
Top Stories
Trump aims to keep everyone guessing over Iran action
There were growing signs that US military action on Iran might be imminent, then the US president suddenly changed his tune.
FRIDAY, 16 JANUARY 2026, 00:55

Top Stories
There were growing signs that US military action on Iran might be imminent, then the US president suddenly changed his tune.

Top Stories
The Venezuelan opposition leader said she “presented” her Nobel medal to Trump, but did not say whether he accepted it.
Top Stories
Iconic camp in Kruger National Park’s southeast section evacuates guests to focus on ‘real emergencies’.

Top Stories
The limited deployment involves Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and the UK.

South Africa
The municipality says the aim of the shutdown is to improve plant reliability.

South Africa
Ramaphosa asked to reprimand Mantashe for his utterances on minerals.

South Africa
The minors were intercepted along the Beitbridge border area earlier this week.

South Africa
The President says he is saddened by the death of a five-year-old child.

World
Palestinians say they’re suffering as they wait for progress in next phase of U.S.-backed ceasefire.

World
Uganda votes amid an internet blackout and heavy military deployment as President Yoweri Museveni seeks a seventh term, extending his four-decade grip on power
World
Libyan authorities have uncovered a mass grave containing the bodies of 21 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, local media reported on Thursday.
World
A US-backed plan to end the war in Gaza has entered its second phase despite unresolved disputes between Israel and Hamas over alleged ceasefire violations and issues unaddressed in the first stage.

Africa
Moroccan fans celebrated through the night as their beloved Atlas Lions beat Nigeria to make it to the Afcon final.

Africa
Eritrea denies the claim and accuses Ethiopia of seeking a pretext to attack, amid fears of renewed conflict.

Africa
Logistical problems lead to queues and some disgruntled voters as Ugandans elect their next president.

Africa
Former Cameroon star Samuel Eto’o is handed a four-match ban and fined $20,000 after being found guilty of misconduct by the Confederation of African Football.

Business
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the deal would help boost semiconductor production in the US.

Business
The United States Embassy in South Africa has issued a scathing statement about the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) conducting naval exercises with Iran.
Business

Business
A township shopping mall in Gauteng is set to change hands in a R177 million deal after receiving the green light from South Africa’s Competition Commission.

Politics
He says he was shocked by the directive because he was against its disbandment.
Politics
The US Embassy in Pretoria on Thursday accused South Africa of supporting Iran while it violently represses pro-democracy protests by allowing Iranian vessels into South African waters for a multi-national naval drill.

Politics
Zuma applied for Khampepe’s recusal on the grounds that she was unsuitable to lead the commission.

Politics
Dion George has resigned from the Democratic Alliance as well as Parliament.

Sport
Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby finish seventh in the European Figure Skating European Championships with a score of 173.52.

Sport
An error-strewn performance from Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby costs the British duo a European Figure Skating Championships medal in Sheffield.

Sport
Tammy Abraham could reunite with Aston Villa, Manchester United hope to sign Carlos Baleba in the summer, and Jean-Philippe Mateta is a target for Juventus.

Sport
Steve Crossman is joined by Pat Cash, Naomi Broady, Jodie Burrage and Russell Fuller.
Education
[Health-e] This week marked the start of the school year for learners across South Africa. Parents in Soshanguve Block KK, north of Pretoria, had an extra school preparation task on their hands-reinforcing a make-shift bridge.
Education
The University of Arkansas withdrew a job offer to a South Carolina legal scholar after state officials learned that she had signed a legal brief concerning transgender athletes, state lawmakers said.
Education
As immigration agents and protests lead some families to keep children home, schools around the Twin Cities are offering a remote option for the next several weeks.
Education
[Capital FM] Nairobi — If even half of Kenya’s Members of the National Assembly adopted the approach used in Kiharu Constituency, public education across the country could look markedly different, with lower fees, stable learning, and fewer disruptions.

Lifestyle
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has appeared in good health, and noticeably slimmer, in a recent social media post….

Lifestyle
South Africa was on the top of the travel list for these countries in 2025. Here’s where they came from…

Lifestyle
Want to quit smoking? Find out how quit-smoking apps with behavioural tools and interactive features can support your journey.

Lifestyle
The Salt superyacht, valued at over R1 billion, has been spotted docked in Cape Town. Here’s what we know about the vessel and the owner…

Entertainment
Amakhosi beat Stellies last season en route to winning the Nedbank Cup.

Entertainment
Seam bowler Ottneil Baartman secured a hat-trick when he removed Andre Russell, Lizaad Williams and Lungi Ngidi from successive deliveries.

Entertainment
The Nedbank Cup last 32 draw was conducted in Sandton on Thursday.

Entertainment
Catch up on the biggest stories of Thursday, 15 January 2026 that you may have missed, in our simple daily news update.
Science/Tech
The powerful data privacy watchdog in Italy long known for aggressively policing U.S. and Chinese AI giants is under investigation for possible corruption and embezzlement. Reuters reports: Rome prosecutors are investigating the agency’s president, Pasquale Stanzione, and three other board members over alleged excessive spending and possible corruption behind its decisions, Italian news...
Science/Tech
Activists spent years preparing for a communications blackout in Iran, smuggling in Starlink satellite internet systems and making digital shutdowns harder for the authorities to enforce.
Science/Tech
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Bloomberg: Oracle is trying — and sometimes struggling — to attract workers to Nashville, where it is developing a massive riverfront headquarters.The company is hiring for more roles in Nashville than any other US city, with a special focus on jobs in its crucial cloud infrastructure unit. Oracle cloud workers based elsewhere say they’ve been offered...

Science/Tech
Nolah’s Evolution is the mattress I personally sleep on as a certified sleep coach, and it’s on sale pre-Presidents’ Day.

Motoring
One of South Africa’s favourite hatchbacks saw a massive drop in sales last month.

Motoring
South Africans can look forward to a new international flight from the end of June.

Motoring
Mini has launched a new limited-edition Countryman series, exclusive to South Africa.

Motoring
Mahindra cemented itself as one of South Africa’s fastest-growing car brands with a record-breaking year in 2025.

Health
A study found the 10 consistently worst-performing centres were all in the Midlands and North of England.
Health
The Trump administration has signed $11 billion in agreements with African nations, in deals tied to foreign policy goals.

Health
Dr Susan Gilby told the BBC she was relieved the case was over and that it “was never about the money.”
Health
Infant heart transplants are extraordinarily rare. A Times health journalist donned scrubs and witnessed how the surgery unfolded.