News 16:00

BULLETIN 19 December 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Upgraded pipelines are to strengthen jet fuel systems by next year
# A Frenchman is given a 20-year sentence for having dozens of men rape his wife
# And cricket: Andrew Flintoff’s teenage son will tour with the England Lions in Australia next month

# Airports Company South Africa is upgrading its jet fuel systems, with a new pipeline and bypass set to be completed by next year. These upgrades aim to stabilise the system and prevent future incidents, such as the recent jet fuel issue at the OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng. ACSA CEO Mpumi Mpofu says the project is part of a broader 21.7-billion-rand infrastructure plan, which also includes replacing old parts and implementing safety measures:

# The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has reported a surge in rubella cases accross South Africa, primarily affecting children under ten and pregnant women. The symptoms include fever, rash, red eyes, and coughing. The NICD cites heightened risks to pregnant women, particularly in the first trimester, as exposure can lead to Congenital Rubella Syndrome, causing severe birth defects. To curb the outbreak, the Department of Health has introduced the rubella vaccine for children aged six and nine months.

# The National Men’s Forum says South Africa remains a violent nation as a result of gender-based violence. Speaking to eNCA, the organisation’s Tebogo Lerole says engaging men is key to reducing gender-based violence and femicide. Lerole recognised the community’s collective role in fostering the eradicating of GBV and called on men to take accountability:

In France, Dominique Pelicot has been found guilty in a mass rape trial that has stunned the nation. He was handed a maximum prison sentence of 20-years for repeatedly raping, drugging and enlisting strangers to abuse his then-wife Gisèle over the course of a decade. All 51 defendants have been found guilty of the charges against them, but many have been handed sentences shorter than those asked for by prosecutors. Gisèle earlier waived her anonymity in an effort to help other women and force a change in society.

# Cricket: Former English great Andrew Flintoff’s teenage son, Rocky, will represent the England Lions on their tour of Australia from next month. The 16-year-old all-rounder signed his first professional contract with Lancashire earlier this year, becoming the club’s youngest player. He was also the youngest to score a century for the England Under-19 team. His father represented England in 79 Tests, 141 one-day matches and seven T20s from 1998 to 2009, and is currently a television and radio presenter.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-28-cents and the euro at 19-rand-2-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-3-cents and Bitcoin trades at 102-thousand-338-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-614-dollars-42-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-84-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….