BizNews Radio

Iran admits brutality; Niall Ferguson on Trump’s “Madman Theory”; Andrew Ross Sorkin on the next Great Depression; China’s play for Iron Ore pricing power.

In this edition of BizNews Daybreak, Alec Hogg unpacks a volatile start to the week:

Iran on the Brink: Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (86), in power for 37 years, breaks his silence, admitting to the brutal repression of recent anti-government protests that billed thousands.

Method to the Madness: Historian Niall Ferguson explains why Donald Trump’s chaotic geopolitical moves—like the bid for Greenland—might be a calculated application of Nixon’s “Madman Theory” to deter adversaries.

Market Crash Fears: With anxiety rising, New York Times columnist and author of a recent bestseller on the subject Andrew Ross Sorkin weighs in on whether a 1929-style collapse is possible today, or if government debt is the real ticking time bomb.

Commodities Shift: Beijing makes a major move to centralize iron ore purchases, threatening the pricing power of global mining giants.

Check the bond market, watch the tariffs, and win the day.

In his latest appearance on the NdB Sunday Show with Chris Steyn, US Intelligence Analyst Retired Colonel Chris Wyatt covers a wide range of international and national issues: South Africa’s “massive own goal” joint military exercise with Iran; a South African Flight Academy’s alleged support of the Chinese military with NATO expertise; the steps he would take as South Africa’s President, the prospect of targeted sanctions on some political leaders; what constellation of parties would likely be in the next government as the African National Congress (ANC) continues to lose support; the “Dumpster Fire” Democratic Alliance and it leader John Steenhuisen; the myths surrounding the Refugee Programme; US President Donald Trump’s Greenland agenda; and how he is likely to shock the world next.

The fight against abalone poaching along the Nelson Mandela Bay coastline is a growing issue that requires innovative solutions. Dark-Water Ops, with its unique approach of utilising trained dogs, has made significant strides in combating this illegal activity that involves international syndicates. Leading the pack is Zeus, a Belgian Malinois shepherd that is so good at his job that he can sniff out abalone in frozen cow offal. In this interview with BizNews, Operations Director Rassie Erasmus explains how this elite private security unit that has had successes including a massive 100-ton bust aims for prevention over pursuit to combat a lucrative illegal trade second only to sardines in value that is driven by demand from East Asian markets.

In this episode of BizNews Daybreak, Alec Hogg covers the intersection of high-stakes global politics and critical local challenges:

Trump’s Nobel Moment: Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presents her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump at the White House, calling him the “heir to Washington”.

US-Taiwan Trade Deal: The US and Taiwan agree to a trade deal that lowers tariffs to 15% and secures a $250bn investment in the American AI and energy sectors.

Jamie Dimon on the Fed: JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon dismisses speculation, saying there is “no chance” he will replace Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair.

SA’s Agriculture Crisis: Minister John Steenhuisen is under pressure as Foot and Mouth Disease spreads like a “veld fire,” with ActionSA’s Athol Trollip criticising the lack of compensation for farmers.

Market Rally: The JSE sees gains with Purple Group (+3%) and local car retailers up, while global tech giants ASML and TSMC surge on the back of the AI boom.

Investment Insight: A look at why the “flow of funds” is currently outweighing company fundamentals in driving share prices.

From dairy farms to feedlots, South Africa’s agricultural economy is under siege. Athol Trollip outlines how foot-and-mouth disease has crushed production, frozen incomes and exposed deep failures inside the Department of Agriculture. A conversation every business leader and taxpayer should hear.