News 16:00

BULLETIN 3 December 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the G20 presidency is an opportunity to build a better Africa and world
# Dirco seeks to recover over one-million-rand for rental property damages by officials abroad
# And tennis: Italy will host the Davis Cup Finals for the next three years

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s G20 presidency is a chance to advance global economic growth, sustainable development, and the needs of Africa and the Global South. The G20 leaders’ summit will be hosted in Johannesburg in November next year, further solidifying South Africa’s leadership role. Ramaphosa says the presidency aims to bring African priorities to the forefront while strengthening global partnerships for a better future:

# The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has attempted to recover over one-million-rand from officials abroad for damages to rental properties. Over the past five years, Dirco incurred 1.3-million-rand in losses, with only 200-thousand-rand recovered. News24 reports that a total of 33 disciplinary cases were filed, but only two officials were suspended. The largest loss occurred in 2023/’24, totaling over 600-thousand-rand. Dirco continues efforts to recover the remaining losses.

# Nigeria wants South Africa’s assistance in training mining experts to enhance global competitiveness. During the eleventh South Africa-Nigeria bi-national commission in Cape Town, Nigerian minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, presented a draft memorandum of understanding for consideration. She says the document is testament to the strong bilateral relations between the two countries:

# Tennis: Italy had been confirmed as host of the Davis Cup Finals from next year until 2027. The International Tennis Federation made the announcement after Málaga in Spain hosted the men’s team event since 2022. Next year’s edition will take place in Bologna. The ITF says Italy has a rich history in the sport and a proven ability to host world-class sporting events. World number one Jannik Sinner led the country to a second consecutive Davis Cup title last month.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-8-cents and the euro at 19-rand-1-cent. One British pound costs 22-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 94-thousand-878-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-642-dollars-4-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-66-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A new study by Brussels-based advocacy group, Transport and Environment, has revealed that most airlines are falling short in adopting sustainable aviation fuel. According to the report, sustainable aviation fuel, derived from materials like wood chips and used cooking oil, represents only one-percent of global aviation fuel use. High costs and limited investment by oil companies are major barriers. The report says that 87-percent of carriers lag significantly, risking emissions goals.

Stay tuned for more news………….