Top Stories

Top Stories
Christmas anxiety for thousands of Gauteng parents as school placement delays leave children in limbo
A total of 40,586 pupils in Gauteng were unplaced on December 3.

Top Stories
David Walliams dropped from Waterstones Children’s Book Festival
Author has strongly denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour which emerged last week.
Top Stories
BEST SMALL TOWNS: Barrydale has earned this award for so many reasons
It only has about 4,000 residents, many who have come from afar to settle here, and despite a quiet lifestyle, there’s not a dull moment.

South Africa
Northern Cape police arrest over 300 suspects for various offences
Over 300 suspects have been arrested in the Northern Cape for various offences, including murder
South Africa
Manhunt for Bekkersdal mass shooting suspects underway
Manhunt for Bekkersdal mass shooting suspects underway
Police have launched a manhunt to find suspects linked to the mass shooting perpetrated at a tavern in Bekkersdal in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The incident claimed 11 lives, with 10 others taken to medical facilities for injuries.
“It is reported that about 12 unknown suspects in a white kombi and a silver sedan...
South Africa
Condolences for veteran NPA prosecutor
Condolences for veteran NPA prosecutor
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has extended condolences on the passing of the National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Riegel Du Toit.
“The Minister extends her heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and relatives of Advocate Du Toit during this difficult...
South Africa
Weather Service issues disruptive rain, fire danger warning across South Africa
Weather Service issues disruptive rain, fire danger warning across South Africa
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a weather warning for disruptive rains and severe thunderstorms across the country for today.
The warnings for rain are as follows:
Orange level 5 warning: Disruptive rain resulting in flooding of settlements (both formal and informal) and roads,...

World
Peace talks to end the war in Ukraine continue in Florida
The latest on the negotiations to end Russia’s war on Ukraine, as talks with representatives from Moscow, Kyiv and the Trump administration continue in Miami this week.
World
News24 | 130 children kidnapped from Catholic school in Nigeria freed
Nigerian authorities have secured the release of 130 kidnapped schoolchildren taken by gunmen from a Catholic school, according to a presidential spokesperson, after 100 were freed earlier this month.
World
News24 | Albanese calls for tougher laws, as Bondi ‘ISIS-inspired terrorist’ transferred to jail
Australian police transferred the only surviving suspect in last week’s deadly Bondi shooting from hospital to jail, the force said in a statement.
World
News24 | US hunts third oil tanker in Venezuela naval campaign against ‘narcoterrorism’
The US Coast Guard was pursuing another allegedly sanctioned tanker, a US official told AFP, as Washington ramps up its pressure campaign targeting Venezuela’s vital oil sector.

Africa
Will Afcon 2025 be a defining moment for Morocco?
Morocco has spent more than a decade reshaping its football, but will hosting Afcon 2025 allow the country to end a 50-year wait for the trophy?

Africa
Uganda prison officer sacked for ‘politicking’ on TikTok
Ugandan law requires public servants to remain politically neutral and bars them from active politics.

Africa
More British boxers will fight in Nigeria – Okolie
Former world champion and Olympian Lawrence Okolie believes his decision to fight in Lagos will inspire other big British names including Anthony Joshua.

Africa
Malawian state’s rhetoric belies reality
Communities grapple daily with failing health services, entrenched corruption and gender inequality, leaving women and girls literally walking for survival
Business

Business
How AI Is Reshaping Online Trading in South Africa: 2025 Insights and What to Expect in 2026
In South Africa, traders are increasingly seeking FSCA-regulated trading platforms that combine security, transparency, and AI-powered tools to access both local and global markets with confidence.

Business
Iconic 7-star American hotel brand coming to South Africa
An iconic ultra-luxury American hotel brand is officially coming to South Africa.

Business
Browsers to Believers: The ‘Trust Engine’ Behind Leroy Merlin’s SA Surge
French DIY retailer Leroy Merlin’s rise in South Africa is often attributed to its expansive stores, wide product ranges, and competitive pricing.

Politics
Joburg still a battleground for hijackers, crime syndicates: Mashaba
The City of Johannesburg is currently facing significant challenges with hijacked buildings.

Politics
Commission recommends 4.1% salary increase for Public Office Bearers
The proposed salary increases, if approved, could see the President earning R3.4 million annually.

