News 07:00
BULLETIN 15 March 7 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill is passed for a more competitive electricity market
# The court will today hear an application to stop the Thabo Bester documentary from airing
# And SpaceX loses Starship – the biggest and most powerful spacecraft ever built
# The National Assembly has passed the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, with 234 votes in favour, including the ANC and the DA, and 25 votes against. The bill makes provision for the establishment of a state-owned Transmission System Operator, that will amongst other things create an open-market platform to enable competitive trading of electricity. Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, says the bill will radically transform the structure of the electricity sector for future generations:
# Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, says Cabinet has approved the establishment of a United Nations habitat country programme and office in South Africa. This move aims to support the country’s priorities in spatial transformation, urban development, housing, and sustainable human settlements. Ntshavheni added UN Habitat will provide policy, programme development, capacity-building, training support, and collaborate with stakeholders on specific projects:
# The last-minute applications by Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana to stop Showmax from airing the four-part documentary, Tracking Thabo Bester, will be heard in the Johannesburg High Court today. Facebook rapist and murderer Bester and his partner Magudumana each approached the court to stop the airing of the documentary, arguing that it threatens their rights. MultiChoice says the allegations against the two are serious and Showmax strongly believes it is essential for viewers to have the opportunity to watch the documentary and form their own informed opinions.
# The Economic Liberators Forum South Africa has welcomed Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka’s scheduled inspection of the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment plant in Hammanskraal. The visit aims to assess progress on identified issues including improved wastewater treatment and water quality for residents. However, forum president Hulisani Mani criticised the City of Tshwane for neglecting water challenges. Mani called for accountability as well as the provision of water tankers to affected residents:
# Golf: Scotland’s Kylie Henry posted a three-under-par 71 to stretch her lead to three shots ahead of the final day of the Ladies Open at Royal Cape in Cape Town today. South Africans Casandra Alexander and Gabrielle Venter are Henry’s closest challengers on five-under-par. SuperSport Ladies Challenge winner India’s Tvesa Malik is on four-under-par in a tie for fourth with France’s Emie Peronnin and England’s Florentyna Parker.
# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-77-cents and the euro at 20-rand-41-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-146-dollar-39-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-162-dollars-3-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-18-cents a barrel.
# And finally: SpaceX has lost its Starship, presumably after it fell to earth and into the Indian Ocean. The loss of the spacecraft brought an end to an otherwise successful test, after two previous versions that lasted a few minutes before blowing up. In a third attempt yesterday, Starship managed to separate from its booster, arrived in space, and flew halfway around the Earth. Starship, the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built, was launched from Texas near the Mexican border. No people or satellites were on board.
Stay tuned for more news………….