Top Stories

Top Stories
French farmers block Paris streets in protest against Mercosur trade deal
French farmers launched a pre-dawn blockade of roads into Paris and several of the city’s landmarks in protest against a sweeping trade deal the EU hopes soon to sign with South American nations as well as other local grievances.

Top Stories
‘Stop being a coward’: Malema challenges MK Party’s Skosana
Members of parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations of corruption in the criminal justice system clashed during their first meeting of the year over the proposed summoning of “corrupt” judges.

Top Stories
These were SA’s best-selling cars in December
Budget-priced cars from China and India help lift annual sales to 17-year high

South Africa
Rising private school fees widen gap between the rich, poor: Makaneta
Makaneta raised concern on the exorbitant fees that some private schools are charging.

South Africa
Five killed in shootout with KZN police wanted for various cases
The suspects were wanted for, among other crimes, the killing of police officers.

South Africa
Two men arrested in Kempton Park with drugs worth over R200 000
The men are facing charges of dealing with illicit substances and contravening the Immigration Act.
South Africa
News24 | Five people killed in shootout with KZN police
Five people have been killed during a shootout with KwaZulu-Natal police.

World
Snow and ice ground flights and choke highways in parts of Europe
More than 1,000 stranded passengers spent the night at Amsterdam’s international airport as snow and ice that is pummeling parts of Europe grounded hundreds of flights.
World
News24 | Rob Reiner’s son’s court date delayed as lawyer steps back, insists he’s ‘not guilty’
An arraignment for the son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner over the stabbing deaths of his parents was postponed on Wednesday, after his lawyer stepped back from the case.

World
Trump invites Colombian president to White House after threatening his country with military strike
President Donald Trump abruptly changed his tone Wednesday about his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, saying they had exchanged a friendly phone call and he’d even invited the leader of the South American country to the White House.

World
Australia PM announces royal commission into Bondi shooting
Anthony Albanese had previously resisted such an inquiry despite pressure from the Jewish community.

Africa
Rare mountain gorilla twins born in Africa’s oldest national park
Trackers in DR Congo’s Virunga National Park spotted the babies being hugged by their mother on Saturday.

Africa
Nigeria’s ex-justice minister granted bail in corruption case after a month in prison
Abubakar Malami was one of the most influential figures in the administration of former President Buhari.

Africa
Children killed after drone hits home in Sudan, medics say
At least 13 people, including eight children, have been killed in the strike in el-Obeid city, medics say.

Africa
At least 22 Ethiopian migrants killed in ‘horrific’ road crash
About 85 Ethiopian migrants were trying to leave the country when the accident occurred, authorities say.

Business
Goodbye Eskom – South Africa’s richest city officially looking at alternatives
The City of Johannesburg is assessing the viability of buying the Kelvin Power Station and Egoli gas as a way to reduce its reliance on Eskom.

Business
Tesco and M&S report strong Christmas food sales
Both major retailers report strong food sales, but M&S says sales of clothing and homeware fell.

Business
Severe storm warning for South Africa
Many provinces across South Africa are experiencing consistent heavy rain and hail, which is leaving a trail of destruction for homeowners and motorists. Forecasters have warned of more to come.

Business
Upfront childcare payments ‘simplifies the system’
Paying parents directly for some childcare costs gives “flexibility”, says a Jersey minister.

Politics
ANC turns 114
The ANC will hold anniversary celebrations in the North West this weekend.

Politics
NFP pulls out of KwaZulu-Natal GPU with immediate effect
The statement was released as the party today began the disciplinary process to punish Mbali Shinga.

Politics
ANC consults traditional leaders ahead of North West birthday event
President Ramaphosa met Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi of the Royal Bafokeng ahead of ANC North West events.

Politics
List of witnesses to appear before Ad Hoc Committee given to Arendse
Paul O’Sullivan, Julius Mkhwanazi, Robert McBride and Brown Mogotsi among witnesses.

Sport
Sacha FM: Commitment to Stormers disproves that ‘money talks’
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is one of the leading players in world rugby, but he has chosen the Stormers rather than chasing big-money offers.

Sport
A warrior touched by tragedy – Terry Yorath obituary
Former Wales captain and manager Terry Yorath, who has died aged 75, had a glittering career, but his life was deeply affected by two tragedies.

Sport
FIFA to scan World Cup players to make offside avatars
FIFA will create AI-enabled 3D avatars of players at FIFA World Cup 2026 as part of efforts to enhance its semi-automated offside technology.

