News 12:00

BULLETIN 19 January 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The National Student Financial Aid Scheme receives over one million applications 
# A push for an alternative hotline to assist the police’s 10111 call centres
# And rugby: The Post Office launches new stamps to commemorate the Springboks’ World Cup win

# The National Student Financial Aid Scheme has received 1.4 million applications for this academic year. The scheme anticipates close to one million additional applications before the close of the application cycle on the 31st of this month. NSFAS’s spokesperson, Ishmael Mnisi, says all applicants need to submit a consent form to verify relevant information from third parties like the employment status and income level of parents, guardians, or spouses of the applicant:

# Crisis On Call has called for an urgent solution to the crisis at police’s 10111 call centres. The centres receive over 10-thousand calls a day while facing staff shortage and other challenges, which has led to a bevy of complaints, of calls being either dropped or left completely unanswered. Crisis On Call‘s Ruan Vermaak suggests an alternative hotline to assist with the workload:

# Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains opposed to the establishment of a Palestinian state as part of a postwar scenario, saying this would clash with his country’s security. The US and Australia maintain a two-state solution is the only feasible way to bring lasting peace to the region. Netanyahu says Israel must have security control over all land west of the River Jordan, which would include the territory of any future Palestinian state. In response, the White House says the American government will not stop working towards a two-state solution.

# Rugby: The South African Post Office commemorates the 2023 Springbok world champions with a special set of international and standard rate stamps. The standard postage stamp depicts a rugby field scene with a golden rugby ball poised for a penalty kick. The international postage stamp features a golden rugby ball surrounded by a typographic design showcasing the words World Champions 2023 and the previous three years of Springbok victories. The Post Offices emphasizes the value of these stamps for collectors and users alike.

# And finally: South Africa has been ranked as the country with the most lenient road rules among 17 nations worldwide. A study by Compare the Market Australia measured how much room drivers are given before breaking the law, analysing metrics including blood alcohol limits, speed limits, mobile phone restrictions, and seatbelt requirements. Norway is the strictest country with a score of 7.09 out of 10, while South Africa scored 3.13 out of 10, due to higher speed limits for highways despite having low blood alcohol concentration limits.

Stay tuned for more news………….