News Bulletin of 16 March 2026, 4pm

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UJ Launches Virtual Reality Lab to Boost Student Learning and Innovation
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UJ has launched a Virtual Reality Lab at its Bunting Road Campus Library. The lab will support VR and augmented reality demonstrations, immersive teaching, research projects, and student innovation.
Students will also benefit from workshops on VR and AR technologies, with opportunities to explore skills for the workplace through simulations.
Faculty say the lab enhances learning across engineering, education, and other programs while fostering collaboration and creativity.
Leaders at UJ describe the lab as a key step in preparing students for a digital and complex world, while reinforcing the university’s role in shaping innovation and knowledge across Africa.
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Headline 2
National Language Summit to focus on multilingual access
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The Pan South African Language Board, in partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, will host a National Language Summit this week bringing together language experts, policymakers and community leaders.
The two-day gathering will focus on strengthening South Africa’s multilingual framework and expanding the use of official languages in education, government services and public life.
Delegates will discuss ways to improve language policy implementation, expand mother-tongue education and ensure better access to services in all eleven official languages.
PanSALB Board Chairperson, Professor Lolie Makhubu-Badenhorst says the goal is a unified outlook on languages
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NMCH staff unite for World Kidney Day awareness walk
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Staff from the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Johannesburg came together for a World Kidney Day awareness walk to support children living with kidney disease. The event honoured young patients and raised awareness of conditions that often go undetected until advanced stages.
Participants observed a moment of silence for children who have passed and celebrated the resilience of those receiving care at NMCH’s paediatric dialysis unit, one of the largest in the country with 12 beds.
Despite rainy weather, doctors, nurses, and support teams marched to advocate for kidney health and a future where every child has access to lifesaving treatments.
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Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.94 to the US Dollar, 22.26 to the British Pound, and 19.24 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 5,016.43 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 103.14 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 73,921.00.
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EU approves stronger protections for package holiday travellers
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The European Parliament has approved new rules to strengthen protection for people booking package holidays.
MEPs voted by a large majority to clarify what qualifies as a package holiday and to introduce clearer consumer rights. Travellers will be able to refuse vouchers and request a refund within 14 days.
The rules also allow customers to cancel trips without penalty if extraordinary events affect the destination, departure point or journey.
The legislation still needs formal approval from the Council of the European Union before EU countries implement the new measures.
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Local: 99 words (33%), National: 198 words (67%), International: 0 words (0%)