Breakfast Edition: 29 September 2015

HITACHI PAYS FINE AFTER BEING CHARGED: The developing story from Washington. Last night Japanese company Hitachi agreed to pay a $19 million dollar - or R 266 million - fine without admitting or denying guilt after being charged by the US Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly making "improper payments" which were "inaccurately recorded" under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. This, for alleged payments to an ANC front company in connection with the $2 billion Medupi power plant deal.

The charges related to the company's late 2000s sale of a 25% stake to the South African company, as Hitachi was competing for a deal. The DA's Natasha Mazzone said it was clear that things at Medupi were "rotten to the core". "It's cases like this that cause continuous distrust and great frustration to South Africans as we are constantly being fed information that everything is okay at Medupi and Kusile when it is patently obvious that things are rotten to the core," said Mazzone.

POLICE COMMISSIONER SUBMITS REASONS WHY SHE SHOULDN'T BE SUSPENDED: As we await the release of the latest South African crime stats by the Police Minister from Parliament later this morning, the National Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega is also waiting for a response from the President. He is still considering the reasons she supplied late on Monday of why she should NOT be suspended, pending the outcome of a Commission of Inquiry set up to probe her fitness to hold office. The presidency's Bongani Majola confirmed that Phiyega made the deadline.

DRUG MULE SUSPECT NOT A LOCAL ACTRESS: More clarity is expected over the identity of a 29-year-old woman who was arrested for drug possession at OR Tambo International Airport at the weekend. The woman will appear in court for the first time this morning after much speculation that she is a local soapie actress. But the South African Police Service tweeted on Monday that the suspect is not a South African celebrity.

CHARLIZE THERON ADDRESSED UN: Oscar winning Actress, Charlize Theron made headlines overnight when she addressed a Clinton Global Initiative gathering at the United Nations Headquarters in New York regarding the impact of HIV/Aids on young people particularly in Southern Africa. She later continued her message on another very popular US TV show, the Today Show.     

TREVOR NOAH TAKES OVER THE DAILY SHOW: Comedian Trevor Noah has officially had his first run as The Daily Show host. Social media sites such as Twitter reacted to the news with many South Africans congratulating Noah. In his opening remarks Noah thanked Stewart for the opportunity. "I'm not quite sure what you saw in me." Noah: I'll make you not look like the crazy old dude who left his inheritance to some random kid from Africa. South African comic Trevor Noah on Monday tried to fill some gigantic shoes, taking over as host of "The Daily Show," replacing award-winning satirist Jon Stewart.

MINISTER WISHES TREVOR NOAH WELL: Minister of International Relations, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane also joined the well-wishers on social media. Her spokesperson, Clayson Monyela tweeted a pic of the Minister with Noah shortly before he took the hot seat.

HIKER FIGHTS OFF TWO COUGARS: A Canadian hiker was going for a run in Northern Alberta when he stumbled into a very serious situation. Two cougars were directly in his path and as an experienced hiker he went out packed with bear spray and a bear banger. While recording, he was charged by one cougar and successfully sprayed it down.

FINANCIAL INDICATORS:

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