Top Stories

Top Stories
250 councillors could serve seven year terms, after election delays
Nearly 30 councils will no longer hold elections this year due to a major rejig to simplify structures.

Top Stories
‘Easy work’ – Pimblett makes weight for Gaethje fight
Paddy Pimblett was first to weigh in on Friday morning in Las Vegas for his interim UFC lightweight title fight at UFC 324.

Top Stories
BREAKING | Sentencing in Malema firearm case postponed to February
While a detailed report presented during the pre-sentence hearing of EFF leader Julius Malema has laid out the punishment that can be meted against him, including an option of a fine, the state is gunning for him to spend time behind bars.

South Africa
Phala Phala theft case adjourned at Modimolle court to next month
Trial adjourned to next month as defense lawyer Koena Matlala wraps cross-exam of cellphone analyst.

South Africa
Lenient Malema sentence would undermine rule of law: Analyst
The case has been adjourned to the 15th and 16th of April.

South Africa
Mossel Bay promises year-long water supply despite low rainfall
Despite drought across the Garden Route and Karoo, Mossel Bay expects a year of water based on usage

South Africa
Health Dept assures public of uninterrupted HIV medicine supply
The department emphasised that it would not allow the country to run out of ARVs.

World
A Canadian Olympic snowboarder turned alleged drug kingpin is arrested in Mexico
Ryan Wedding was among the FBI’s top fugitives and faces charges related to drug trafficking and the killing of a federal witness. He reportedly turned himself in at the U.S. embassy in Mexico

World
Alleged drug kingpin and ex-Olympian Ryan Wedding arrested after years on the run
Wedding, who had been on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, is accused of running a transnational drug trafficking operation.

World
Trump remarks about Nato troops in Afghanistan are ‘insulting’, says Starmer
The US president’s comments have sparked outrage among UK veterans and politicians.

World
Julio Iglesias sex assault investigation dropped by Spanish prosecutors
They say Spanish courts do not have the competence to investigate complaints committed overseas by non-residents.

Africa
South Sudan army chief gives soldiers seven days to crush rebellion
Reinforcements are sent to the town of Bor, a strategic staging post on the way to the capital, Juba.

Africa
South African court clears path for sale of Mandela’s personal items
The authorities tried to stop their export arguing they were part of the country’s heritage.

Africa
NBA star Bane eyes Nigeria switch ahead of 2028 Olympics
Orlando Magic’s Desmond Bane says he would be keen on representing Nigeria ahead of the 2028 Olympics and suggests other NBA players could do the same.

Africa
Is holding Afcon every four years ‘totally wrong’ or ‘good call’?
The announcement that the Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted every four years from 2028 sparked division, but what will it mean for the game on the continent?
Business

Business
1975: Could you do your food shop just once a year?
Grocery shopping with a couple who bought all their supplies yearly rather than weekly.
Business

Business
Major new shopping mall opening soon in South Africa
Etwatwa Crossing will open in the second half of 2026, bringing formal retail to a historically underserved community.

Politics
Malema firearm case pre-sentencing hearing postponed to April
Thembeka Ngcukaitobi is representing Julius Malema.

Politics
Malema firearm case postponed to April for closing arguments
Thembeka Ngcukaitobi is representing Julius Malema.

Politics
Asbestos trial is a chance for the truth to emerge: Moroadi Cholota
Cholota says that the state humiliated her during her extradition.

Politics
ConCourt orders Cholota case be returned to Free State High Court
Mlambo says Cholota’s extradition was unlawful but does not bar the High Court from prosecuting.

Sport
Why La Liga title race is back on
A slip from Barcelona and a resurgent Real Madrid means the title race is back on in La Liga.

Sport
Record £1.7m prize money for Women’s Champions Cup winners
The inaugural Women’s Champions Cup winners will earn $2.3m (£1.7m), the biggest-ever single award in women’s club football, says its organiser Fifa.

Sport
Hearts v Celtic, Gogic and Aaskou in focus – Scottish Premiership picks
Leaders Heart of Midlothian hosting champions Celtic is the highlight of the Scottish Premiership weekend, but St Mirren’s Alex Gogic and Jens Berthel Askou are also in the spotlight.

