News 13:00

BULLETIN 2 March 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Shipping companies divert their vessels around the Cape after the strikes on Iran
# The Gauteng government will take full ownership of Gautrain from the end of the month
# And cricket: The T20 World Cup semifinals are locked, with South Africa facing New Zealand

# Shipping companies Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM are rerouting vessels around Africa, away from the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, after US and Israeli strikes on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement, Danish container shipping group Maersk said that due to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East region, the company has decided to pause future Trans-Suez sailings. German shipping group Hapag-Lloyd said it was rerouting its IMX container service that connects India and the Middle East with the Mediterranean around southern Africa.

Meanwhile, American president Donald Trump says an Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a dire threat to every American. His comments come as Iran’s retaliation is intensifying after US-Israeli strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday. Three US service members were also killed during ‘Operation Epic Fury’, and five others seriously wounded. Trump says Iran rejected every opportunity to renounce its nuclear ambitions:

# North West businessman Brown Mogotsi has been found in contempt after failing to appear before the Madlanga commission, which probes alleged political interference in the justice system. Mogotsi, who now represents himself, cited illness and promised a medical certificate. Chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga ruled he remains in contempt until proof is submitted, saying the final decision will be made on Wednesday before Organised Crime head Richard Shibiri begins his testimony:

# The Gauteng government will assume full ownership of the Gautrain high-speed rail system at the end of March. The system, which has been operating for 16 years, was originally developed through a public-private partnership and is now a fully paid provincial asset. MEC Lebogang Maile says the system’s value has grown from 26-billion- to between 45- and 53-billion-rand. He says expansion plans are ongoing, and the preferred bidder for the new concession will be announced soon.

# Cricket: The T20 World Cup semifinal clashes have been confirmed. 2024 runners-up South Africa will face New Zealand in the first semifinal in Kolkata, India, on Wednesday. The Proteas come into the last four clash with the only 100-percent record across the whole tournament. Defending champions and co-hosts India will face England in the second semifinal in Mumbai on Thursday. The two nations have met at the same stage in the past two editions. The final will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-8-cents and the euro at 18-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-49-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-423-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-392-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-38-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….