Top Stories

Top Stories
Fernandes ‘hurt’ that Man Utd ‘wanted him to go’ to Saudi
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes says it “hurt” to realise the club “wanted me to leave” when Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal proposed a huge offer in the summer.

Top Stories
Girl, 9, dies and teenage boy arrested for murder
A girl was found dead at a house on Monday evening.

Top Stories
Difficult to convey scene of devastation you caused, judge tells Liverpool parade attacker
Paul Doyle is jailed for 21 years and six months after driving at crowds “in a rage” at the parade.

South Africa
Ramaphosa stresses national unity despite painful past
Ramaphosa has been addressing the crowds at the official Reconciliation Day commemoration.

South Africa
Thousands flock to the Durban beachfront for Reconciliation Day
December 16th is usually one of the busiest days at the Durban beachfront over the festive period.

South Africa
Popular DJ fatally shot outside Johannesburg building
Details of the incident remain sketchy at this stage, but police are on the scene

South Africa
Afrikaner group holds separate commemoration at Blood River Monument
The Afrikaner group observes the Day of the Vow, to commemorate the Battle of the Blood River

World
Ukraine struggling to keep lights on under Russian attack, says energy boss
DTEK boss Maxim Timchenko says the intensity of Russian strikes is so frequent there is no time to recover.

World
Rob Reiner’s son Nick arrested. And, Brown University shooting suspect image released
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s son Nick has been arrested in connection with their deaths. And, authorities have released new images to help identify the gunman in the Brown University shooting.

World
‘Best of our country’: Australian PM visits Bondi hero in hospital
“Your heart is strong”, Anthony Albanese tells the father-of-two, calling him “a true Australian hero”.

World
Mahmood Mamdani on how Uganda’s history shaped his belonging — and his son’s moment
NPR’s Leila Fadel speaks with Professor Mahmood Mamdani about his new book, “Slow Poison.” The book is a firsthand report on the tragic unraveling of Uganda’s struggle for independence.

Africa
Defenders ‘scared’ of Nigeria’s Osimhen – Onyeka
Victor Osimhen is described as a striker “on another level” by team-mate Frank Onyeka ahead of Nigeria’s bid to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Africa
Sudan’s RSF trying to cover up mass killings in el-Fasher, researchers say
Satellite images show the paramilitary force is burying and burning bodies, Yale University researchers say.

Africa
French court sentences ex-DR Congo rebel and politician to 30 years in jail
In a landmark trial, Roger Lumbala faced accusations about atrocities committed during the Second Congo war.

Africa
‘Bandits’ kidnap worshippers during church service in Nigeria
At least 13 people are missing after armed men stormed a church, an official tells the BBC.

Business
What you need to earn to buy the cheapest Audi, BMW, and Mercedes in South Africa at the end of 2025
Owning a premium German car in South Africa has become a luxury reserved for the country’s top earners.

Business
Here is the expected petrol price for January
Mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) shows that petrol and diesel users in South Africa are lining up for a sizeable cut to pricing in the new year.

Business
Prepare for more roadblocks across South Africa – this is what you’ll get nailed for
South Africans can expect a stronger law-enforcement presence on the roads this festive season, and lawbreakers should expect consequences.

Business
UK unemployment rate rises slightly to 5.1%
Unemployment rises slightly as job vacancies flatline in a “subdued labour market”

Politics
Reconciliation must be a continuous commitment: UDM
UDM SG Zandile Phiri says true nation-building requires citizens’ active participation.

Politics
Inequality, unemployment, corruption undermines national unity: IFP
IFP Chief Whip Nhlanhla Hadebe says reconciliation can’t remain symbolic.

Politics
Palestinian travellers didn’t seek asylum in SA: Schreiber
On November 13, 153 Palestinians landed in Johannesburg with only 23 producing required documents.

Politics
DA to take action after chaotic scenes erupt at the KZN Legislature
KZN DA leader Rodgers says they will take action after chaotic scenes erupt at KZN Legislature.

Sport
Former South Africa captain Dumke dies aged 29
Former South Africa women’s captain Lusanda Dumke dies after being diagnosed with a rare gastric cancer.

Sport
‘Very strict’ sanctions needed in Turkish betting scandal
The response to the Turkish football betting scandal must have the same cultural impact as the punishments for the Calciopoli affair in Italy, says the assistant manager of Galatasaray.

Sport
Hampton and Donnarumma win Fifa goalkeeper awards
England’s Hannah Hampton and Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma win the Best Fifa Goalkeeper awards.

