Top Stories

Top Stories
Italian fashion designer Valentino dies aged 93
The Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation said the fashion designer died peacefully in Rome.

Top Stories
Ramaphosa visits flood-stricken areas in Mpumalanga
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the world was now living in an era where climate change was evident and much needed to be done in response to it.

Top Stories
Ex-chief constable referred to watchdog
The BBC understands Craig Guildford has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
South Africa
News24 | PODCAST | The Lead: More tough questions for Ekurhuleni mayor over DJ’s murder
Seasoned broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer brings you The Lead, News24’s definitive podcast for in-depth reporting.

South Africa
Space agency warns about geomagnetic storm
SANSA has put out a warning for elevated geomagnetic storm activity to affect the earth on Tuesday

South Africa
Air support stands down as fires rage in Franschhoek
Municipal spokesperson Jo Anne Otto says very strong winds are driving the fire line.

South Africa
Free State foot and mouth disease cases climb to 223
Officials have also reported suspected cases in parts of the Xhariep District.

World
Trump says he’s pursuing Greenland after perceived Nobel Peace Prize snub
“Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize… I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace,” Trump wrote in a message to the Norwegian Prime Minister.

World
Ghana arrests Nigerians accused of running cyber-crime networks
There is a growing trend of foreigners being lured to Ghana under the pretext of lucrative work.

World
Spain train crash survivors describe ‘absolutely terrifying’ scene
Passengers recount the moment two trains collided between Málaga and Madrid on Sunday evening.

World
At least 39 dead in Spain train collision
At least 39 people were killed in a high-speed train collision in southern Spain Sunday, police said. Efforts to recover the bodies are continuing, and the death toll is likely to rise.

Africa
Drums, chants and celebrations as Ethiopians mark the baptism of Jesus
The Ethiopian Orthodox festival of Timket, or Epiphany, commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.

Africa
South African team helps search for politician swept away by Mozambique floodwaters
Mozambique President Daniel Chapo cancels a trip to Davos due to severe floods in the country

Africa
Thirteen school pupils in South Africa die after bus collides with lorry
The fatal collision is just the latest in South Africa, where the road safety record is poor.

Africa
Ecstasy and now a day off – Senegal fans around the world celebrate Afcon win
Senegal supporters have been partying after their team grabbed a dramatic 1-0 win over Morocco.

Business
Two private schools in South Africa named among the best in the world
Two South African private schools have been ranked among the world’s top 150 in the 2025/26 Schools Index.
Business

Business
Inside the spooky and deserted shopping mall that is completely empty
Two videographers give viewers a look inside the spooky R3.5 billion Villa shopping centre in Pretoria, which has been deserted for 15 years.
Business

Politics
Ad Hoc Committee gets update on efforts to secure Mogotsi appearance
Mogotsi has raised concerns about his legal representation and personal security.

Politics
Khumalo, co-accused turn themselves in at Katlehong Police
Xolani Khumalo and his co-accused hands themselves at the Katlehong police station in Ekurhuleni

Politics
ActionSA, DA call for probe into SANDF ‘defying’ Ramaphosa orders
ActionSA, DA call for investigation into reports that SANDF officials defied Ramaphosa’s orders

Politics
Rise Mzansi backs Treasury’s extension for online gambling tax
Rise Mzansi backs Treasury’s decision to extend deadline for public comment on online gambling tax

Sport
Confirmed: Sundowns starting 11 vs Orbit – 6 surprise changes
Mamelodi Sundowns have made six surprise changes against Orbit College, including a debut for teenage left-back Thato Sibiya.

Sport
Kaizer Chiefs lose three players
Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed Sibongiseni Mthethwa, George Matlou and Bradley Cross will miss the Golden Arrows match as injury updates emerge.

Sport
Senegal reserve keeper jokes after Afcon towel scuffles
Senegal’s reserve goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf jokes about his unique role in his side’s chaotic Afcon final victory on Sunday.

Sport
Betway Premiership: Every fixture and result in JANUARY
The 2025/26 Betway Premiership season broke for AFCON 205 on 7 December 2025, but is due to restart on Monday, 19 January 2026.

