Newspaper
The Mercury
Agoa extension offers South Africa a short-term relief
SOUTH Africa's inclusion in the extension of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) through to the end of December 2026 has been welcomed as an important interim reprieve, even as commentators caution that strained relations with the United States underscore the need to secure more durable and diversified trade arrangements.
2 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
MARK RUBERY CHESS
William Napier (1881-1952) made many of acute observations of his contemporaries of which a sprinkling follows:
1 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
SA's private sector stabilises at start of 2026 as PMI returns to neutral
SOUTH Africa's private sector showed early Signs of stabilisation in January after a difficult end to last year, with the S&P Global South Africa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) returning 19 the neutral 50.0 level, indicating unchanged business conditions from December.
2 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
Crime prevention needs fair and lawful police practices
RECENT reports indicating that 256 people died as a result of police action in KwaZulu-Natal —with the majority involving service-issued firearms — are deeply concerning and demand urgent intervention to protect lives and restore public trust in law enforcement.
1 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
LIBYA LAUNCHES PROBE INTO KILLING OF GADDAFI’S SON
LIBYAN prosecutors said yesterday they were investigating the killing of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of slain ruler Muammar Gaddafi, in the city of Zintan.
1 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
IPID concludes investigation into Emmanuel Mbhense's murder and submits to NPA
THE Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has concluded its investigation into the murder of Emmanuel Mbhense, whose body was discovered dumped in a lake in Germiston, allegedly on the instruction of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officers.
1 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
FRANK STEWART BRIDGE
Some dummy-play problems are like maneuvering a steel ball through one of those tabletop mazes:
1 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
Witness F's testimony continues after shocking revelation linking SAPS deputy commissioner to crime cartel
THE Madlanga Commission of Inquiry will resume hearings today, with Gauteng organised crime unit officer, Witness F, set to face further questioning.
2 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
IEC warns of troubling campaign to deregister voters
Concerns rise over potential coercion behind voter deregistration requests
3 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
Dupont’s return is the boost Les Blues need in opener, says Galthie
FRANCE coach Fabien Galthie expects returning talismanic captain Antoine Dupont to spark defending champions France to a higher level in their Six Nations opener against injury-hit Ireland tonight (kickoff 10.10pm).
2 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
UN calls on more countries to accept patients from Gaza
UN HUMANITARIANS this week called on more countries to accept patients from Gaza as the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopens.
1 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
The myth of a ‘Middle Eastern NATO' and the reality of elite survival
SPECULATION about an emerging “Middle Eastern NATO” has surfaced amid reports that Tiirkiye is seeking closer defence ties with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
1 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
Malema demands ruling on Phala Phala case
THE EFF and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) have again accused the Constitutional Court of dragging its feet in not delivering the Phala Phala farm judgment.
2 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
South Africa’s National Minimum Wage to rise to R30.23 an hour from March
SOUTH Africa's National Minimum Wage (NMW) will increase to R30.23 per hour from 1 March, the Department of Employment and Labour has confirmed, offering relief to millions of low-paid workers but renewing pressure on employers to comply with the law.
2 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
The race to 14 ... Who claims the Springboks’ most competitive jersey?
THE Springboks have a plethora of wing options, with the United Rugby Championship teams stocked and many others playing abroad trying to get Rassie Erasmus’ attention.
2 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
Thabo Bester fights his transfer to Kokstad C-Max prison
THABO Bester has approached the Gaut-eng High Court, Pretoria, to challenge his transfer from Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria to eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Facility in KwaZulu-Natal.
2 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
Mass killing: NGOs battle to quantify Iran crackdown scale
WHEN the first pieces of information circumvented a near-total blackout during Iran's protests last month, rights defender Mahmood AmiryMoghaddam was already ready to say the scale of the crackdown was “unbelievable’”.
2 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
How the Epstein documents reveal decades of Israeli blackmail
THE world is still living in a state of shock and astonishment in the face of the information revealed by the Epstein documents, which contained filthy details that make one’ skin crawl.
2 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
Ramaphosa challenges NHI ruling
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa and Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi have asked the Constitutional Court to overturn the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, judgment declaring that the signing into law of the National Health Insurance (NHI) is reviewable.
2 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
South Africa at the crossroads: Choosing a pragmatic path to prosperity
SOUTH Africa enters 2026 standing at a familiar yet increasingly complex crossroads.
3 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
Why transforming the judiciary is more urgent now than ever
FROM now on, following a Judicial Conduct Tribunal finding that Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge is not guilty of gross misconduct but has fallen short of standards expected of a member of the judiciary, the judiciary’s standing has become higher and its opportunities greater.
4 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
Russian doctors help restore sense of smell
OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGISTS at the I M Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University) have developed an olfactory training programme for people with post-covid syndrome.
1 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
Moves to establish export-import bank as Afreximbank commits R128bn to SA
Announcement means that South Africa has transitioned to a Class A Shareholder
3 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
Polls: Thousands of troops deployed to streets in Nepal
NEPAL deployed thousands of troops around the country this week to boost security ahead of the first elections since last year’s deadly protests toppled the previous government.
1 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
Wayne can bounce back
A MR 100 handicap over 1600m is the main race of the Vaal Classic track eight race meeting today and Wayne looks the one to beat
3 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
TymeBank evolves into GoTyme, enhancing digital banking for South Africans
SOUTH Africa's largest digital bank, TymeBank, has announced that it has officially transitioned and changed its name to GoTyme.
2 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
Dr Survè reflects on his journey, the Struggle for freedom in new book
A PRIVATE and “sober” visit to Robben Island is detailed in a powerful chapter of Dr Iqbal Survé’s new book, “A Shared Future for Humanity”: The Survé Family Investments, Philanthropy and Global Initiatives.
2 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
T20 World Cup tough nut to crack, but Proteas ‘ready’
PROTEAS coach Shukri Conrad has called on his team “to make sure we win all the clutch moments” at the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
2 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
Public Works MEC raises urgent alarm over poor infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal's special schools
THE KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has sounded the alarm over substandard infrastructure work at special schools across the province.
2 min |
February 05, 2026
The Mercury
Confusion surrounds SA's Transmission System Operator
BUSINESS has warned that a lack of clarity around the establishment of a Transmission System Operator (TSO) alongside the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has introduced new complexity and uncertainty for investors in South Africa’s emerging open electricity market.
2 min |