Top Stories
ANALYSIS: Is Israel’s recognition of Somaliland breaking the ice or breaking the region?
Israel has been widely criticised for recognising Somaliland’s statehood, but others may follow suit.
FRIDAY, 02 JANUARY 2026, 13:29
Top Stories
Israel has been widely criticised for recognising Somaliland’s statehood, but others may follow suit.

Top Stories
The body of a woman was recovered after the vehicle she was travelling in was swept away by floodwater.
Top Stories
Top Stories

South Africa
Health specialists to examine returning travellers at Beitbridge border for communicable diseases
South Africa
Over 300 babies born across Gauteng public health facilities
Over 300 babies were born across Gauteng public health facilities on New Year’s Day. Over 396 babies were born to mothers across the province on 1 January 2025. A total of 198 males and 198 females were born at public institutions.Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, joined postpartum mothers...

South Africa
The Forestry Department warns that washed-up shellfish pose health risks

South Africa
On Thursday, one person was successfully rescued and two bodies recovered, at Pennington beach

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

Africa
The two states say they are taking reciprocal measures after the US announced full-entry restrictions on their citizens.

Africa
A task force is trying to save seabirds from getting caught and killed in fishing boat nets.

Africa
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
TikTok, YouTube and Facebook are down, as the nation awaits the final result from the presidential poll.

Business
President Cyril Ramaphosa has highlighted the nation’s plans for 2026, with several signs of improvement for the country.

Business
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
Here are five important things happening in South Africa for Friday, 2 January 2026.

Business
The price of Ram – once one of the cheapest computer parts – has more than doubled since October 2025.

Politics
Former Transport Deputy Minister Dikeledi Magadzi died on Sunday at the age of 70.

Politics
Nyhontso says the PAC is ready to contest fully in the upcoming elections.

Politics
Political parties will head to the polls in the municipal elections, expected later this year.

Politics
President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke during his New Year’s message earlier Wednesday afternoon.

Sport
Celtic sign Bournemouth right-back Julian Araujo on loan for rest of season, Wilfried Nancy’s first recruit.

Sport
Heather Watson will miss the Australian Open but says she is on course to return from injury by the end of February.

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

Sport
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.
Education
More governments are rolling out chatbots in schools. Some experts warn the tools could erode teaching and learning.

Education
The date by which people need to apply is 15 January – late applications can be less successful.

Education
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
[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
America’s Got Talent star Brian King Joseph is suing Hollywood star Will Smith over sexual harassment claims.

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

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

Entertainment
Property prices are considerably higher in Cape Town with even those from the Mother City considering small coastal towns.

Entertainment
Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu return for the Stormers while Ruan Nortjé, Marco van Staden and Canan Moodie return for the Bulls.

Entertainment
“I played with Siyabonga at Kaizer Chiefs and he has improved tremendously,” the former Bafana international said.

Entertainment
The Super Kings were on top of the SA20 table after going unbeaten in three matches.
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Science/Tech
The tactics behind protest policing are changing—from one of cooperation to intentional antagonism for political marketing purposes.

Science/Tech
Absolute Hosting’s positive Google Reviews show why South African businesses continue to choose its hosting services.

Science/Tech
You can log your steps, track your sleep, and measure your progress toward your goals using your phone alone.

Science/Tech
South Africa is getting several new undersea fibre optic cables over the next few years, increasing redundancy in cases of outages.

Motoring
There is a R13.3 million price difference between the cheapest and most expensive cars in South Africa.

Motoring
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
The carmaker delivered 4.6 million vehicles last year, up 7.7% from 2024.
Health
As enhanced subsidies expire, many Americans covered under the Affordable Care Act are having trouble paying for insurance.
Health
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
The standard NHS childhood vaccination programme will include chickenpox from 2 January 2026.

Health
Five-year-old Edward can walk independently, his mum says, and she hopes he will lead a happy life.