News 12:00

BULLETIN 27 November 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Almost 100 undocumented children are arrested in an operation against illegal mining in North West
# Submissions to the electoral reform panel highlights the need for accountability
# And Olympic Games: India also shows an interest in hosting the 2036 Games

# The North West Department of Social Development says it is addressing the detention of 96 undocumented children involved in illegal mining in Khuma, Stilfontein. The children are suspected to be originating mainly from Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Lesotho. The department’s spokesperson, Bathembu Futshane, says the children’s basic needs are being met, while they are still waiting to be processed in terms of the Child Justice Act:

# The Electoral Reform Consultation Panel, appointed by the National Assembly, has received over 350 submissions on potential changes to South Africa’s electoral system. Public input has highlighted the need for accountability, with many advocating for smaller constituencies, a mixed system, or the retention of the current system. Briefing the media, the panel’s Albertus Schoeman called for further engagement with the public in the next phase of its consultation process:

# German leaders raised the possibility that a DHL cargo plane crash in Lithuania on Monday was the result of sabotage or hybrid warfare. The cargo plane was flying from Germany, and due to land at Vilnius Airport when it crashed and hit a residential home. German chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier said there are many forms of hybrid warfare seen in the country and the crash needs to be investigated closely. One crew member died while three others, including the pilot, survived, along with 12 people who were safely evacuated from the house.

# Olympic Games: India has also expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. This follows the news that a feasibility study, guided by the International Olympic Committee, will assess South Africa’s readiness to make a bid. The president of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, who is a candidate to become president of the IOC, says he is delighted with India’s announcement. But he cautions the country that organising an Olympics was one of the world’s most complex projects.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-10-cents and the euro at 19-rand-1-cent. One British pound costs 22-rand-81-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-382-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-646-dollars-31-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-50-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South African child star Litlhonolofatso Litlhakanyane is set to star in the international film Bird Boy. The movie features Hollywood star Tèa Leoni and is directed by Joel Soisson. This is the second international film for the 13-year-old following his lead role in Thabo and the Rhino Case. Litlhonolofatso is best known as Tebello in e.tv’s Scandal.

Stay tuned for more news………….