Top Stories

Top Stories
Hundreds of items taken in ‘high value’ Bristol museum raid
More than 600 artefacts from the museum’s British Empire and Commonwealth collection were taken.

Top Stories
BEE under siege in South Africa
While most South Africans support a racially representative workforce, they also say that hiring should be merit-based and that BEE has gone too far and race categories do more harm than good.

Top Stories
‘Poverty is declining in South Africa’ – StatsSA
Stats SA says poverty in the country has declined by 8.8% since 2006. However, 23 million people were still considered poor in 2023 using the food poverty line.
South Africa
Two officials suspended over matric exam paper leaks
Two officials suspended over matric exam paper leaks
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has confirmed that two officials from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) have been suspended with immediate effect following a breach that saw matric exam papers leaked to learners in Pretoria.
Gwarube revealed the development during a media briefing on Thursday, saying the leak was...
South Africa
eThekwini launches climate change forum to drive urgent action and resilience
eThekwini launches climate change forum to drive urgent action and resilience
In a bold step to combat the escalating impacts of climate change, the eThekwini Municipality has officially launched the Municipal Forum for Climate Change at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC).
The Forum is designed as a multi-stakeholder platform to drive the implementation of...

South Africa
SIU raids homes in KZN amid multi-million UIF fraud probe
About 35 suspects are linked to defrauding the government of R161-million in COVID funds.
South Africa
Accelerating the rollout of free Wi-Fi
Accelerating the rollout of free Wi-Fi
The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, has emphasised the importance of ensuring that all South Africans have access to reliable internet connectivity.
“Connectivity cannot be static. Whether at home, at work or in transit, South Africans need reliable access to stay part of the digital economy,” the...

World
Trump administration says the U.S. seized an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast
The Trump administration says it seized an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast, as Congress presses for answers about U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats and the admiral overseeing the strikes retires.

World
Veteran diplomat weighs the meaning of the U.S. seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker
NPR’s Michel Martin talks to Richard Haass {hahs}, president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, about the U.S. seizing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.

World
Venezuelan opposition leader Machado reappears in Oslo as a Nobel laureate
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado appeared in public for the first time in 11 months after a daring escape from her homeland when she emerged from a hotel balcony in Norway’s capital.

World
More than 30 dead after Myanmar military air strike hits hospital
The junta has stepped up bombardments by air in an attempt to reclaim territory from ethnic armies.

Africa
Ghana deports Israelis in retaliation for alleged mistreatment of Ghanaians
Ghana says its citizens were subjected to “humiliating treatment” in Israel, which has not commented.

Africa
Benin coup plot leader hiding in Togo, official tells BBC
The coup was thwarted after Nigeria sent warplanes to dislodge the mutineers from the offices of state TV.

Africa
Ex-president’s daughter sworn in as South African MP after half-sister quits
Brumelda Zuma will represent the party led by her father in parliament after her half-sister resigned.

Africa
Gunfire as rebels target key DR Congo city despite Trump peace deal
Schools and shops remain closed in Uvira amid fears that rebels have seized some administrative buildings.

Business
Tube fares to go up by 5.8% in 2026
Most increases will be 20p or less and bus and tram fares will be frozen, the mayor of London says.
Business

Business
Good news for chocolate lovers in South Africa
South African chocolate lovers have reason to feel optimistic heading into the festive season, with global cocoa prices finally easing after two years of volatility.

Business
One of the biggest turns for South Africa in 14 years
South African business confidence surged to its highest level since 2011 in November, boosted by a tourism boom.

Politics
Malema calls for complete G20 Summit boycott if SA isn’t invited
Donald Trump has announced that he will not invite SA to the G20 in Miami, Florida.

Politics
PAC holds its Elective Conference in Gqeberha ahead of 2026 elections
PAC is holding its Elective Conference in Gqeberha, which started today it will end on Sunday

Politics
DA accuses MEC of exploiting nurses over unpaid two month salaries
DA in Gauteng has accused MEC Faith Mazibuko of exploiting nurses over unpaid two month salaries

Politics
Parties in GNU agree to do away with cadre deployment: Hlabisa
The DA has been pushing for the abolition of cadre deployment through court action.

Sport
Big blow: Bafana Bafana defender suffer injury
FCSB general manager Mihai Stoica confirmed that Ngezana was forced off the field over the weekend but will he be fit for Bafana?

