Author: newsnote correspondent
Uncontrolled veld fires sweeping through the Kouga Local Municipality, including Humansdorp, St Francis Bay, and the broader Sarah Baartman District, have caused widespread power outages and forced urgent evacuations as firefighters battle blistering blazes fueled by strong winds and dry conditions. Eskom confirmed that the fires have damaged critical electrical infrastructure, leading to a major blackout affecting multiple areas. In a statement, the power utility said it is closely monitoring the situation but will only dispatch repair teams once emergency services declare the sites safe. “Eskom is monitoring the situation and will wait for the areas to be declared safe…
In a significant development for millions of South African motorists, the Gauteng North High Court has declared unlawful and set aside a nearly R900 million tender awarded to French technology company Idemia for new driving licence card printing machines. The ruling, handed down on 6 January 2026, found the tender process irregular, invalid, and unenforceable. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and the Department of Transport welcomed the decision, stating it paves the way for a fresh procurement process. The court has ordered the department to re-advertise the tender within 30 days. The controversy stems from years of reliance on a single,…
Tensions escalated in Minneapolis on Thursday following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and mother of three, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during an immigration raid in a south Minneapolis neighborhood. The incident, captured on bystander videos, has ignited protests, clashes with police, and a sharp divide between federal officials defending the agent and local leaders demanding accountability. Good, described by family and community members as a loving mother, award-winning poet, singer, and recent transplant from Missouri, was killed Wednesday morning near 34th Street and Portland Avenue. Witnesses and local officials said…
President Donald Trump has directed the United States to withdraw from 66 international organizations, marking one of the most sweeping retreats from multilateral institutions in modern American history. The move, announced on January 7, includes 31 United Nations-affiliated entities and targets bodies focused on climate change, gender equity, peacebuilding, and other global initiatives. In a presidential memorandum, Trump cited a State Department review identifying these organizations as “wasteful, ineffective, or harmful” and no longer aligned with U.S. national interests. The withdrawals build on previous Trump-era exits from agreements like the Paris Climate Accord, the World Health Organization during the COVID-19…
Australia sealed a comprehensive 4-1 series win in the 2025-26 Ashes, chasing down a modest target of 160 with five wickets in hand on the final day of the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Alex Carey struck the winning runs amid a late England fightback, capping off a triumphant home summer for Pat Cummins’ side. Despite a valiant effort from England’s young gun Jacob Bethell, who scored a brilliant 154 in the second innings, the tourists couldn’t prevent Australia’s dominance. The hosts had already retained the urn by winning the first three Tests in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide,…
South Africa’s National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued an urgent recall for a batch of Nestlé NAN Special Pro HA infant formula due to the potential presence of cereulide, a heat-stable toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus bacteria. This toxin can cause food poisoning symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and in rare cases, more severe illness, posing a particular risk to infants. The affected product is the 800g tin of NAN Special Pro HA (hypoallergenic formula for babies aged 0-12 months), with the specific batch number 51660742F3. It was manufactured on 15 June 2025 and has an expiry…
Darren Fletcher, the former Manchester United midfielder, revealed he consulted club legend Sir Alex Ferguson for his approval before accepting the interim manager role following the sacking of Ruben Amorim on Monday, January 5, 2026. The 41-year-old Fletcher, who recently coached the club’s Under-18s squad, took charge for his debut match on Wednesday—a Premier League away fixture against Burnley, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Benjamin Šeško scored twice for United, but late goals from the hosts denied Fletcher a winning start. Fletcher may also lead the team in the upcoming FA Cup third-round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion…
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC), the continent’s oldest liberation movement, today celebrates its 114th anniversary since its founding on January 8, 1912. Commemorations have been taking place throughout the week in the North West province, centred around Rustenburg and surrounding areas. Activities have included door-to-door campaigns, courtesy visits to traditional leaders, multi-sector dialogues with stakeholders, a presidential golf fundraiser, community engagements, and cake-cutting ceremonies. The build-up culminates this Saturday, January 10, at Moruleng Stadium, where thousands are expected to attend the main rally. ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the traditional January 8 Statement, outlining the party’s priorities…
The Rustenburg Local Municipality in the North West, says efforts are underway to resolve power outages experienced on the electricity network. The outages have been going on for more than a week, leaving residents and businesses outraged. Some of the areas affected include Modderfontein, Rhenosterfontein, R24, Boitekong Police Station and Kroondal among others. The municipality’s acting Communication Manager, Odirile Madiba, said that power outages have been mainly caused by infrastructure theft and vandalism, which is a scourge that is affecting the entire country. “Power Outage affecting Waterfall East was caused by vandalism and theft activities along the R24. Underground cables are targeted…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Advocate Jan Lekgoa “Andy” Mothibi, the current head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), as South Africa’s next National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP). The appointment, effective February 1, 2026, comes as Advocate Shamila Batohi prepares to retire at the end of January after serving a full term – the first NDPP to do so without controversial removal. In a statement released on January 6, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya explained that Ramaphosa established an advisory panel, chaired by Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, to conduct an open and transparent selection process. Over 30 applications were received,…