News 06:00
BULLETIN 14 September 6 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# President Ramaphosa says artificial intelligence could lead to a new era of productivity
# The MK Party is reportedly facing a financial crisis
# And cricket: The Proteas make a clean sweep of the ODI series against Namibia
# President Cyril Ramaphosa says artificial intelligence could usher in a new era of productivity and human progress, but warns of serious risks if advanced systems escape human control. Ramaphosa was speaking at the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India. He says the threats include advanced cyberattacks, biological weapons development, mass surveillance, job losses and autonomous systems that could become difficult for humans to control. He added they should therefore neither fear AI nor approach it recklessly:
Ramaphosa also says increasingly frequent and severe climate disasters threaten to reverse hard-won development gains and deepen inequality. Ramaphosa says building resilience is critical to inclusive growth and human development. He commended India for prioritising resilience, saying it aligns with disaster-risk reduction outcomes championed during South Africa’s G20 Presidency:
# The MK Party is reportedly facing a financial crisis that could prevent it from holding its manifesto launch ahead of the November local government elections. Senior party insiders told the Sunday Times that the party’s financial problems had deepened after control of its finances was centralised. In July, MK Party president Jacob Zuma took charge of the finances after revoking all signing authority on the bank accounts from all party officials. Insiders say the financial problems could affect the party’s ability to run an effective election campaign.
# Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has condemned incidents of intimidation, threats and extortion within the taxi industry. The department’s spokesperson, Lesiba Mpya, says some industry members are being targeted by individuals using fear, coercion and unlawful influence to advance their interests. He says the matter has been referred to the Provincial Taxi Task Team. He says all stakeholders in the taxi industry must immediately stop intimidation, extortion, threats, violence and any other form of unlawful conduct:
# Iranian officials are set to meet with officials from Iraq and Gulf states today to discuss the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has been negotiating with Oman, which controls the opposite bank of the Strait, over a deal that would govern transport through it. Around a fifth of global oil supplies transited the Strait before the US-Israel war against Iran started in February, causing oil costs to rise. Iranian Foreign Ministry says Tehran remains committed to ensuring the security of navigation in the Strait.
# Cricket: The Proteas cruised to a nine-wicket victory in the third and final ODI against Namibia in Windhoek, to complete a 3-0 sweep in the first-ever bilateral ODI series between the two teams. The homeside were bowled out for 156, with stand-in captain Bjorn Fortuin the pick of the South African bowlers, taking four wickets. In reply, Jordan Hermann led from the front with 77 off 59 balls, while Connor Esterhuizen provided steady support with an unbeaten, run-a-ball 68, as the Proteas reached the target inside 22 overs.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-15-cents and the euro at 18-rand-73-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-729-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-335-dollars-70-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 109-dollars-7-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….