Top Stories

Top Stories
Bottled water from Waitrose recalled over risk it contains glass
The food safety watchdog said people should return affected Deeside water bottles to stores.

Top Stories
Russian claims of Ukrainian attack on government sites ‘unfounded’, EU’s top diplomat says
It comes after Russia claimed Ukraine had attempted to launch a drone strike on one of Putin’s residences.
Top Stories
BEACH SAFETY: ‘You basically live on the beach’ — Cape Town lifeguard describes rescue at Miller’s Point and busy festive season
Since 1 December, the City of Cape Town has recorded 19 near-drownings and four drownings at Cape Town’s beaches.

South Africa
Two killed, three injured in KZN Midlands crash
Vehicle rolled near Wembesi outside Estcourt in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

South Africa
Limpopo residents urged to be safe amid inclement weather
This follows a Level Two warning issued by the South African Weather Service.

South Africa
Mpumalanga concerned about speeding motorists
Mpumalanga government has expressed concern with the number of motorists who speed.

South Africa
KZN steps up road safety ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations
The KZN Transport Department is intensifying its road safety operations.

World
Greetings from Vienna, where an imperial palace hosts a holiday market for all
Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR’s international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.
World
News24 | Mali and Burkina Faso hit back at Trump travel ban with reciprocal US restrictions
Mali and Burkina Faso have announced their plan to apply reciprocal visa bans to citizens of the United States, weeks after US President Donald Trump included the West African countries in an expanded travel ban list.

World
Israel bans dozens of aid groups from Gaza, despite immense needs
Dozens of international aid groups, like Doctors Without Borders, are now banned from entering Gaza under new rules set by Israel.

World
Why flu cases are surging this season. And, protests erupt in Iran over the economy
The flu is spreading rapidly across the U.S. this season, and it is expected to get worse. And, protests have erupted across Iran over the country’s troubled economy.

Africa
Mali and Burkina Faso impose travel ban on US citizens in tit-for-tat move
The two states say they are taking reciprocal measures after the US announced full-entry restrictions on their citizens.

Africa
Guinea restricts social media sites as junta chief takes election lead
TikTok, YouTube and Facebook are down, as the nation awaits the final result from the presidential poll.

Africa
‘I can kill you right now’ – Sudan’s footballers on civil war
Forward John Mano, who lost his best friend to the civil war in Sudan, says the squad will “fight” for their country on the pitch at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Africa
Living in fear of Lakurawa – the militant group Trump targeted in Nigeria strikes
“We cannot live freely. You cannot even play music” – residents tell the BBC of militants’ rule.

Business
102-year-old international retailer expanding rapidly in South Africa
Leroy Merlin is one of several interional companies expanding into South Africa, with the company opening a massive new development in KZN.

Business
US stock market ends 2025 on a high note after volatile year
It’s been a roller coaster year for the stock market, but the S&P 500 is set to end 2025 up about 17%, the third straight year of double-digit gains.

Business
End of an era coming for the green ID book in South Africa
South Africa is moving toward a fully digital identity system, signalling the end of an era for the iconic green ID book.

Business
Great news for the rand in 2026
The rand has marked one of its best years in recent memory in 2025, with economists expecting the good time to keep rolling in the new year.

Politics
President Ramaphosa positive of a prosperous 2026 for SA
The President also highlighted the importance of respecting women and young girls.

Politics
Mashatile eulogises Hlongwa as a leader who served with humility
The late Brian Hlongwa has been described as a leader who served with humility.

Politics
Late Brian Hlongwa hailed as advocate for discipline, accountability
Brian Hlongwa’s funeral is underway at Walter Sisulu Hall in Randburg.

Politics
LIVE | ANC DP Paul Mashatile delivers eulogy at Brian Hlongwa’s funeral
Hlongwa’s funeral service is being held at the Walter Sisulu Hall in Randburg in Johannesburg.

Sport
Last-gasp Loughnane sets 21st Century record for most calendar year wins
Teenage jockey Billy Loughnane breaks the record for the most wins in a calendar year in the 21st Century.

Sport
Equatorial Guinea pair banned for abusing referee at Afcon
Equatorial Guinea’s Carlos Akapo and Josete Miranda are banned for four games for abusing the referee after their defeat by Sudan at Afcon 2025.

