Top Stories

Top Stories
Iran protesters try to break into government building as unrest continues
Video verified by the BBC shows a crowd breaking the gate of the governor’s office in Fasa.

Top Stories
Man charged with murder after car hits pedestrian
Liverpool fan Ruben Nunes, 34, died at the scene of the crash on Chapel Close, the Met Police said.

Top Stories
Cole to leave Tigers after 18 years for personal reasons
Leicester Tigers stalwart Dan Cole will leave the club at the end of 2025 due to personal reasons.

South Africa
Public Protector clears uMngeni Mayor Chris Pappas on nepotism
Pappas and Prinsloo had indeed made the required declarations.

South Africa
Rooting out corruption remains govt’s priority: Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the G20 Presidency ensured that Africa’s voice is recognised.

South Africa
SPCA on standby to help animals in distress
SPCA inspectors are on standby 24/7 to respond to animal emergencies

South Africa
Award winning musician Makhadzi in hospital after car crash
Makhadzi Entertainment has confirmed the musician was involved in a crash.

World
This new year celebration in Mumbai is just one of many in India
In Mumbai, some celebrate New Year’s Eve with an effigy of the old year. It’s just one of many New Years celebrated in India.

World
Germany’s railways struggle with delays and underinvestment
After decades of neglect, Germany has announced a 100-billion-euros investment into the national railway operator. But some say it will take more than money to get its trains back on track.

World
Fireworks, drums and light shows: How the world is welcoming 2026
Countries around the world celebrated the new year with colourful shows and long held traditions.
World
News24 | Israel set to ban 37 aid groups from Gaza despite UN, EU opposition
Israel plans to ban 37 aid organisations from operating in Gaza from Thursday unless they hand over detailed information on their Palestinian staff, despite mounting criticism from the United Nations and the European Union.

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
Madlanga inquiry will be fully implemented: Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke during his New Year’s message earlier Wednesday afternoon.

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.

Sport
‘Give him time’ – Cheeseboy defends Nkota’s Bafana struggles
Ex-Pirates winger Lebohang “Cheeseboy” Mokoena is backing Mohau Nkota to find his form at Bafana Bafana during the AFCON.

Sport
BREAKING: Bafana’s AFCON round of 16 opponents confirmed
Bafana Bafana’s AFCON journey will be tested in the round of 16. They will face one of the strongest teams in the continent.

Sport
Ake rejects West Ham move – Thursday’s gossip
Nathan Ake rejects interest from West Ham, Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain join Manchester United in battle for Yan Diomande’s signature, and Brennan Johnson in line for medical at Crystal Palace.

Sport
Swedish winger Nilden to join sister at Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur agree to sign Matilda Nilden from BK Hacken in January, subject to international clearance and a work permit.
Education
East Africa: Ethiopia Coders Program Boosting Digital Skills of Youth – University Students
[ENA] Addis Ababa — Students of higher education institutions said the 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Program is equipping them with essential skills that enable them to actively participate in the country’s growing digital ecosystem.
Education
Nigeria: Oluwaseun Ikusika, 1inclusion4all Takes Activism to Schools
[This Day] To mark the conclusion of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, 1inclusion4all, led by British-Nigerian lawyer and global advocate Oluwaseun Ikusika, carried out an inspiring secondary school outreach tour across Kaduna State and Oyo State, reinforcing the power of education in shaping a generation that stands against violence and champions equality.
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.

Lifestyle
Award winning singer Makhadzi hospitalised after car accident
Award-winning musician Makhadzi, whose real name is Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, was involved in a car accident on Wednesday morning.

Lifestyle
‘Waited all 2025 for this’: Siya Kolisi’s ‘girlfriend’ turns 25
Rachel John, the woman rumoured to be dating Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, celebrated her 25th birthday on New Year’s Eve.

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

Entertainment
Ramaphosa urges national unity as South Africa enters 2026
Ramaphosa reflects on 2025 hardships and urges citizens to unite, citing economic recovery, youth employment, and anti-corruption efforts.

Entertainment
Lotto and Lotto Plus results: Wednesday, 31 December 2025
A total of R76.5 million in jackpots is up for grabs tonight. Here are your Lotto and Lotto Plus results for 31 December 2025.

Entertainment
Daily Lotto and Daily Lotto Plus results: Wednesday, 31 December 2025
A total of R700 000 in jackpots is up for grabs tonight! Here are your winning Daily Lotto and Daily Lotto Plus results for 31 December 2025.

Entertainment
SA music star Makhadzi hospitalised after car crash en route to Joburg
Makhadzi Entertainment requested privacy for Makhadzi and her family during this period.
Science/Tech
France Targets Australia-Style Social Media Ban For Children Next Year
An anonymous reader quotes a report from the Guardian: France intends to follow Australia and ban social media platforms for children from the start of the 2026 academic year. A draft bill preventing under-15s from using social media will be submitted for legal checks and is expected to be debated in parliament early in the new year. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has made it clear in...
Science/Tech
NJ’s Answer To Flooding: It Has Bought Out and Demolished 1,200 Properties
New Jersey has found its answer to the relentless flooding that has plagued the state’s coastal and inland communities for decades: buy the homes, demolish them and turn the land back into open space permanently. The state’s Blue Acres program has acquired some 1,200 properties since 1995, spending more than $234 million in federal and state funds to pay fair market value to homeowners...
Science/Tech
NASA Craft To Face Heat-Shield Test on Its First Astronaut Flight Next Year
An anonymous reader shares a report: Getting to space is hard. In many ways, getting back is even harder. NASA soon aims to pull off the kind of re-entry it last conducted more than 50 years ago: safely returning astronauts to Earth after they fly to the moon and back. The mission is a big moment for NASA, which will put a crew on its Orion ship for the first time. The flight will test the...
Science/Tech
JPMorgan Says Javice Firms Billed Millions Just for ‘Attendance’
JPMorgan Chase is now fighting to avoid paying $10.2 million in disputed legal charges racked up by Charlie Javice, the convicted founder of student-finance startup Frank, after court filings revealed her defense team billed more than $5 million simply for attending her fraud trial — including on days when court wasn’t even in session. A previously sealed Delaware court filing [PDF] released...

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.