News 09:00

BULLETIN 13 November 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Hlabisa says the Municipal Coalitions Bill is still not available to help manage coalition arrangements
# Zelensky urges European countries to maintain sanctions pressure on Russia
# And tennis: Pegula is through to the semifinals of the WTA Finals at the expense of Gauff

# Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, says the Municipal Structures Amendment Bill is not yet available to provide the intended legislative framework for managing coalition arrangements in local government. The legislation, commonly known as the Municipal Coalitions Bill, was supposed to be adopted by Parliament before the local government elections, to bring order, better governance and more stable coalitions. However, the bill is still moving through Parliament. Hlabisa says the approved guidelines will serve as an interim framework to assist political parties and municipalities in negotiating coalition agreements.

# The Council of the Left calls for unity among progressive political parties following the local government elections. The council, which includes the SACP, MK Party, ACT, Africa Mayibuye Movement and the EFF, has criticised the government of national unity’s economic policies. Speaking at a media briefing in Boksburg, MK Party’s Dali Mpofu said the current government’s economic policies have made life more expensive for ordinary South Africans: 

# The City of Tshwane has announced an escalation of its water restrictions to level two, in response to increasing water demand and declining bulk water storage levels within the Rand Water supply system. The restrictions will be in effect for an initial 30 days, with a possible extension if things do not improve. The metro’s water consumption during September was approximately 34-percent above its permanent licence allocation and 19-percent above its temporary licence allocation. As a consequence of the level two restrictions, households will face higher water tariffs.

# Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has called on European countries to impose new sanctions on Russia to limit its capabilities in the war. The European Commission is preparing its 22nd sanctions package against Moscow. Addressing European leaders at the European Political Community in Dublin, Ireland, Zelensky warned against easing economic restrictions or lifting sanctions as a concession for dialogue. He argues continued financial and trade pressure is vital to pushing Russia toward genuine peace negotiations:

# Tennis: World number five Jessica Pegula has advanced to the semifinals of the WTA Finals in Indian Wells for the third time in her career. The American saved a match point to outlast Czech Linda Nosková 7-6, 4-6, 7-5, eliminating her compatriot Coco Gauff in the process. Nosková topped Group one with Pegula claiming the second qualifying spot ahead of Gauff on sets won. Pegula will face Russia’s Mirra Andreeva in the semifinals, while Nosková awaits the winner of the decisive clash between Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-75-cents and the euro at 18-rand-53-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-17-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-837-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-918-dollars-62-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 97-dollars-92-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….