Top Stories

Top Stories
Bafana strongman Sithole calls for the team to get back to basics
Possession, not giving the ball away cheaply and winning duels are aspects that need improving, midfielder says.

Top Stories
Man shot and decapitated during umgidi ceremony in Eastern Cape
A traditional umgidi ceremony in the Eastern Cape descended into horror when 27-year-old Luxolo Yoko was shot and decapitated in full view of community members, leaving his family devastated and the village in shock.

Top Stories
Tiffany Calver on breaking the glass ceiling as she leaves 1Xtra
Tiffany Calver made headlines when she was announced in 2018 but now she’s ready for new challenges.

South Africa
WC public warned against eating washed-up shellfish
The Forestry Department warns that washed-up shellfish pose health risks

South Africa
Second swimmer found off KZN’s Pennington beach
On Thursday, one person was successfully rescued and two bodies recovered, at Pennington beach

South Africa
Meta to Acquire AI Firm Manus in Deal Aimed at Expanding Autonomous Agents
Meta Platforms said it is acquiring Manus, a Chinese-founded artificial intelligence company, as it looks to strengthen its AI capabilities and accelerate development of so-called autonomous agents. Financial terms were not disclosed, but analysts cited by Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal estimated the deal could be worth more than $2 billion. Meta said the […]

South Africa
Nvidia Targets Morocco as Next Hub in African AI Expansion
Nvidia has identified Morocco as a priority market in its expanding push to build artificial intelligence infrastructure across Africa. The move follows Nvidia’s entry into South Africa in June, where it partnered with Cassava Technologies to launch what the companies described as Africa’s first AI factory. Nvidia has since said it plans to roll out […]

World
U.S. interventions in Latin America and the Caribbean haven’t always gone as planned
President Trump’s pressure campaign against Venezuela is the latest in a long saga of U.S. intervention in the region that is rooted in the 1823 Monroe Doctrine — and is a mix of success and failure.

World
Fire at Swiss resort bar kills 40 people, injures over 100
About 40 people are dead and more than 100 are injured after a fire ripped through a New Year’s Eve party at a Swiss ski resort bar. Authorities are still investigating what caused the blaze.

World
Ukrainians remember broken 1994 security promises as it negotiates with Russia
Ukrainians recall their country giving up nuclear weapons in 1994 in exchange for international security promises that weren’t kept. They don’t want a repeat in their current negotiations with Russia.

World
Israeli podcast duo use platform to reflect on the war in Gaza
A podcast by two Israelis re-examines the war in Gaza and its impact on Israeli society.

Africa
Mali and Burkina Faso impose travel ban on US citizens in tit-for-tat move
The two states say they are taking reciprocal measures after the US announced full-entry restrictions on their citizens.

Africa
Saving South Africa’s threatened albatross from lethal fishing lines
A task force is trying to save seabirds from getting caught and killed in fishing boat nets.

Africa
Not Semenyo’s ‘last game’, says Iraola as Man City close in
Manchester City are close to agreeing terms with Bournemouth to sign Antoine Semenyo for £65m, but Andoni Iraola insists the forward has “definitely not” played his last game for the Cherries.

Africa
Guinea restricts social media sites as junta chief takes election lead
TikTok, YouTube and Facebook are down, as the nation awaits the final result from the presidential poll.

Business
Ramaphosa sends an important message to South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has highlighted the nation’s plans for 2026, with several signs of improvement for the country.

Business
Big petrol price cuts coming next week
Month-end data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) indicates that substantial price cuts for petrol and diesel are all but confirmed for January 2026, with the changes expected to take effect next week.

Business
Huge win for DStv subscribers, and tax shock for private schools in South Africa
Here are five important things happening in South Africa for Friday, 2 January 2026.

Business
Why everything from your phone to your PC may get pricier in 2026
The price of Ram – once one of the cheapest computer parts – has more than doubled since October 2025.

Politics
PAC President declares 2026 year of stability and growth for the party
Nyhontso says the PAC is ready to contest fully in the upcoming elections.

Politics
Political parties to use 2026 to focus in Local Government Elections
Political parties will head to the polls in the municipal elections, expected later this year.

Politics
Madlanga inquiry will be fully implemented: Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke during his New Year’s message earlier Wednesday afternoon.

Politics
President Ramaphosa positive of a prosperous 2026 for SA
The President also highlighted the importance of respecting women and young girls.

Sport
Rangers working 24/7 to sign players – Rohl
Rangers are working round the clock to recruit players now that the January window is open, says head coach Danny Rohl.

Sport
Deserving of a chance? How might Bashir fare if picked for fifth Test
England have spent almost two years getting off-spinner Shoaib Bashir ready for an Ashes tour of Australia, BBC Sport looks at how he may fare in the fifth Test in Sydney if selected.

