The Weekend Wrap
Trump’s tariff doctrine and South Africa’s hedged bets. Why the rand is a sitting and sinking duck. And do you need to be eating more protein?
Play, pause and punishment — Trump’s tariff doctrine and South Africa’s hedged bets
Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on sweeping new tariffs may have calmed markets momentarily — but for South Africa, it’s a fleeting reprieve in a new era of global economic coercion. At stake: Agoa access, domestic price stability, and the fundamental assumption that open markets remain open.
By Yeshiel Panchia
Explainer — why the rand is a sitting and sinking duck
Caught in the crosshairs of a turbulent stage of history, the rand is a duck that is both sitting and sinking.
By Ed Stoddard
The Weekend Wrap
Trump’s tariff doctrine and South Africa’s hedged bets. Why the rand is a sitting and sinking duck. And do you need to be eating more protein?
Play, pause and punishment — Trump’s tariff doctrine and South Africa’s hedged bets
Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on sweeping new tariffs may have calmed markets momentarily — but for South Africa, it’s a fleeting reprieve in a new era of global economic coercion. At stake: Agoa access, domestic price stability, and the fundamental assumption that open markets remain open.
By Yeshiel Panchia
Explainer — why the rand is a sitting and sinking duck
Caught in the crosshairs of a turbulent stage of history, the rand is a duck that is both sitting and sinking.
By Ed Stoddard
GNU 2.0 — ANC presses ‘Control-Alt-Delete’ on the national coalition
The decision by the ANC’s National Working Committee to ‘reset’ the national coalition opens the door to real change in the government. It can also lead to turmoil in the ANC.
By Stephen Grootes
US funding cuts threaten global medical advancement: Here’s why it matters to you
In February 2025, the US cut major funding for HIV/AIDS care and medical research in South Africa — a move with far-reaching consequences. With up to 70% of our medical research funded by the NIH, the impact will be deep and long-lasting. It might not seem like it affects you now, but it will.
By Tamsin Metelerkamp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wao5P-QBpxM
How to normalise ethnic cleansing — with the help of false binaries, AfriForum and anti-Semites
Back in mid-February, Israel-Palestine expert Norman Finkelstein told Daily Maverick that South Africa could expect to suffer an intensifying ‘dirty tricks campaign’ as evidence of Israeli war crimes in Gaza mounted.
By Kevin Bloom
How the DA and EFF plan to fight the VAT hike and Budget process in court
The unlikely DA-EFF duo is challenging the adoption of the fiscal framework and the powers of the finance minister under the VAT Act in court. Here’s what the case is all about.
By Victoria O’Regan
How the DA and EFF plan to fight the VAT hike and Budget process in court
The unlikely DA-EFF duo is challenging the adoption of the fiscal framework and the powers of the finance minister under the VAT Act in court. Here’s what the case is all about.
By Victoria O’Regan
The Soweto dad who earns a living by waiting in bank queues
For 17 years, Brian Chauke from Chiawelo in Soweto has been unemployed, but instead of falling into despair, the father of two came up with an innovative yet solicitous way of feeding his family.
By Bheki C. Simelane
Resurrecting the dire wolf: Scientific breakthrough or misleading marketing stunt?
Real or hybrid, news of the resurrection of the dire wolf is a big deal with huge implications for conservation efforts, the advancement of science, and the business of bioscience.Dinosaur tracks were found in a rugged, remote coastal South African setting.
By Ed Stoddard
The sad reality of sporting prodigies’ abusive parents — and why the line is so fine
The child abuse trial featuring the parent of an Olympic champion is a stark reminder of the fine line parents of sporting prodigies must walk.
By Craig Ray
Is TikTok right? Do I need to eat more protein?
Has TikTok got you worried you’re not eating enough protein to keep you healthy? Here’s how much you really need, and what that looks like throughout a day.
By Nick Fuller
How roof paint is helping vulnerable groups beat dangerous heat in South Africa and Ghana
A University of Cape Town-led project is testing heat-reflective roof paint to cool homes and protect the health of low-income African communities in a warming world.
By Kristin Engel
Daily Mini Crossword Quickie
The finest steaks afloat, a ‘skiffle strike’, and minstrels at the quay side on port day
Direct lines can be drawn between events, through time, so that suddenly the past event seems closer to the present one. Sitting in the Carinthia lounge on deck 3 of Cunard’s Queen Anne, en route from Durban to Cape Town, on Wednesday, I find myself contemplating this.Meghan Markle’s spaghetti recipe from her Netflix series has ignited an online backlash, with critics accusing her of stealing from Martha Stewart. I explored the controversy and even put my flavourful spin on the recipe.
By Tony Jackman
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