FRIDAY, 30 JANUARY 2026, 15:45
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WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (Reuters) – With tensions in Minneapolis still high and a possible U.S. military strike on Iran looming, movers and shakers in the Trump administration took a timeout on Thursday to attend a lavish event celebrating a big-budget documentary about first lady Melania Trump.
Top Stories
The First Thing newsletter’s Ever-lasting Subscriber Photo Gallery.
Top Stories
After expelling Ariel Seidman, Israel’s chargé d’affaires, will South Africa finally close Tel Aviv’s embassy?
Top Stories
What do Eskom, Rob Herzov and bitcoin have in common? A solution to declining utility revenue, grid stabilisation, and the backbone or a bitcoin treasury reserve. The world keeps turning upside down.
South Africa
Meeting assesses impact of Zuikerbosch water plant explosion on supply systems
Government has acknowledged the significant hardship and disruption experienced by households, businesses and communities across Gauteng, following the explosion of a motor connected to one of the pumps at the Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant.
The explosion on Tuesday, 27 January 2027, had a ripple...
South Africa
Fight for rule of law is ‘worth having’ – Batohi bows out of NPA
“The rule of law is not dead”. With that message of defiant hope, Advocate Shamila Batohi took her final bow as National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Friday.
Batohi retires from the NPA after seven years at the helm of the prosecutorial body.
“Despite...
South Africa
DIRCO says Ariel Seidman is required to leave South Africa within 72 hours.
South Africa
Surge in unaccompanied minors at ports of entry
The Border Management Authority (BMA) has raised concern over the increasing number of unaccompanied minors intercepted at South Africa’s ports of entry during the 2025/2026 festive season.
BMA Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, said officials recorded a notable increase in cases involving undocumented and unaccompanied children...
World
The UN said “credible sources” had counted more than 400 strikes in the same period.
World
The deal will see the gradual integration of Kurdish forces and administration into the Syrian state.
World
King Charles has warned that the world is “rapidly going backwards” in curbing climate change and biodiversity loss.
World
Kurdish-run prisons hold about 8,000 suspected IS fighters and around 34,000 of their family members in camps.
Africa
Ariel Siedman has been given 72 hours to leave South Africa, the foreign affairs ministry says.
Africa
The multiparty system had been “promoting division among citizens”, the country’s interior minister said.
Africa
Almost 30 years after he died, the Nigerian will posthumously receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Africa
Nearly 700,000 people have been affected by weeks of severe flooding in Mozambique
Business
Jenna Meek joins the Dragons’ Den as a guest for the first time.
Business
The 55-year-old economist had been considered for Fed chair during Trump’s first term.
Business
While there’s a hold on interest rates for now, cuts are coming—and there may be even more than expected down the line.
Business
Politics
Julius Malema, EFF president, is delivering the opening address at the party’s plenum.
Politics
Malusi Gigaba is facing charges of corruption linked to Transnet
Politics
Case postponed to February 3 after witness’s lawyer says late documents could prejudice his client.
Politics
Parliament has been asked to intervene as tensions brew between Eastern Cape residents and the KwaZulu-Natal-based Ugu District Municipality over the uMtamvuna River, which straddles both provinces
Sport
Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has claimed that Brandon Petersen (31) is the best goalkeeper in South Africa currently.
Sport
Ulster hooker Rob Herring and wing Zac Ward are both recalled for the province’s United Rugby Championship game against Cardiff at the Affidea Stadium.
Sport
Celtic will play Stuttgart and Nottingham Forest will face Fenerbache in two-legged play-offs to reach the last 16 of the Europa League.
Sport
Jack Grealish ‘probably’ needs surgery on stress fracture which will sideline him for the rest of the season, says David Moyes
Education
[SAnews.gov.za] Students, including first-time applicants and continuing students, who were rejected by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for funding, have until 31 January to appeal the decision.
Education
[Capital FM] Nairobi — Education continues to receive the largest share of government spending among ministries, but critical funding gaps remain, particularly in school capitation and scholarships, Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo has told Members of Parliament.
Education
[Premium Times] The event marked the formal admission of fresh students to the Classes of 2028, 2029, and 2030, as well as the official commencement of the university’s Spring 2026 semester.
Education
After 22 wonderful years, I’ve decided to take the exciting and terrifying step of leaving in order to try to build something new.
Lifestyle
Foreign investment is important, but there’s a limit.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Rachel Kolisi has hinted at her messy marriage split to Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, ahead of her new book and documentary…
Lifestyle
South Africa’s tourism sector is flourishing, as seen by the record number of international arrivals that visited the country in 2025.
Entertainment
Movement restrictions apply in several areas of the Kruger National Park, and visitors are urged to adhere to instructions.
Entertainment
The group will also release a content series titled ‘Just As You Are’ ahead of Easter.
Entertainment
Doctors were forced to flee facilities as armed conflict closed in on remote Jonglei communities.
Entertainment
MEC Hlomuka added that the department had started analysing the 2025 matric results to develop a comprehensive 2026 Academic Improvement Plan.
Science/Tech
Telkom has managed to grow its mobile prepaid subscriber base, even as South Africa’s two largest operators both reported declines over the same periods.
Science/Tech
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Variety: In the future, studios that use synthetic actors in place of humans might have to pay a royalty into a union fund. That’s one of the ideas kicking around as SAG-AFTRA prepares to sit down with the studios on Feb. 9. Artificial intelligence was central to the 2023 actors strike, and it’s only gotten more urgent since. Social media is awash in...
Science/Tech
With impeccable accuracy and poise, Samsung’s midrange OLED dazzles on the little things.
Science/Tech
Now available, the HONOR X9d raises the bar on durability and display, levelling up on the proven popularity of the ‘Unbreakable Series’
Motoring
Motoring
Motoring
South Africa’s largest motoring retail union has criticized the government’s plan to raise import tariffs on Indian and Chinese cars.
Motoring
Health
Spurred by her past struggles with dissociative identity disorder, she has devoted her professional life to studying it.
Health
Maternity services at Lancaster Royal Infirmary are rated “good”, but improvements must be made in A&E.
Health
Two Tractor Boys join a project that is tackling oral health and healthy diets among children.
Health
The new panel, which advises the government on research and service priorities for people with autism, includes many members who have argued that vaccines cause autism.