Sport
Kaizer Chiefs set to fly to Zambia
After a decent first half in the Premier Soccer League, Kaizer Chiefs will restart the season in Africa against Zesco United in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Sport
The key points in Welsh rugby’s New Year’s Day derbies
Dragons, Scarlets, Ospreys and Cardiff aim to start 2026 with a bang in New Year’s Day derbies in the United Rugby Championship.
Education
Nigeria: Concerns As Education Budget Stagnates At 6-7 Percent Over 5 Years
[Leadership] …Students, others reject 6% funding, warn low education budget threatens development
Education
Nigeria: Federal Varsity Reacts Over Concession Plan
[Leadership] Federal University Dutse in Jigawa State has responded to a leaked internal memo detailing a new “Concessional Pass” policy, which has sparked significant public debate.
Education
Nigeria: School of Nursing Gusau Gets N50m Instructional Materials
[Leadership] To enhance learning, the Zamfara State government has procured instructional materials worth N50m for the State College of Nursing Gusau.
Education
Nigeria: Board Okays Zamfara College’s10 National Diploma Courses
[Leadership] The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has granted full accreditation for 10 National Diploma Programmes of Zamfara College of Arts and Science (ZACAS).

Lifestyle
Warning NOT to eat shellfish washed up on West Coast
Large numbers of dead white mussels, whelks and other shellfish have been washing ashore on the West Coast over the past 48 hours.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Lifestyle

Entertainment
Severe thunderstorms, flooding risks and extreme heat forecast for New Year’s Day
Find out what the latest weather forecast from the SA Weather Service means for your region for 1 January 2026.

Entertainment
Household food basket: food prices slightly down compared to previous month and year
Low-income consumers only saved a few rands on food in December and now they have to face January with all its expenses.

Entertainment
Expectant moms ready to welcome New Year babies
Babies born on New Year’s Day symbolize fresh starts, with millions arriving globally each year.

Entertainment
Mokoena and Miller shine as Royals edge Sunrisers in SA20 clash
Seam bowler Mokoena took a career-best 4/34 in his eighth T20 match.
Science/Tech
Finland Seizes Ship Suspected of Severing Undersea Cable To Estonia
Finnish authorities on Wednesday seized a vessel suspected of severing an undersea telecommunications cable that connects Helsinki to Tallinn by dragging its anchor across the Gulf of Finland, the latest in a string of infrastructure incidents that have put Baltic Sea nations on edge since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Police are investigating the case as aggravated criminal damage and...
Science/Tech
China Demands Netherlands ‘Correct Mistakes’ Over Seized Chipmaker as Auto Supply Crunch Deepens
China’s Commerce Ministry on Wednesday demanded that the Netherlands “immediately correct its mistakes” over chipmaker Nexperia, escalating a standoff that has disrupted global semiconductor supply chains and triggered warnings from automakers about component shortages. The Dutch government in September invoked a Cold War-era law to effectively seize control of the Chinese-owned chipmaker,...
Science/Tech
US Measles Cases Surpass 2,000, Highest in 30 Years: CDC
The U.S. has surpassed 2,000 measles cases for the first time in more than 30 years, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From a report: As of Dec. 23, a total of 2,012 cases have been reported in the U.S. Of those cases, 24 were reported among international visitors to the U.S.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Science/Tech
The WHO learned to love ‘anti-obesity’ jabs in 2025. I don’t fully agree, but I get it | Devi Sridhar
While GLP-1 drugs promise an easy fix, our bodies still need what they have always needed: healthy food and regular exercise
Prof Devi Sridhar is chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh
If there has been a hot topic in health in 2025, it’s definitely been GLP-1s, colloquially referred to as “anti-obesity” jabs. These medications, taken weekly as an injection into the...

Motoring
South Africa’s secret supercar test track – And a 250km/h highway
South Africa has a secret test track that has been kept under wraps for nearly two decades, located near a nearby highway where cars can travel at speeds of up to 250km/h.

Motoring
Bad news for Tesla
The carmaker is on course for its second consecutive decline in annual vehicle sales.

Motoring
Warning to Volvo car owners in South Africa
Volvo has identified a potential issue with the high-voltage battery cells manufactured by one of its suppliers on certain vehicles.

Motoring
South Africa is giving this market away to the Chinese
Chinese brands are competing amongst themselves to dominate South Africa’s fastest-growing car segment.

Health
‘Having skin cancer while pregnant made me feel so guilty’
Emma Giannuzzi used sunbeds throughout her late teens and was twice diagnosed with melanoma.

Health
What is the ultimate hangover cure?
The Food Chain’s Ruth Alexander on what helps – and what doesn’t – if you’ve overindulged.

Health
How do cold weather health alerts work?
The weather alert service warns the public when high or low temperatures could damage their health.
Health
So You Have Bacterial Vaginosis. What Do You Do Now?
Now that the condition is known to spread sexually, there are steps you and your partner can take to prevent it.