News 08:00

BULLETIN 1 December 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Think20 SA emphasises solution for Africa’s debt crisis as South Africa leads the G20
# USAID calls for protection of rights to end AIDS by 2030
# And rugby: The Blitzboks are through to the quarterfinals of the Dubai Sevens

# The G20’s official engagement group, Think20 SA – an established network of research institutes – has called for the prioritising of solutions for Africa’s debt crisis as South Africa assumes the G20 presidency today. South Africa takes over from Brazil, marking a key moment in its global diplomacy. Meanwhile, the director of assoicate organisation Pan African Thought and Conversation, Siphamandla Zondi , says evidence-based policy is recommended to shape the G20 agenda. He says that many of the issues in the G20 are in Africa’s interest:

# As the world marks World AIDS day, the US Agency for International Development has emphasised that protecting human rights is essential to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. UNAIDS deputy executive director, Angeli Achrekar, says progress in HIV response links directly to human rights advancements, yet rights violations threaten these gains. She says that the Take the Rights Path campaign urges global leaders to hold systems accountable for sustainable progress to fight against AIDS:

# The DA in Johannesburg has slammed the appointment of former mayor Thapelo Amad as chairperson of the Section 79 Health and Social Development Committee. The DA’s Mohammed Alex Christians cites Amad’s poor mayoral record, including city mismanagement and lack of leadership. Christians claims this move prioritises coalition stability over citizens’ welfare, vowing to hold him accountable for committee responsibilities affecting vulnerable residents in Johannesburg.

# Fifteen of Ukraine’s civilian airports have been damaged since Russia invaded the country in February 2022. Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal told local media yesterday. The country, which has 20 civilian airports, has been exploring avenues to partially open its airspace. It has been completely closed since the start of the war. Ukrainians who want to fly abroad currently have to go via road or rail to neighbouring countries to catch flights. For those living in the east, the journey out of Ukraine can take a day in itself.

# And rugby: The Blitzboks are through to today’s quarter-finals of the Dubai Sevens after a nail-biting victory over France in their third and final match of the day in Pool A yesterday. The South Africans started the competition with a convincing win over Australia, beating them 17-0, but they faltered against Kenya 22-17. The score against France was tied 19-19 at full-time, but Donovan Don scored the winning try in extra time to make the final score 24-19. South Africa will face New-Zealand in the quarter-finals later this morning.

Stay tuned for more news………….