Top Stories

Top Stories
Drone footage shows Bondi Beach gunmen on bridge
Aerial footage appears to show a gunman firing from a bridge in a nearby carpark.

Top Stories
‘It was pandemonium’: Jewish community targeted in Australia’s deadliest shooting in decades
At least 11 people were killed and more than two dozen injured, including a child, according to police.
Top Stories
CASTING A SPELL: A triumph of words — SA crowns its champs at the National Spelling Bee finals
In what was an ultimate test of linguistic abilities and sign language understanding, the 2025 National Spelling Bee finals saw Mbulelo Tolom and Ifeoma Osondo crowned as South Africa’s spelling junior and senior champions. Competition CEO, Roger Dickinson, said the contest has brought joy to and improved the literacy of every child who competed.

South Africa
Mahikeng artist marks 30 years of democracy with ship artwork
Outata Kambule, is an artist inspired by South African history

South Africa
East London taxi operators boost festive road safety
Minibus taxis are by far the most commonly used mode of public transport in the country

South Africa
Premier Ntuli demands accountability for Verulam temple collapse
Premier Ntuli has visited the scene of the building collapse in Verulam, Durban.

South Africa
Dirco condemns Sydney shooting that claimed 12 lives
Police have officially declared the attack as a terrorist incident.

World
Want to hear about a cool job? This New Zealander plays French horn in Antarctica
Natalie Paine, a French horn player in New Zealand’s navy, speaks about the challenges and unexpected joys of playing music while stationed in Antarctica.

World
Chileans voting for president are choosing between starkly different candidates: a lifelong communist or the far-right son of a former Nazi
Chileans head to the polls on Sunday, and an arch-conservative pledging mass migrant expulsions is strongly favored over his leftist opponent.

World
At least 12 people killed in a terrorist attack on a Jewish event in Sydney, Australia
We’re following the latest on the shooting in Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia. At least 12 people were killed as shooters targeted celebrants at a Hanukkah celebration.

World
Gunmen kill nine people at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, injuring eleven others, with one shooter dead and another arrested
Two gunmen have shot dead nine people at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, with eleven wounded, including two police officers. Police shot dead one gunman, second was arrested in critical condition.

Africa
Street art festival sees Lagos turned into ‘open-air gallery’
Nigeria’s biggest city is known for its vibrant arts scene, nightlife and creativity, but street art is relatively unknown.

Africa
Six players to watch at Afcon 2025
BBC Sport Africa picks out six players to keep an eye on at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January.

Africa
Ghanaian influencer charged with scamming elderly Americans
He is accused of using romance scams to defraud $8m, with the profits flaunted on Instagram.

Africa
About 200 West African soldiers in Benin for ‘clean-up’ after failed coup
This is the first time that officials have said how many foreign soldiers were deployed to help thwart the mutiny.

Business
Criminals are after 7 items in South Africa this holiday – and they’re looking for homes that have them
In South Africa, while families plan their December holidays, criminals are planning their entries.

Business
What you should be paying your domestic worker in 2026
South African domestic workers are still struggling to hit the National Minimum Wage, despite another increase on the way for 2026.
Business

Business
How 100-year-old firm went from Hull to Hollywood
East Yorkshire-based Croda developed a treatment for a rare disease – a story retold by Hollywood.

Politics
ANC in Tshwane plans to discuss service delivery issues at conference
Eugene Modise has been re-elected as the ANC’s Regional Chairperson of Tshwane.

Politics
Diko calls for withdrawal of Malatsi policy directives to ICASA
Khusela Diko says Solly Malatsi did not follow proper procedure amid policy directives

Politics
Communications Minister refutes ANC claims of legislation amendments
The directive permits companies such as Starlink to bypass the local ownership requirements

Politics
ANC raises concern over Malatsi’s communications’ amendments
The party believes the Gazette introduces policy directions that exceed the minister’s authority

Sport
Kumar seals first Indian win at World Championship
Nitin Kumar becomes first Indian player to win a match at the World Darts Championship with a 3-2 win over Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2.

Sport
Five-try Castres cruise past rotated Edinburgh
A much-changed Edinburgh side ship five tries in a Champions Cup drubbing against Castres in the south of France.

Sport
Exeter suffer late heartbreak in Racing 92 draw
A much-changed Exeter side concede a stoppage-time try as they draw 31-31 at Racing 92 in the European Challenge Cup.

Sport
Harlequins score 10 tries in thrashing of Bayonne
Harlequins register their first Investec Champions Cup win of the season, scoring 10 tries in a convincing 68-14 victory against Bayonne.
Education
Brown Canceled Classes and Exams for the Rest of the Semester
The term, scheduled to end on Friday, has been cut short, and school officials said students could go home immediately.
Education
What We Know About the Brown University Shooting
A person of interest was in custody Sunday, the day after two people were killed and nine others injured during an attack on the Rhode Island campus.

