News 13:00

BULLETIN 2 May 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Basic Education warns uncertified teachers face dismissal
# PSA reiterates call for an immediate safety audit of all government buildings
# And the US Justice Department defends the Clean Air Act

# The Basic Education Department has issued a stern warning to nearly 500 teachers who are teaching without the mandatory South African Council for Educators certification. Officials say these educators could face dismissal if they fail to comply. The department emphasises that certification is essential for maintaining professional standards and ensuring quality education. Meanwhile, the council has emphasised that employing unregistered or unqualified teachers is a violation, which can lead to penalties, including fines or imprisonment.

# The Public Servants Association says it is concerned about the Gauteng Department of Education’s temporary plan to accommodate Riverlea High School learners in the school hall, while four mobile classrooms are being procured. A fire last Sunday destroyed 11 classrooms, furniture, and the boys’ toilet block. Preliminary reports suggest the fire may be linked to ongoing cable theft and suspected arson in the area. PSA’s, Olivia Mashigo, says they reiterate calls for a comprehensive and immediate safety audit of all government buildings:

# The US Justice Department is defending the Clean Air Act, a federal law authorising the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate air emissions. This comes as Hawaii and Michigan are planning legal action against fossil fuel companies for harm caused by the climate crisis. In return, the department has filed a lawsuit against Hawaii and Michigan, alleging violation of the intent of the Act. The department says both states’ laws impermissibly regulate out-of-state greenhouse gas emissions, and obstruct the Act’s comprehensive federal-state framework.

# Motorsport: McLaren’s Lando Norris insists that he is not worried about teammate Oscar Piastri taking momentum as the new drivers’ championship leader. The Briton won the season opener in Australia, while Piastri has gone on to notch up three race wins, leading to the Australian now heading the drivers’ standings by ten points from Norris, ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix. Norris says the team is working hard to get him more comfortable with the car:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-43-cents and the euro at 20-rand-91-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-53-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-649-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-263-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-69-cents a barrel.

# And finally, Oscar winner George Clooney has earned his first-ever Tony nomination for his debut Broadway performance in Good Night, and Good Luck. The awards reward excellence in Broadway theatre over the past year. Audra McDonald received her 11th nomination, for her role in Gypsy, making her the most nominated performer in history. Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, and Maybe Happy Ending are the productions that earned the most nods, with ten each. The 78th Tony Awards will be hosted by Wicked star Cynthia Erivo on June 8th.

Stay tuned for more news………….