Top Stories

Top Stories
Confident Norris aims for back-to-back F1 titles
Formula One champion Lando Norris has still not watched back his title-clinching race but the McLaren driver will start the new season with more confidence and hungry for a second crown.
Top Stories
Free Besigye call: Uganda’s jailed opposition leader is ‘seriously ill’ and should be released for proper treatment, his wife says
Kizza Besigye was rushed to the clinic of his personal doctor, where he was treated, and then returned to prison late at night.

Top Stories
Anna Wintour and Liz Hurley among mourners at Valentino’s funeral
Fashion and film stars gathered in Rome on Friday for the funeral of the fashion designer Valentino Garavani.

South Africa
Western Cape authorities warn of impending drought
SAWS is predicting lower than average rainfall for a second consecutive year.

South Africa
Ekurhuleni mayor denies alleged link to former auditor’s death
Mayor Xhakaza denies interfering in probes after ex-auditor Mafole’s murder over tender report.

South Africa
Sedibeng govt. bodies urge Gauteng to enforce scholar transport rules
Thabiso Radebe urges stronger learner safety measures after 14 pupils die in Vaal crash.

South Africa
Ekurhuleni denies claims of poisoned water in Tsakani and other areas
City dismisses social media water scare, confirming daily tests show supply is safe.

World
Taliban release female athlete, 22, after 13 days in jail
Khadija Ahmadzada was detained for being in “violation” of rules “regarding women’s sports gyms”, a Taliban spokesman said.

World
US braces for ‘extremely dangerous’ winter storm
The National Weather Service warns the winter blast “will pose a life-threatening risk of hypothermia”.

World
Millions of Americans brace for winter storm. And, Zelenskyy’s warning for Europe
Millions of Americans are bracing for a massive, life-threatening winter storm this weekend. And, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy delivers a stark message to Europe at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

World
‘I didn’t hear from my son for seven months’: Inside Yemen’s UAE-run secret prisons
The BBC sees sites on former United Arab Emirates bases in Yemen where detainees say they were abused.

Africa
South Sudan army chief gives soldiers seven days to crush rebellion
Reinforcements are sent to the town of Bor, a strategic staging post on the way to the capital, Juba.

Africa
South African court clears path for sale of Mandela’s personal items
The authorities tried to stop their export arguing they were part of the country’s heritage.

Africa
NBA star Bane eyes Nigeria switch ahead of 2028 Olympics
Orlando Magic’s Desmond Bane says he would be keen on representing Nigeria ahead of the 2028 Olympics and suggests other NBA players could do the same.

Africa
Is holding Afcon every four years ‘totally wrong’ or ‘good call’?
The announcement that the Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted every four years from 2028 sparked division, but what will it mean for the game on the continent?

Business
Major new shopping mall opening soon in South Africa
Etwatwa Crossing will open in the second half of 2026, bringing formal retail to a historically underserved community.

Business
Saudi giant officially takes over South African company for R23 billion
Barloworld has officially been acquired by a consortium led by Saudi Arabian investors, and is set to delist from the JSE next week.

Business
Tesla fined for repeatedly failing to help UK police
The British arm of Tesla has faced multiple court proceedings linked to allegations of road traffic offences.

Business
Trump says Greenland framework includes mineral rights. What minerals does the island have?
Donald Trump says a possible deal over Greenland could involve mineral rights.

Politics
ConCourt orders Cholota case be returned to Free State High Court
Mlambo says Cholota’s extradition was unlawful but does not bar the High Court from prosecuting.

Politics
Malema is not a candidate for direct imprisonment: Thompson
EFF leader Julius Malema is appearing in the EL Magistrate’s Court for pre-sentencing proceedings.

Politics
Julius Malema’s pre-sentencing proceedings moved to bigger court room
Malema has been convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging firearm.

Politics
LIVE | Malema’s pre-sentencing hearing in firearm discharge case
EFF leader Julius Malema is appearing before the East London Magistrate’s Court.

Sport
Wales’ Williams retires from international rugby
Wales and British and Irish Lions full-back Liam Williams retires from international rugby.

Sport
Stockdale misses out as Ulster make four changes
Jacob Stockdale is not included in Ulster’s matchday squad to face Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday as the Irish province make four changes to their starting XV.

Sport
Alpine will be competitive in 2026, says Briatore
Alpine Formula 1 boss Flavio Briatore says he believes the team “will be competitive” in 2026.

Sport
Saracens boss McCall to step down at end of season
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall will step down at the end of the season after 15 trophy-laden seasons in the role.

