News 14:00

BULLETIN 15 November 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa declares uranium critical for nuclear expansion and signs global partnerships
# FlySafair prepares backup plans for international flights amid a license threat
# And rugby: Scotland picks a 19-year-old flanker who’s not played a senior club game yet

# Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says South Africa will declare uranium a critical mineral to support its nuclear ambitions. Necsa has signed agreements with the US, Korea, and China to advance uranium mining, fuel fabrication, and nuclear medicine. Plans include a new multipurpose reactor to replace Safari-1, operational since 1965. Treasury will allocate over one-billion-rand for the project. The minister says these steps aim to strengthen South Africa’s nuclear energy and medical isotope sectors.

# FlySafair has reassured travelers with bookings on its international routes from 29 November onward, that it has contingency plans if its license is suspended. The International Air Services Licensing Council found the airline’s shareholding non-compliant, potentially grounding its international flights, including to Mauritius and Zanzibar. FlySafair is seeking an urgent interdict to halt the suspension, with a hearing set for the 26th of this month. It advises passengers to review travel insurance policies for coverage. Domestic flights remain unaffected.

# The Gauteng Department of Health is addressing the linen shortage at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Johannesburg due to laundry machine breakdowns. Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba says linens are temporarily being laundered at Dunswart Laundries. He says the department has submitted a request for new laundry equipment, and technicians are performing essential repairs to maintain operations until the new machines are funded and installed:

# Rugby: A 19-year-old openside-flanker could make his debut for Scotland against Portugal from the bench tomorrow, even though he has never played a competetive game at senior club level. Freddy Douglas will then become the youngest Scottish international in 60 years. Coach Gregor Townsend has made 14 changes to the team that lost 32-15 to South Africa. Glasgow centre Stafford McDowall will captain the team that sees talismanic wing Darcy Graham returns to the side, after missing the Boks game with a head injury.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-18-cents and the euro at 19-rand-21-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-1-cent and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-105-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-565-dollars-29-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-38-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications has issued a warning to consumers about the rising sales of illegally refurbished geysers. The regulator is concerned they do not meet the mandatory safety standards. General manager Tintswalo Ntlhane noted that these geysers pose increased risks, including electric shocks and water leaks, potentially leading to higher electricity bills:

Stay tuned for more news………….