News 09:00

BULLETIN 18 March 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC welcomes Postbank’s registration as a licensed financial services provider
# Two suspects will appear in court for the Eldorado Park shooting today
# And, the Iranian army vows to avenge the killing of its security chief

# The ANC has welcomed the registration of Postbank as a licensed Financial Services Provider with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority. The license authorises Postbank to provide financial advice and intermediary services related to financial products within a regulated framework. The ANC says this milestone gives practical effect to the 55th National Conference resolution, to accelerate the establishment of a fully-fledged state bank. It adds that Postbank’s registration is not the end of the journey, but a decisive step towards a people-centred financial system that advances dignity, inclusion and shared prosperity.

# The MK Party says the proposed liquidation of the South African Post Office is concerning and will have far-reaching consequences that cannot be ignored. SAPO business rescue practitioners have expressed their intention to file for liquidation due to a lack of funding to keep the state-owned entity afloat. The MK Party’s spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, says the decision to pursue liquidation appears to disregard the broader socio-economic consequences for the country, including the termination of over five-thousand employees:

# Two suspects are expected to appear before the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court today in connection with the deadly shooting at Eldorado Park over the weekend. According to authorities, about eight unknown men entered a social gathering on Saturday night and opened fire randomly on attendees. Two people were declared dead on the scene, while six others were wounded. Gauteng police spokesperson, Brenda Muridili, says the suspects are facing murder and attempted murder charges:

# Iranian army chief Amir Hatami has threatened to launch a decisive and regrettable retaliation for the killing of security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli air strike. As secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Larijani was central to the decision-making on war, diplomacy, and national security. He is the most senior Iranian official to be killed since Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei last month. Hatami says that at the appropriate time and place, a strong response will be given to the criminal America and the bloodthirsty Zionist regime.

# Soccer: Manchester City and Chelsea have been knocked out of the Champions League. Fifteen-time champions Real Madrid beat City 2-1 and 5-1 on aggregate in the second leg of the round of 16. Defending champions Paris St‑Germain beat Chelsea 3-0 and 8-2 on aggregate. Arsenal secured their spot in the quarterfinals by defeating Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 and 3-1 on aggregate. Sporting staged a historic comeback after going down 3-0 to Bodø/Glimt and winning 5-0 in the return leg, 5-3 on aggregate, to book their spot in the quarterfinals.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-66-cents and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-26-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 74-thousand-487-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-991-dollars-78-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 98-dollars-36-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….