News 16:00

BULLETIN 16 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# DA Youth welcomes minister Dlamini-Zuma’s decision to retire
# Postbank reassures continued validity of expired SASSA gold cards for 2024 
# And, cricket: ActionSA says there is lack of transparency on David Teeger’s role 

# DA Youth has welcomed minister of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, announcement of her plan to retire. Spokesperson Lindokuhle Sixabayi says since her appointment at the beginning of last year, Dlamini-Zuma, like her predecessors, has done nothing notable to tackle the issues facing young people, some as a result of the ANC’s incompetence and neglect:

# Postbank has reassured the South African Social Security Agency grant beneficiaries that their expired gold cards will remain valid throughout the year. Beneficiaries are urged not to succumb to misinformation and are reminded that only Postbank is authorised for card replacements. Postbank spokesperson Bongani Diako says although cash services at Post Office branches will gradually phase out from this month to March, people with lost or stolen cards can still acquire replacements at these branches:

#  An Australian National University study suggests that the record heat experienced in 2023 had a significant impact on the global water cycle, leading to severe storms, floods, megadroughts, and bushfires. The findings, yet to be peer-reviewed, are outlined in a new report released by the Global Water Monitor Consortium and led by researchers from the university. Rising sea and air temperatures, and intensified monsoons, cyclones, and other storm systems have been attributed to fossil fuel combustion. Lead author, Albert van Dijk, says some of the worst disasters in 2023 are a consequence of climate change.

# Cricket: ActionSA is calling on Cricket South Africa’s president, Rihan Richards, to address concerns regarding recent developments that have raised questions about transparency and consistency. There are apparent contradictions within CSA’s decisions, particularly concerning the under-19 team’s captaincy. This follows after Jewish player David Teeger was relieved of the role for the World Cup. ActionSA’s Tsepo Mhlongo says the situation surrounding the promising young talent has sparked confusion as it seems he will still be in the team:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-90-cents and the euro at 20-rand-57-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 43-thousand-17-dollars-12-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-38-dollars-2-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-78-cents a barrel.

#And finally, music icon Elton John has become the 19th person to become an EGOT, winning all four major entertainment awards: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. He secured the EGOT status when his Disney Plus special, Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium, took home the award for outstanding variety special at the 75th Emmy Awards. He now has two Oscars, five Grammys, one Tony and one Emmy. The Rocket Man joins the likes of Mel Brooks, Whoopi Goldberg, and Audrey Hepburn as an EGOT.

Stay tuned for more news………….