Sport
Orlando Pirates expected to announce first January signing
The transfer window’s officially open. Orlando Pirates are anticipated to confirm Stellenbosch FC’s Andre de Jong as their first January arrival.

Sport
‘He showed his bravery’: Khune backs Bafana AFCON star
Itumeleng Khune praised Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster for his performance at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Education
Tech Giants Are Racing to Embed A.I. in Schools Around the Globe
More governments are rolling out chatbots in schools. Some experts warn the tools could erode teaching and learning.

Education
Days left to choose preferred primary school
The date by which people need to apply is 15 January – late applications can be less successful.

Education
‘I wasn’t allowed to study, but I will make sure no girl in this village hears those same words’
Health worker Naushaba Roonjho was ostracised by her family in Pakistan for wanting to work but now she is campaigning for political office
When Naushaba Roonjho became the first girl anyone in her district knew to have passed Pakistan’s national secondary school exam, the news was not celebrated. At home, in her village of Sheikh Soomar in southern Sindh, her father told her: “This is...
Education
Sudan: North Darfur – Wartime Education Collapse Portends ‘Lost Generation’
[Dabanga] North Darfur — Since the outbreak of war in Sudan on April 15, 2023, education has not been spared the repercussions of armed conflict; in fact, it has been one of the most severely affected sectors, particularly in historically fragile states like North Darfur. In the localities of Saraf Omra and Kutum, field reports prepared by the Darfur Victims Support Organisation reveal a dire...

Lifestyle
Lucky Lotto winner rings in 2026 with R65 million win
The dawn of 2026 brought more than fireworks and celebrations for one fortunate South African, who scooped the R65 million Lotto jackpot.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
iShowSpeed’s SA shark-diving stream goes viral after barking moment – WATCH
American streamer iShowSpeed has sparked another viral moment after taking part in a live shark-diving broadcast off South Africa’s coast.

Lifestyle
UPDATE | Makhadzi ‘recovering well’ in hospital after road incident
Multi-award-winning musician Makhadzi is “recovering well” in hospital following a road incident on the N1 outside Mokopane in Limpopo.

Entertainment
Hard-fought win gives in-form JSK ‘great confidence’, says Gleeson
The Super Kings were on top of the SA20 table after going unbeaten in three matches.

Entertainment
Aubameyang banned as Gabon government suspend national team
Aubameyang returned to his French club Marseille in the wake of that defeat due to a thigh knock.

Entertainment
Feeling lucky? Tonight’s PowerBall offers life-changing R143 million jackpot
PowerBall and PowerBall Plus are starting 2025 on a promising note, with a combined R143 million in jackpots up for grabs tonight.

Entertainment
Love bombing can leave you wrecked. Here’s why
Too much love, not enough substance. How love bombing with relationship flatlining can wreck lovestruck people.

Science/Tech
Good news about Internet outages in South Africa
South Africa is getting several new undersea fibre optic cables over the next few years, increasing redundancy in cases of outages.
Science/Tech
What Is the ‘Super Flu’ That Is Spreading in Europe and the United States?
The “super flu” behind outbreaks in the US and UK is a new variant of influenza A H3N2, subclade K. Existing vaccines appear to be insufficiently effective against the virus.

Science/Tech
Why Vodacom Business won the 2025 MyBroadband Award for Most Trusted Enterprise Telecommunications Provider
Vodacom Business won the award thanks to its broad ICT offering and customer-centric innovation.
Science/Tech
ASUS Announces Price Hikes Starting January 5
ASUS has informed its partners that prices on certain products will increase starting January 5, just days before the company is expected to unveil new hardware at CES. In a letter dated December 30 and obtained by Digitimes, the Taiwanese manufacturer pointed to rising costs for memory and storage components as the primary driver behind the adjustment. The company specifically called out DRAM,...

Motoring
The salary you need to afford the cheapest and most expensive cars in South Africa
There is a R13.3 million price difference between the cheapest and most expensive cars in South Africa.

Motoring
The world’s oldest carmaker
There are many venerable car brands in the world, but there is one that holds the title for the oldest, and it isn’t Ford.
Motoring

Motoring
BYD’s bumper 2025
The carmaker delivered 4.6 million vehicles last year, up 7.7% from 2024.
Health
With Obamacare’s Higher Premiums Come Difficult Decisions
As enhanced subsidies expire, many Americans covered under the Affordable Care Act are having trouble paying for insurance.
Health
Brenna Henn Wanted to Improve Genetic Medicine. Then Her N.I.H. Grant Was Cut.
Brenna Henn had a long-term grant to study the genetic diversity of Africans and people of African descent. Then her N.I.H. funding was cut.

Health
What is chickenpox and who can get an NHS vaccine?
The standard NHS childhood vaccination programme will include chickenpox from 2 January 2026.

Health
My son was given world’s most expensive gene therapy drug – now he can walk
Five-year-old Edward can walk independently, his mum says, and she hopes he will lead a happy life.