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TUESDAY, 20 JANUARY 2026, 12:35

Top Stories

FINANCIAL BURDEN: Back-to-school dreams stall as unpaid lay-bys expose families’ financial strain

Today at 12:06 PM, via Daily Maverick

With schools already open and lessons under way, many pupils are still sitting in classrooms without full uniforms. This comes as major retailers such as PEP and Ackermans continue to hold large volumes of school items on lay-by, including uniforms, shoes, lunch boxes and stationery. Parents say rising costs are making it harder to keep up, and experts agree that the back-to-school burden is...

Top Stories

Blast kills seven at Chinese-run restaurant in Afghan capital

Today at 12:02 PM, via Daily Maverick

Militant group Islamic State claimed an explosion that officials said killed a Chinese national and six Afghans, while injuring several more as it tore through a Chinese-run restaurant in a heavily guarded part of Afghanistan’s capital.

South Africa

Gauteng government provides psychosocial support after learner transport tragedy

Today at 10:59 AM, via SAnews

Gauteng government provides psychosocial support after learner transport tragedy

Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona says they are providing psychosocial support to the schools and parents who lost loved ones in the accident that claimed the lives of 12 learners in the Vaal area on Monday morning. 

Speaking to the media this morning, Mabona said psycho-social support teams...

South Africa

Learners relocated after storm hit Amajuba District

Today at 10:09 AM, via SAnews

Learners relocated after storm hit Amajuba District

Grade 11 and 12 learners from Umzilikazi Secondary School in Newcastle are being temporarily accommodated at Sgodiphola Primary School following the severe thunderstorms that struck parts of the Amajuba District in December and damaged classrooms.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education said the relocation was an interim measure...

Africa

Nigeria remembers master wood carver

Today at 02:30 AM, via BBC News

Kasali Akangbe Ogun, who came from a long line of wood carvers and wanted to preserve local traditions, has been buried following his death after a brief illness.

Business

Why are UK prices still rising?

Today at 11:53 AM, via BBC News

UK Inflation has dropped back from record highs but remains above the Bank of England’s 2% target.

Business

JSE looks to end bloobath

Today at 11:45 AM, via BusinessTech

The JSE has received the green light for its simplification project, with the company looking to bring in new listings.

Business

JSE looks to end bloodbath

Today at 11:45 AM, via BusinessTech

The JSE has received the green light for its simplification project, with the company looking to bring in new listings.

Sport

Owen to leave role as Mercedes chief designer

Today at 11:50 AM, via BBC News

Mercedes chief designer John Owen, a key figure in multiple drivers’ and constructors’ championship wins, is to leave the team later this year.

Education

Rwanda: University Lecturer Arrested Over Sexual Abuse

Today at 12:16 PM, via AllAfrica

[New Times] Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has announced the arrest of Benjamin Manirakiza, a university lecturer, who is under investigation for alleged child defilement.

Lifestyle

Capitec issues ATM, phone scam warning

Today at 11:03 AM, via The South African

Fraudsters are carrying out cunning scams to defraud South Africans of their hard-earned money. Here’s how, says Capitec…

Science/Tech

Ocean Damage Nearly Doubles the Cost of Climate Change

Today at 12:00 PM, via Slashdot

A new study from Scripps Institution of Oceanography finds that factoring ocean damage into climate economics nearly doubles the estimated global cost of climate change, adding close to $2 trillion per year from losses to fisheries, coral reefs, and coastal infrastructure. “It is the first time a social cost of carbon (SCC) assessment — a key measure of economic harm caused by climate change —...