News 13:00

BULLETIN 3 March 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Two Dubai International airports reopen partially amid disruptions
# The Road Freight Association says the diesel price hike will affect the daily operations of commercial transporters
# And soccer: Almost seven-million tickets are already available for the World Cup

# Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central–Al Maktoum International in the United Arab Emirates resumed limited flights after cancellations left thousands of passengers stranded. The move follows operational restrictions and the temporary closure of Qatari airspace after the US-Israeli attacks on Iran. Priority is given to passengers with earlier bookings, while Qatar Airways’ flights remain suspended until the country’s Civil Aviation Authority announces a safe reopening. Travelers are advised not to go to airports without confirmed departure notifications.

Meanwhile, the Road Freight Association says the increase in South Africa’s fuel prices is a direct result of upward pressure on international oil prices due to supply and logistics risks following the US-Israeli war against Iran. The price of petrol will rise by 20 cents a litre tomorrow, while diesel prices will rise by between 62- and 65-cents a litre. CEO Gavin Kelly says this will place an immediate cost burden on commercial transporters:

# Union federation Saftu says the Ormonde building collapse in the south of Johannesburg reflects a deeper crisis in the country’s construction sector. Eight workers died after a section of the building that was still under construction caved in yesterday afternoon. One person remains unaccounted for. Saftu’s Asive Dyani calls for a national audit of high-risk construction sites and the strengthening and expansion of the Labour Inspectorate:

# Soccer: World governing body FIFA says almost seven-million tickets have been made available for this year’s World Cup in Canada, the US and Mexico, of which about two-million were sold during October’s initial lottery. The second sales phase in December and January attracted 508-million requests. The most popular matches were those between Portugal and Colombia in Miami on 27 June, between Mexico and South Korea in Guadelajara on the 18th, and the final in New Jersey on 19 July. The tournament kicks off on 11 June.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-29-cents and the euro at 18-rand-92-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-431-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-263-dollars-78-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The World Health Organisation says more than 430-million people worldwide, including millions of children, live with disabling hearing loss as the world marks World Hearing Day. Up to 60-percent of childhood hearing loss is preventable. Experts warn unaddressed hearing issues can affect communication, learning, and social confidence. The organisation has emphasised early detection and prevention through safe listening, immunisation, proper ear care, and prompt treatment of infections as key to safeguarding hearing health.

Stay tuned for more news………….