News 16:00

BULLETIN 16 October 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# FlySafair is working with its third-party supplier to resolve system challenges
# The Gauteng Health Department faces a 500-million-rand employee budget shortfall
# And cricket: The Gabba won’t host the first Ashes Test for the first time in 40 years

# FlySafair is experiencing system challenges at several airports, affecting check-in and boarding processes. The airline is working with its third-party supplier to resolve the issue. In the meantime, staff are manually checking in and boarding passengers to reduce delays. FlySafair has apologised for the inconvenience and thanked passengers for their patience as they work to restore normal operations. 

# The Gauteng Health Department says it’s focusing on filling critical job vacancies despite budget challenges. The department is grappling with a 500-million-rand shortfall in its employee budget. This shortfall, caused by the underfunded salary agreement from last year, has placed a significant strain on the department’s resources. Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba says the department continues to engage with stakeholders to address these budgetary challenges: 

# French companies are significantly boosting their investments in South Africa. Speaking at the French Business Forum in Johannesburg, French ambassador David Martinon noted that South Africa’s financial regulatory framework and political stability make it an attractive destination for international investors. He says the forum provides a platform for French companies to engage with local businesses, further strengthening economic ties between the two nations:

# Iran’s Foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has warned United Nations chief António Guterres that Tehran is ready for a decisive and regretful response if Israel attacks his country in retaliation for a missile attack. The Islamic Republic fired about 200 missiles at Israel on 1 October in revenge for the killing of two of its closest allies, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, as well as an Iranian general. Israeli Defence minister Yoav Gallant vowed last week that his country’s retaliatory measure would be deadly, precise and surprising.

# Cricket: Perth will host the first Ashes Test between Australia and England next year, taking the honours away from the Gabba in Brisbane for the first time in 40 years. The century-old competition starts at the Perth Stadium in Burswood on the 21st of November and the second, a day-night Test, will be played at the Gabba from the fourth of December. The other three Tests will take place in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Australia is currently the holder of the coveted trophy.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-55-cents and the euro at 19-rand-13-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-87-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-831-dollars-73-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-678-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-17-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….