The Star - March 27, 2025

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March 27, 2025

US takes firm stand to eliminate reputational risk in banking, stirring debate in South Africa

THE United States has ignited a debate that South African banking authorities have been shying away from for a while by taking a firm grip on banks hav-ing the power to arbitrarily close the accounts of cryptocurrency businesses and politically exposed individuals based on \"reputational risk\",

2 mins

How antibiotic misuse, climate change fuelling next pandemic

THE excessive use of antibiotics in health and agriculture is among the factors contributing to pandemics, due to the antimicrobial resistance where diseases that were previously curable start to resist treatment and fight back.

2 mins

MALEMA'S 'KILL THE BOER' CHANT PROTECTED BY LAW

THE controversial political chant “Kill the Boer, kill the farmer” is protected by the constitution under the theme of freedom of speech. This is the interpretation of legal analysts following EFF leader Julius Malema’s chant on Human Rights day on 21 March.

2 mins

Sophiatown church robbery suspects in court, linked to murder

THE Gauteng police have neither confirmed nor denied a possible link between the five suspects who were this week arrested for a senious church robbery in Sophiatown and their possible involvement in the 2023 murder of Pastor Wayne Gordon, who was killed in his home in Newlands near Westonaria in October 2023.

2 mins

Swift recovery after vehicle hijacking near Limpopo

LIMPOPO police have launched a manhunt for suspects who brazenly hijacked a Toyota Corolla and a white Toyota Hilux bakkie in a simultaneous carjacking at Madimbo village under the Tshamutumbu policing precinct.

1 min

Probe into Soshanguve shooting of six patrollers continues

THE police investigation into the fatal shooting of six patrollers at the Marry MeIntyre informal settlement in Soshanguve township has not yet established how the two suspects, aged 27 and 50, arrested on Monday, are linked to the commission of the crime.

2 mins

Easy Waves reveals new packaging and formulas

EASY Waves, one of South Africa’s most trusted and beloved ethnic haircare brands, is excited to announce a major revamp and refresh of its packaging and product formulation, marking a new chapter in the brand’s legacy.

1 min

HONOR redefining AI and user UX

AS SMARTPHONES continue to evolve, AI features are becoming an integral part of the user experience.

2 mins

Outrage as Gauteng's R97 million housing project lies in ruins

ActionSA has sounded the alarm over the shocking abandonment of the R97 million Tembisa Mega Housing Project, which has stood unfinished and neglected for nearly five years.

2 mins

Joburg Mayor Dada denies paying influencers

JOHANNESBURG Mayor Dada Morero on Wednesday again dismissed claims suggesting that city paid influencers to promote and hype their work, especially after officially opening a clinic in Soweto last week.

1 min

Court rejects stepfather's rape appeal

A MAN who was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping his stepdaughter for more than two years — since she was 11 — appealed his shocking sentence, but he maintained that what he had done did not amount to the “worst kind of rape”.

2 mins

Government does an about-turn on cannabis edibles ban

THE government has backtracked on a prohibition notice that banned the sale, import or manufacture of all foodstuffs containing cannabis or hemp seed oil and flour.

1 min

Africa's TB progress faces ongoing challenges

THE African region has seen a significant decrease in tuberculosis (TB) deaths by 15% and cases by 24% between 2015 and 2023 to improved case detection and treatment.

2 mins

King Misuzulu sends delegation for Princess Sihle's lobola talks

IN KEEPING with an African tradition, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has sent his emissaries to the family of his new bride-to-be, Princess Sihle Mdluli, in Mpumalanga, to apologise for her overstaying in the royal house.

2 mins

State witness in Joshlin Smit trial asked: ‘When did you finally tell the truth?’

THE lawyer representing Racquel “Kelly” Smith, the mother of missing Joshlin Smith, continued the cross examination of Lourentia Lombard, emphasising that she had multiple opportunities to go to the police but failed to do so.

1 min

Thai Prime Minister Shinawatra survives no-confidence vote

THAI Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra survived a no-confidence vote in parliament yesterday, defeating a challenge from opposition parties who accused her of being a puppet of her father, billionaire ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

1 min

Order calls for proof of US citizenship to vote

US President Donald Trump ignited an executive order earlier this week that would require voters to prove they are US citizens and attempts to prevent states from sending mail-in ballots received after Election Day.

2 mins

Russia, Ukraine agree to sea truce

THE United States reached separate deals earlier this week with Russia and Ukraine to pause their attacks at sea and Washington is urging Moscow to push to lift sanctions against energy.

3 mins

Thai Prime Minister Shinawatra survives no confidence vote

THAI Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra survived a no-confidence vote in parliament yesterday, deflecting a challenge by opposition parties who accused her of being a puppet of her father, billionaire ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

1 min

Lula urges trade deal with Japan

BRAZIL’S President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called yesterday for a free trade bloc between South America’s Mercosur bloc and Japan to counter growing US protectionism.