Education
Pens at the ready! A gen-Z trainee takes on the Guardian’s ‘scribbler-in-chief’
As the exam regulator consults about introducing onscreen exams amid complaints of hand fatigue, a young aspiring journalist goes head-to-head with a self-professed expert
This week it was reported that students could soon be sitting their end-of-year exams on laptops after pupils complained of hand fatigue, saying their muscles “are not strong enough”.
With Ofqual preparing to launch a public...

Education
City & Guilds to shrink UK workforce amid £22m cost-cutting drive
Training and qualifications body, acquired by private Greek firm in October, to become ‘leaner organisation’
The training and qualifications body City & Guilds is shrinking its UK workforce as part of a £22m cost-cutting drive after it was acquired by a private Greek business in October.
Founded in 1878 by the City of London and a group of 16 livery companies, the original institute developed a...

Lifestyle
‘John Steenhuisen’: Saffa spent R460k on Uber Eats in 2025
John Steenhuisen has trended online after Uber Eats revealed how one South African spent almost half a million on takeaway food this year.

Lifestyle
The Kiffness accused DIRCO of trying to ‘cancel’ concert
Outspoken muso The Kiffness has accused DIRCO of being behind an alleged plan to ‘cancel’ his upcoming Kirstenbosch Gardens concert.

Lifestyle
The overlooked body measurement linked to heart disease risk
An overlooked measurement is linked to early heart changes and increased heart disease risk, even in people without heart problems.

Lifestyle
Elon Musk claims ‘race laws’ are WORSE than Apartheid
Billionaire businessman Elon Musk has condemned South Africa’s ‘race laws’, he believes is worse than Apartheid’s racial discrimination.

Entertainment
ANCYL leadership battles begin in Polokwane
The ANCYL has produced leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo, but analysts believe the league has lost its glory days.

Entertainment
Fire danger warnings and extreme heat to affect parts of South Africa on Monday
Find out what the latest weather forecast from the SA Weather Service means for your region for 15 December 2025.

Entertainment
South Africa condemns Sydney terrorist attack that killed 12
Dirco strongly criticised the nature of the attack, which appeared to target worshippers during a religious celebration.

Entertainment
Manhunt launched after fatal stabbing and house robbery in Limpopo
The police are urging anyone with information about the suspects to come forward immediately.
Science/Tech
Repeal Section 230 and Its Platform Protections, Urges New Bipartisan US Bill
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said Friday he was moving to file a bipartisan bill to repeal Section 230 of America’s Communications Decency Act. “The law prevents most civil suits against users or services that are based on what others say,” explains an EFF blog post.”Experts argue that a repeal of Section 230 could kill free speech on the internet,” writes LiveMint — though America’s last...

Science/Tech
Best Tested Walking Pads (2025): Urevo, WalkingPad, Sperax
These compact walking pads fit under your desk and make staying active so much easier.

Science/Tech
10 Best Portable Power Stations (2025): Power Capacity, Portability, Camping, and More
Whether you’re going off-grid or safeguarding against blackouts, these beefy, WIRED-tested batteries can keep the lights on.

Science/Tech
Nanit Home Display Review: A Transformative Tablet
The innovative smart baby monitor ecosystem adds a tablet to its lineup. Is it worth overlooking some quirks?

Motoring
Formula 1 2026 season – Here are all the details
The 2026 Formula 1 season promises to be full of action and drama.

Motoring
Warning for Uber and Bolt users over the festive season
There are several key steps you should take if you are involved in an accident while using an e-hailing service.

Motoring
Shell preparing to drill in Southern Africa
Shell is preparing to launch a new offshore drilling campaign in Southern Africa in early 2026.

Motoring
What it costs to drive from Joburg to the Kruger Park this December
December’s petrol price hike means you’ll need to budget a fair amount to travel to the Kruger Park this holiday.
Health
Government Can Withhold Funds From Planned Parenthood, Appeals Court Rules
A three-judge panel threw out a lower court’s order, allowing the Trump administration to continue defunding the group and other major abortion providers.
Health
Risk-Based Screening Works as Well as Yearly Checks After 40 in Finding Breast Cancers
A study of more than 45,000 women found that screening women according to their level of risk was as effective in detecting tumors as the one-size-fits-most screening currently recommended.
Health
F.D.A. Approves Two New Drugs to Treat Gonorrhea
The sexually transmitted disease has become increasingly resistant to existing antibiotics.

Health
King to share personal message on cancer in TV broadcast
King Charles has recorded a message about his experience of cancer for the Stand Up To Cancer campaign.