FIFA World Cup: Excluded Bafana Bafana stars head to North America
The six players Hugo Broos left out of his final Bafana Bafana squad will head to North America for the FIFA World Cup.
Nature
Israel seizes medieval castle as it expands major offensive in southern Lebanon
Israel has captured the 12th-century Beaufort castle that overlooks southern Lebanon and northern Israel. The move suggests Israel is planning an extended military presence in Lebanon.
Ackers eager to face Glasgow again, but says Bulls must be better
The Bulls will face Glasgow in a URC semifinal clash at Murrayfield next weekend.
Trading with China? Sars explains new zero-tariff export process
Sars cautioned that not all products exported to China will automatically qualify for zero-tariff treatment.
GB’s Thorpe & Tomblin win golds at World Cup
Great Britain continue their strong form at the Artistic Swimming World Cup to claim three gold medals in Pontevedra, Spain.
Treasury asked to investigate red flags over R70m building lease
A department of public works anti-corruption investigation has raised concerns that officials may have engineered an artificial crisis to push through a R70m lease deal, prompting calls for an external investigation.
MotoGP leader Bezzecchi wins Italian Grand Prix
MotoGP championship leader Marco Bezzecchi gets the better of Aprilia team-mate Jorge Martin to win the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.
If an alien landed and asked you: ‘What is music?’ what would you play for them?
The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts
If an alien landed and asked you: “What is this thing you call music?” what would you play for them? And why? Heather, Kent
Post your answers (and new questions) below or send them to nq@theguardian.com. A selection will be...
Outgoing Toyota Hilux keeps its crown as April’s best-selling bakkie
After a record sales month in March, the Isuzu D-Max slipped back to third place in April behind the Ford Ranger.
CENSORED IN LUSAKA: RightsCon: Zambia’s ‘diplomatic sensitivities’, digital rights and superpower in Africa (Part 2)
Zambia’s last-minute cancellation of RightsCon 2026 has sparked allegations of Chinese pressure and also raised broader questions about the political forces shaping the southern African country ahead of elections in August.
CENSORED IN LUSAKA: ‘Slap in the face’: Zambia’s RightsCon collapse a warning for Africa’s digital rights (Part 1)
Halting the event has implications for the host country, media and civil society.
Refugees camp outside Home Affairs centre in Umbilo, Durban
Fearing their safety, foreign nationals seek refuge outside the Home Affairs office in Umbilo
Israel is extending its borders through war. For some, it’s part of a greater plan
On the fringes of Israel’s far right, some activists and political leaders dream of a Greater Israel, extending the country’s borders into neighboring countries.
GB rowers start World Cup season with Seville golds
Great Britain win their first gold medals of the season at the 2026 World Rowing Cup I in Seville.
‘We’re being made to look like fools’ – Gayton fumes over Bafana visa debacle
Bafana Bafana’s departure for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been delayed after visa complications prevented them from travelling to Mexico.
Kekana believes Downs’ CAF triumph will gain more value with time
‘We’ve been carrying so much weight, wanting this thing for the longest time.’
MPs accuse government of failing to manage undocumented migration
The parties differ on how the country should respond while balancing the rule of law, human rights