Education
‘There are kids not going to school’: fear of ICE is keeping children from classes in Connecticut
In New Haven, where one in six residents is foreign born, children’s education suffers as they are afraid to step out
“They took her, they took her, they took her.”
Those were some of the words Cora Muñoz, the Wilbur Cross high school assistant principal, could discern while on the phone with the guardian of one of her students. As the caller sobbed and struggled to speak, Muñoz realized that...
Education
Ghana: Ug Nursing School Commends AfDB, Sif for Project Support
[Ghanaian Times] The School of Nursing and Midwifery of the University of Ghana has commended the Social Investment Fund and the African Development Bank (AfDB) for supporting the expansion of its facilities.
Education
Ghana: Ahanta West MP Announces Approval of Ayinda Language for School Curriculum
[Ghanaian Times] The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ahanta West, Mrs Mavis Kuukua Bissue, has officially announced the approval of the Ahanta Language (Ayinda) orthography as part of Ghanaian languages to be taught in schools.
Education
Kenya: Kenyan Students, Space Enthusiasts to Speak With Astronauts Aboard International Space Station
[Capital FM] Nairobi — Kenyan students and space enthusiasts are set to communicate directly with astronauts aboard the International Space Station after Kenya was selected to host the – Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program in 2026.

Lifestyle
Did Nando’s just grill Steers over exploitation drama?
Nando’s has thrown shade at its fast food rival, Steers, after the latter was accused of exploiting its employees…

Lifestyle
Nicki Minaj satisfies R8 million judgment at the 11th hour, avoiding forced sale of R32 million mansion
Nicki Minaj can breathe a sigh of relief after concluding a chapter in her life that could have seen her losing her house.

Lifestyle
Fisherman in distress saved in Sedgefield
A 22-year-old fisherman has been rescued after getting into difficulty while fishing at Swartvlei Beach in Sedgefield.

Lifestyle
WATCH LIVE | Fashion designer Valentino Garavani laid to rest
Iconic Italian fashion designer Valentino passed away at age 93 in Rome on 19 January 2026.

Entertainment
Fury over five-year-old’s detention in US immigration crackdown
ICE says the child was not targeted and remained with an officer while his father was apprehended during the operation.
Entertainment

Entertainment
Volatile security blocks UN from Syria IS-linked camp
UNHCR unable to enter Al-Hol camp for days as aid groups withdraw amid reports of escapes following Kurdish forces’ exit.

Entertainment
NWU becomes first South African university with official AI policy
‘Such a policy is also vital because it provides a framework for the safe and secure management and governance of AI within the university.’

Science/Tech
Why Legal Businesses Must Lead Digital Transformation Rather Than Chase It
The legal profession is not immune to economic reality. In a digital first economy, the way legal services are delivered is no longer a matter of preference or tradition. It is a matter of commercial viability. Across industries, organisations are being required to operate faster, with greater transparency, and under increasing regulatory scrutiny. Legal work […]

Science/Tech
Why Rezor’s Exchange Launch Sets a New Benchmark for Web3 Founders — Rahul Rohit Parikh Story of Determination
In an industry where exchange launches are frequently announced but rarely delivered, Rezor’s successful crypto product launch has emerged as a reference point for what execution looks like in practice. The launch of RezorEx has positioned the platform as a crypto exchange benchmark, highlighting a level of delivery that most Web3 projects never reach. For […]

Science/Tech
The Best Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids (2026), Tested and Reviewed
I tested an array of alternative sleep aids, from gummies to wearable patches, to see if they would help my chronic insomnia.

Science/Tech
Batteries catch fire at Standard Bank offices in South Africa
A fire broke out in a container housing lithium-ion batteries and other equipment supporting the solar power system at Standard Bank’s Constantia office complex in Roodepoort this week.

Motoring
Good news for motorists caught speeding, an airline halts flights to a South African airport, and a new Suzuki SUV
These were the five biggest stories in South Africa’s transport industry this week.

Motoring
Major airport breaks record with 11 million passengers
This South African airport saw a record-breaking 11 million passengers board flights last year.

Motoring
Wake-up call for children’s transport safety in South Africa
Big changes are coming for the scholar transport industry in South Africa.

Motoring
Make TopAuto part of your marketing strategy in 2026
At TopAuto, we offer a full suite of advertising products to meet your 2026 goals.
Health
Increased Scrutiny Leads to an Improved Organ Transplant System
A crackdown on problems with fairness and safety is achieving results, including a big drop in the number of sick patients being passed over for transplants.

Health
Maternity services rated inadequate at two hospitals
The CQC finds that only minimal improvements have been made at two NHS hospitals.
Health
Big Insurers Try to Shift Blame for High Health Costs to Hospitals and Drug Makers
At two congressional hearings, lawmakers slammed executives of major companies, saying they were failing to rein in the cost of medical care for consumers.
Health
Kennedy Plan to Test a Vaccine in West African Babies Is Blocked
A planned U.S.-funded study of a hepatitis B vaccine drew widespread condemnation from researchers. Now the host country says it cannot proceed.