1 min

Over a billion pounds of Coke plastic to enter waterways

BY 2030, Coca-Cola accounts for an estimated 1.33 billion pounds (602,000 metric tons) of plastic waste entering the world's oceans and waterways each year, according to a start.news published yesterday by the nonprofit Oceana.

2 mins

CHINA AND SA A vision for South-South cooperation

ON MARCH 7, 2025, during a press conference at the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress, Minister Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, reaffirmed China’s unwavering commitment to strengthening solidarity and cooperation with developing countries, particularly African partners.

3 mins

Youth unemployment used as tool of oppression

IN THE lead-up to the Budget speech, Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana used unemployment as the basis for increasing VAT, despite SARS Commissioner Mr Edward Kieswetter warning that this approach has never been viable or fair.

3 mins

RESALE MARKET Ford Ranger bakkie is still the king in SA’s used car market

USED car market sales continue to look positive, following a strong start to 2025.

2 mins

AA weighs in on vehicle modifications

SOUTH Africans like nothing more than taking a stock-standard car and making it faster, louder, brighter and lower.

2 mins

SALES SLIDE Audi to delay electric-only plans amid global uncertainty

AUDI has become the latest European car manufacturer to backtrack on its plans to go electric-only.

1 min

Nissan Magnite’s premium updates to compact SUV

THE Compact SUV segment is a good place to be right now if you’re shopping around in that category.

2 mins

Three local cooking shows to sink your teeth into

WANT to up your cooking skills or simply be entertained? You're in luck!

1 min

Bills, Budgets and Bae The Touch sparks debate on gender roles, finances in relationships

SOUTH African media mogul Thabo Molefe, popularly known as Tbo Touch, has stirred artificial conversation across social media platforms with his recent remarks on financial responsibilities within relationships.

2 mins

Ben Affleck on J-Lo split: ‘No scandal, no soap opera, just life’

BEN Affleck still has “a lot of respect” for Jennifer Lopez.

1 min

Clever blend of espionage and marital intrigue

THAT three-star rating for the new Steven Soderbergh movie Black Bag is a matter of personal preference: Kick it up half a star if you’re a person John le Carre espionage thrillers crossed with marital cage matches like Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? look like some good fun; if you don’t like talky, complex, fiendishly intelligent head games.

2 mins

SA families face rising food prices as affordability index reveals harsh realities

THE latest household affordability index, released by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMEJD) on Wednesday, painted a grim picture for South African families facing escalating food costs.

3 mins

Experts question South Africa’s steel tariff review deadlines

STEEL industry experts on Wednesday expressed scepticism about the deadlines set for the steel tariff review recently launched by the Department of Trade, Industrial and Competition (Dtic), citing its vast scope and the far-reaching implications of its proposals.

1 min

Labat Africa pivots further into technology with R2.5 billion Ubits royalty agreement

LABAT Africa Group, which previously focused on cannabis sector investments, is now pivoting to technology and it has entered into a R2.5 billion royalty distribution agreement with Ubits Technology Solutions.

2 mins

Tourism sector sees spending surge amid seasonal visitor decline

DESPITE a decline in the number of international tourists visiting South Africa in February, recent reveals an encouraging trend in the tourism industry’s recovery.

3 mins

South Africa unlocks green finance potential with new taxonomy report

SOUTH Africa has taken a pivotal step towards enhancing its environmental, social and governance (ESG) finance landscape with the recent release of a comprehensive technical report aimed at assessing the international interoperability and usability of the South African Green Finance Taxonomy (SA GFT).

1 min

Real take-home pay rises as inflation slows, bringing relief to SA households

BANKSERVAFRICA’S recent Take-home Pay Index (BTPI) for February has provided a much-needed ray of hope for South Africans, indicating that real take-home pay has experienced a significant rise.

2 mins

MTN Group and Airtel Africa forge network sharing agreements in Uganda, Nigeria

MTN Group and Airtel Africa have entered into agreements to share network infrastructure in Uganda and Nigeria as they further extend digital and financial inclusion, and they are considering opportunities in other countries on the continent.

1 min

Sibanye-Stillwater’s Keliber lithium project gains strategic status under EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act

SIBANYE-STILLWATER’S Keliber lithium project in Finland and GalliCium project in France have been named among the European Commission’s list of 17 strategic projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), a benchmark to secure and diversify the European Union’s (EU) access to essential raw materials.

2 mins

Emirates enhances South Africa routes with upgraded Boeing 777 aircraft

Emirates Airlines has announced the deployment of retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft to Johannesburg and Cape Town, marking a significant step for South Africa as the first African nation to receive the refreshed cabins.

1 min

Metair eyes expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa following Autozone acquisition

METAIR Investments CFO, Paul O’Flaherty, said on Wednesday that he expected the company’s newly acquired unit Autozone to contribute 5% to 6% to operating profit and help the firm with its expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa.

