Top Stories
Top Stories
IN PICTURES: The world’s smallest penguin species, and other stories from around the globe
Moving, tragic, surprising, inspiring, terrifying, shocking… This is a selection of images from our planet, over the past seven days.

Top Stories
Starmer faces call to appoint woman to new deputy role
Female Labour figures say the prime minister told them he understood the need to end a “boy’s club” mentality in No 10.

Top Stories
Alleged property fraudster in bid to block publication
A Johannesburg woman is accused of posing as a lawyer and defrauding people in property sales. The woman has attempted to prevent the publication of the story by Sowetan by sending an urgent legal notice.

South Africa
UCT Researcher Wins Global Grant to Study AI’s Impact on Youth Employment in South Africa
A researcher at the University of Cape Town has received an international research grant to examine whether artificial intelligence can improve employment prospects for unemployed young people in South Africa. Dr. Tim Köhler, a senior research officer at the Development Policy Research Unit in UCT’s School of Economics, is one of 19 early-career researchers selected […]

South Africa
Oxford Study Warns AI Chatbots Can Give Dangerous Medical Advice
Using artificial intelligence chatbots to seek medical advice can be dangerous because of their tendency to provide inaccurate and inconsistent information, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Oxford. The research, led by scientists from the Oxford Internet Institute and the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, was published in […]

South Africa
As AI Reshapes Entry-Level Work, Digital Pods Redefine Execution Capacity
AI is rapidly changing the nature of entry-level work. In South Africa, where youth unemployment hovers around 60%, this shift has serious implications. Entry-level roles have traditionally been the first rung on the ladder into meaningful employment, allowing young people to learn on the job, gain experience, and build careers. But as AI increasingly takes […]

South Africa
South Africa could unlock SME growth by exploiting AI’s potential through corporate ESD funds
The transformative potential of AI, at a pivotal moment, converges with the critical necessity for South Africa’s economic revitalisation. While AI holds some promise, particularly for the SME sector, realising its potential requires a strategic and concerted effort. As we navigate a low-growth economic environment, we must stop viewing Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) as […]
World
News24 | Palestinians fear Israel West Bank land rule change will establish annexation
Israeli government moves to change rules around land registration in the West Bank, making it easier for Israeli Jews to buy property in the illegally occupied territory, are raising alarm among Palestinians, fearful that the new rules will establish de facto Israeli annexation.

World
‘It was terrifying’: Tumbler Ridge’s tight-knit community in shock after shooting
Members of the remote community have spoken of their fear and uncertainty after nine people were killed.

World
Greetings from Mexico City’s iconic boulevard, where a dog on a bike steals the show
Every week, more than 100,000 people ride bikes, skates and rollerblades past some of the most best-known parts of Mexico’s capital. And sometimes their dogs join them too.

World
US closes airspace over Texas border town for 10 days for ‘special security reasons’
The FAA said the area around the Texas border town would be closed for “special security reasons”.

Africa
Powerful cyclone kills at least 20 as it tears through Madagascar port
Madagascar’s disaster management says roads are inaccessible with trees uprooted, power poles down and ninety percent of roofs ripped off.

Africa
A simple guide to the crisis in South Sudan
The political rift that could spiral into conflict again after the vice-president was accused of treason.

Africa
Ghana declares Wednesday ‘Fugu Day’ to promote traditional outfit after online mockery
The iconic attire has been trending online for days following the banter between Ghanaians and Zambians.

Africa
This woman fought back when jihadists killed her sons
Yameogo Aminata says her four sons were slaughtered and her daughter is missing.

Business
Serial rail fare evader fined £3,600 over 112 unpaid tickets
Charles Brohiri travelled without buying a ticket on 112 train journeys over a period of nearly two years.

Business
5 countries where the rand will take you far in 2026
Here are five great countries to travel to where the rand is stronger in 2026.

Business
US jobs see surprise growth in January after weak 2025
Employers added a greater than expected 130,000 jobs in January, according to the latest figures.
Business

Politics
Families claim agreement among state players prevented TRC prosecutions
The inquiry was urged to look at events that may have led to political interference before 2003.

Politics
IPID only reacting to Mbense murder because of Madlanga Commission publicity: Commissioner Khumalo
IPID has referred the Emmanuel Mbense murder case to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Politics
Vrededorp residents want President to address crime, service delivery during SONA
President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the SONA on Thursday evening at Parliament.

Politics
My corruption busting record is why I am labelled a spy: O’Sullivan
O’Sullivan is also a holder of passports from three different countries.

Sport
Who could replace Frank as Tottenham boss?
BBC Sport looks at the possible runners and riders as Tottenham go in search of a new manager after the sacking of Thomas Frank – plus have your say on the options.

