News 11:00

BULLETIN 26 December 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# KZN Health MEC urges action against statutory rape amid teenage Christmas births
# Pope Francis calls for talks to end Ukraine war
# And, cricket: Pakistan pacer Khurram Shahzad returns to the Test squad for the SA series

# KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has called on parents to report statutory rape cases against men who impregnate teenage girls. KZN welcomed 47 Christmas babies yesterday. Among the mothers are three 15-year-olds, and a 13-year-old, raising societal concerns. She emphasised the legal duty to report such cases and urged police action to protect minors:

Meanwhile, Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko celebrated the birth of 184 babies across public hospitals on Christmas Day. Visiting Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital with deputy Home Affairs minister Njabulo Nzuza, she presented gifts to mothers and highlighted the importance of breastfeeding and immunisation. In addition, the MEC said the newly launched Tembisa’s renovated Female Medical Ward, showcases improved infrastructure and services:

# Pope Francis in his Christmas message called for talks between Ukraine and Russia to end the war that followed Moscow’s full-scale invasion two years ago and has killed tens of thousands. He spoke from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to thousands of people in the square below and appealed for the sound of arms to be silenced in war-torn Ukraine. The 88-year-old Francis, celebrating the 12th Christmas of his pontificate, called for an end to conflicts, political, social or military, in places including Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.

# Cricket: Pakistan fast bowler Khurram Shahzad has been added to the Test squad for the two-match series against South Africa. The 25-year-old will feature alongside fellow fast bowler Mohammad Abbas who returns to the Test squad for the first time since 2021. Shahzad was ruled out of the home Test series against England in October due to a side injury. Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood says the return of Shahzad and Abbas is a welcome development for Pakistan’s Test side. The first Test starts in Centurion today.

# And, the South African Weather Service has warned of persistent wet weather continuing over much of South Africa today leading to the weekend. Scattered showers and thundershowers are expected in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and the Free State. A Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms, hail, and localised flooding remains in effect for parts of the Eastern and Northern Cape. Hot, dry conditions prevail in the Western Cape. The Eastern Cape expects extreme heat along coastal areas, with widespread rainfall moving eastward into Saturday.

Stay tuned for more news………….