South Africa Endorses The Global Declaration To Triple Nuclear Energy Capacity by 2050

South Africa’s decision to endorse the global declaration to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050 marks an important milestone for both our national energy strategy and the global transition to clean, reliable power. At a time when countries are searching for credible pathways to balance energy security, economic growth, and climate responsibility, nuclear energy is once again emerging as a critical part of the solution.

Our endorsement sends a clear signal: South Africa is committed to building a resilient and diversified energy mix that supports industrialisation, reduces greenhouse-gas emissions, and ensures stable electricity supply for future generations. More than 30 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa have already joined this declaration, reflecting growing global consensus that nuclear energy will play a central role in meeting climate commitments while maintaining reliable baseload power.

For South Africa, nuclear energy is not a new concept. The country has decades of experience in the field, anchored by the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, which currently produces about 1 800 MW of electricity. Recent licence extensions allow both units at Koeberg to operate into the mid-2040s, ensuring that nuclear power remains a dependable component of the national grid for many years to come.

By Zizamele Mbambo

Full story at IOL

PDP crisis: Makinde would have defected if serving first term – Otitoju

The Director of News at Television Continental, TVC, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, says Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State would have defected if he was serving his first term.

Otitoju stated this on Friday on TVC’s ‘Breakfast Show’.

He described the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ibadan last November as a mere waste of time.

“People must show good judgment at a critical phase. What was the point of having that convention? Two courts told you not to go ahead but you went ahead.

By Matthew Atungwu

Full story at Daily Post

Mainstream schools to receive extra funding to support Send children

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the
government faced a ‘question of priorities’
(Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) (PA Media)

More funding will be given to mainstream schools to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) as part of a £4bn package to make the system more inclusive, the government has announced.

Targeted interventions such as small-group language work will be invested in, as well as help for staff to introduce adaptive teaching styles, as part of a major overhaul to be announced by the Department for Education (DfE) on Monday.

Some £1.6bn over three years will be provided to early years, schools and colleges through an “inclusive mainstream fund”.

Full story at Yahoo News

By Millie Cooke and Athena Stavrou

The Supreme Court struck down Trump's tariffs. Now comes the hard work of issuing refunds

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Friday struck down President Donald Trump’s biggest and boldest tariffs. But the justices left a $133 billion question unanswered: What's going to happen to the money the government has already collected in import taxes now declared unlawful?

Companies have been lining up for refunds. But the way forward could prove chaotic.

When the smoke clears, trade lawyers say, importers are likely to get money back — eventually. “It’s going to be a bumpy ride for awhile," said trade lawyer Joyce Adetutu, a partner at the Vinson & Elkins law firm.

Paul Wiseman
Full story at Yahoo News

FULL LIST: US freezes assets of 8 Nigerians over alleged Cybercrime, Boko Haram, ISIL ties

The United States has imposed sanctions on eight Nigerians over alleged ties to terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), as well as cybercrime-related offences.

The sanctions were announced in a February 10 publication by the United States Department of the Treasury through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The action was contained in a 3,000-page update of the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List” (SDN List), a reference document detailing individuals and entities subject to US sanctions.

According to OFAC, the list provides formal notice of persons whose property and interests in property are blocked under US law as part of counter-terrorism and other sanctions programmes.

By Seun Adeuyi

Full story at Daily Trust

‘It’s not South Africans versus Nigerians’: Family of slain Bolt driver rejects xenophobia claims

As a suspect prepares to appear in court for the brutal murder of Bolt driver Isaac Satlat — a killing that sparked outrage after a disturbing video circulated online — his family has now broken its silence, rejecting claims that the 22-year-old was targeted because he was Nigerian.

In previous reports, IOL detailed how Satlat was allegedly attacked after responding to a couple's ride request in Pretoria West on Wednesday, and how a female suspect was later arrested. Police also warned the public against sharing graphic footage linked to the killing, saying it could hamper investigations and retraumatise the family.

Now, speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, family spokesperson and activist Solomon Ashoms said the narrative suggesting the killing was a xenophobic attack was not supported by the family.

By Jonisayi Maromo

Full story at IOL

Tony Blair urges Labour to reverse ban on new licences for oil drilling in the North Sea

Sir Tony’s name was listed alongside high-profile
Trump administration officials (PA)

Tony Blair has called on the Labour government to reverse its ban on new licences for drilling oil and gas in the North Sea, echoing calls made by US president Donald Trump.

The former prime minister’s think tank said Sir Keir Starmer should cut the windfall tax rate on oil and gas firms, saying the government’s clean power plan is “leading the UK in the wrong direction”.

Labour has committed to plans to phase out production of oil and gas in the North Sea by restricting new licences for drilling and increasing the rate of the Energy Profits Levy.

By Athena Stavrou

Full story at Yahoo News