News 16:00

BULLETIN 9 December 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Parliamentary renovations are expected to be finished by November next year
# International airlines expect to transport a record 5.2-billion passengers in 2026
# And cricket: England’s Mark Wood will miss the rest of the Ashes series

# National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza says the parliamentary complex in Cape Town’s full reconstruction is expected to be completed by November next year. Speaking on the African Renaissance podcast with Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, Didiza highlighted how virtual systems kept Parliament functioning after Covid-19 and the 2022 fire. She says progress has been slow due to heritage requirements, noting the rebuild must preserve historical elements while symbolising a modern democracy representing all South Africans:

Didiza also announced Members of Parliament will undergo formal diplomacy training from next year. She says Parliament is strengthening ongoing onboarding programmes to help MPs understand rules, multilateral engagement and their roles in regional and international forums. She stressed that MPs represent South Africa in bodies like the Southern African Development Community and the African Union, and must be equipped:

# Deputy minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina, has signed a memorandum of understanding with her Chinese counterpart, Chen Jiachang. The MoU on the Young Scientists Exchange Programme is to expand technical exchange opportunities for young scientists from both countries. The department’s spokesperson, Veronica Mohapeloa, says the agreement seeks to promote collaborative research, skills development, and researcher mobility for emerging scientists in both countries:

# International airlines are anticipating a record-breaking 2026, with an expected 5.2-billion passengers taking to the skies. The International Air Transport Association says this is despite global challenges. The aviation industry is also forecast to achieve a record profit of 6.9 trillion-rand next year, fueled by strong passenger demand, especially from emerging markets like India and China. This is up from 6.7-trillion-rand this year. IATA Director General Willie Walsh says while this would set a new record, the net profit margin is expected to be unchanged at 3.9-percent.

# Cricket: England fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series against Australia due to a recurrence of his left-knee injury. The 35-year-old initially sustained the injury during England’s eight-wicket defeat in the first Test in Perth last month. As a result, he missed the second Test in Brisbane. Wood says he is disappointed that, despite more injections and intensive medical treatment, it has become clear that the flare-up in his knee is worse than feared.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-4-cents and the euro at 19-rand-83-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-361-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-201-dollars-27-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-60-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….