News 14:00

BULLETIN 2 March 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The United Arab Emirates summons the Iranian ambassador over attacks and warns of consequences
# The Madlanga commission will not tolerate the abuse of the process through last-minute illness excuses
# And motorsport: Transport chaos is not expected to disrupt the Melbourne GP

# The United Arab Emirates summoned Iran’s ambassador to the country, Reza Ameri, over what it describes as terrorist attacks targeting its territory. Iran reportedly targeted US interests in the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries following the weekend’s US-Israeli attacks. The UAE’s minister of State, Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of sovereignty and international law. The UAE rejects Iran’s justifications and warned of serious consequences for bilateral relations, demanding the attacks cease immediately while reserving its right to respond.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Al Jama-ah party has condemned the military strikes, saying respect for international law and diplomacy must take precedence over war. The deadly violence has resulted in the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, hindering the flow of oil and disrupting air travel. Party leader Ganief Hendricks says the attacks have undermined global peace and stability and heightened tensions in the Middle East:

# Madlanga commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels says they are taking sick notes and last-minute illnesses by witnesses very seriously and will not tolerate abuse of the process. This follows the absence of North West businessman Brown Mogotsi due to alleged ill health. He has until this afternoon to submit a medical certificate. Michaels says failure to comply could result in the subpoena of medical practitioners:

# The South African Weather Service issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms across Gauteng, parts of Mpumalanga, and Limpopo. Johannesburg Emergency Management Services warns of heavy rain, slippery roads, and potential localised flooding. The service forecasts tropical moisture will bring downpours, small hail, and frequent lightning, with impacts likely to persist into tomorrow morning. Motorists are urged to drive cautiously, maintain safe distances, and avoid crossing flooded roads.

# Motorsport: The organisers of the season’s first Formula One Grand Prix don’t expect any disruption to this coming weekend’s race in Melbourne, Australia, despite the transport chaos caused by the Middle Eastern conflict. Thousands of flights were cancelled. Australia’s F1 chief, Travis Auld, says many drivers, engineers, team principals and other team members had been caught up in the disruption, but they could reshuffle flights and believe everyone will arrive on time.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-6-cents and the euro at 18-rand-86-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-51-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-219-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-386-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-35-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….