
Top Stories
UK unemployment rate hits five-year high of 5.2%
It marks the highest rate since the Covid pandemic, official figures show.
TUESDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2026, 09:44

Top Stories
It marks the highest rate since the Covid pandemic, official figures show.

Top Stories
Fifteen years ago, a little boy was given six weeks. Today, Tristan Smit has a story, a future, and a 17th birthday behind him.
Top Stories
The City of Ekurhuleni’s internal audit department has resumed the vetting of over 3,500 metro police officers, which had not been conducted annually as required by legislation. Chief Audit Executive Phillip Rakgwale stated that this process, now independent and involving an external firm, was prompted by revelations from the Madlanga commission and aims to ensure officers with criminal records...

Top Stories
The Mitsubishi Outlander turns 25 this year. To celebrate this milestone, the carmaker has unveiled the new Outlander Edition 25 — a special model loaded with additional features

South Africa
According to preliminary reports, the incident reportedly occurred during the second break.

South Africa
All over the world, technology that once felt like science fiction is becoming a part of daily life. Just recently, AI helped researchers decode the genetic roots of diseases like sickle cell with incredible precision. Here in Africa, our teams are applying that same spirit of innovation to everyday challenges, from providing more accurate weather predictions to supporting organizations...

South Africa
A brief wave of online speculation suggesting artificial intelligence agents were organizing independently has been traced to human activity and security weaknesses, not autonomous machine behavior, researchers said. The speculation followed the launch of Moltbook, a Reddit-style platform where AI agents built with the open-source framework OpenClaw appeared to communicate with one another....

South Africa
Threat actors increasingly integrated artificial intelligence into cyber operations in the final quarter of 2025, accelerating reconnaissance, social engineering and malware development, according to a new report from Google Threat Intelligence Group. The report, which updates findings published in November 2025, said AI tools delivered significant productivity gains for malicious actors and...
World
US President Donald Trump said that he would be involved “indirectly” in high-stakes talks between Iran and the US over Tehran’s nuclear programme in Geneva, adding he believed Tehran wanted to make a deal.

World
The Australian government will not repatriate from Syria a group of 34 women and children with alleged ties to the Islamic State group, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday.

World
The second round of talks in Geneva about Iran’s nuclear program takes place as the United States ramps up its military presence in the Middle East and Iran holds large-scale maritime exercises.
World
Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton has accused President Donald Trump of orchestrating a “cover-up” over files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Africa
John Steenhuisen will not seek re-election as DA leader, leaving the race wide open for a successor.

Africa
Seven men from Ghana were “burnt beyond recognition” after Islamists raided the town they were travelling through.

Africa
Police are still looking for a fourth suspect in the attack which has shocked South Africans.

Africa
Authorities say they have put in place contingency measures as a labour dispute affects travel.

Business
Wages have been rising faster than prices but you could pay more tax because of frozen thresholds.

Business
The economic and political prospects for South Africa are turning a corner, pulling away from the path that many had warned would lead to a failed state.

Business
Royal Mail has been accused of prioritising delivery of parcels and packages over letters, but it has denied this.

Business
Located in the popular Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone (SEZ), 30km north of Durban, this property can easily be converted into a state-of-the-art factory.

Politics
Radebe says he was asked to step down over ongoing financial challenges in the municipality.

Politics
The Economic Freedom Fighters will be accommodated in the reshuffled committee, sources told the Mail & Guardian

Politics
President Ramaphosa announced that SANDF members will be deployed in some areas during SONA.

Politics
President Ramaphosa announced that SANDF members will be deployed in some areas during SONA.

Sport
The opening round of the 2026 Varsity Cup delivered a wave of high-scoring, dominant performances across the board.

Sport
A potential Betway Premiership title decider is upon on Wednesday. Here are the expected line ups for Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns.

Sport
Can boxing do more to look after its fighters?

Sport
Cost-cutting measures are reportedly set to have a massive impact on SuperSport’s product offering and broadcast rights.
Education
[Premium Times] WAEC said it has released the results of 61,943 -94.21 per cent- of candidates, while the remaining 3,809 -5.79 per cent- are still being processed due to “some errors traceable to them”.
Education
[GroundUp] Hundreds of operators marched in Johannesburg on Friday against the Gauteng transport department’s new regulations

Education
More than 170,000 seek compensation after UCL Covid settlement opens door to claims across university sector
Dozens of universities are facing legal action from more than 170,000 students seeking compensation after their studies were moved online during Covid.
Pre-action claim letters have been sent to 36 universities in England and Wales, including Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Cardiff, Leeds,...
Education
[Nile Post] The Bunyoro University Taskforce has requested government to allocate Shs100 billion in the 2026/2027 national budget to enable the start of construction works for the proposed public university.

Lifestyle
Comedian Marc Lottering and his husband Anwar McKay survived a deadly cyclone that ripped through Mozambique and Madagascar…

Lifestyle
Security experts say that hijackers in South Africa are gunning for two cars that are no longer in production. Here’s why…
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
State-run housing agencies in South Africa are getting a shot in the arm to help clear the country’s massive backlog in low-cost housing …
Entertainment

Entertainment
Singer chooses service over roses in hometown tribute.

Entertainment
Perfect when served warm with butter or a drizzle of honey, they’re a wholesome and comforting way to begin your day with a touch of sweetness.

Entertainment
The SA team lost the last of three games against Pakistan but earned a 2-1 series win.

Science/Tech
The residents of Potters Bar are working to protect the “green belt” of farms, forests, and meadows that surround London from the endless demand for AI infrastructure.

Science/Tech
For professionals where time and expertise are their products and income generators, a missed appointment is a direct financial loss.

Science/Tech
The cloud ERP vendor will outline the AI-enabled innovations driving transformation in ERP.

Science/Tech
Vertiv’s integrated approach to prefabrication, modularisation and life cycle services positions the company at the forefront of critical digital infrastructure innovation, says Wojtek Piorko, MD for Africa at Vertiv.

Motoring
Toyota and Lexus have unveiled their 2026 product lineup for South Africa, including their first electric cars.

Motoring
Pre-owned cars are becoming increasingly popular in South Africa.

Motoring
The Department of Transport has issued a tender to outsource the operation of South Africa’s new driving laws.

Motoring
Toyota South Africa has outlined its plans for 2026 and beyond.
Health
Federal policies under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that are hostile to vaccines have “sent a chill through the entire industry,” one scientist said.
Health
Aging means “becoming a target” of the industry, one expert said. After decades of debate, politicians of all stripes are proposing bans.

Health
Women who experienced challenges during the menopause set up businesses to help others.

Health
An East Kent Hospital surgeon says it was the “first time” he had encountered such a case.