Sport
Players ‘not protected’ over schedule – Sabalenka
World number one Aryna Sabalenka says tennis authorities “follow their interests” with regards to the tennis calendar and are not “focusing on protecting all of us”.
Education
Nigeria: OAU Probes Death of Medical Student
[Vanguard] The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State, yesterday, disclosed that it is working with relevant authorities to unravel the circumstances behind the death of one of its medical students, Timilehin Toromade.
Education
Nigeria: Accommodation – Unilag May Allow Squatting, to Sanction Racketeers
[Vanguard] Faqced with inadequate accommodation as over 30,000 students jostle for about 8,000 bed spaces, the management of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, may approve squatting for students with their colleagues, just as it vowed to sanction those engaged in hostel racketeering.
Education
Kenya: IG Kanja Reviews Plans to Establish National Police University
[Capital FM] Nairobi — The National Police Service’s ambition to establish a National Police University continues to gain momentum, marking a transformative chapter in police training and leadership development in Kenya.
Education
Kenya: Nyota Project Phase Two Business Support Rollout Set to Begin in 27 Counties
[Capital FM] Nairobi — The government is set to roll out the NYOTA Project Business Support Component Phase Two following the successful completion of mandatory classroom training by youth beneficiaries in 27 phase two counties.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
Madame Tussauds unveils Zendaya’s 10th wax figure in New York
Zendaya’s new wax figure features a replica of the ring her fiancé, Tom Holland, gave her upon engagement.

Lifestyle
Get your jazz on at the Cape Town Jazzathon this weekend
Jazz aficionados, rejoice! The Cape Town Jazzathon is celebrating its 29th anniversary at the V&A Waterfront this weekend.

Lifestyle
LATEST on updated SASSA grant reviews in 2026
To ensure you comply with new SASSA grant reviews in 2026, read to the very last letter if your financial circumstances have changed …

Entertainment
WATCH: Ramaphosa mulls taking action against groups calling on US to intervene in SA
Ramaphosa stressed that government is fully aware of what has been described as “treasonous activities”.

Entertainment
Shai’s record-breaking ton gives Capitals new Hope in SA20
The West Indian struck a stunning nine fours and nine sixes in his innings.
Entertainment

Entertainment
Morocco under huge pressure as hosts face Cup of Nations heat
Moroccan supporters demand the best from Africa’s top-ranked nation.

Science/Tech
Bad news about PC prices in South Africa
The prices of RAM, SSDs, and graphics cards have surged due to a global memory shortage.

Science/Tech
Samsung cashes in on AI data centre boom as memory prices soar
Samsung has forecasted record operating profit as demand for AI sends memory chip prices sharply higher worldwide.

Science/Tech
South Africa’s next electricity crisis is happening in front of everyone’s eyes
South Africa’s municipal electricity debt crisis is often reduced to a familiar story: failing councils, weak billing systems, political interference, and a culture of non-payment. There is truth in that, but it is incomplete.
Science/Tech
How Bright Headlights Escaped Regulation
Longtime Slashdot reader schwit1 shares a report from Autoblog: … the problem is that the federal brightness standards for automotive headlights have not changed for decades. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 hasn’t had significant updates since 1986, with an addition allowing Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) headlights coming only in 2022. The NHTSA last investigated (PDF) the issue...
Motoring

Motoring
Red flags for Uber vehicle safety in South Africa
Vehicle testing centres are allegedly accepting bribes to falsify car reports for e-hailing drivers in South Africa.

Motoring
Lawmakers are coming after this “dangerous” car feature
A US lawmaker is proposing legislation that would regulate electronic door handles in new cars, following multiple cases of individuals being trapped inside their vehicles.

Motoring
Best-selling car brands in South Africa
South Africa’s car industry ended 2025 on a high note, with two automakers doing particularly well last month.

Health
‘My endometriosis pain is excruciating but I’m still waiting for surgery’
According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 59,733 women in NI are now on waiting lists.

Health
Woman planning 115km walk after two heart attacks
Cathy Read will walk across Spain to support the charity that helped her recover.

Health
Why my period made my gambling addiction worse
Researchers are looking to see if there’s a link between hormonal fluctuations and gambling addiction.
Health
New Dietary Guidelines Abandon Longstanding Advice on Alcohol
Now the government’s recommendation is to “limit” drinking, without specifying safe amounts for men and women. The guidelines no longer warn of risks like cancer.