News 17:00

NEWSFLASH NEWS AGENCY 16 November 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The AA forecasts a significant decrease in fuel prices in December
# Eskom implements stage 3 load-shedding from this evening
# And Motorsport: Get ready for Formula One cars flying down the Las Vegas Strip

# The Automobile Association predicts a substantial drop in fuel prices next month, providing relief to consumers and holiday travellers. Projections indicate a decrease of around one-rand-six-cents per litre for 95-octane petrol, one-rand-five-cents for 93-octane petrol and two-rand-10-cents for diesel. The price of illuminating paraffin is also expected to decrease by approximately one-rand-75-cents. The AA attributes these reductions to eased international product prices and a stronger rand against the US dollar. Motorists are also urged to ensure their vehicles are in good condition for safe year-end travels.

# Eskom has implemented stage 3 load-shedding from this evening until Saturday morning due to a shortage of generation capacity. Spokesperson Daphne Mokoena says there will be a rotation between stages 1 and 2 over the weekend. This follows a delay in returning to service of four generating units, including Koeberg Unit 1. Mokoena says the power utility will closely monitor the power system and communicate any changes to load-shedding should it be required:

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# The Eastern Cape Liquor Board has condemned posters that are circulating on social media platforms that market Pens Down parties to be hosted at the conclusion of the end-of-the-year examinations. As many grades will soon be finishing their examinations, there is a growing fear across the province that some learners may be organising pens down parties. The board’s spokesperson, Mgwebi Msiya is urging communities to be extremely vigilant during this time to do everything possible to thwart these parties from being hosted:

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# Motorsport: It is a brand-new stop on the Formula One calendar this weekend – the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The centrepiece of the street race is a two-kilometre run down the famous Las Vegas Strip, home of all the major casino hotels. The first practice session will take place tomorrow morning, South African time, with the race starting at eight on Sunday morning. Ferrari is fighting for second place in the Constructors’ Championship and Spanish driver Carlos Sainz says he can’t wait to try out the new track:

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# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-25-cents and the euro at 19-rand-82-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-66-cents and Bitcoin trades at 36-thousand-875-dollars-4-cents. Gold sells at one-thousand-970-dollars-29-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-81-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A recent study by The Lancet Countdown warns that global heat-related deaths are projected to surge by 370-percent if global warming is not adequately controlled. The study specifically highlights the risks associated with rising temperatures and extreme weather events, which contribute to health threats and food insecurity. The research indicates that nearly 525-million people globally could face food insecurity due to the impacts of global warming and that nearly half of American deaths from air pollution are due to the burning of fossil fuels.

Stay tuned for more news………….