Top Stories

Top Stories
MI5’s ‘Chinese spies’ alert and Trump defends MBS
Reported Chinese espionage in the UK and the Saudi crown prince’s visit to DC dominate Wednesday’s papers.

Top Stories
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,364
Here are the key events from day 1,364 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Top Stories
Families of Bangladesh protest victims want Hasina ‘brought back, hanged’
As hundreds of families who lost loved ones in 2024 protests welcome verdict, many wonder if Hasina will face justice.

South Africa
SA must locally manufacture pharmaceuticals to cut costs: Volmink
Manufacturing vaccines must be done through collaboration

South Africa
SAPS members involved with gangs will not be spared: Patekile
A redacted version of the report was released by Premier Alan Winde last week.

South Africa
IBM Study: Middle East and Africa Chief Data Officers Redefine Strategies as AI Ambitions Outpace Readiness
A new global study by the IBM (NYSE: IBM) Institute for Business Value reveals enterprise data strategies are rapidly evolving as organizations race to scale AI across their business. The findings suggest that while Chief Data Officers (CDOs) are at the helm of this transformation, many say their data is still not ready to unlock […]
South Africa
President Ruto Urges Cautious AI Adoption To Protect Democracy, Security And Human Oversight
President William Ruto has issued a cautionary call on the use of artificial intelligence in Kenya, highlighting both its potential and the risks of overdependence. Speaking at digital economy forums and during UN-linked engagements, he warned that while AI can drive transformation in sectors such as agriculture and education, it must not replace human judgment. […]

World
On the front line of Europe’s standoff with Russia’s sanction-busting shadow fleet
With Europe imposing sanctions on Moscow, there has been a growing network of vessels sailing without a valid flag from Russia through European waters.

World
Why India’s poorest state continues to struggle with illegal alcohol sales
Efforts to crack down on bootlegging continue nine years after prohibition was introduced in Bihar.

World
U.S. and Saudi Arabia discuss security and investments in White House visit
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud is visiting the White House. Greeted with military planes and a procession, he and Trump were friendly with each other as they spoke to reporters in the Oval Office.

World
Lebanon says Israeli strike killed 13 people near Palestinian refugee camp
The Israeli military says it was targeting members of Hamas “operating in a training compound”. Hamas has not commented.

Africa
Two schoolgirls escape Nigeria kidnap ordeal, official says
Fight “day and night” to rescue the rest of the missing children, a top general tells soldiers.

Africa
Poll unrest has ‘stained’ Tanzania’s global image, president says
Tanzania relies on foreign loans, but “what happened eroded our global credibility”, President Samia says.

Africa
Eswatini confirms receiving $5.1m from the US for accepting deportees
The kingdom acknowledges for the first time it received cash as part of a deal with Trump’s administration.

Africa
Total faces war crimes allegations over Mozambique massacre
TotalEnergies denies responsibility for the actions of local security forces involved in dozens of killings.

Business
Hotel adverts banned over misleadingly cheap rooms
Ads for Hilton, Travelodge, Booking.com and Accor are banned by the Advertising Standards Authority.

Business
How the viral Baby Shark video created a $400m business
Shares in the firm behind the highly-addictive children’s song rose by more than 9% in their stock market debut.

Business
Judge rules Meta doesn’t have monopoly after Instagram, WhatsApp acquisitions
The decision allows Instagram’s parent company to avoid the prospect of the company breaking up

Business
Hard lockdown in South Africa’s richest city
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) said it will enforce a lockdown around the FNB Stadium and Nasrec Expo Centre.

Politics
Mkhwanazi made no attempt to intervene during July unrest: De Haas
De Haas is appearing before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee.

Politics
Mbalula insists Ramaphosa will complete his tenure
Ramaphosa will not leave his office before the end of his five-year tenure.

Politics
Exclusive | Africa wants to take charge of resources: Dlamini-Zuma
The G20 Social Summit opened at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Centre in Boksburg, East Rand.

Politics
De Haas says she will not disclose identities of her informants
Mary de Haas has been testifying before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on Monday.

Sport
‘I’ve been in bits – I couldn’t get Jota out of my head’
Captain Andy Robertson says his late Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota will be “looking down on him” after Scotland reached the World Cup finals.

Sport
Scotland’s McGinn ‘was thinking about play-offs in 91st minute’
Midfielder John McGinn says Scotland were “pretty rubbish, but who cares?” after they earned a place at the World Cup finals.

Sport
‘I woke up this morning with no nerves’ – Clarke hails Scotland players
Head coach Steve Clarke hails his Scotland players after they qualify for a first men’s World Cup since 1998.

