News 14:00

BULLETIN 15 June 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The IEC urges the youth to register to vote and shape South Africa’s future
# MultiChoice intensifies the fight against digital piracy
# The UK imposes a social media ban on under-16s

# The Electoral Commission has reiterated calls for young South Africans to register to vote ahead of the upcoming local government elections. Civic and Democracy Education general manager Moagisi Letlhaku says voting is an important rite of passage and a key responsibility in strengthening democracy. Letlhaku says the IEC is expanding civic education programmes in schools, tertiary institutions and across digital platforms to combat misinformation and boost participation. She has urged the youth to play an active role in shaping the country’s future.

# MultiChoice says combating digital piracy remains a top priority despite its acquisition by Groupe Canal Plus. Its anti-piracy operations, conducted with cybersecurity firm Irdeto and law enforcement agencies, have led to multiple arrests, convictions and the shutdown of illegal streaming services. The broadcaster revealed that authorities have disabled more than 800 pirate streaming accounts. MultiChoice says criminal networks behind illegal Internet Protocol Television services continue to adapt by changing names and platforms. Investigators are tracking their activities and targeting the operators responsible.

# The Western Cape Education Department reminds parents that today is the final day to confirm school placement offers for Grade R, 1 and 8 learners for the 2027 academic year. Spokesperson Bronagh Hammond says the admissions system will automatically place learners at midnight based on their highest-ranked available option if offers remain unconfirmed. She says more than 46-thousand learners received multiple offers during the first phase:

# UK prime minister Keir Starmer has announced a social media ban for under-16s as part of plans to protect them from online harm. Australia became the first country to introduce a similar ban in December. Starmer says kids must find their feet in a world where technology intrudes into every area of their lives. He concedes it will not be easy to oppose social media companies like TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram:

# Soccer: Sports, Arts and Culture minister Gayton McKenzie has urged South Africans to keep supporting Bafana Bafana in their next Group A match this week. South Africa next faces the Czech Republic on Thursday, at Atlanta Stadium at 6pm South African time with the final group match against South Korea on 24 June at Monterrey Stadium, Mexico. McKenzie told Newzroom Afrika that the team is focused on the remaining fixtures:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-18-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-715-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-338-dollars-88-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….