Top Stories
Top Stories
BUSINESS REFLECTION: Loaded for Bear: Retail investors to bear the brunt if the gold and equities rallies burst like a bubble
Fund flow data reveals that it is mostly retail investors of late who have been piling into gold and US equities — a trend that goes against the grain of institutional investors, which have been selling off US stocks and maintaining flat positions in the precious metal. And this is a symptom of a bubble.
Top Stories

Top Stories
South Africa’s unemployment disaster is worse than it looks
South Africa’s formal non-agricultural employment is at its lowest level since 2010, highlighting an economy unable to absorb hundreds of thousands of new entrants to the labour market.
South Africa
News24 | DA likens Iranian protests to Sharpeville Massacre, asks SA govt to pick a side
The DA says the Department of International Relations and Cooperation has to choose between those protesting in Iran and the Tehran regime.

South Africa
Phahlane requests Ad Hoc Committee to conclude earlier
Phahlane is the first witness testifying before the committee this year.
South Africa
News24 | The R370 social relief grant is not ‘about to stop’, despite viral TikTok claims
A widely shared TikTok video claims the R370 Social Relief of Distress grant is ending due to budget constraints, quoting a statement attributed to the Minister of Social Development.

South Africa
Government extends best wishes as millions return back to school
Schools nationwide reopen, resuming teaching and learning after the summer recess for the new term.

World
Russian doctors arrested after 9 babies die in maternity hospital
The newborns died during the long New Year holiday in a Siberian hospital.
World
News24 | Israel kills 6 in Gaza, as UN rapporteur Albanese slams ‘hellish’ storm impact
The Israeli military said it had killed six militants in an updated toll from an exchange of fire in Gaza the day before, accusing them of violating the ceasefire in the territory.

World
The death toll from a crackdown on protests in Iran jumps to over 2,500, activists say
The death toll from nationwide protests in Iran has surpassed 2,500, activists said, as Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days Tuesday.

World
Johns Hopkins professor on his recent visit to Iran amid anti-government protests
NPR’s Steve Inskeep asks Youseph Yazdi, a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, about his recent visit to Iran, where thousands have been killed in anti-government protests.

Africa
Uganda election chief says he has had threats over results declaration
This follows comments by a presidential assistant that Bobi Wine would not be declared president, even if he wins.

Africa
‘Welcome to 2976’ – North Africa’s Amazigh people ring in the new year
The Amazigh calendar places them almost a thousand years ahead of much of the rest of the world.

Africa
Uganda imposes an internet blackout ahead of Thursday’s election
The communications authority says the suspension is aimed at preventing misinformation and violence.

Africa
Operation against Nigerian kidnapping gang kills ‘200 bandits’ – official tells BBC
The offensive is in the central state of Kogi, where the bandits have recently become more active.

Business
Tax return warning for over 500,000 taxpayers in South Africa
These taxpayers are warned that the 2026 provisional tax deadline is fast approaching, with the risk of penalties and interest if they fail to meet their obligations.

Business
Chancellor ‘particularly concerned’ about pub business rates
Chancellor hints there will not be more support for other hospitality businesses to soften the impact of rate rises.

Business
Somerset College IEB matric results 2025 – 100% pass rate and over 4 A symbols per student
Somerset College proudly celebrates the exceptional achievements of the IEB Matric Class of 2025, whose results reflect the school’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence and holistic education.

Business
R17 billion boost for South African-born billionaire since the start of 2026
Former Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg has seen his net worth shoot up by $1 billion since the start of the year.

Politics
National Assembly passes Special Appropriation Bill for Health Dept
Health Department requested more funding after Trump administration withdrew PEPFAR funding.
Politics
News24 | Coalition crisis in KZN: DA seeks urgent audience with NFP
The DA in KwaZulu-Natal has requested an audience with the National Freedom Party following its departure from the provincial unity government.
Politics
News24 | DA takes McKenzie to Public Protector over his withdrawal of SA’s Biennale submission
The DA has taken Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie to Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka after he withdrew a pro-Gaza art submission to the 61st Venice Biennale.

Politics
MK Party removes Treasurer-General and Chief Whip
Makhubele was removed as Chief Whip with immediate effect.

Sport
Who do the Springboks play next, when and where?
The Springboks have a blockbuster fixture to start off the 2026 season, and preparations are already underway for Rassie Erasmus.

Sport
Orlando Pirates fine-tune squad for Betway Premiership title push
Orlando Pirates have been busy in the transfer window as they fine-tune their squad ahead of the resumption of the Betway Premiership season.

