News Bulletin of 12 January 2026, 2pm

Midrand SPCA inspectors, assisted by community members, have rescued a group of abandoned ducklings at a dam in Waterfall.
The rescue followed reports that the ducklings had been without their parents for several days.
Inspectors responded on January third and carried out a coordinated operation to secure the animals, using a canoe to guide them to shore.
After several attempts, the ducklings were captured and taken for veterinary assessment, where they were found to be in stable condition. The SPCA confirmed that the animals are now receiving appropriate care.

A South African produced animated film is making headlines after a strong global box office debut, earning more than seventy million dollars and opening just behind the latest Avatar release.
The film, titled David, marks one of the biggest international cinema successes for the local industry.
Cape Town filmmaker Phil Cunningham says the project was decades in the making, with production spanning nearly ten years.
Featuring contributions from more than four hundred artists worldwide, the film’s success is being hailed as a milestone that highlights South Africa’s ability to compete on the global film stage.

A North Yorkshire couple has been recognised for spending three decades restoring a derelict railway station.
Mark and Carol Benson began work on Ebberston Station after buying the abandoned site in 1996, more than 40 years after it closed.
Their long-term restoration has now been honoured with a blue plaque, marking the station’s historical significance. The award recognises years of careful preservation and commitment to protecting local railway heritage.