In the storm of Stormy Daniels’ testimony at Donald Trump’s hush money trial, the question looms: did she inadvertently aid Trump’s defense? Despite vividly recounting her alleged tryst with Trump and the subsequent hush payment, her credibility faced scrutiny, potentially bolstering Trump’s narrative of innocence. The trial’s twists and turns, from lurid details to financial motivations, create a high-stakes drama where credibility is key, leaving jurors to navigate between conflicting testimonies in a courtroom clash of narratives. Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider t ..read more

The Gauteng premier’s fantastical election promises, including the purchase of private hospitals and free medical care, draw criticism for their impracticality and falsehoods. His vision of a futuristic Gauteng, complete with flying buses and high-speed trains, seems out of touch with the current realities of the province. Journalists like Ferial Haffajee are accused of favouring optimistic narratives over objective analysis, perpetuating the ANC’s grip on power despite its shortcomings and the country’s challenges. Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to s ..read more

Russian intelligence, notably the GRU, has orchestrated brazen acts across Europe, from arson to espionage, targeting military bases, officials, and infrastructure. Tactics include recruiting locals via social media for sabotage. Governments, notably in the Baltics, confront this threat, fearing escalation and highlighting the challenge of attribution and defence against such hybrid warfare. Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here. By Bloo ..read more

In a rare move, Apple Inc. extended an apology for its contentious iPad Pro advertisement, opting to halt its TV airing following backlash. The ad, showcasing creative tools crushed into an iPad, drew widespread criticism, even from actor Hugh Grant, who denounced it as endorsing the “destruction of the human experience.” As AI concerns rise and regulatory scrutiny looms, Apple emphasizes its commitment to empowering creativity. The incident shadows the launch of new iPad versions and the M4 chip. Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the conte ..read more

In a world where borders are tightening, and the journey to a new life has become perilous, some find a shortcut through wealth. “Golden visas” and “golden passports” offer residency and even citizenship to those with deep pockets, sparking concerns of inequality and corruption. Governments worldwide are rethinking these programs, amidst fears of money laundering and security risks. As nations grapple with the balance between investment and integrity, the debate over the sale of citizenship rages on. Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the co ..read more

Former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter has acknowledged Eskom’s decline, stating its days of providing affordable, reliable electricity are over. Despite efforts to revive it, he deems Eskom unfixable in its current state. De Ruyter advocates for restructuring, with transmission remaining public while generation shifts to the private sector. Economist Dawie Roodt concurs, foreseeing Eskom’s demise akin to other state entities. He predicts a future where private hands dominate electricity generation and distribution, leaving transmission as a state-owned utility. Sign up for your early morning brew o ..read more

Tech industry insiders, mirroring Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, are capitalizing on soaring stock prices in the US. Executives from top companies like Alphabet and Apple are cashing in, collectively earning over $160 million since late 2023. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, has already pocketed $30 million this year alone. As the market surges, insiders are seizing the opportunity, signalling a prudent approach amidst market exuberance. Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5 ..read more

Zimbabwe has introduced penalties for not using official exchange rates with its new ZiG currency. Offenders face fines of 200,000 ZiG ($14,782). The government aims to eliminate the parallel market by making the official rate the sole reference for trade. This move scraps previous pricing regulations to boost competitiveness. ZiG, backed by gold and reserves, faces fluctuation, trading at 13.53 to the dollar. Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register  ..read more

Japanese steelmakers fear BHP’s potential takeover of Anglo American could tilt the global coking coal market in favour of one giant. With Australia as a top supplier to Japan, BHP’s dominance raises concerns about fair pricing and stable supply. Japanese firms are wary, as BHP eyes expansion in high-quality coking coal, while Queensland demands competitiveness. The deal faces scrutiny from Japan’s Fair Trade Commission, hinting at a complex battle over market balance and state approvals. Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that m ..read more

Rio Tinto reportedly considered a bid for Anglo American, now a target of BHP Group’s $39 billion takeover. While Rio management studied the situation, they haven’t proposed anything yet. BHP shares dipped 0.4%, Rio Tinto remained flat, and the Australian mining index saw no change. Glencore also eyes Anglo. Rio’s chair avoided comment on potential bids. Experts suggest Rio focus on smaller miners. BHP and Rio collaborate on various ventures. Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5 ..read more