News 08:00

BULLETIN 2 December 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

 # President Ramaphosa calls for more funds to deal with climate change
 # New vehicle sales declined in November                                                                                                                                         # And,  cricket: India down Australia to clinch T20 series

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for increased funds for the new fund on Loss and Damage to tackle climate change. Addressing world leaders at the COP28 Climate Summit, Ramaphosa highlighted Africa’s vulnerability to climate change and emphasised the need for a work program on national and international just transitions across economic sectors. Ramaphosa underscored that climate action is vital for South Africa’s sustainable development. He urged for multilateralism to continue to play a central role in global climate action:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has called on communities to take the lead in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He was addressing the official World AIDS Day event in KwaZulu-Natal. Mashatile also called for the protection of teenage girls, as the latest statistics show they are vulnerable to infection:

# The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa says new vehicle sales in November was 13.4-percent down from the same month last year. The sales of new passenger cars declined by 12.5-percent year on year. Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies, and mini-buses are down by 16.2-percent. The heavy truck and bus segments of the industry reflected a decline of 10.7-percent. The only good news is that last month’s aggregate export sales continued in line with general industry expectations and increased by 23.5-percent.

# A request by the World Health Organisation for more information on a surge in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia in children in China has attracted global attention. WHO says health authorities have reportedly not detected any unusual or novel pathogens and doctors and public health researchers say there is no evidence for international alarm. Reuters reports authorities in Taiwan, however, this week advised the elderly, very young and those with poor immunity to avoid travel to China. The rise in respiratory illnesses comes as China faces its first full winter since it lifted strict Covid-19 restrictions.

# And, cricket: Rinku Singh’s quickfire 46 and a spin attack led by Axar Patel helped India to a series-clinching 20-run win over Australia in the fourth Twenty20 international in Raipur yesterday. India posted 174 for nine after the tourists elected to field first. India then kept down Australia to 154 for seven to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. The final T20 is tomorrow in Bengaluru.

Stay tuned for more news………….