Sport
Watch McFadden & Thompson go daft for Scotland goals
BBC Scotland pundits James McFadden and Steven Thompson, as well as commentator Liam McLeod, go wild as Scotland claim their first men’s World Cup place since 1998.
Education
Federal Judge Orders Some Texas Schools to Remove Ten Commandment Posters
The judge sided with families of students who had argued that the displays infringed on their religious freedom.
Education
Trump Administration to Announce Steps to Dismantle Education Department
Responsibilities for K-12 and college programs, among others, will be moved to other federal agencies.
Education
Ghana: Jays International School Emerges Winners At Second Edition of C4k Coding Competition
[Ghanaian Times] Jays International School emerged as winners at the second edition of the C4K Coding Competition, held on Wednesday during the National Digital Education Conference 2025. This marks the second time in a row the school has won the competition.
Education
Mozambique: Advanced Technologies Crucial for Quality Monitoring
[AIM] Maputo — The Mozambican Minister of Economy, Basílio Muhate, believes that advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and data analysis, are crucial instruments for companies interested in monitoring the quality of their products and services in real time.

Lifestyle
‘Life goes on’: Mapimpi’s ‘wife’ reacts to rumours?
Did Makazole Mapimpi’s rumoured wife – Sasha de Sousha – respond to viral reports about the Springbok’s romantic life?

Lifestyle
‘Why?’: Anni Dewani’s family beg for answers 15 years after murder
Anni Dewani’s family have yet to move on from her death 15 years ago after repeatedly begging her husband Shrien Dewani for answers…
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Entertainment
Entertainment
Entertainment
Entertainment
Science/Tech
Chinese Spies Are Trying To Reach UK Lawmakers Via LinkedIn, MI5 Warns
MI5 has warned U.K. lawmakers that Chinese intelligence operatives are using LinkedIn and recruitment fronts to target them for information gathering and long-term cultivation. PBS reports: Writing to lawmakers, House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said a new MI5 “espionage alert” warned that Chinese nationals were “using LinkedIn profiles to conduct outreach at scale” on behalf of the...

Science/Tech
2025 Crypto Watchlist: 5 Rising Stars and a New Crypto Coin Stealing the Show
The crypto world is a whirlwind of highs and lows. One moment, coins are blasting off; the next, charts turn crimson. Analysts toss theories everywhere, charts, indicators, hot takes, yet when panic hits, most traders freeze, watching gains slip through their fingers. In this volatile arena, caution rarely wins, and hesitation can cost more than […]
Science/Tech
Driving an E.V. Across North Dakota? Thank the Standing Rock Tribe.
A tribally owned network of chargers will soon be complete, connecting reservations and bridging a gap in the Midwest.
Science/Tech
Mexico Partially Lifts Longstanding Website Ban On Tor Network
Mexico has finally lifted its long-running Tor ban for the main government portal, allowing privacy-focused users, journalists, and activists to access gob.mx again after more than a decade of blocking. That said, the open data portal and the former Tor-compatible whistleblower system remain inaccessible. CyberInsider reports: The development follows a long period of digital censorship that...

Motoring
Backdraft Racing launches new affordable series for 2026
Backdraft Racing has been successfully competing on circuits in various series across Southern Africa over the past twenty years and…
Motoring
Motoring
Motoring

Health
How do cold weather health alerts work?
The weather alert service warns the public when high or low temperatures could damage their health.

Health
Life-changing surgery means boy gets first sleepover
William from Bath, has had his jaw rebuilt using his own ribs allowing him to breathe independently.
Health
C.D.C. Links Measles Outbreaks in Multiple States for First Time
If the outbreaks cannot be extinguished by January, the anniversary of the first cases in Texas, the United States will lose what is known as “elimination status” as determined by the World Health Organization.
Health
Sex Had Become a Chore. Then They Started Reading Romantasy.
The wildly popular fiction genre allows readers to talk openly about yearning, sex and desire. And it’s spilling over into their bedrooms.
Nature
News24 Business | Joburg power cut threat: Eskom and City still talking, Ramokgopa pushes for payment plan
Eskom and the City of Johannesburg are still in discussions about how the metro will resolve its outstanding debt, says CEO Dan Marokane.
Nature
News24 Business | Nick Hedley | A new study links culprits to climate change costs: a reckoning for polluters?
A peer-reviewed study, published in the journal Nature, found that the carbon emissions stemming from 111 of the world’s biggest fossil fuel producers resulted in at least $28 trillion in economic losses in the three decades to 2020, writes Nick Hedley.
Nature
News24 Business | International Partners Group | Backing SA’s green future with over R2bn for just transition projects
The challenging global context has not deterred our commitment to the Just Energy Transition Partnership, writes the International Partners group.
Nature
News24 Business | SEE | These blocks made of recycled glass, building waste, may soon be found throughout SA
Three organisations have partnered to showcase and display a block made from recovered glass and building rubble waste.