2 mins

Which innovative funding options are best suited for your small business?

ONE of the biggest hurdles for any entrepreneur is securing the right type of funding to turn their ideas into reality or grow their business. With so many financing options available these days, it can be overwhelming to determine the best fit.

2 mins

Unlocking Africa’s trillion-dollar potential: why startups need more than just SME policies

AFRICA’S economic growth is too slow for its population boom. With GDP growing at just 2.5% annually while the population expands by 2.5%, the continent is barely inching forward at 1% per capita growth each year.

3 mins

Mercedes F1 revival: Wolff hails Russell and rookie Antonelli

MERCEDES Formula One boss Toto Wolff is optimistic about the future as their racing outfit eyes the positive start they’ve enjoyed to the 2025 season, and currently find themselves in the running for both a drivers and constructors title.

2 mins

Tour de France champ Pogacar makes historic bid for Paris-Roubaix glory

THREE-TIME Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar will bid to avenge his defeat Mathieu van der Poel in the Milan-San Remo and race in the Paris-Roubaix, another of the Monuments, for the first time, his team UAE Emirates announced on Wednesday.

2 mins

New stadium and new beginnings: Blitzboks target elusive Hong Kong Sevens crown

BLITZBOKS coach Philip Snyman had to make do with a candle and cupcake on his 38th birthday on Wednesday.

2 mins

Alvarez thrilled with Argentina 'show' in Brazil rout

ARGENTINA celebrated their 2026 World Cup qualification with a dazzling 4-1 thrashing of arch-rivals Brazil in Buenos Aires on Tuesday night.

2 mins

'Momentum shift' does the trick for Djokovic

NOVAK Djokovic cruised into the quarter-finals of the Miami Open on Tuesday night with a 6-2 6-2 win over Italian Lorenzo Musetti in one hour 22 minutes.

2 mins

Iyer: That flicked six off Rabada changed the momentum

INDIA batsman Shreyas Iyer led from the front with an unbeaten 97 to set up an 11-run win for Punjab Kings in a big-hitting IPL clash with Gujarat Titans on Thursday night.

2 mins

Verreynne’s Province target unlikely Four Day Series final

WESTERN Province captain Kyle Verreynne has not given up hope on his team salvaging their 2024/25 season.

2 mins

Yuki Tsunoda likely to replace Liam Lawson at Red Bull

YUKI Tsunoda will allegedly replace Red Bulls' senior driver Liam Lawson after just two races into the 2025 Formula One season.

1 min

Six points clear: Durban City on verge of dramatic PSL return

DURBAN City are in prime position to secure a return to the top-flight of South African football as the Motsepe Foundation Championship heads into the final stretch.

2 mins

Some great outings but still a lot more room to improve for Broos’ Bafana

IN the pre-Hugo Broos era, the idea of back-to-back wins, especially in World Cup qualifiers, was only a pipe dream, let alone Bafana Bafana last qualified for the global showpiece in 2002, target the 2010 qualification as default.

3 mins

Do or die: SuperSport among PSL giants fighting relegation

IT is time to sink or swim as the final stretch of the 2024/2025 Premiership season begins this weekend, with super-tricky fixtures for all the relegation strugglers, who among them are three-time champions SuperSport United.

1 min

Pirates eye African glory as Downs battle continues locally

ORLANDO Pirates are hot in pursuit of breaking Mamelodi Sundowns' stranglehold on the domestic Premiership, but will destine their destiny out of hands, it could be world look elsewhere to end their season with a high.

2 mins

Scrum hero Smith: Bulls must back it up against Zebre

MORNAV Smith last played for the Bulls on January 10 before last weekend’s clash against Leinster.

2 mins

Glasgow URC challenge will bring the best out of the Lions, says Landsberg

LIONS lock Darrien Landsberg believes his team have what it takes to conquer Scotland when the next fortnight in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

2 mins

Bafana have nation smiling, but familiar incompetence continues to linger

I WAS sick to my stomach this week, almost to the point of gagging.

2 mins

Downs facing selection crisis

MAMELODI Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso faces a selection challenge ahead of Friday's Nedbank Cup quarter-final against Sekhukhune United (7pm kick-off).

2 mins

Chiefs must win cup and secure top-four finish for season success, says Baloyi

A KAIZER Chiefs legend believes that the Amakhosi must win the Nedbank Cup and secure a top-four finish — ideally a top-three spot for the current campaign to be considered a success.

2 mins

Titans aim to douse Dragons' fire in crucial Four-Day Series clash

COMING from what would have been an upsetting defeat at home to Western Province last week, the Titans head into this week's penultimate round of Four-Day Series fixtures with a point to prove.

2 mins

Broos heaps praise on fearless Bafana Bafana

BAFANA Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance in their 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Benin on Tuesday in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

2 mins

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