News 15:00

BULLETIN 9 January 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa’s attendance of Mozambique president’s inauguration, is uncertain
# AfriForum calls for urgent action following a farm attack in Limpopo
# And Cricket: Cooper Connolly earns his first Test call-up for Australia

# President Cyril Ramaphosa remains undecided about attending Mozambique president-elect Daniel Chapo’s inauguration next Wednesday. Post-election unrest has raised security concerns. According to the Presidency, an advance team from the Presidential Protection Services is looking into the safety prospects in Mozambique. Speaking at the Progressive Business Forum Presidential Golf Day in Cape Town, Ramaphosa called for peaceful dialogue between Chapo and opposition leader Venancio Mondlane:

# AfriForum has called for urgency in addressing crimes on farms as a national priority. This follows a violent farm attack in Musina where farmer Natie Vos and his family suffered severe injuries during a robbery by five armed attackers yesterday. AfriForum’s, Jacques Broodryk, confirmed that swift action by local safety groups recovered stolen goods, but the suspects remain at large. He emphasised the importance of community cooperation in combating these crimes:

# Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles jumped more 40.7-percent in China last year, as demand for new energy models continues to surge and the sector remains entrenched in a gruelling price war. The Chinese electric vehicle market has witnessed explosive growth in recent years, driven in part by generous subsidies from Beijing. The world’s largest automotive market has also seen fierce competition among domestic car manufacturers as a consumption slowdown fuels a price war. In 2024, almost 11-million new energy vehicles were sold.

# Cricket: Australian batter Nathan McSweeney has been recalled for the upcoming three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, while all-rounder Cooper Connolly has earned his maiden call-up. Former captain Steve Smith will lead the team in the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins, with Josh Hazlewood rested after picking up a calf injury. Australia’s chair of selectors, George Bailey says they are excited about the opportunity ahead for the squad members who are at the start of their Test careers to continue to grow their games.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-86-cents and the euro at 19-rand-43-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-17-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-501-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-647-dollars-44-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-9-cents a barrel.

# And finally: As little as 60-minutes of regular weekly exercise may reduce the likelihood of cancer progression by 27-percent and death by 47-percent. This is according to a study led by the University of the Witwatersrand’s Sport and Health. The study analysed anonymised data from the Discovery Health Medical Scheme, linked to the Vitality health promotion programme. Lead author Jon Patricios says in a world where cancer continues to be a significant public health burden, the promotion of physical activity can yield important benefits regarding the progression of cancer, and its prevention and management.

Stay tuned for more news………….