Sport
Smotherman collapses after UFC 324 weigh-in
American bantamweight Cameron Smotherman collapses on the floor at the official weigh-in for Saturday’s UFC 324 in Las Vegas.
Education
Defending His Absence in House, Hunt Celebrates Casting a Vote
House leaders were forced to rush Representative Wesley Hunt, Republican of Texas, to the Capitol with a police escort to avoid an embarrassing defeat on the floor.
Education
Nigeria: Lagos Schools Shut Over Explosion Threat, Police Rule Out Danger
[Daily Trust] Avi-Cenna International School and Grange School, both located in Lagos, have temporarily suspended physical academic activities following threats of a possible explosion.
Education
Tanzania: Kilimo Viwanda – How Education Is Changing Agriculture in Tanzania
[Daily News] Dar es Salaam — As the world celebrates International Day of Education, the spotlight is on the involvement of education in determining the economic future of Tanzania.

Education
Parents criticise trust at heart of school strike
Parents are concerned about where the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership Is spending its money.

Lifestyle
‘Hands off Malema’: EFF leader gets support from German activists
A group of German activists showed their support to EFF leader Julius Malema who made his pre-sentencing appearance in court on Friday.

Lifestyle
NEW recycling collection days for Cape Town’s northern suburbs
Residents across Cape Town’s northern suburbs and surrounds will soon see a change to their weekly recycling routine.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
Did Nando’s just grill Steers over exploitation drama?
Nando’s has thrown shade at its fast food rival, Steers, after the latter was accused of exploiting its employees…

Entertainment
PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results: Friday, 23 January 2026
R11 million in jackpots are up for grabs! Here are your PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results for 23 January 2026.

Entertainment
‘Demon-possessed’ man gets life for murdering grandparents
Sibonelo Fakude killed his grandparents with a knife, claimed he was demon-possessed, and was sentenced to two life terms.

Entertainment
In case you missed it: Malema back in court | DJ Black Coffee on ConCourt ruling | Third teacher dies in EC school shooting
Catch up on the biggest stories of Friday, 23 January 2026 that you may have missed, in our simple daily news update.

Entertainment
Daily Lotto and Daily Lotto Plus results: Friday, 23 January 2026
A total of R800 000 in jackpots is up for grabs tonight! Here are your winning Daily Lotto and Daily Lotto Plus results for 23 January 2026.

Science/Tech
iQmetrix Announces First-Ever “Telecom Retail Summit” at MWC Barcelona 2026
iQmetrix, the only global provider of Interconnected Commerce solutions for telecom retail, today announced its return to Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona with the first-ever Telecom Retail Summit.

Science/Tech
MTN Irancell CEO secretly replaced
Authorities ousted state mobile operator MTN Irancell’s chief executive officer without informing MTN Group.
Science/Tech
Toronto Man Posed as Pilot To Rack Up Hundreds of Free Flights, Prosecutors Say
A Toronto man posed as a pilot for years in order to fool airlines into giving him hundreds of free flights, prosecutors have alleged, in a case that has prompted comparisons to the Hollywood thriller Catch Me If You Can. From a report: Authorities in Hawaii announced this week that Dallas Pokornik, 33, had been charged with wire fraud after he allegedly fooled three major US carriers into...
Science/Tech
Apple’s Secret Product Plans Stolen in Luxshare Cyberattack
An anonymous reader shares a report: The Apple supplier subject to a major cyberattack last month was China’s Luxshare, it has now emerged. More than 1TB of confidential Apple information was reportedly stolen. It was reported in December that one of Apple’s assemblers suffered a significant cyberattack that may have compromised sensitive production-line information and manufacturing data...

Motoring
Good news for motorists caught speeding, an airline halts flights to a South African airport, and a new Suzuki SUV
These were the five biggest stories in South Africa’s transport industry this week.

Motoring
Major airport breaks record with 11 million passengers
This South African airport saw a record-breaking 11 million passengers board flights last year.

Motoring
Wake-up call for children’s transport safety in South Africa
Big changes are coming for the scholar transport industry in South Africa.

Motoring
Make TopAuto part of your marketing strategy in 2026
At TopAuto, we offer a full suite of advertising products to meet your 2026 goals.
Health
Vaccine Panel Chair Says Polio and Other Shots Should Be Optional, Rejecting Decades of Science
Dr. Kirk Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist who leads the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, said a person’s right to refuse a vaccine outweighed concerns about illness or death from infectious diseases.

Health
Abortion at 15 ‘changed my life’, says Senedd candidate
Tessa Marshall has shared the experience to highlight issues such as women’s rights and sex education.
Health
Increased Scrutiny Leads to an Improved Organ Transplant System
A crackdown on problems with fairness and safety is achieving results, including a big drop in the number of sick patients being passed over for transplants.

Health
Maternity services rated inadequate at two hospitals
The CQC finds that only minimal improvements have been made at two NHS hospitals.