Politics
No response yet on Batohi application to amend Nkabinde Enquiry terms
The enquiry is investigating suspended advocate Andrew Chauke’s fitness to hold office.
Politics
News24 | ANC calls on South Africans to defend democracy against AfriForum’s ‘racist disinformation’
The ANC called on South Africans to defend their democracy and to reject “AfriForum’s racist disinformation campaign”.

Sport
Three Bafana Bafana players to watch at AFCON
Bafana Bafana kick off their AFCON campaign against Angola on Monday evening. Can Hugo Broos’ men go all the way?

Sport
Who’s leading the race for the Golden Shoe?
As the halfway mark of the 2025/26 campaign approaches, BBC Sport takes a look at the frontrunners for this season’s European Golden Shoe award.

Sport
‘Bobby doesn’t play football’: Motaung on Chiefs criticism
Bobby Motaung has shared a humorous story while addressing the blame he often receives whenever Kaizer Chiefs fail to deliver results.

Sport
Belcher back for Cardiff after ‘scary’ nerve issue
Captain Liam Belcher has revealed how numbness in his finger spread up is arm after nerve damage during Wales’ autumn campaign.
Education
Nigeria: More Details Emerge As Niger School Abductees Regain Freedom
[Premium Times] The kidnapping and release of the students and staff members comes amid a resurgence of mass kidnappings across Nigeria.
Education
Africa: All of Africa Today – December 22, 2025
[allAfrica]
Education
Nigeria: Remaining Abducted Niger Catholic School Students, Teachers Regain Freedom
[Premium Times] Sources said the freed students and teachers are currently being transported to Minna, the Niger State capital,
Education
Nigeria: Remaining 130 Abducted Niger Pupils Released
[Vanguard] All the schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri community, Niger State, have now been released, following the freedom of the final group of 130 victims, bringing the total number of rescued pupils to 230.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
Siya Kolisi’s Christmas with kids: Here’s where they are on vacation
Siya Kolisi and his kids, who he shares with estranged wife Rachel Kolisi, are on vacation in an island paradise. Can you guess where?
Lifestyle
Lifestyle

Entertainment
One person reported dead after floods hit KZN’s South Coast
Three others missing after storms tore through most areas of the South Coast.

Entertainment
Ministers’ travel spending sparks public outrage over taxpayer funds
The trips detailed here represent only a fraction of ministerial travel undertaken in 2025.

Entertainment
WATCH: ANC calls for probe after Bitou deputy mayor allegedly fires gun in public
Nokuzola Kolwapi was caught on camera firing several shots into the air.
Entertainment
Science/Tech
Driving Somewhere for the Holidays? Here’s How to Make Your Road Trip Safe.
Be sure you have the right equipment and apps for weather and traffic, and don’t forget to check those tires. Here are more tips for hitting the highway.
Science/Tech
She Fell in Love With ChatGPT. Then She Ghosted It.
The 29-year-old woman who created the “MyBoyfriendIsAI” community on Reddit isn’t dating (or sexting) her A.I. boyfriend anymore. She found something more fulfilling.

Science/Tech
Two banks are rolling out new branches across South Africa
All but two of South Africa’s biggest banks have shrunk their branch footprints since 2020.

Science/Tech
Testing the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum 5 Pro in our studio where obstacles abound – this was my experience
I recently got the chance to put the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum 5 Pro through its paces, and this was my experience.

Motoring
How to survive South Africa’s roads this festive season
South Africans must take their own steps to prepare and avoid becoming a statistic.

Motoring
The dangerous driving habit South Africans fall into every December
South Africans have a dangerous habit of drunk driving over the holiday period.

Motoring
Advertise to 1.5 million South African car buyers on TopAuto
TopAuto offers unmatched reach for brands looking to influence South Africa’s most active motoring consumers.

Motoring
Motorists are selling their cars to avoid this one feature
Motorists and rental companies are avoiding cars with this feature over safety concerns.

Health
Living and Light
Illuminating new science on artificial light and our health.
Health
Older Americans Quit Weight-Loss Drugs in Droves
In some studies, half of patients stopped taking GLP-1s within a year despite the benefits, citing the expense and side effects.
Health
What Is ‘Functional Freeze’?
The term has been popularized on social media to describe numbness and low motivation. Experts offer ways to break out of these feelings.
Health
R.F.K. Jr. Likely to Swap U.S. Childhood Vaccine Schedule for Denmark’s
The shift would mean fewer shots recommended for children. But a Danish health official found the idea baffling, saying the United States was getting “crazier and crazier in public health.”