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Newsletters: I have a picture for you! 14 February-20 February 2026
The First Thing newsletter’s Ever-lasting Subscriber Photo Gallery.
FRIDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2026, 15:19
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The First Thing newsletter’s Ever-lasting Subscriber Photo Gallery.

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Zambia has announced that all import permits for South African livestock-related products have been suspended indefinitely.

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A vision for social justice in South Africa is a vision of repair, dignity and shared power.
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South Africa
The Polokwane Municipality says water quality tests and technical investigations are underway.

South Africa
Major routes in Thohoyandou to be closed as part of preparations for Armed Forces Day celebrations
South Africa
SANRAL urged to fix dangerous N1 Makhado curve for safety
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa have directed the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) to find a road engineering solution to the persistent rise in the number of road crashes on the road curve just after Makhado, involving buses and trucks.
This directive follows...
South Africa
SANRAL increases toll tariffs
The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced an adjustment to the toll tariffs effective from 01 March 2026.“The annual toll tariffs will increase by 3.12%, as published in the Government Gazette of 5 February 2026. This rate is less than last year’s 4.85% adjustment,” the road agency said.The tariffs are adjusted...

World
A second American aircraft carrier moved closer to the Middle East Thursday, as President Trump remains noncommittal about whether he’ll use force against Iran.

World
NPR’s Michel Martin asks retired Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan, a former Navy commander in the Middle East, about the U.S. military buildup near Iran.

World
The U.S. buildup in the Middle East has reached a critical mass that could put pressure on Iran in negotiations. And, Trump unveils big plans for Gaza during the first-ever Board of Peace meeting.

World
Juan Pablo Guanipa announces that he has been freed after “almost nine months” of imprisonment.

Africa
Benni McCarthy says Jose Mourinho should admit his “mistake” following the Benfica manager’s post-match comments after Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr claimed he was racially abused.

Africa
The MP was arrested this month after mocking the president’s handling of the recent floods in the country.

Africa
The corridor is strategically significant given that Zambia, Angola and the DRC are home to some of the world’s most significant deposits of critical minerals

Africa
The gunmen launched simultaneous assaults on multiple communities in a remote border district, officials say.

Business
The SARB’s plan to eliminate the prime interest rate in South Africa could have the opposite effect of what it intends.

Business
Brands rewarded with successful activations as fans take centre stage.

Business
This customer might be feeling trolled, in this scene from Small Prophets.

Business
Global Counsel’s clients cut ties with the firm over Lord Mandelson’s links with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Politics
MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae said the state of municipalities was not encouraging
Politics
The ANC in Ekurhuleni has accused ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba of stepping away from coalition talks to protect City of Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moyo.

Politics
NW Mokgosi to sign 2 landmark Memorandums of Understanding with Minister Macpherson at Pilanesberg

Politics
Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae presents the 2026 SOPA.

Sport
Jacob Bethell tells BBC Sport’s Matt Henry that England aren’t worried about the form of Jos Buttler, nor the team’s inconsistent performances as they head into the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India.

Sport
Here are the matchday squads and the kick off time to note as the Lions and Sharks head into a solitary URC clash on Saturday.

Sport
Martin O’Neill says it would be “utopia” to get all at Celtic going “in the one direction” after Thursday’s European disappointment.

Sport
Orlando Pirates supporters have raised concerns over Daniel Msendami after his brief cameo in the 2-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Education
[Daily News] Dar es Salaam — IN the quiet corridors of primary schools across Ludewa District, a quiet revolution is taking place, one page at a time. For years, the Tanzanian education system has grappled with a learning crisis that exists despite high enrolment rates. Children are in classrooms, but are they learning?
Education
[Leadership] Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja), Prof. Hakeem Babatinde Fawehinmi, has said that innovative research remains a critical driver of industrial development and national growth.
Education
George Mitchell, a former Senate majority leader credited with bringing peace to Northern Ireland, is under renewed scrutiny over his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Education
Teachers are required to report cases of possible “educational neglect” to child protective services, but there is a growing movement to change that policy.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Lifestyle

Entertainment
Andrew spent 11 hours in custody as police investigate misconduct claims linked to Jeffrey Epstein, unsettling the British monarchy.

Entertainment
The ANC says there is no crisis in the City of Ekurhuleni.

Entertainment
The Lions have won four of their last five encounters against the Sharks in the URC, including two big home wins in that time.

Entertainment
She wins the title for the fourth consecutive year.
Science/Tech
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Bloomberg: In early 2024, the agency that oversees cybersecurity for much of the US government issued a rare emergency order — disconnect your Connect Secure virtual private network software immediately. Chinese spies had hacked the code and infiltrated nearly two dozen organizations. The directive applied to all civilian federal agencies, but given the...

Science/Tech
Epilogue’s adorable GB Operator plug-in gizmo is a must-have for collectors of retro Nintendo Game Boy games.

Science/Tech
Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA), South Africa’s leading social insurer, has officially launched its flagship STEAM Project at Botlhabelo High School in Brits, in the North West province, marking a major investment in South Africa’s future skills pipeline. The initiative, funded by RMA in partnership with the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA), the North […]

Science/Tech
The FMF has warned the proposed 20% online gambling tax could undermine provinces and fuel illegal offshore betting.
Motoring

Motoring
South Africans are moving away from the pre-owned car market in search of new models that offer a better deal for a similar price.

Motoring
The ever-expanding TopAuto readership is the perfect target audience for your sponsored article marketing campaigns.
Motoring

Health
Manjit Sangha, from Penn, near Wolverhampton, says her life drastically change in one weekend.

Health
The household cat could hold the key to understanding certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer.
Health
Technical and oversight problems left two astronauts aboard the International Space Station for months longer than had been expected.
Health
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya will serve as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention until President Trump appoints a permanent director.