Sport
F1 2026 cars in pictures at Bahrain testing
Fans got a first look at all the 2026 Formula 1 cars on track on the first day of testing in Bahrain.

Sport
Real Madrid and Uefa set to end Super League dispute
Real Madrid and Uefa say they are set to end their legal dispute over the failed European Super League project.

Sport
Tucker not giving up on T20 World Cup progress
Ireland wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker says they team have not given up hope of making the Super 8s at the T20 World Cup despite losing their opening two group games.
Education
Nigeria: AMAC Chairmanship Candidate Decries Incessant Strike By Teachers
[Daily Trust] The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairmanship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Obinna Simon, popularly known as MC Tagwaye, has decried the incessant strike actions by teachers in the area.
Education
Nigeria: Media Scholar Pate Exits As VC After Massive Infrastructure, Academic Expansion At Gombe Varsity
[Premium Times] A valedictory session was held in Mr Pate’s honour at the north-eastern university
Education
Uganda: Schools Feel the Strain As First Term Opens Amid Growing School Fees Burden
[Nile Post] As the first term of the 2026 academic year begins, the issue of school fees remains a pressing concern for both parents and school administrators across Uganda.
Education
Uganda: Are Parents Paying for Grades? Muganga Questions the Value of Uganda’s Education System
[Nile Post] As schools reopen and parents grapple with rising tuition fees, a deeper question is emerging: are families paying for quality education–or simply buying grades?
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
Is Cruz Beckham softening on brother Brooklyn with childhood throwback picture amid family feud?
Cruz Beckham is in a nostalgic mood as he pulls a picture from the family archives.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle

Entertainment
Markram says ‘lessons to be learnt’ from Proteas’ thrilling T20 World Cup win over Afghanistan
The Proteas edged an incredible match that saw two super overs, and they are now well on course to qualify for the Super Eight stage.

Entertainment
‘You can be the white Brown Mogotsi’: MPs accuse Paul O’Sullivan of not being truthful
O’Sullivan also spoke about attending a braai at Radovan Krejčíř’s house with police officials

Entertainment
Capitec shoots lights out: up to R17.2 billion in headline earnings, becoming SA’s most valuable bank
Capitec overtook FirstRand as the most valued bank.

Entertainment
Heavy downpours in 6 provinces and hot weather in KZN
Find out what the latest weather forecast from the SA Weather Service means for your region on 12 February 2026

Science/Tech
CBP Signs Clearview AI Deal to Use Face Recognition for ‘Tactical Targeting’
US Border Patrol intelligence units will gain access to a face recognition tool built on billions of images scraped from the internet.

Science/Tech
Scottish rocket startup nears collapse despite £26m in taxpayer loans
Orbex’s collapse puts 150 jobs at risk and dashes hopes of it launching first homegrown rocket from Scotland
A British space company hoping to launch the first homegrown rocket from Scotland is on the brink of collapse, threatening 150 jobs and throwing doubt over the UK’s extraterrestrial ambitions.
Orbex, which is based in the Scottish Highlands, is lining up administrators as hopes fade that...
Science/Tech
OpenAI’s Biggest Challenge Is Turning Its A.I. Into a Cash Machine
The maker of ChatGPT hopes to triple its revenue in the coming year because it is planning to spend tens of billions of dollars. The clock is ticking.
Science/Tech
HP Now Rents Gaming Laptops
HP has quietly launched a gaming laptop subscription service called the OMEN Gaming Subscription that lets customers pay a monthly fee to use one of several gaming laptops but never actually own the hardware, even after paying well past the machine’s retail price. The service ranges from $50 a month for an HP Victus 15-inch laptop with an RTX 4050 to $130 a month for an Omen Max 16 with an RTX...

Motoring
The one area where Chinese car brands are struggling in South Africa
Chinese brands have a long way to go in one of South Africa’s top segments.
Motoring

Motoring
The salary you need to afford South Africa’s cheapest 7-seater SUV
The cheapest 7-seater family SUV in South Africa still clocks in at close to R400,000.
Motoring
Health
Portland Lawsuit Alleges Tear Gas Use by ICE Is a Health Threat
A novel lawsuit in Portland argues the chemicals are a health threat that have soaked into apartment walls, furniture and even children’s toys.
Health
How Hate Groups Are Using Online Games to Recruit Kids
Fringe movements are using games and other online platforms to draw growing numbers of children to their causes, new data and dozens of interviews show.

Health
What are ‘forever chemicals’ and are they bad for us?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) can be found in some of the food and products we use – and even in our bodies. But what exactly are they?

Health
Teen had to tell deaf mum her dad might die
NHS staff in Birmingham used Alan Graham’s grandchildren to pass on information, an ombudsman finds.