Top Stories

Top Stories
Real reason for the South African rand’s strength against the US dollar
Although the South African rand strengthened against the US Dollar in 2025, it weakened against the British Pound and the Euro.
Top Stories

Top Stories
Search under way after people seen entering sea
Emergency services and HM Coastguard are currently at the scene in Withernsea.

South Africa
Motorists are not obliged to pay fines at roadblocks: Association
Many motorists have been threatened with arrest for refusing to pay fines at roadblocks.

South Africa
Umzumbe officials confident arrests imminent in New Year’s Eve attack
Four family members were shot and killed at their home on New Year’s Eve in Port Shepstone.

South Africa
Police probe fatal light airplane crash in Free State
The crash claimed the life of the pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft.
South Africa
News24 | Two men sought after CCTV captures assault on woman at Pietermaritzburg tavern
Police have launched a manhunt for two men who violently assaulted a woman at a tavern in Pietermaritzburg earlier this week.

World
Woman killed in suspected mountain lion attack in US
Colorado officials said that it would be the first time in more than 25 years that a mountain lion killed a person in the state, if confirmed.

World
Swiss bar fire likely started by sparklers on champagne bottles
The investigation into the fire that killed 40 people will consider whether criminal prosecutions are necessary, officials said.
World
News24 | China launches condom, contraceptive drug tax in bid to boost birth rate
China removed a three-decade-old tax exemption on contraceptive drugs and devices from 1 January in new steps to spur a flagging birth rate.

World
George Clooney gets French citizenship — and another dust-up with Trump
The French government says it granted George and Amal Clooney citizenship because of their contributions to its international influence. Their family has primarily lived in France since 2021.

Africa
Mali and Burkina Faso impose travel ban on US citizens in tit-for-tat move
The two states say they are taking reciprocal measures after the US announced full-entry restrictions on their citizens.

Africa
Saving South Africa’s threatened albatross from lethal fishing lines
A task force is trying to save seabirds from getting caught and killed in fishing boat nets.

Africa
Not Semenyo’s ‘last game’, says Iraola as Man City close in
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
Guinea restricts social media sites as junta chief takes election lead
TikTok, YouTube and Facebook are down, as the nation awaits the final result from the presidential poll.

Business
Charity provides hot lunches as temperatures drop
Good Shepherd supports people all year round but the work is “even more important” in winter.

Business
US slashes proposed tariffs on Italian pasta imports
The plan to impose steep tariffs on 13 producers could have seen major price rises for US consumers.

Business
Here is the school calendar for 2026 – including one ‘special’ holiday
The start of the 2026 year of schooling is just around the corner, and these are the important dates, including a ‘special’ holiday.

Business
End of the line for 27-year-old company in South Africa
PSV Holdings Limited will delist from the JSE, years after it was placed into business rescue six years ago.

Politics
Ramaphosa appoints Presidential Climate Commissioners
The Presidential Climate Commissioners (PCC) will serve for the 2026–2030 tenure.

Politics
Public Protector asked to probe ex-minister Dion George
Minister Willie Aucamp has alleged that George possibly abused state resources.

Politics
Magadzi’s memorial service to be held in Polokwane
Former Transport Deputy Minister Dikeledi Magadzi died on Sunday at the age of 70.

Politics
PAC President declares 2026 year of stability and growth for the party
Nyhontso says the PAC is ready to contest fully in the upcoming elections.

Sport
‘I will leave one day’ – Guardiola on City future
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has insisted he wants to “fight with his team” and see out his contract at the club, following reported interest in former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.

Sport
Keeper Forster joins Bournemouth on six-month deal
Bournemouth sign former Tottenham and Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster on a six-month deal.

Sport
Passionate Nancy pleads, ‘I need time’ at Celtic
Wilfried Nancy launches a passionate defence of his methods and stresses the need for time if he is to succeed at Celtic.

Sport
Villa ‘not convinced’ to sign Elliott permanently – Emery
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says the club were “not convinced” two months ago to sign Harvey Elliott permanently.

