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FRIDAY, 13 MARCH 2026, 12:58

Top Stories

US issues 30-day sanctions waiver for purchase of Russian oil at sea

Today at 12:41 PM, via Daily Maverick

The United States issued a 30-day waiver for countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded at sea, in what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said was a step to stabilize global energy markets roiled by the Iran war.

Top Stories

Poland’s Tusk vows to use EU defence loans despite president’s veto

Today at 12:34 PM, via Daily Maverick

Poland will use a European Union programme to fund defence despite a presidential veto of the scheme, the prime minister said on Friday, as he condemned the head of state for what the government has labelled a betrayal of the national interest.

South Africa

President Ramaphosa outlines plan to get NDP back on track

Today at 10:34 AM, via SAnews

President Ramaphosa outlines plan to get NDP back on track

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is implementing the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) to address structural challenges in the economy and place South Africa back on a path toward achieving the goals of the National Development Plan (NDP).

The President was responding to oral questions in the National Assembly on...

Africa

One house, two faiths, one fasting season

Yesterday at 14:40 PM, via BBC News

Ramadan and Lent haven’t overlapped since 1993 and couples like Olanrewaju and Kaosara in Nigeria are observing them together.

Business

Alarm bells for Cape Town residents

Today at 12:30 PM, via BusinessTech

Residents of Cape Town are being warned that water restrictions could arrive earlier than expected.

Business

Petrol price nightmare hitting South Africa next month

Today at 11:02 AM, via BusinessTech

South African motorists are in for a world of pain next month, with the latest data from the CEF pricing a massive increase for petrol in April, before fuel levy hikes are included.

Business

Ramaphosa triples down on the NHI

Today at 09:44 AM, via BusinessTech

President Cyril Ramaphosa has tripled down on the National Health Insurance scheme, saying that court battles and a pause on promulgating the NHI Act won’t slow down the government’s agenda.

Politics

ANC weighs up wooing the DA in Gauteng 

Today at 00:30 AM, via Mail & Guardian

Party internal sources say the DA is not fishing in the same pond with them and that the other parties are contesting its base

Education

‘It’s like a giant book club’: how schools are getting children excited about reading again

Today at 12:00 PM, via The Guardian

In the National Year of Reading, teachers say a culture of enthusiasm, from dress-up days, story time and book clubs, can reverse a national decline

Ajmal, 7, is an avid fan of the InvestiGators comic books. They feature two crime-busting alligator secret agents called Mango and Brash. “It’s really funny,” he says, then outlines the plot of his current favourite in exhaustive detail.

Wren, 8,...

Education

His Harvard Lab Was Thriving. Then Came the Cuts.

Today at 11:00 AM, via New York Times

Will Mair, who studies aging, lost almost all his research funds when the White House cracked down on Harvard. He was wholly unprepared for the upheaval that followed.

Lifestyle

Cape Town heatwave harvest

Today at 11:04 AM, via The South African

When having a glass of ice-cold Cape Town Sauvignon Blanc this weekend – spare a thought for those who harvested in this heatwave.

Lifestyle

Inside Black Coffee’s 50th b-day celebrations

Today at 10:30 AM, via The South African

Take a look inside South African-born DJ Black Coffee’s 50th birthday celebrations alongside 29-year-old model girlfriend Victoria Gonzalez.

Entertainment

Recipe of the day:Golden cut margarita

Today at 11:55 AM, via The Citizen

Don Julio invites tequila lovers to elevate their experiences with a Margarita that celebrates craftmanship and quality.

Science/Tech

The Shingles Virus May Be Aging You More Quickly

Today at 12:00 PM, via Wired

Evidence suggests reactivations of the varicella-zoster virus may accelerate aging and raise dementia risk. Now scientists want to know if vaccines and antivirals could help protect the brain.