News Bulletin of 4 June 2025, 8am

Motor vehicles in Gauteng will soon feature new, cutting-edge technology and possibly James Bond 007-style number plates, in an effort to mitigate criminal activity. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela will be launching the new provincial number plate system at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg tommorow. Lesufi first mentioned the new number plate project during his State of the Province Address last year. According to the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, the new number plate system is a first of its kind, cutting-edge, technological and tamper-proof. The number plate is aimed at tackling criminal activities including vehicle theft, fraud and cloning.

A Kimberley based artist will be travelling to the Far East this week for a cultural exchange exhibition. Phillip Matlhoko will exhibit his art in China as part of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo scheduled to begin on the 12th of June in the Hoo Naan province. More than 12,000 participants from 44 African countries and six international organizations have registered for the event, setting new records in both scale and international participation. Phillip Matlhoko SOUND

A 33-year-old aircraft mechanic from Oklahoma has become an unexpected social media star. Max Comer, known online as “Airplane Facts with Max,” started gaining a huge following while working on planes and raising two young sons. His videos, known for their dry humor, explain aircraft parts like speed tape and engine blades — often with quirky references to “The Lord of the Rings.” Wearing metal-band T-shirts and long strawberry-blond hair, Max also posts helpful videos that calm common flight fears and clear up flying myths. His unique mix of aviation facts and fantasy has earned him over 1.2 million Instagram followers and nearly half a million more on TikTok.