Top Stories

Top Stories
Faisal Islam: What it was like inside the room with Donald Trump at Davos
Faisal Islam said there was mixed reaction in the room during Trump’s Davos speech.

Top Stories
Fact-checking Trump’s Davos speech
The US president made a series of contested claims, ranging from the status of Greenland to Nato spending.

Top Stories
Trump’s jibes are wearing thin for many of Europe’s leaders
The ball is in the court of European leaders ahead of Thursday’s emergency EU meeting in Brussels, writes Nick Beake.

South Africa
Defence witness Zungu denies making statement tying accused to Meyiwa murder
When State prosecutor George Baloyi took him through that statement, Gwabini denied everything.

South Africa
Tackling organised crime needs new strategies: Cachalia
Cachalia was speaking in Gqeberha during an stakeholder engagement focused on tackling crime.

South Africa
Sassa to continue with assistance for destitute Limpopo flood victims
Sassa will also work with Home Affairs to assist with lost IDs.

South Africa
Lawyer alleges witness contradicted himself in Lusikisiki mass murder
Six men are facing multiple murder charges for the brutal killing of 18 people.
World
News24 | Erdogan and Trump chat after Syria announces ceasefire with US-allied Kurdish forces
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed developments in Syria and Gaza with US counterpart Donald Trump in a telephone call on Tuesday as Syria’s Turkey-backed government announced a ceasefire with US-allied Kurdish forces after days of clashes.

World
Taylor Swift makes history as she joins Songwriters Hall of Fame
The US pop superstar is among nine songwriters who have been inducted into the 2026 class.

World
Israeli strike in Gaza kills three journalists, first responders say
Another eight Palestinians were killed by Israeli artillery and gunfire across Gaza on Wednesday, according to medics.

World
Oldest cave painting of red claw hand could rewrite human creativity timeline
A stencilled outline of a hand found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi is the world’s oldest known cave painting, researchers say.

Africa
Detained veteran Ugandan opposition figure critically ill in hospital, his party says
Kizza Besigye’s party says his condition is critical, but authorities say he was taken to hospital for a routine check-up.

Africa
Jubilant Senegal fans join the Afcon champions parade
Thousands of Senegal fans join the parade to celebrate Afcon champions on their return home.

Africa
Malawi raises fuel prices by more than 40%
The new government is addressing fuel shortages and strengthening the budget but many are not happy.

Africa
Ex-president accused of murder plot expelled from Togo to Burkina Faso
Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba is accused by Burkina Faso of trying to kill current President Ibrahim Traoré.

Business
Supreme Court sceptical of Trump firing of Lisa Cook
One conservative justice warned that the White House interpretation of the law could “shatter” Federal Reserve independence.
Business
Business

Business
South African banking giant buying international company for R13.9 billion
South African banking group Nedbank has announced an offer to acquire a majority stake in Kenya’s NCBA Group for R13.9 billion.

Politics
McBride accused of misleading Ad Hoc Committee about his association with O’Sullivan
McBride was probed over evidence suggesting he was in constant communication with Trent.

Politics
Ramaphosa calls for review of SANDF joint military exercises
Ramaphosa responded to Iran’s participation in the Will for Peace naval drills near Simon’s Town.

Politics
Ad Hoc Committee revisits IPID investigator Mandla Mahlangu’s murder
Former IPID head Robert McBride is appearing for a second day before the Ad Hoc Committee

Politics
LIVE | McBride continues testifying at the Ad Hoc Committee
Former IPID head Robert McBride is continuing his testimony at Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee.
Sport
‘They will apologise at the end of the season’: Kaizer Chiefs coach on journalist
‘Sometimes there are journalists who refer to us as those two co-coaches,’ Chiefs coach Cedric Kaze blasts journalist after Amakhosi win.

Sport
WRU has ‘immense disconnect’ with fans, say MPs
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is warned it is out of touch with fans after facing questions in parliament over their aims to cut a professional team.

Sport
NRL star Crichton crosses codes for 2027 World Cup shot
Australia have continued their rugby league recruitment drive with the capture of Kangaroos star Angus Crichton.

