Top Stories
Top Stories
WILDLIFE UNDER THREAT: Targeted poaching poses existential risk to Africa’s dwindling lion population
Targeted poaching for lion body parts is rising across Africa — and the numbers tell a troubling story.
Top Stories
WEATHER WOES: Relief in the skies, ruin on the ground as deadly floods kill 37, trigger national disaster status
After days of relentless rain and catastrophic flooding in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, weather conditions are beginning to ease as the SA Weather Service downgrades its highest warning level. As recovery efforts ramp up under a national disaster declaration, parts of the Kruger National Park have cautiously reopened, even as the full extent of the damage continues to emerge.
Top Stories
US POLITICS ANALYSIS: Are the first green shoots of rebellion in the US springing up?
The Trump administration cloaks in populist promises authoritarian, self-serving policies such as harsh immigration tactics, erratic trade and foreign strategies, institutional erosion and personal grift. But, just maybe, there are some green shoots of resistance breaking through the hard ground.

South Africa
Death toll in Vanderbijlpark scholar crash rises to 14
A scholar transport vehicle carrying pupils collided with a a truck this morning.

South Africa
‘Driver of Vaal scholar crash tried to overtake multiple vehicles’
The crash in that happened in Vanderbijlpark claimed the lives of 13 learners.

South Africa
State in Meyiwa trial pokes holes in defence witness testimony
Five men are currently on trial for the 2014 murder of the Bafana Bafana captain.
South Africa
News24 | PODCAST | The Lead: More tough questions for Ekurhuleni mayor over DJ’s murder
Seasoned broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer brings you The Lead, News24’s definitive podcast for in-depth reporting.
World
News24 | Ethiopia dam: Egypt, Sudan welcome Trump mediation
The leaders of Egypt and Sudan both welcome US president’s offer to mediate in the Nile dam dispute with Ethiopia.

World
Trump says he’s pursuing Greenland after perceived Nobel Peace Prize snub
“Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize… I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace,” Trump wrote in a message to the Norwegian Prime Minister.

World
Ghana arrests Nigerians accused of running cyber-crime networks
There is a growing trend of foreigners being lured to Ghana under the pretext of lucrative work.

World
Spain train crash survivors describe ‘absolutely terrifying’ scene
Passengers recount the moment two trains collided between Málaga and Madrid on Sunday evening.

Africa
Senegalese fans celebrate dramatic Afcon win
Senegalese fans celebrate their team’s victory at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Africa
More than 160 churchgoers kidnapped in twin Nigeria attacks – clergy
Police say armed gangs burst into the two churches in Kurmin Wali, Kaduna state, during Sunday service.

Africa
Drums, chants and celebrations as Ethiopians mark the baptism of Jesus
The Ethiopian Orthodox festival of Timket, or Epiphany, commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.

Africa
South African team helps search for politician swept away by Mozambique floodwaters
Mozambique President Daniel Chapo cancels a trip to Davos due to severe floods in the country

Business
Environment Secretary: South East Water boss ‘should not get bonus’
Emma Reynolds said South East Water was the poorest performer of all water companies

Business
Two private schools in South Africa named among the best in the world
Two South African private schools have been ranked among the world’s top 150 in the 2025/26 Schools Index.
Business

Business
Inside the spooky and deserted shopping mall that is completely empty
Two videographers give viewers a look inside the spooky R3.5 billion Villa shopping centre in Pretoria, which has been deserted for 15 years.

Politics
ActionSA mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo released on R2 000 bail
Khumalo turned himself in at Katlehong police over assault claim by suspected drug dealer.

Politics
Ad Hoc Committee gets update on efforts to secure Mogotsi appearance
Mogotsi has raised concerns about his legal representation and personal security.

Politics
Khumalo, co-accused turn themselves in at Katlehong Police
Xolani Khumalo and his co-accused hands themselves at the Katlehong police station in Ekurhuleni

Politics
ActionSA, DA call for probe into SANDF ‘defying’ Ramaphosa orders
ActionSA, DA call for investigation into reports that SANDF officials defied Ramaphosa’s orders

Sport
‘We had a good conversation’ – Frank on Tottenham board support
Under-pressure Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank says he has the support of the club’s board, as they prepare to take on Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Sport
France forward Cascarino joins London City Lionesses
France forward Delphine Cascarino joins London City Lionesses on a three-and-a-half-year deal after leaving San Diego Wave.

Sport
Fans may be allowed to buy alcohol at Scotland game
Supporters could be allowed to buy alcohol at a Scotland match later this year as part of a plan aimed at lifting the booze ban in Scottish football.

