News 09:00

BULLETIN 26 April 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The shooter at the White House Correspondent’s dinner acted alone
# Recent data suggests that South Africa is experiencing thousands of cyberattacks every week
# And rugby: Handre Pollard’s penalty saves the Bulls in Llanelli

# Hours after President Donald Trump was rushed off the stage after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondent’s dinner, more details about the shooter have been released.  Trump spoke afterward at a hastily organised news conference at the White House, while the city’s mayor and law enforcement officials also addressed the media. According to CNN the armed suspect who was taken into custody has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from California. Police said the suspect had several weapons as he charged a Secret Service checkpoint. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said authorities have no reason to believe that anyone else was involved. The suspected gunman is receiving treatment at a local hospital.

# The Department of Basic Education has dismissed social media claims that public schools will close from 28 to 30 April 2026, calling them false. The department says teaching will continue as normal during these dates, which fall within the second school term, ahead of the Workers Day holiday on Friday. It urges parents, learners and educators to rely on official information sources. Authorities warn against misinformation, stressing all public schools are expected to remain fully operational next week nationwide.

# The EFF has relieved Mgcini Tshwaku of his duties as Johannesburg mayoral committee member for Public Safety and redeployed him as the party’s Head of Elections and to the Gauteng Legislature. He is credited with stabilising the Johannesburg Metro Police Department and improving emergency response services.  EFF Gauteng provincial secretary, Moshe Segatike Koma, has been sworn in as a proportional representation councillor and will take over the Public Safety portfolio from Tshwaku. The party says the reshuffle forms part of preparations for the upcoming municipal elections later this year.

# South African organisations are facing over two-thousand-100 cyberattacks weekly in early 2026, a 36-percent-year-on-year increase driven by Artificial intelligence-powered threats and ransomware. Key targets include government, financial and consumer sectors. Cybersecurity expert and CEO of Clyrofor, Loyiso Boyce told Newzroom Afrika that phishing remains the main entry point with small and medium enterprises at risk. He is calling for stronger, AI-driven defence systems to counter the growing sophistication of cybercrime:

# Rugby: The Lions beat Connacht 33-21 at Ellis Park on Saturday, and in the process all but secured their first playoff place in the United Rugby Championship. The victory also moved them temporarily into third on the log, with hopes remaining of a possible home quarterfinal as well. But a lot can still happen as their last two rounds in the competition see visits to Limerick and Dublin to face Munster and Leinster, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Bulls secured their first win ever in Llanelli against the Scarlets in their clash on Saturday night, to keep their playoff hopes alive. The slender 23-21 victory came after a 77th-minute penalty by Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard, who scored 18 points on the night. He converted his own try as well as Cheswill Jooste’s and also added three valuable penalties. The Bulls have now moved to seventh place on the URC table with the Stormers on top and the Lions third, with two league rounds remaining.

Stay tuned for more news………….