November 17, 2015.
For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.
Making headlines:

South Africa and the US sign an Agoa poultry veterinary trade protocol. 

The United Nations says all sides in Libya may be committing war crimes.

And, the Department of Water and Sanitation to impose higher water tariffs.

South Africa and the US have signed a poultry veterinary trade protocol as part of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (or Agoa) that had become bogged down over health concerns, a South African government statement said today.

Earlier this month President Barack Obama announced that the US would withdraw Agoa benefits on South African agriculture exports from January 5, 2016, unless restrictions on the importation of three meat products were eased.

South Africa had been concerned that an outbreak of avian flu in the US which killed nearly 50 million birds could pose animal and human health risks.
The agreement would see the US emerge as one of the top poultry exporters to South Africa.

 

All sides in Libya's conflict are committing breaches of international law that may amount to war crimes, including abductions, torture and the killing of civilians, the United Nations (or UN) said yesterday.

A  joint report by the UN human rights office and UN Support Mission in Libya said Islamic State forces had gained and consolidated control over swathes of territory, committing gross abuses including public summary executions of individuals based on their religion or political allegiance.

Libyan armed groups pledging allegiance to the group control areas of central Libya including Sirte, Harawa and Nofliya had claimed responsibility for a number of attacks, including on oil fields, checkpoints and petrol stations.

 

Higher water tariffs could be imposed during drought conditions, including penalties for those who use more than a specified amount of water.

This is according to the Norms and standards in respect of tariffs for water service authorities and bulk service providers gazetted by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

According to the document published in the government gazette last week, drought tariffs included "a higher than normal or a temporary drought surcharge that a water services authority may impose to achieve water conservation goals when facing drought conditions".

The public has 90 days to submit comments or input to Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokhonyane on the notice.

The tariffs wouldn’t apply to those with free basic water or those in the lowest tariff block.

 

Also making headlines:

Pilots of South African Airways voted overwhelmingly in favour of a vote of no confidence in both the chair and nonexecutive directors of the board. 

The Department of Higher Education and Training has hailed the decision by the traditionally Afrikaans Stellenbosch University to allow learning to take place in English as a “progressive” step.

And, the Democratic Alliance said the establishment of parallel investigations by the President, National Assembly Speaker and Police Minister were inconsistent with the legal precedent determined by the Supreme Court of Appeal.

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That’s a roundup of news making headlines today