Sport
Lions look for back-to-back French wins
The Lions’ win over Lyon in Round 3 of the Challenge Cup was a step in the right direction for the Johannesburg-based team.

Sport
Are Orlando Pirates preparing for the departures of Mofokeng and Appollis?
With the new signings made in January, it seems like Orlando Pirates are preparing life without Rele Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis.
Education
South Africa: Justice Minister to Engage Learners On Bullying, Consent
[SAnews.gov.za] Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, is expected to engage learners and teachers as part of the annual Back-to-School campaign, with a focus on anti-bullying and statutory rape awareness.
Education
South Africa: Nzimande Leads Back-to-School Oversight Visit in KZN As Schools Reopen
[SAnews.gov.za] As part of his District Development Model (DDM) mandate, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, will conduct an oversight visit to four schools in KwaZulu-Natal on 14 and 15 January 2026.
Education
How Will the New Chancellor Change New York Schools?
Kamar Samuels, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s choice to run the school system, has favored integration and academic rigor.
Education
Rwanda: Rwandan Documentary Joins Global Academic Film Platform
[New Times] Beyond the Genocide, a documentary directed by Rwandan filmmaker Zion Sulaiman Mukasa Matovu, has been selected for distribution by GOOD DOCS, a United States-based platform that curates high-quality educational documentaries for universities and academic institutions worldwide.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
Chinese Consulate donates R250 000 to Gauteng’s top-performing matrics
The Chinese Consulate in Johannesburg has donated a quarter of a million rand to Gauteng’s best-performing 2025 matric learners.

Lifestyle
‘KNOW what they’re doing’: Rachel Kolisi reacts to Siya romance?
Did Rachel Kolisi just take a swipe at her ex spouse, Siya Kolisi’s romance with younger girlfriend, Rachel John?

Lifestyle
New shopping centre in KZN set to open soon
Kingsburgh Junction, a new shopping centre on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast, will soon opens its doors to local shoppers. Find out when…
Entertainment

Entertainment
Senong points to Zwane void in Bafana’s AFCON exit
‘Oswin Appollis and (Relebohile) Mofokeng, I think those (two) are future number 10’s at Bafana Bafana,’ he added.

Entertainment
Sharks gunning for big Champions Cup win over Clermont: ‘This is a playoff match’
The Sharks need a big bonus point win, and for other results to go their way, to force their way into the Champions Cup playoffs.

Entertainment
Shimza brings hope to classrooms with 3000 school shoes donation [PICS]
The donation forms part of his annual Hopeful Soles school shoe drive initiative, launched.

Science/Tech
The Merach Vibration Plate Is the Funniest Workout I’ve Ever Done
It turns out that this TikTok-viral vibration plate may have some surprising health benefits.

Science/Tech
The fastest South African neighbourhoods for mobile data
MyBroadband Insights research revealed that Century City was the neighbourhood with the fastest mobile data at the end of 2025.

Science/Tech
How AI Companies Got Caught Up in US Military Efforts
Two years ago, companies like Meta and OpenAI were united against military use of their tools. Now all of that has changed.

Science/Tech
TikTok Shop Showed Me Search Suggestions for Products With Nazi Symbolism
Even after TikTok removed swastika jewelry from its online shop, I was algorithmically nudged toward a web of Nazi-related products during searches, like “double lightning bolt” and “ss” necklaces.
Motoring

Motoring
South Africa’s biggest airline is offering R370 flights
FlySafair is running a 30% discount on domestic flights for a limited time.

Motoring
Hyundai crash test sparks new vehicle safety concerns in South Africa
South Africans are calling for greater transparency regarding vehicle safety following the news that the Hyundai Grand i10 received a zero-star NCAP rating.

Motoring
BMW starting a big new chapter
BMW has revealed the first M car in its new generation of “Neue Klasse” electric vehicles.
Health
Initial Obamacare Enrollment Drops by 1.4 Million
That number could increase significantly as more consumers are faced with higher bills brought on by expiring premium subsidies.

Health
Is Dry January a good thing?
Dr May van Schalkwyk from the University of Edinburgh shares her thoughts with Drs Chris and Xand on What’s Up Docs?

Health
How going on The Traitors could have saved Amanda’s life
Medical checks for the show picked up contestant Amanda Collier’s heart condition.
Health
Medical Groups Will Try to Block Childhood Vaccine Recommendations
The groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, say the C.D.C.’s revised vaccine schedule is not based on scientific evidence and will harm the public.