News 13:00

BULLETIN 12 November 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# AfriForum demands the fixing of water leakages before Gauteng’s taps run dry
# Asian markets close lower amid concerns about a trade war with the United States when Trump takes office
# And rugby: Sam Cane and Mark Tele’a are ruled out of the All Blacks’ squad for the Test against France

# AfriForum has urged the City of Johannesburg to undertake a large-scale initiative for the repair of water leakages and continuous maintenance of the water network. In 2023/’24, the metro classified 46.2-percent of the water supply as non-revenue, meaning it is lost to leaks or not paid for. Johannesburg Water aims to reduce water consumption to 175 litres per person per day. AfriForum’s Lambert de Klerk says the water crisis is a result of the ANC’s poor municipal and provincial management:

Meanwhile, the City of Tshwane says there has been a significant improvement in most of the reservoirs’ levels after some of them ran empty last week. A power trip at Rand Water’s Palmiet booster pump station last week caused a decrease in water levels for reservoirs around the metro. Spokesperson Lindela Mashigo says the water supply to Thatchfield Ridge has been restored, albeit at low pressure. He adds that supply to parts of Olivenhoutbosch have also been restored:

# New regulations expected in 2025 will require traditional healers in South Africa to register with the Interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council. This move aims to integrate traditional healing into the formal healthcare system, improving patient care. However, some healers have expressed concern over high registration fees and fears that Western methods might overshadow their practices. Authorities say the new system will boost quality and accountability across the sector.

# Asian markets sank today on concerns about the impact of a possible trade war between China and the United States when Donald Trump takes office. This was compounded by disappointment about Beijing’s lack of extra measures to boost its stuttering economy. Wall Street closed at another record, fuelled by expectations that Trump will push through promised business-friendly policies. US investors are gearing up for another strong four years as Trump cuts taxes and eases regulations, but their Asian counterparts fear a debilitating trade war.

# Rugby: Former captain Sam Cane and winger Mark Tele’a won’t play for the All Blacks in Saturday’s Test against France in Paris. The flanker sustained a deep head cut during last weekend’s victory over Ireland and it is feared this could be the end of his career as he plans to retire after the tour. Tele’a injured his hand, while lock Sam Darry already returned home with a season-ending knee injury. Du’Plessis Kirifi, Chay Fihaki and Fabian Holland were called up to the squad.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-7-cents and the euro at 19-rand-20-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-17-cents and Bitcoin trades at 88-thousand-336-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-595-dollars-90-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-27-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….