Moneyweb@Midday

Consumer sentiment plunges to 15-month low as Iran conflict hits South Africans where it hurts. The immigration debate has a food security problem. And why plastic-free is a fantasy, but plastic-smart is the future. Moneyweb

'The importance of this case is that it makes it very clear that occupiers are not entitled to compel the city to exercise its authority to expropriate landowner's property unlawfully,’ says Bulelwa Mabasa, director at Werksmans. Moneyweb

Property rights win as court blocks Tshwane land grab. Tax season just got a WhatsApp upgrade. And when health becomes a workplace issue. Moneyweb

‘If you can see there are good long-term opportunities, but it only needs capital, then those are the businesses that you want to back and put additional money in,’ says Henico Schalekamp, CEO of HLB CBS. Moneyweb

Why successful business rescues protect entire economies: lessons from Tongaat Hulett. SA property market gets a boost from returning expats. And new cars gain ground as young buyers change gears. Moneyweb

‘The defence budget should be very close to 1.5% of GDP, or the international global benchmark of 2% of GDP. Currently, we are at less than 0.7%,’ says independent defence analyst, Kobus Marais. Moneyweb

Mission impossible? The SANDF's expanding role and shrinking budget. The green question hanging over SA's energy reforms. And Father's Day gets a makeover as dads swap socks for shared experiences. Moneyweb

‘This is unprecedented, both in the manner in which it has been done, and we are communicating with the president through the media, which will have a dampener on how the two parties are able to tolerate each other,’ says Busani Ngcaweni, director of the Centre for Public Policy and African Studies at the University of Johannesburg. Moneyweb

What the DA’s cabinet reshuffle means for the GNU. Petrol pain drives inflation higher despite cheaper food. And digital banking's new challenger has arrived. Moneyweb

‘Farmers are battling to get vaccine and it is a huge crisis. We are seeing vaccinated animals that are being infected now post-vaccination, and that is purely because the animals around them have not yet been vaccinated,’ says Andrew Morphew, spokesperson, FMD Response SA. Moneyweb

DA proposes Steenhuisen demotion amid growing FMD crisis. Cape Town takes unwanted crown as world's worst port. And SA emerges as a retirement haven for British expats. Moneyweb

‘There is still a concern that even at $85 a barrel, oil prices are way above where they were a few months ago, and therefore inflationary pressures might still be around over the next few months,’ says Dr Azar Jammine, chief economist at Econometrix. Moneyweb

What a Middle East peace deal means for SA’s economy. Amnesty International raises alarm over growing annexation fears in the West Bank. And global advertising boom faces $54bn gulf crisis threat. Moneyweb

Penquin HR director Annemie Burger suggests typical ‘driven’ people tend to just keep on going, and you sometimes want to take their laptop and lock it away and tell them, ‘You need time for yourself’. Moneyweb

Who scores the biggest financial wins during a world cup? How a Cape Town manufacturer replaced 1.4 million litres of fossil fuel with waste tyres. And what is fuelling the mid-year fatigue crisis. Moneyweb

Gauteng’s digital divide still follows race and income. Heatwaves are hitting more than health, they're disrupting children's education. How the Fifa World Cup is fuelling a collectibles boom. Moneyweb

There's a need for an independent system operator. But how to do it – and whether government can create one that is truly independent while preserving Eskom's financial sustainability and protecting taxpayers are questions explored by energy expert Ruse Moleshe. Moneyweb

Government accelerates plans to break up Eskom. Landmark ruling finds employees cannot be dismissed for honest testimony. And why individuals and businesses need to protect the assets they own. Moneyweb

‘This rating upgrade should actually first of all lower or ease foreign costs for government, for businesses and for households alike’ – Jim Matsemela, Chief Director, Strategy and Risk Management, National Treasury. Moneyweb

Can South Africa build on Fitch's upgrade? What South Africans are spending their money on in 2026. And Fifa 2026: The cybercriminals have arrived before the fans. Moneyweb

Atana's Karen King advises preparing Gauteng and all SA for looming water scarcity as El Niño rears its head. Moneyweb

SA helped develop a game-changer HIV drug, so why is access so limited? From day zero to El Niño, the next drought could be worse than we think. And why more of SA’s top matrics are opting for British universities over American Ivy Leagues. Moneyweb

Alex Cook, CEO of Wealthbit, weighs in with surprising insights. Moneyweb

SA tops Africa’s digital fraud rankings as criminals get smarter. SA companies are spending billions on benefits employees don’t use. And in conversation with author Lidia Rauch on her new book, Apartheid’s Granddaughter. Moneyweb

'So too do we need to look at completely changing the policies around how we deal with animal – and plant – diseases going forward as we rebuild that biosecurity ecosystem in South Africa,' says Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen. Moneyweb