News 09:00

BULLETIN 27 August 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Aucamp extends the registration deadline for supplying livestock to the United Arab Emirates
# Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee will today continue deliberations on its draft report
# And, Meta agrees to pay over 280-billion-rand to settle a social media addiction lawsuit

# Minister of Agriculture, Willie Aucamp, has extended the registration deadline for farms and feedlots supplying livestock for slaughter for red meat exports to the United Arab Emirates. Farms and feedlots now have until the 31st of December to ensure they have put the necessary systems in place to comply with the Veterinary Procedural Notice 59 regulations. Aucamp says the department is committed to supporting South African producers as they expand their reach in key global markets:

# Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee will meet today to continue deliberations on its draft report. The committee is investigating concerns of national security following allegations of political interference, corruption and criminal infiltration in the South African Police Service. The evidence gathered through testimony before the committee revealed systemic governance weaknesses within SAPS; governance of specialised units was found to be inadequate, and docket control, case continuity, and evidentiary safeguards require strengthening. The committee’s deadline to table its report before the National Assembly is 11 September.

# The City of Tshwane says it has relocated four-thousand-120 qualifying beneficiaries from informal settlements and other areas requiring relocation during the 2025/2026 financial year. The beneficiaries include residents occupying wetlands, houses built in the way of development, and several beneficiaries have been drawn from the National Housing Needs Register. Tshwane’s Human Settlements Department spokesperson, Doreen Mokgolo, says they continue to ensure that relocation processes are managed in an orderly and responsible manner:

# Social media giant Meta has agreed to pay approximately 287.2-billion-rand to 48 US states following a landmark trial. It was accused of knowingly and deliberately designing features that get children addicted to its platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Meta has denied any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. California Attorney General Rob Bonta says the company has agreed to make major changes to Facebook and Instagram, including default daily time limits and night-time blocks:

# Rugby: The final round of Currie Cup group matches takes place this weekend, and Sharks coach Mike Vowles has made very few changes for tomorrow’s match against the Blue Bulls in Durban. He only tweaked his loose trio that did duty against the Lions in the previous round, with Hanu Pieterse returning at number eight and Timo Mavesere moving to openside flank. The Sharks are currently seventh on the log, but can still reach the semifinals, while the Bulls are eighth after losing all six of their previous matches.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-94-cents and the euro at 18-rand-58-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-67-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-826-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-623-dollars-2-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 88-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….