Education
The Guardian view on care leavers: responsibility for looked-after children does not end at 18 | Editorial
Free prescriptions and eye tests ought to help these young adults stay healthy. They also signal the state’s ongoing role
The outcomes for children who grow up in care are shocking. A vital part of the welfare state, which exists to promote the safety and wellbeing of highly vulnerable young people, is falling short in health, education and employment terms. They have a 62% higher chance of...
Education
A Study Is Retracted, Renewing Concerns About the Weedkiller Roundup
Problems with a 25-year-old landmark paper on the safety of Roundup’s active ingredient, glyphosate, have led to calls for the E.P.A. to reassess the widely used chemical.
Education
Big Changes Are Coming to Student Loans. Here’s What to Know if You’re Struggling.
Millions of borrowers who are behind can expect the government to tighten the options in 2026. Experts say take action now to get help.
Education
Sudan: TSC Member Jabir Salutes Pioneering Generation of U of K Professors and Students
[SNA] – Member of the Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC), Lt. Gen. Engineer Ibrahim Jabir, paid tribute to the pioneering generation of professors and students at the University of Khartoum for their contributions to Sudan’s national movement, political awareness, and the development of Sudanese professionals worldwide.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Lifestyle

Entertainment
Daily Lotto and Daily Lotto Plus results: Friday, 2 January 2026
A total of R600 000 in jackpots is up for grabs tonight! Here are your winning Daily Lotto and Daily Lotto Plus results for 1 January 2026.

Entertainment
Live ammunition and explosives found in Benoni wendy house
Officers from EMPD and Saps recovered one mortar bomb, an R1 rifle magazine, and 79 live rounds from a Benoni guest house wendy house.

Entertainment
End of festive season to bring heavy traffic on all major routes
Travel data analysed since the start of the festive season road safety campaign shows that 21 percent of fatal crashes happen between 7pm and 10pm.
Entertainment
Science/Tech
Reading is a Vice
The International Publishers Association spent the past year promoting the slogan “Democracy depends on reading,” but Atlantic senior editor Adam Kirsch argues that this utilitarian pitch fundamentally misunderstands why people become readers in the first place. The most recent Survey of Public Participation in the Arts found that less than half of Americans read a single book in 2022, and only...
Science/Tech
A Decade of BBC Question Time Data Reveals Imbalance in Journalist Guests
A new study [PDF] from Cardiff University analyzing a decade of the popular topical debate programme BBC Question Time found that the broadcaster’s flagship political debate show relies disproportionately on journalists and pundits from right-wing media outlets, particularly those connected to The Spectator magazine. Researcher Matt Walsh examined 391 editions and 1,885 panellist appearances...
Science/Tech
‘Results Were Fudged’: Departing Meta AI Chief Confirms Llama 4 Benchmark Manipulation
Yann LeCun, Meta’s outgoing chief AI scientist and one of the pioneers credited with laying the groundwork for modern AI, has acknowledged that the company’s Llama 4 language model had its benchmark results manipulated before its April 2025 release. In an interview with the Financial Times, LeCun said the “results were fudged a little bit” and that the team “used different models for different...
Science/Tech
Ghana Tries To Regulate Online Prophecies
Ghana has decided to deal with the viral spread of prophetic content on social media by setting up an official reporting mechanism for sensitive predictions, a move triggered by the August 2025 helicopter crash that killed the country’s defence and environment ministers along with six others. After the accident, TikTok clips circulated showing pastors who claimed to have foreseen the disaster...

Motoring
The salary you need to afford the cheapest and most expensive cars in South Africa
There is a R13.3 million price difference between the cheapest and most expensive cars in South Africa.

Motoring
The world’s oldest carmaker
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
BYD’s bumper 2025
The carmaker delivered 4.6 million vehicles last year, up 7.7% from 2024.

Health
Dr Alex shares five ways that running helps your brain
From protecting against ageing to helping you sleep, Dr Alex George lists the benefits of running.
Health
With Obamacare’s Higher Premiums Come Difficult Decisions
As enhanced subsidies expire, many Americans covered under the Affordable Care Act are having trouble paying for insurance.
Health
Brenna Henn Wanted to Improve Genetic Medicine. Then Her N.I.H. Grant Was Cut.
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
What is chickenpox and who can get an NHS vaccine?
The standard NHS childhood vaccination programme will include chickenpox from 2 January 2026.