Top Stories
Top Stories
US issues 30-day sanctions waiver for purchase of Russian oil at sea
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
Japan to join Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ project, expects missile requests
Japan will inform the U.S. next week that it intends to join the “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative and expects that Washington may seek its help with missile production due to the Middle East war and other conflicts, two sources said.
Top Stories
Poland’s Tusk vows to use EU defence loans despite president’s veto
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
News24 | Another statue for Durban? New call for monument to Mangosuthu Buthelezi
KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has called for the erection of yet another statue in eThekwini, this time to honour the late founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party, Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

South Africa
Scores of people flock to Cape Town beaches amid heat wave
Temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius have been recorded in the Cape Town CBD.

South Africa
NFOSA urges people to deal with debt before repossession hits
The NFO says many consumers are unaware that they have the option to manage credit agreements.
South Africa
President Ramaphosa outlines plan to get NDP back on track
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...

World
Four confirmed dead after U.S. military aircraft goes down in Iraq
The U.S. Central Command confirmed that at least four of six crew members on the KC-135 aircraft were dead, after the refueling plane went down in western Iraq on Thursday.

World
Exiled Iranians watch the war from afar, wondering what awaits when it ends
Iranians who fled the country before the war with the U.S. and Israel are now watching it unfold, wondering what will happen when it ends.
World
News24 | US military on rescue mission after refuelling aircraft crashes in Iraq
A US military refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, in an incident US Central Command said involved another aircraft, but was not the result of hostile or friendly fire.

World
A record number of political parties register for Haiti’s first election in a decade
A record 280 political parties had registered by Thursday’s deadline to participate in Haiti’s first general election in a decade, hopeful for a chance to help ease their country’s multiple crises.

Africa
Globetrotting Constantine back in charge of Rwanda
Rwanda reappoint globetrotting Englishman Stephen Constantine as head coach of their men’s national team on a two-year contract.

Africa
Cartoonist freed after 15 years in prison without charge in Eritrea
Biniam Solomon was known for his witty and critical cartoons before the free press was closed.

Africa
One house, two faiths, one fasting season
Ramadan and Lent haven’t overlapped since 1993 and couples like Olanrewaju and Kaosara in Nigeria are observing them together.

Africa
Chinese national arrested over attempt to smuggle 2,000 queen ants from Kenya
The suspect had packed some ants in test tubes while others were concealed in tissue paper rolls, prosecutor says.

Business
Alarm bells for Cape Town residents
Residents of Cape Town are being warned that water restrictions could arrive earlier than expected.

Business
Digital marketing in South Africa – No longer optional for top companies
Digital advertising has never been more important for South African companies, due to the rapid growth in internet users in the country.

Business
Petrol price nightmare hitting South Africa next month
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
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
UDM requests parliament to accord late Lekota appropriate recognition
UDM says parliament must recognise Lekota the same way it did the late Dr Frene Ginwala.

Politics
ANC weighs up wooing the DA in Gauteng
Party internal sources say the DA is not fishing in the same pond with them and that the other parties are contesting its base

Politics
No plans for army to work permanently with police: Ramaphosa
Over 500 SANDF members are deployed in Gauteng to help the police fight gang related crimes

Politics
Ramaphosa concedes objectives of NDP targets not within reach
Ramaphosa says work is under way to build a capable state that will change things for better

Sport
James agrees new six-year contract at Chelsea
Chelsea captain Reece James agrees a six‑year deal that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2032.

Sport
Players must believe in your methods – the mentality of winning a relegation battle
In his BBC Sport column, former Premier League boss Tony Pulis explains how your mindset is as important as your tactics when you are a manager battling relegation.

Sport
McDowell hits LIV hole-in-one for second straight week
Graeme McDowell creates LIV Golf history, becoming the first player to hit a second hole-in-one on the tour.

Sport
Straka chips in on 16 to take a share of Players’ lead
Ryder Cup star Sepp Straka chips in for an eagle three on the par-five 16th to take a share of the first-round clubhouse lead at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

Education
‘It’s like a giant book club’: how schools are getting children excited about reading again
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
Liberia: Gongloe Stresses Knowledge-Based Economy for Liberia’s Growth
[New Dawn] Renowned Liberian human rights lawyer and Liberian People’s Party (LPP) political leader, Cllr. Taiwan Saye Gongloe has emphasized the urgent need for a knowledge-based economy in Liberia.
Education
His Harvard Lab Was Thriving. Then Came the Cuts.
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.
Education
South Africa: No, South African Government Not Removing English From Public Schools
[Africa Check] No, South African government not removing English from public schools

Lifestyle
Yolanda Gumbi drags ex-husband over child maintenance neglect
The drama between Yolanda Gumbi and Mpilo Mdletshe escalates as she accuses him of not fulfilling his duties as a father to their son.
Lifestyle

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

Entertainment
Experienced players return to Stormers lineup for big Bulls URC clash
Nel will captain a side that now also includes Willemse, Fourie and Fouche.

Entertainment
New Audi A3 Sportback S line offers even more value
The new derivative creates a compelling entry point into the A3 Sportback range while retaining the S line package.

Entertainment
Schoolboy rugby starts again: All the big fixtures this weekend
Hoërskool Waterkloof host Affies in the headline match while the Wynberg Rugby Festival concludes.

Entertainment
Recipe of the day:Golden cut margarita
Don Julio invites tequila lovers to elevate their experiences with a Margarita that celebrates craftmanship and quality.

Science/Tech
Sony WF-1000XM6 Review: My New Favorite Earbuds
Sony’s latest flagship earbuds have the best noise canceling—and maybe the best bass—I’ve ever heard from wireless earbuds.

Science/Tech
6G Is Coming. Here’s What to Expect From the Next Generation of Cellular Tech
When it succeeds 5G in 2030, the next-gen mobile network will focus on upload speeds, AI, and radar-like “sensing” of vehicles, devices, and people.

Science/Tech
Palantir Demos Show How the Military Could Use AI Chatbots to Generate War Plans
Software demos and Pentagon records detail how chatbots like Anthropic’s Claude could help the Pentagon analyze intelligence and suggest next steps.

Science/Tech
The Shingles Virus May Be Aging You More Quickly
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.
Motoring

Motoring
How to win big in South Africa’s competitive automotive industry
South Africa’s motoring industry has never been more competitive – here’s how you can stand out from the crowd.

Motoring
Multi-billion rand bailouts for South Africa’s transport companies
State-owned entities, including Transnet and SAA, have received more than R520 billion in government support.

Motoring
South Africa next? Volkswagen Amarok drops 2.0-litre Down Under
Both the single-turbo and bi-turbo 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine has been dropped from the Australian-market Amarok.
Health
A New Lifeline Helps Inmates Transition to Life Out of Prison
Medicaid is now paying for health care in jails and prisons, helping smooth inmates’ return to the community. Corrections and law enforcement officials say they’re all for it.

Health
Woman with rare blood feels ‘honoured’ to donate
A woman whose blood is so rare that it is frozen for up to three decades feels “very special”.

Health
Woman only found out she had terminal brain cancer after a suitcase fell on her head
Lauren Macpherson was travelling home from a festival in London when her life changed forever.
Health
GPs tell BBC they’ve NEVER refused sick note for mental health
BBC News sent a questionnaire to more than 5,000 GPs in England.