News 07:00

BULLETIN 27 December 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Activists and Citizens Forum says violence and a prison break in Mozambique spark regional concern
# Gauteng Health urges new parents to take Christmas babies on a journey to good health
# And Cricket: Pakistan are all out for 211 on Day one, and Paterson and Bosch share 9 wickets

# The Activists and Citizens Forum has urged SADC countries to address Mozambique’s escalating post-election violence. This follows a mass prison break in Maputo this week and ongoing post-election protests. Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane called for calm, while president-elect Daniel Chapo pledged electoral reforms. The Forum’s Dennis Bloem emphasised dialogue, citing regional economic impacts and the tragic loss of lives:

# Gauteng welcomed 393 babies born on Christmas Day, at academic, tertiary, regional, and district hospitals and community healthcare centres across the province. The MEC for Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, has congratulated the new parents and wished them well in their journey of raising their children to contribute meaningfully to society. The head of communication for the provincial Department of Health, Motalatale Modiba says there is an important message for parents:

# Three people arrested over an altercation at a North West holiday resort earlier this month are expected to appear in the Orkney Magistrate’s Court today. The owner of Hanscombe’s Haven, Mark Hanscombe, was released from hospital on Tuesday after sustaining stab wounds in the incident on the Day of Reconciliation. This followed after visitors refused his request to hand over a hubbly bubbly they were using. Police say the three face charges of attempted murder, while they laid charges of common assault against Hanscombe.

# US president-elect Donald Trump says he will step up the use of the death penalty during his second term in office and promised to go after what he refers to as rapists, murderers, and monsters. Trump’s announcement came after outgoing US president Joe Biden used his presidential pardon powers to reduce the sentences of nearly all federal prisoners on death row to life imprisonment without parole. Trump said as soon as he is inaugurated, he will direct the Justice Department to vigorously pursue the death penalty to protect American families and children.

# Cricket: Pakistan were dismissed for a modest 211 with South Africa reaching 82 for 3 at the close of play on the opening day of the first test in Centurion. Dane Paterson took five wickets for the second time in consecutive matches, while Corbin Bosch claimed four in his debut for the Proteas. Aiden Markram dominated the Proteas’ innings with an unbeaten 47 but Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, and Tristan Stubbs were all dismissed for single figures. South Africa will resume play this morning with Markram and Temba Bavuma at the crease.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-85-cents and the euro at 19-rand-62-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-60-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-199-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-364-dollars-68-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-76-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….