News 13:00

BULLETIN 8 December 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Assad flees Syria while the prime minister promises to co-operate with the new leadership
# An education activist says South Africa tried its best in Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study
# And motorsport: McLaren’s Norris takes pole for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

# We start with international news where rebel forces in Damascus have declared Syria’s capital city “free” of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad as government forces are withdrawing. Assad has ruled the country for nearly 25 years and has fled the city by plane to an unknown location. Unverified footage shared on social media shows thousands of inmates being freed from the notorious Saydnaya prison, where Assad’s opponents were tortured and executed. Syria’s prime minister Mohammed al-Jalali says he is willing to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the country’s citizens to ensure a smoother transfer of power.

# Back home: Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has commended South Africa for remaining resilient in the face of the difficult race in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study. He says South Africa continues to demonstrate a commendable commitment to improving mathematics and science education, as evidenced by the country’s participation in the 2023 study. Makaneta says the study provides a global benchmark:

# The National Energy Regulator has welcomed the ruling by the Pretoria High Court which dismissed AfriForum’s application to execute the court order of July this year. The regulator spokesperson, Charles Hlebela says the July  judgement required municipalities that failed to base their tariff applications on the cost of supply studies to implement the Nersa-approved tariffs for the 2023/2024 financial year:

# The chair of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health, Sibongiseni Dhlomo has welcomed the recent ruling by the Western Cape High Court to strike disgraced attorney Zuko Nonxuba from the roll of legal practitioners. The committee says Nonxuba’s actions, which involved dishonesty and exploitation of clients whose children suffered severe birth injuries represents a gross betrayal of trust:

# And motorsport: Lando Norris captured pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with teammate Oscar Piastri next to him for a McLaren front row as they hope to secure the constructors’ championship. World champion Max Verstappen will start from sixth in his Red Bull, while seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was knocked out in the first qualifying session and will begin his final race for Mercedes in 18th position. Carlos Sainz, in his last race for Ferrari was third quickest while Nico Hulkenberg surprised with an outstanding fourth for Haas.

Stay tuned for more news………….