News 13:00

BULLETIN 8 October 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Mkhwanazi warns MPs against airing crime intelligence information in public
# Ramaphosa arrives in Ireland to strengthen Trade and Cooperation
# And tennis: Djokovic fights on to make it to the quarterfinals in Shanghai

# KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has cautioned members of Parliament to avoid disclosing sensitive crime intelligence information in the media. He is appearing before Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing corruption in the criminal justice system. Mkhwanazi says sensitive information should not be shared carelessly in public, as such disclosures could compromise ongoing investigations:

# The Cullinan Magistrate’s Court in Pretoria granted bail of two-thousand-rand each to two taxi operators, accused of torturing five men and burning them to death. Masipa Victor Maepa and Job Matsobane Magongwa are facing five counts of murder, five counts of kidnapping and five counts of assault. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana says Magongwa has a prior assault conviction:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Dublin, Ireland, for an official visit aimed at boosting trade and bilateral relations between the two nations. He will meet president Michael Higgins and prime minister Micheál Martin to discuss cooperation in science, innovation, education, and investment. The visit seeks to elevate ties to a strategic partnership. Ramaphosa is joined by International Relations and Cooperation minister Ronald Lamola, and Higher Education and Training minister Buti Manamela to promote investment and collaboration opportunities.

# European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen says Europe must ramp up its defences to deter Russia’s hybrid warfare after a series of air incursions, cyber attacks and damage to underseas cables. She called it a coherent and escalating campaign against Europe, and says the continent must respond. EU countries Poland, Estonia and Romania have recently been rattled by Russian air incursions, while unidentified drones have been spotted in Denmark, Germany and Belgium.

# Tennis: Novak Djokovic is still the favourite to take a record-extending fifth title in the Shanghai Masters in the Chinese financial hub, with other top seeds already withdrawn or knocked out. The 38-year-old Serbian fought through exhaustion and an ankle injury scare to make it to the quarterfinals by beating Spain’s Jaume Munar 6-3, 5-7, 6-2. Djokovic almost looked like he might not be able to continue when the match went to a decider, but he conjured up the energy to beat his decade-younger opponent.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-18-cents and the euro at 19-rand-97-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 122-thousand-641-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-36-dollars-42-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-3-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….