and investors in managing climate-related risks and directing funding towards a low-emission, climate-resilient economy. Treasury says the proposals must reflect South Africa’s development priorities, including climate adaptation and a just transition. Stakeholders, businesses and members of the public have until December 10 to submit comments and practical recommendations.

# Sonke Gender Justice has condemned ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe’s vulgar and dismissive response to a Newzroom Afrika journalist, who asked about allegations that municipal councillors in a North West mining town demand sex from women in exchange for jobs. Mantashe responding to the question while on a campaign trail and referenced female genitalia. The ANC has directed him to apologise. Sonke’s Bafana Khumalo says Mantashe’s remarks were gratuitously improper and derogatory:

Moving abroad:

# US president Donald Trump has indicated the possibility of further military action against Iran after November’s midterm elections. The war has proven deeply unpopular amongst Americans, including many of his own Republican Party supporters. A New York Times/Siena College poll found approximately 65-percent of respondents disapprove of Trump’s handling of the eight-month war, which has pushed oil prices up. He claims most people support the US actions in Iran:

# Motorsport: Red Bulls’ four-time Formula One world champion, Dutch driver Max Verstappen, is intent on preventing Mercedes’ Italian ace, Kimi Antonelli, from clinching the drivers’ championship in this weekend’s American Grand Prix in Texas. Verstappen won the previous two races in Malaysia and Singapore, and is currently fourth in the standings behind Mercedes’ British driver, George Russell, and another Britain, Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari. He trails Antonelli by 119 points and mathematically still has a go at the title, with five races left after the weekend’s in Austin.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-57-cents and the euro at 18-rand-55-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-17-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-457-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-23-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 115-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….