News 12:00

BULLETIN 30 September 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# SASSA is reviewing the November payment cycle due to a clash with the elections
# Forum for South Africa urges the NPA to act on a corruption case involving minister Ntshavheni
# And Mark Zuckerberg says the establishment of an A-I framework is a significant step forward

# Social security agency SASSA is reviewing the social grant payment dates for November due to a clash with the local government elections. Under the original schedule, the older persons grant was set to be paid on November 3, followed by the disability grant the next day and the children’s grant on the fifth. The elections will be held on the fourth. SASSA says it is in consultation with stakeholders on new payment dates, but reaffirmed beneficiaries will receive their grants.

# Forum for South Africa has welcomed reports that the National Prosecuting Authority is considering prosecuting minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. This is in relation to a 2.5-million-rand tender awarded to a consulting firm during her tenure as municipal manager of the Ba-Phalaborwa local municipality in Limpopo. The forum’s leader, Tebogo Mashilompane, says the NPA must make a decision fast, as the public deserves answers:

# The City of Tshwane’s Emergency Services Department remains on high alert as heavy downpours, damaging winds and excessive lightning threaten further flooding. The South African Weather Service issued a Yellow Level Two warning for this afternoon until around midnight. The department’s spokesperson, Nana Radebe-Kgiba, says emergency personnel spent the past few days responding to flooding in Mamelodi East, Meyerspark, Nellmapius, parts of Centurion, Willow Park and Wonderboom:

Moving abroad:

# Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says the establishment of an artificial intelligence framework is a significant step forward. US president Donald Trump and top technology executives signed a set of voluntary safety standards at the White House yesterday, while calls mount for tighter guardrails. The companies are now responsible for ensuring the safety of their own technology. Zuckerberg says this gives American people and customers the confidence that the technology works as intended:

# Rugby: Sharks defence coach Joey Mongalo says their clash against defending United Rugby Championship champions Leinster in Durban on Saturday is a great opportunity to test themselves against the best. JP Pietersen’s men opened their campaign with a 41-24 victory over Ospreys, while Leinster lost to the Lions. Mongalo says their review of the Ospreys game identified four soft moments rather than a problem with the defensive system, which they cannot afford against Leinster. He admits their backline faces a tough task against the Irish giants.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-36-cents and the euro at 18-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-69-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-166-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-198-dollars-21-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 100-dollars-14-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….