Education
Robert Jenrick boasts that Reform is for the workers, but it’s a class war trap – and Labour shouldn’t fall for it
Though Labour’s voters are more likely to be the educated middle-classes, its focus must be fighting inequality. We know Farage’s party will only enrich the wealthy
Class politics is back, as if it ever went away. Robert Jenrick declares that Tories are toffs and “the divide in British politics has become Reform’s workers party versus the Tory posh party”. He says the Tories are so “out...
Education
South Africa: Inmates in Matric Record 94.4 Percent 2025 Pass Rate
[SAnews.gov.za] The Department of Correctional Services has recorded a 94.4% pass rate for the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.

Education
At nine, I disappeared into home schooling. No one came looking
Mom insisted I needed a ‘free-form education’ outside public school. After four years of loneliness, I gave up hope that someone would get me out
“Every mother in the world wishes her kid wouldn’t grow up so fast.”
Mom laughs as she holds me close.
Continue reading…

Education
‘Disgustingly educated’: will this trend make you cleverer?
Social media is filling up with influencers telling us how to become much more intellectual. A great, enriching idea – or just another cue to show off?
Name: Disgustingly educated.
Age: About 18 months.
Continue reading…

Lifestyle
Prince Harry appears at High Court for privacy trial against Daily Mail publisher
Prince Harry, Sir Elton John and others are suing The Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday’s publisher over alleged unlawful information gathering practices.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
‘Thomas Sithole’: Saffas convinced teen’s spirit is ‘fighting for justice’ [video]
South Africans believe US psychic Kandis Starr – whose comments about Joslin Smith went viral – has contacted the ‘spirit’ of Thomas Sithole.
Lifestyle

Entertainment
South Africa’s disaster response can improve – Ramaphosa
With 37 deaths and billions in damage, the government faces pressure to strengthen disaster readiness and long-term planning.

Entertainment
ActionSA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo granted bail
Khumalo welcomed the decision granting him bail.

Entertainment
Closure of BAT shows how illicit economy is killing jobs – 35 000 of them
The numbers show that the illicit cigarette economy exploded from one-third to three-quarters of the cigarette market since 2019.

Entertainment
24 hours in pictures, 19 January 2026
Through the lens: The Citizen’s Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world.

Science/Tech
Haims Capital to Launch RKM 6.0 Intelligent Investment System for U.S. Market as Global Volatility Intensifies
Haims Capital, a financial technology firm specializing in data-driven investment analytics, announced plans to launch RKM 6.0, the latest version of its Real-time Kernel Matrix (RKM) intelligent investment decision system, in June 2026. The updated platform is designed to support investors in the U.S. market by integrating real-time market data, behavioral finance analysis, and adaptive […]

Science/Tech
Kili Technologies: Unlocking Africa’s Clean Energy Potential With Trusted Data
Africa is well positioned to lead the global renewable energy transition, given its abundant solar, wind, and hydropower resources. However, despite this potential, the sector continues to face significant structural barriers. One of the most critical challenges is access to climate finance, with African renewable energy projects currently attracting only about 2% of global climate […]
Science/Tech
Netflix Wants Plots Explained Multiple Times Because Viewers Are on Their Phones, Matt Damon Says
Netflix has begun asking filmmakers to adjust their storytelling approach to account for viewers who are scrolling through their phones while watching, according to Matt Damon. The traditional action movie formula involves three major set pieces distributed across the first, second, and third acts. Netflix now wants a large action sequence in the opening five minutes to hook viewers. The...

Science/Tech
Positive thinking could boost immune response to vaccines, say scientists
Study suggests being optimistic produces more antibodies, hinting at future healthcare potential of mental techniques
Being optimistic may boost the immune system according to research that points to a connection between the mind and our body’s natural defences.
Scientists have found people who used positive thinking to boost activity in the brain’s reward system responded better to...

Motoring
Best-selling cars under R300,000 in South Africa
Sub-R300,000 models are one of the most popular segments in South Africa’s car market.
Motoring
Motoring

Motoring
Isuzu’s massive R750-million factory expansion in South Africa
Isuzu has upgraded its local manufacturing efforts alongside its major panel supplier.

Health
Why ‘Blue Monday’ isn’t real
How the third Monday of January came to be known as the most depressing day of the year.

Health
NHS trust used charity funds for ‘leaving event’
Bosses, in a post to staff, say in hindsight, it was not a good use of charitable funds.

Health
Trial launched to ‘help spot health risks early’
A pilot scheme is rolled out in the north of the Isle of Man by the public health directorate.

Health
Blue Monday: Why it’s a ‘load of rubbish’
The myth of ‘the most depressing day of the year’ won’t die – but does it actually do any harm?