Top Stories

Top Stories
Godongwana holds better budget cards but economic recovery remains inadequate
Labour federations Cosatu and the South African Federation of Trade Unions have led calls for a budget that addresses massive unemployment and weak growth

Top Stories
German chancellor lands in Beijing for inaugural China trip
Friedrich Merz said it would be a mistake to “decouple” Germany from China shortly before boarding a plane to Beijing.

Top Stories
MALAIKA MAHLATSI | Sexual offences courts a good idea, but there are many hurdles
Ramaphosa promises 16 new special courts as SA grapples with GBVF
South Africa
Godongwana to deliver 2026 Budget
Godongwana to deliver 2026 Budget
The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, will outline all the financial, economic, and social commitments that the government will prioritise in its planned expenditure when he tables the 2026 Budget in the National Assembly on Wednesday.The budget allocation aims to strike a balance between growing the economy and supporting the vulnerable amid...
South Africa
NCC to probe 9 sanitary pad suppliers for harmful products
The chemicals found in the sanitary products are said to be linked to various health complications.

South Africa
Accused in Mpumalanga Education fraud case remanded in custody
Only 15 out of a total of 38 arrested suspects have been granted bail so far.

South Africa
Lusikisiki mass murder trial within a trial postponed
Proceedings were suspended due to inclement weather causing noise in the court room.

World
Japan to deploy missiles on island near Taiwan by 2031
The remote Yonaguni island lies on the frontlines of self-governing Taiwan’s growing tensions with China.

World
U.K.’s parliament had a rare debate about the royals
Something rare happened Tuesday in the U.K. Parliament: MPs criticized the royals, which 19th century rules prohibit. But an exception was made for disgraced ex-Prince Andrew — and floodgates opened.

World
Indian prime minister Modi is set to visit Israel at a perilous moment in time
The Indian prime minister will meet his Israeli counterpart in Israel this week amid a rapidly shifting geopolitical crisis.

World
Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine reflects on 4th anniversary of war with Russia
NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly talks with Bridget Brink, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine who’s now running for Congress, about the U.S.’s next moves in brokering peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.

Africa
Senegal decry imprisonment of fans after Afcon clashes
Senegal’s prime minister says it is “regrettable” that 18 of its football fans have been handed prison sentences related to disturbances at the 2025 Afcon final.

Africa
Ex-Nigerian minister confronted tycoons who bribed her, court told
Diezani Alison-Madueke denies five counts of accepting bribes and a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery.

Africa
Nigeria denies report it paid ‘huge’ ransom to free pupils in mass abduction
The rebuttal was followed by news the police chief was resigning a year before the end of his term.

Africa
Ramaphosa thanks Putin for release of South Africans lured into Russia-Ukraine war
The men believed they were going to Russia for training as bodyguards but ended up on the front line.

Business
Elusive Shein boss hails Chinese roots in rare public appearance
His speech follows years of the firm focusing away from China as it moved its headquarters to Singapore.

Business
Energy bills to fall in April after charges shake-up
Changes announced in the Budget mean domestic energy prices should fall sharply in April.

Business
Paramount boosts Warner Bros offer to rival Netflix in takeover bid
Warner Bros says the latest proposal could convince it to abandon the deal it struck with Netflix.

Business
House prices in Wales rise faster than UK average – see how your area compares
Some areas have seen average house prices increase by 7% in the past year, according to ONS data.

Politics
Sibiya pleads ignorance on whether Steve Motsumi is dangerous or not
General Sibiya has been linked to Motsumi through alleged middleman Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.

Politics
Sibiya denies knowing that Scharnik had run-ins with the law
General Sibiya has defended his relationship with Scharnick.
Politics
KZN legislature ready for official opening in Pietermaritzburg
Zulu King Misuzulu will officially open the legislature on Thursday.

Politics
Mogotsi denies receiving financial assistance from ‘Cat’ Matlala
Brown Mogotsi refuted claims that Matlala helped him financially.

Sport
Watch: Wilson hits audacious trick shot to reach 142
Kyren Wilson makes a trick shot on the final black to win his match against Liu Hongyu at the Welsh Open.

Sport
Newcastle can ‘raise game’ in Champions League last 16
Eddie Howe says Newcastle can “raise their game” and “compete with anybody” after they swept aside Qarabag in the Champions League knockout play-offs to set up a last-16 tie against Barcelona or Chelsea.

Sport
Snoop Dogg’s surreal Swansea visit heralds late drama
The difference between Swansea v Preston and other second-tier matches was that one of the Welsh club’s co-owners happens to be a hip-hop legend.

