News24 | Five Grade 11 pupils head to Antarctica on adventure of a lifetime

Five Grade 11 pupils are set to depart for the Students in Antarctica (SIA) expedition programme after a heartfelt send-off and special jacket handover by Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. Source

News24 | Thursday’s weather: Temperatures hit 40°C in Western Cape; warm, thundershowers elsewhere

Extremely hot conditions are forecast in the Western Cape, while scattered thunderstorms are expected to continue in most parts, according to the South African Weather Service. Source

News24 | ‘It does not look good’: ANC mum on financial report but admits it is ‘battered’ financially

The ANC intends on keeping its financial report a secret – but the party, hamstrung by a R20-million monthly salary bill, admits that its financial standing is “battered”. Source

News24 | Matric exam breach: DBE calls urgent media briefing

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube will hold an urgent media briefing in Cape Town on Thursday following the identification of a breach during the marking of matric examination papers. Source

News24 | No water again for informal settlements as Joburg Water fails to pay contractors

Joburg Water has again failed to pay tanker contractors on time, and thousands of residents in Joburg’s informal settlements are once again without water. Source

News24 | Kimberley’s big hole of municipal failure

Far from its diamond mining history making it a dazzling gem of the Northern Cape, Kimberley has sunk into a deep hole of debt and failing service delivery due to municipal mismanagement. Source

Adobe, IBM team up on marketing software for banking industry

Adobe and IBM said they are teaming up to make marketing software easier to use for banks that face controls on how customer data must be handled. Source

Major Pierneef Landscape heads Strauss & Co July flagship auction

The cover lot of Strauss & Co’s winter Live Virtual auction, due to be held over three days from 26 to 28 July, is a monumental bushveld scene by JH Pierneef. Source

SA stocks set to snap back from 2020 losses

South Africa’s benchmark equities index is set to erase its 2020 drop, staging a spectacular snap-back. Source

Kenya: Kenyan Police Officers Lauded for Role in Stabilising Haiti

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has lauded the 230 police officers who returned to Kenya after completing their 18-month tour of duty under the now-defunct Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. Source

Uganda: Museveni Directs Minister Magyezi to Sort PDM Issues in Kyenjojo

[Independent (Kampala)] Kyenjojo -- President Yoweri Museveni has directed Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi to urgently address concerns regarding the distribution and management of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds in Kyenjojo District. The directive follows reports of mismanagement and discriminatory practices in the allocation of funds, which were intended to support local wealth creation efforts, particularly for youth, women, and persons with disabilities. Source

Africa: Failed Coup Attempt Highlights Divisions in West Africa

[Agenzia Fides] Cotonou -- The failed coup attempt in Benin highlights the divisions among the countries of West Africa. On the night of December 7-8, some members of the National Guard attacked the presidential residence in Cotonou, occupied the state television headquarters, and then announced live on television the removal of President Patrice Talon, the suspension of the constitution, and the establishment of a "Military Committee for Refoundation" under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri. The coup plotters Source

Eddie Jones remains respectful of depleted France

England coach Eddie Jones is braced for a gruelling encounter when his side go in search of Autumn Nations Cup glory at Twickenham even though they will arguably be up against something less than a France 2nd XV. Source

New Zealand win toss and bowl in 3rd West Indies T20

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl as they chase a series clean-sweep against the West Indies in the third Twenty20 international at Mount Maunganui on Monday. Source

Bulls' 14-man triumph: Jake White draws comparisons to Crusaders upset in 2014

Bulls mentor Jake White has compared their win over WP to when he coached the Sharks to an upset win over the Crusaders in 2014. Source

News24 Business | Facing a broken economy, Ghana's tech-savvy teens turn to fraud

In the dusty alleys of Nima, a shanty town in the heart of Ghana's capital, a 17-year-old called Ghost reclines on a faded plastic chair inside a dimly lit internet cafe. Source

News24 Business | Meta threatens to cut off Facebook, Instagram in Nigeria

Meta on Saturday vowed to fight Nigerian fines for various consumer data violations as the US tech giant reportedly threatened to cut off Facebook and Instagram in Africa's most populous country. Source

News24 Business | EU slaps big fines on Apple and Meta, risking Trump fury

The EU on Wednesday slapped Apple and Meta with 700 million euros in fines for breaking digital competition rules, risking the wrath of US President Donald Trump. Source

Italian cooking awarded Unesco cultural heritage status

An Eyptian snack, Icelandic pool culture, Cuban music and Albanian lahuta music also get recognition. Source

Sarkozy releases prison diaries about his 20 days behind bars

The former French president was jailed for taking part in an election campaign funding conspiracy. Source

Ukraine at critical moment, European leaders say after Trump call

"Intensive work" is continuing, the leaders of Britain, France and Germany say after a joint call with Donald Trump. Source

WATCH | How the Kia Seltos managed to cover more than 1100km on a single tank of diesel

Tumelo Maketekete drove the Kia Seltos from Gauteng to the Western Cape. Here's what went into that epic drive. Source

WATCH | How the Kia Seltos managed to cover more than 1100km on a single tank of diesel

Tumelo Maketekete drove the Kia Seltos from Gauteng to the Western Cape. Here's what went into that epic drive. Source

Ferrari's 488 GT Modificata is a track day weapon

Ferrari will sell a handful of customers what is essentially a GT3 car. It's powered by a 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and Ferrari claims it has 1000kg of downforce at 230km/h. Source

Last minute offer may avert next week's doctor strike

Deal put forward by ministers includes rapid expansion of training posts, but no promises on pay. Source

Joe Wicks: Protein's not just for bodybuilders

The fitness coach explains how it helps and how you can meet your protein needs. Source

How you know if you've got a cold or a flu

GP Dr Oscar Duke explains the different symptoms you might experience. Source