Sport
In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week
A selection of some of the most striking sports photographs taken around the world over the past seven days.
Education
Liberia: Making Education Better
[Liberian Observer] When President Joseph Nyuma Boakai officially launched the Excellence in Learning in Liberia (EXCEL) Project, the ceremony marked more than the unveiling of a five-year education program. It symbolized a renewed national reckoning with one of Liberia’s most enduring postwar challenges: how to rebuild an education system battered by conflict, epidemics, chronic...
Education
South Africa: Hotspot Libraries Are a Safe Haven for Children
[Daily Maverick] In 2016, a community leader saw a gap for educational spaces. Nearly a decade later, libraries across Cape Town offer kids a safe place to learn.
Education
Nigeria: Nile University of Nigeria Contributes to the Honoris United Universities 2025 Impact Report Showcasing Human-Centered Ai Transformation in African Higher Education
[Vanguard] ABUJA — Honoris United Universities, Africa’s first and largest pan-African private higher education network, today announced the release of its fourth annual Impact Report, showcasing how the network is harnessing artificial intelligence to advance its mission Education for Impact across Africa.
Education
Brown Shooting Tests a Fragile Trust on Campus
The Ivy League school has faced a series of challenges related to protests and politics. Through it all, it has kept its gates open to the city and tried to heal divisions on campus.

Lifestyle
RIP: Siya Kolisi pays tribute to former Springbok Women captain
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi paid tribute to former Springbok Women captain Lusanda Dumke, who passed away at the age of 29.

Lifestyle
Eskom targets site near penguin colony for new nuclear power plant
South Africa’s power utility is assessing a coastal site near a critically-endangered African penguin colony for a new nuclear power plant.

Lifestyle
Christmas bonus: Five ways to use this extra money smartly
If you’re one of the lucky South Africans who have received a Christmas bonus, here’s how you can spend it responsibly.

Lifestyle
Cape Town spends R62m on vandalised streetlights, runs out of copper cable
Forget the festive lights – the City of Cape Town has been spending most of its time (and budget) on streetlight maintenance.

Entertainment
Police arrest nearly 19 000 suspects, confiscate 46 000 litres of alcohol in festive season crackdown
Saps said the operations focused on enhancing public safety and asserting state authority during the festive season.

Entertainment
SA rugby in mourning after former Bok women’s captain Lusanda Dumke dies
Dumke, who was named SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year in 2022, scored 10 tries for the national team in 33 Tests.

Entertainment
JUST IN: DJ Warras gunned down in Johannesburg CBD
Former 5FM and Cliff Central producer DJ Warras was gunned down in Johannesburg on Wednesday afternoon. This is a developing story.

Entertainment
Ramaphosa defends SA’s unity amid ‘false narratives designed to sow fear and hatred’
Ramaphosa called on South Africans to fight back against such false narratives.

Science/Tech
End of an era for the green ID book
Home Affairs wants to stop producing green ID books from 2026 and focus entirely on rolling out smart ID cards and a digital ID system.

Science/Tech
16 Best White Elephant Gifts (2025): Coffee Pot Mug, Legos, Sushi Magnets, and More
Bring the gift everyone will want to win from this year’s holiday party, from a cute jacket for a beer can to magnets they’ll wish they could eat.
Science/Tech
SoundCloud Confirms Breach After Member Data Stolen, VPN Access Disrupted
An anonymous reader quotes a report from BleepingComputer: Audio streaming platform SoundCloud has confirmed that outages and VPN connection issues over the past few days were caused by a security breach in which threat actors stole a database containing user information. The disclosure follows widespread reports over the past four days from users who were unable to access SoundCloud when...

Science/Tech
15 Best Office Chairs of 2025— I’ve Tested Nearly 60 to Pick Them
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.

Motoring
Major airport in ruins in South Africa
The once-bustling Thaba ‘Nchu Airport, opened in 1988 as one of Bophuthatswana’s flagship infrastructure projects, now stands as a stark symbol of a local economy that has long since stalled.

Motoring
Best-selling cars under R300,000 in South Africa
These 10 budget models account for more than a quarter of all the cars sold in South Africa.

Motoring
Know your rights when travelling on South Africa’s roads this December
Wherever you are going, you are likely to encounter an increased number of roadblocks, and the onus is on you to know your rights when pulled over.

Motoring
Good news for European carmakers
The European Union is preparing to relax its impending ban on combustion engine vehicles, a decision that will influence the cars made by brands like BMW, Mercedes, and VW.

Health
One way to deal with OCD and intrusive thoughts
Complex presenter Kimberly Wilson speaks to Nina Higson-Sweeney about ways to manage OCD.

Health
Plans to fix NHS dental care and save some patients hundreds of pounds
The new proposals mean those needing complicated care over numerous appointments could save up to £225.
Health
Flu Cases Skyrocket in New York City, Earlier Than Expected
The city and surrounding region have some of the highest levels of flu-like illness in the United States.

Health
Man died from sepsis after 34-hour medication delay
The man could have survived had he been given the correct antibiotics, a report finds.