Sport
Villa’s injury woes worsen as McGinn set for spell out
Injury-hit Aston Villa suffer another blow, with captain John McGinn facing a number of weeks on the sidelines.
Education
Namibia: Support for Marginalised Students Strengthened
[Namibian] The government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to tertiary education for students from the San, Ovatue and Ovatjimba communities.
Education
Namibia: Namibian Teacher Robert Andreas Named IFIP Educator of the Year for Boy Child Inclusion
[Namibian] A Teacher and boy child inclusion activist from the ||Kharas region has been named educator of the year for inclusion by the International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP).
Education
Namibia: Nust to Refund Registration Fees As Government-Subsidised Tertiary Education Begins
[Namibian] The Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) announced yesterday that it will refund eligible students who had already paid their registration fees, after some students made payments themselves.
Education
Tunisia: Prime Ministry Announces Suspension of Classes Across 15 Governorates
[Tunis Afrique Presse] Tunis, Jan. 20 — The Prime Ministry announced in a statement Tuesday the suspension of classes for the entire day on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at all public and private educational, training and university institutions, as well as public and private childcare centres, in 15 governorates, due to continued weather instability, poor conditions and heavy rainfall.

Lifestyle
Black Coffee divorce: What next after Concourt ruling?
How does the Constitutional Court’s ruling on customary marriages impact Black Coffee’s appeal of a divorce judgment against ex, Enhle Mbali?
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
What it costs to apply for a Smart ID at banks in South Africa in 2026
Applying for a Smart ID through a South African bank in 2026? Here’s what it costs and what to expect before you book your appointment.

Lifestyle
Explainer: ConCourt’s landmark customary marriage ruling
The Constitutional Court has ruled that antenuptial contracts signed after customary marriages, which are classified as civil, are invalid.

Entertainment
Amor Vittone and her new beau: Is songstress teasing possibility of wedding bells?
Amor Vittone seemingly hinted that marriage might be on the near horizon as her relationship with businessman Marius van Biljon deepens.

Entertainment
Lotto and Lotto Plus results: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
A total of R21 million in jackpots is up for grabs tonight. Here are your Lotto and Lotto Plus results for 21 January 2026.

Entertainment
Snaith Racing is mob-handed in the Met
Favourite draws well at No 2.

Entertainment
In case you missed it: ConCourt’s marriage contract ruling | Fatal Tshwane tuck shop shooting | Scholar transport crash footage
Catch up on the biggest stories of Wednesday, 21 January 2026 that you may have missed, in our simple daily news update.

Science/Tech
$100 Off Shark Promo Code | This January
Shark makes some seriously powerful vacuums, from handheld vacs to steam mops. Don’t miss $100 off, 10% off, and more limited-time coupons from WIRED.

Science/Tech
What We Know About the Winter Storm About to Hit the US—and What We Don’t
A huge portion of the United States is going to be hit with snow or freezing rain this weekend. Exactly where, what, and how much remains uncertain.

Science/Tech
The US and China Are Collaborating More Closely on AI Than You Think
WIRED analyzed more than 5,000 papers from NeurIPS using OpenAI’s Codex to understand the areas where the US and China actually work together on AI research.
Science/Tech
AI Company Eightfold Sued For Helping Companies Secretly Score Job Seekers
Eightfold AI, a venture capital-backed AI hiring platform used by Microsoft, PayPal and many other Fortune 500 companies, is being sued in California for allegedly compiling reports used to screen job applicants without their knowledge. From a report: The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday accusing Eightfold of violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act shows how consumer advocates are seeking to apply...

Motoring
6 new Chinese car brands coming to South Africa in 2026
Six more Chinese brands are coming to South Africa this year, bringing everything from a Toyota Prado rival to electric bakkies and family SUVs.
Motoring

Motoring
South Africa’s motorists drastically outnumber traffic cops
South Africa is facing a severe shortage of traffic officers.
Motoring

Health
How some countries are rethinking exercise
Dr Jo Blodgett from UCL explains an approach that considers how much you move – and don’t move – across the day.

Health
Could your frying pan be toxic?
Scientist Mark Miodownik explores the potential impact of ‘forever chemicals’ present in some cookware. Made in partnership with the Royal Society.

Health
Botched ‘Turkey teeth’ op victim warns of dangers
Leanne Abeyance, from Telford, is waiting for reconstructive surgery and remains in constant pain.

Health
NHS nurse reinstated after trans patient dispute
A nurse was reinstated after a probe found no evidence she had identified a transgender patient.