Sport
Confirmed: Sundowns starting 11 vs Orbit – 6 surprise changes
Mamelodi Sundowns have made six surprise changes against Orbit College, including a debut for teenage left-back Thato Sibiya.
Education
Nigeria: Yobe Clears N15.4bn Gratuity Backlog for State, LG Retirees
[Vanguard] …Reaffirms commitment to workers’ welfare

Education
Robert Jenrick boasts that Reform is for the workers, but it’s a class war trap – and Labour shouldn’t fall for it
Though Labour’s voters are more likely to be the educated middle-classes, its focus must be fighting inequality. We know Farage’s party will only enrich the wealthy
Class politics is back, as if it ever went away. Robert Jenrick declares that Tories are toffs and “the divide in British politics has become Reform’s workers party versus the Tory posh party”. He says the Tories are so “out...
Education
South Africa: Inmates in Matric Record 94.4 Percent 2025 Pass Rate
[SAnews.gov.za] The Department of Correctional Services has recorded a 94.4% pass rate for the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.

Education
At nine, I disappeared into home schooling. No one came looking
Mom insisted I needed a ‘free-form education’ outside public school. After four years of loneliness, I gave up hope that someone would get me out
“Every mother in the world wishes her kid wouldn’t grow up so fast.”
Mom laughs as she holds me close.
Continue reading…

Lifestyle
Prince Harry appears at High Court for privacy trial against Daily Mail publisher
Prince Harry, Sir Elton John and others are suing The Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday’s publisher over alleged unlawful information gathering practices.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
‘Thomas Sithole’: Saffas convinced teen’s spirit is ‘fighting for justice’ [video]
South Africans believe US psychic Kandis Starr – whose comments about Joslin Smith went viral – has contacted the ‘spirit’ of Thomas Sithole.
Lifestyle

Entertainment
JSK beat Royals and qualify for SA20 play-offs
The round robin stage of the SA20 season is now done, with just the play-offs to be contested over the coming days.

Entertainment
In case you missed it: Crash claims 13 pupils’ lives | ActionSA’s Xolani Khumalo granted bail | Dada Morero’s ‘broken promise’
Catch up on the biggest stories of Monday, 19 January 2026 that you may have missed, in our simple daily news update.

Entertainment
Daily Lotto and Daily Lotto Plus results: Monday, 19 January 2026
A total of 5000 000 in jackpots is up for grabs tonight! Here are your winning Daily Lotto and Daily Lotto Plus results for 19 January 2026.

Entertainment
South Africa’s disaster response can improve – Ramaphosa
With 37 deaths and billions in damage, the government faces pressure to strengthen disaster readiness and long-term planning.
Science/Tech
WhatsApp Texts Are Not Contracts, Judge Rules in $2M Divorce Row
A British painter who argued that her ex-husband had signed over their $2 million north London home through WhatsApp messages has lost her High Court appeal after the judge ruled that the sender’s name appearing in a chat header does not constitute a legal signature. Hsiao-mei Lin, 54, presented messages from her former husband Audun Mar Gudmundsson, a financier, in which he stated he would...
Science/Tech
Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming May Soon Let You Stream Your Own Games for Free – If You Watch Ads
Microsoft appears to be preparing an ad-supported tier for Xbox Cloud Gaming that would let players stream games they’ve purchased digitally without needing a Game Pass subscription, according to a Windows Central report citing sources familiar with the plans. Users last week began noticing a new message pop up while launching cloud games that referenced “1 hour of ad supported play time per...
Science/Tech
ERP Isn’t Dead Yet – But Most Execs Are Planning the Wake
Seven out of ten C-suite executives believe traditional enterprise resource planning software has seen its best days, though the category remains firmly entrenched in corporate IT and opinion is sharply divided on what comes next. A survey of 4,295 CFOs, CISOs, CIOs and CEOs worldwide found 36% expect ERP to give way to composable, API-driven best-of-breed systems, while 33% see the future in...

Science/Tech
Nasa boldly goes as far away as possible | Brief letters
Alien lifeforms | Power of prayer | Corned beef | Remembering birthdays | Celebrity old-age home
Your article (Nasa moon rocket creeps to its launchpad in preparation for astronaut flight, 18 January) quotes the crew commander of Artemis II, Reid Wiseman: “They are so fired up that we are headed back to the moon. They just want to see humans as far away from Earth as possible.” I imagine...

Motoring
Best-selling cars under R300,000 in South Africa
Sub-R300,000 models are one of the most popular segments in South Africa’s car market.
Motoring
Motoring

Motoring
Isuzu’s massive R750-million factory expansion in South Africa
Isuzu has upgraded its local manufacturing efforts alongside its major panel supplier.

Health
Why ‘Blue Monday’ isn’t real
How the third Monday of January came to be known as the most depressing day of the year.

Health
NHS trust used charity funds for ‘leaving event’
Bosses, in a post to staff, say in hindsight, it was not a good use of charitable funds.

Health
Trial launched to ‘help spot health risks early’
A pilot scheme is rolled out in the north of the Isle of Man by the public health directorate.

Health
Blue Monday: Why it’s a ‘load of rubbish’
The myth of ‘the most depressing day of the year’ won’t die – but does it actually do any harm?