Cape Town — U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new executive order that changes how the U.S. government awards research grants and foreign monetary assistance on August 7, 2025. The order is called Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking, and while the government says this will stop waste and ensure tax money is used properly, profoundly impact…
As global trade dynamics shift and protectionist policies re-emerge, South Africa finds itself facing a significant economic hurdle: new 30% tariffs imposed by the United States on selected South African exports. These tariffs threaten not just the competitiveness of our goods abroad, but the stability of key domestic industries – particularly manufacturing and agriculture. With…
The International Court of Justice, the world’s highest court, handed down an advisory opinion on 23 July 2025 stating that climate change “imperils all forms of life”. This followed a case brought by Vanuatu, a tiny South Pacific island nation threatened by rising sea levels, supported by 131 other countries – the biggest case the…
In the predawn darkness of June 13, Israel launched a “preemptive” attack on Iran. Explosions rocked various parts of the country. Among the targets were nuclear sites at Natanz and Fordo, military bases, research labs, and senior military residences. By the end of the operation, Israel had killed at least 974 people while Iranian missile…
The confirmation of a new agreement between the United States and China, emerging from high-stakes talks in London, has sent ripples through global markets–and rightly so. While the deal falls short of resolving the deep-rooted economic rivalry between the two superpowers, it signals a crucial shift: a move away from escalation toward a more stable…
