SPOTLIGHT | Celebrating 100 years of Gallo Music Africa, and a local masterpiece and Pixar animation on big screens
Spotlight is our bite-size entertainment snapshot featuring new releases in South Africa, exclusive film trailers and more.
Top Stories
WATCH | Be warned, you could be using fake soap and foam bath
Cops arrest two men and confiscate chemicals and containers bearing well-known brand names
South African luxury hotel building the world’s largest labyrinth
Set in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, development is underway at Brahman Hills on the Serenity Garden – a new multi-million rand, 22-hectare project set to feature the world’s largest labyrinth.
BBC suggests licence fee could be cut if more people pay
Five of the BBC’s 14-strong board, including the chairman, are currently appointed by the government.
Dogs arrive for Crufts 2026 – in pictures
The world’s most famous dog show gets underway in Birmingham.
JUSTICE DELAYED: Mugabe case postponed due to court power outage, no fuel for generator
Poor conditions at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, including a week-long electricity outage, led to the bail hearing of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe’s son, Bellarmine Mugabe, and his co-accused being postponed for another week.
Osula stunner sinks Man Utd – 12 years after winning skills contest
William Osula won a Manchester United skills contest at the age of 11. More than a decade later, he scored Newcastle’s winner against United.
R250m Clayville housing project resumes after temporary closure
Construction has resumed at the R250m Clayville housing project after a temporary closure due to labour and immigration contraventions, including the discovery of undocumented workers and a fake construction permit.
Former ANC MP Vincent Smith gets seven years for corruption
Former ANC MP Vincent Smith has been sentenced to seven years of direct imprisonment after reaching a plea and sentencing agreement with the state.
MP’s husband and two men bailed after arrests over alleged China spying
One of those arrested is the husband of Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid.
Counting my Blessings: My encounter with a kind stranger
I met a Blessing. A real one. Standing quietly at a gate. And I was reminded that they are everywhere, if you’re willing to see them.
Russia accuses US and Israel of trying to drag Arab countries into a wider Middle East conflict
Russia on Thursday accused the United States and Israel of trying to drag Arab countries into a wider Middle East conflict by provoking Iran into striking targets across the region and said there was no sign Washington and Tel Aviv would let up.
Gulf countries concerned about risk of Iran civil war, says EU’s foreign chief
Countries in the Middle East have told European officials they are concerned about the risk of civil war in Iran as a result of the conflict between Tehran and the United States and Israel, EU foreign chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday.
Mexico steps up investigations into fuel smuggling by drug cartels
Mexico has expanded a probe into fuel smuggling at sea ports highlighted in a 2025 Reuters investigation into cartel-linked fuel crimes, according to a government document reviewed by the news agency outlining actions taken by the administration.
Godongwana raises the alarm about petrol and diesel prices in South Africa
Sustained higher oil prices resulting from conflict in the Middle East may fuel inflation in South Africa, though the buffers built by the government should help keep its debt-consolidation plans on track.
More than 25,000 VW Polo Vivo recalled for possible handbrake failure
The National Consumer Commission has warned drivers of VW Polo Vivo manufactured in 2025 to have their cars checked for possible handbrake problems.
News24 | ANC threatens legal action over DA billboard targeting Panyaza Lesufi
The ANC is demanding the removal of a massive DA electioneering billboard depicting Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi in a shower, with the words: “The ANC showers in hotels. You have no water. Vote DA to put water in your taps.”
Syrian man handed 13-year sentence for Berlin Holocaust memorial stabbing
A Syrian refugee who stabbed a tourist at Berlin’s Holocaust memorial last year has been sentenced to 13 years in prison on charges of attempted murder, among others, said a Berlin court spokesperson on Thursday.