Sport
Infantino sure of ‘spectacular’ World Cup in Mexico despite violence
BBC Sport explores the unfolding security situation in Mexico, as Fifa says it is “closely monitoring” developments before this summer’s World Cup.
Education
Namibia: Leaked Document Reveals 5% Pay Rise for Namibia Civil Servants and Teachers From 2026
[Namibian] The government has approved a 5% salary increase for civil servants for the 2026/27 financial year – and a further 5% for 2027/28.

Education
US justice department sues UCLA over alleged antisemitism amid pro-Palestinian protests
Lawsuit is latest action by Trump administration against a university and escalation of president’s feud with California
The justice department sued the University of California, Los Angeles on Tuesday, alleging the university created a hostile work environment for Jewish and Israeli faculty and staff after protests against the war on Gaza broke out across campus.
The lawsuit claims UCLA...

Education
Send plan for England gets cautious welcome amid workload concerns
Education leaders and MPs say government needs to be careful about mental health impact on leaders and teachers in already overstretched sector
Teachers and schools face “a huge ask” implementing the government’s special needs proposals affecting hundreds of thousands of children, according to education leaders and MPs who otherwise gave the plans a cautious welcome.
Under the plans unveiled by...
Education
D.O.J. Sues U.C.L.A. After It Refused to Pay $1 Billion Fine
The Trump administration accused the University of California, Los Angeles, of not doing enough to curb antisemitism.

Lifestyle
‘Inadequate’: SA refugee family scoffs over soya meal offer
A South African refugee family have bemoaned the offer of soya-based meal kits, after their flight to the US was cancelled…

Lifestyle
’60 Minutes’ farm attack feature ruffles feathers [watch]
Steve Hofmeyr is one of several Afrikaner activists who have slammed 60 Minutes’ feature on farm attacks and ‘white genocide’…

Lifestyle
SA masseuse gave naked Prince Andrew massage at Buckingham Palace for £75
A South African massage therapist has been named in fresh international reports linked to former British royal Prince Andrew.

Lifestyle
Summer pet care: The dangers most owners overlook
Summer heat can be dangerous for pets. Discover the summer pet care tips to prevent heatstroke, protect paws and keep your dog or cat safe.

Entertainment
Big-scoring West Indies await Proteas: ‘They’ll be a challenge, but we’ll be up for it,’ says Stubbs
There are a number of dangerous ball strikers in the West Indies lineup. including Shimron Hetmyer.

Entertainment
Marcell Coetzee: Boland scare a ‘wake-up call’ before Sharks clash
Despite fielding 12 Springboks, the Bulls were made to graft for a friendly win over Boland Cavaliers ahead of their URC clash with the Sharks.

Entertainment
A reading crisis we can no longer ignore
Shocking literacy figures reveal deep cracks in early education, though expanded ECD registration signals a step forward.

Entertainment
Somaliland move may cost India African goodwill
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland reshapes maritime politics, placing New Delhi’s carefully cultivated African partnerships under strain.
Science/Tech
First British Baby Born Using Transplanted Womb From Dead Donor
A 10-week-old boy named Hugo has become the first baby born in the UK from a womb transplanted from a deceased donor, after his mother Grace Bell — who was born without a viable womb due to a condition called MRKH syndrome, which affects one in every 5,000 women — underwent a 10-hour transplant operation at The Churchill Hospital in Oxford in June 2024. Hugo was born just before Christmas 2025,...
Science/Tech
Wayve, an A.I. Driverless Car Start-Up in Europe, Raises $1.2 Billion
The London-based company is building a system that uses artificial intelligence to power autonomous vehicles.

Science/Tech
Here’s What a Google Subpoena Response Looks Like, Courtesy of the Epstein Files
The US Justice Department disclosures give fresh clues about how tech companies handle government inquiries about your data.
Science/Tech
Pentagon Gives A.I. Company an Ultimatum
Anthropic insists on limits on how its technology is used and could be labeled a supply chain risk if it fails to accept the military’s demands.
Motoring

Motoring
The Indian and Chinese car brands with factories in South Africa – With another on the way
One Indian and two Chinese car brands have factories in South Africa, and another Chinese carmaker plans to open one in mid-2026.

Motoring
Changes coming for South Africa’s most important road
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has ordered Sanral to find a way to secure the N1.
Motoring
Health
Susan Leeman, 95, Dies; Explored How the Brain Influences the Body
In an era of overt sexism in the sciences, she made two major discoveries, including identifying a neuropeptide later linked to chronic pain syndromes and migraines.
Health
15 States Sue H.H.S. Over Revisions to Vaccine Schedule
Federal health officials have pared back the number of shots recommended for children. The states, led by Democrats, say the changes were not based on science.

Health
GPs told to guarantee same-day appointments for urgent cases
New contract will require patients in England to be given immediate appointment if needed.
Health
Leah Stavenhagen, Advocate for Young Women With A.L.S., Dies at 33
Ms. Stavenhagen started a group intended to counter the notion that A.L.S. was an “older white man’s disease.”