Sport
Tanner back in full training after four months out
Cardiff City winger Ollie Tanner is back in full training and close to a return to action following four months out with an ankle injury.

Sport
Messi to unveil 70ft statue of himself on ‘GOAT’ tour
Lionel Messi is heading to India to unveil a 70ft statue of himself as part of a three-day ‘GOAT Tour’.
Sport
SA Rugby drop hint about Rassie’s successor
SA Rugby have locked in the services of Rassie Erasmus until 2031, but that hasn’t stopped them from considering a succession plan.

Education
Eight more UK universities cut recruitment ties with fossil fuel industry
Manchester Metropolitan University again wins top spot for climate and social justice in league table
More universities have severed ties with fossil fuel companies, banning them from recruitment fairs and refusing to advertise roles in the industry, according to the latest higher education league table.
The analysis found that eight more universities had signed up to end recruitment ties with...
Education
Kenya: Christmas Gift of Education – Lazizi Welfare Foundation Builds Grade 9 Classroom At Nifikie Christian School
[Capital FM] Nairobi — Lazizi Welfare Foundation marked the holiday season with a celebration that went beyond festivity, highlighting its commitment to quality education for every child.
Education
Nigeria: Amir Fund Revives Prize-Giving Tradition in School
[This Day] The AMIR Fund has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with African Church Grammar School, Abeokuta, Ogun State, formally reviving its long-standing prize-giving tradition and expanding the fund’s impact in education.
Education
Rwanda: Inside Kigali Schools’ Fall From Grace
[New Times] Over half of Kigali’s O-Level students failed national exams this year, raising alarm among educators. Stakeholders from across the city therefore convened in Gasabo District on Wednesday, December 10, to discuss the underperformance of a number of primary and secondary schools.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Sea Point’s iconic Winchester hotel reveals new rooms, event spaces
The Winchester in Sea Point has entered a new era, unveiling a refreshed collection of guest rooms and fully redesigned event spaces.

Entertainment
‘Renew or perish’: ANC NEC member addresses vote-buying and money politics
The ANC says renewal is the only way the party can survive.

Entertainment
Jaecoo J5 price tag falls below R350 000 with new trim grade
Now spanning four models, the newly added Core loses a few features, but keeps the same powertrain as the rest of the range.
Entertainment

Entertainment
Gauteng braces for weekend storms as temperatures soar
Residents are advised to take necessary precautions during thunderstorm periods.

Science/Tech
End of Eskom as you know it
Eskom has announced a revised unbundling plan which promises to make electricity more reliable and affordable.

Science/Tech
Laptops Have Never Been Cheaper. That Trend Might Reverse in 2026
Despite all the worries about the economy, laptop prices have never been lower. But in 2026, all of that could change.

Science/Tech
Wi-Fi in minibus taxis to be scaled nationwide
Sebenza’s partnership with Toyota is going to speed up activation as the taxi Wi-Fi service scales nationwide.

Science/Tech
Tipping Crisis? Tappy’s Wearable Tech Goes Cashless
South African fintech startup Tappy is launching a digital payments revolution from the ground up, targeting the millions of service workers left behind by the cashless shift. With 50,000 devices already distributed, its low-cost wearable platform enables instant tips and payments without the need for cards, apps, or even a bank account, beginning its national […]
Motoring

Motoring
Cheaper Jaecoo J5 launched in South Africa – Pricing and features
Jaecoo has slashed the starting price of the J5 SUV by R40,000 in South Africa.
Motoring

Motoring
Good news for diesel prices in South Africa
Diesel users can look forward to a price cut next month, though petrol motorists won’t be as lucky.
Health
How Long Should You Take Antidepressants?
Clinical guidelines are vague, so we asked psychiatrists what to consider when deciding whether to continue taking these medications.
Health
A Surrogacy Firm Told Parents-to-Be Their Money Was Safe. Suddenly, It Vanished.
Surro Connections held itself out as a reliable business. Now, clients have lost as much as tens of thousands of dollars meant to compensate women carrying their pregnancies.

Health
Last minute offer may avert next week’s doctor strike
Deal put forward by ministers includes rapid expansion of training posts, but no promises on pay.

Health
Joe Wicks: Protein’s not just for bodybuilders
The fitness coach explains how it helps and how you can meet your protein needs.