Indholdsfortegnelse for 2026-01-25 i Sunday Tribune

As Janu-worry comes to an end, consumers will not be given any reprieve in the form of an interest rate cut this month. The South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will be announcing their first decision on the repurchase rate (repo rate) this Thursday. Economists and analysts have predicted that the central bank will be moving with caution and keep the rate unchanged at 6.75%, translating to the prime lending rate also staying the same at 10.50%. Investec's lead economist, Annabel Bishop, said that the MPC meeting is not expected to see a change in interest rates, coming so soon after November’s -25 basis points cut. "With the repo rate currently at 6.75%, 325bp above the inflation rate, and with CPI inflation expected to fall below 3.0%…

On January 21, 2026, the Constitutional Court in Mbungela v The Minister of Home Affairs and Others delivered a judgment that is rightly celebrated as a victory for equality. By ruling that antenuptial contracts signed after ilobolo (the bride price) and the conclusion of a customary marriage are invalid, the court affirmed that customary marriages stand on equal footing with civil marriages. It closed the door on opportunistic attempts to strip spouses, often women, of their rights to the joint estate. Historically, the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act of 1998 set out clear requirements: the marriage must be negotiated, entered into or celebrated in accordance with customary law; both parties must be over 18; both must consent; and the marriage must be negotiated and celebrated between families, usually involving ilobolo.…

South African actress, producer and humanitarian Nomzamo Mbatha has used one of the world’s most influential platforms to argue that the creative arts are not a side conversation in global development, but a central force that should work alongside science and policymaking for the greater good of society. Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Mbatha said the arts and sciences are deeply interconnected and mutually dependent, challenging the notion that they operate in separate spheres. “As filmmakers, we rely on science and engineering to develop the most advanced cameras and technologies. Film then becomes the vehicle through which we tell stories that help people understand the world.” Mbatha’s presence at WEF was, she said, a reminder that the creative economy was also a serious economic…

A woman who falsely claimed to be the mother of a foreign national in an attempt to help him obtain a South African ID has had her conviction and sentence on contravening the Immigration Act set aside after a magistrate made an error in sentencing her. Busisiwe Ndabezitha had falsely represented to the Department of Home Affairs that she was the mother of Jerry Chiwambo. However, during trial, Ndabezitha broke down during questioning by the department, revealing their scheme. They were both arrested but had separate trials in October 2024. Chiwambo was charged with fraud, contravention of the Refugees Act, and contravention of the Immigration Act. Ndabezitha was charged with fraud, contravention of the Identification Act, and contravention of the Immigration Act. However, Ndabezitha’s fraud and contravention of the Identification…

FORENSIC consultant Paul O’Sullivan says he is ready to testify virtually before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, which is investigating serious allegations of misconduct and infiltration within the criminal justice system. He firmly rejected claims suggesting he had left South Africa to evade testifying, asserting that he has business commitments in the UK. “No, I have business to do, and I am doing my business. I have business in the UK which I am doing. I have told them I am happy to do it virtually,” O’Sullivan stated during a conversation with IOL from London. He expressed concerns about his safety, alleging that the committee’s insistence on his physical presence is motivated by ulterior motives. “They want me there in person so that I can be shot,” he alleged. He indicated…

More suspects have been arrested in the killing of a Clover employee who disappeared while returning home from work on October 23, 2025 in Mariannhill. Last week, a neighbour of the deceased, Sibongiseni Johannes Mbhele, handed himself over to Mariannhill police months after the disappearance of 34-year-old Kholiwe Cele. It is alleged that Mbhele accused Cele of having an extramarital affair with his wife. Mbhele appeared in a packed Pinetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday, where residents from Koffie Farm in KwaNdengezi, west of Durban, picketed outside the court and urged that he not be granted bail. On the same day as Mbhele’s court appearance, police arrested two more men linked to the crime. The suspects were traced to KwaNdengezi, where they were allegedly hiding at relatives’ homes. Cele was employed…

The DA in eThekwini has accused the municipality of “reckless governance” over the stalled GO!Durban public transport project, following Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda’s admission that the system cannot launch without full buy-in from the taxi industry. “This admission confirms the DA’s long-standing position that GO!Durban is not a transport project, but a stalled and unmanaged liability that continues to bleed ratepayer money with no resolution in sight,” the party said in a statement. More than R8 billion has been spent on the project since its inception, yet no scheduled services are operational. “Residents are forced to watch as completed stations stand empty, while the municipality spends millions every month on security, cleaning, and maintenance for the infrastructure that delivers zero public benefit,” the DA said. The party claims the city is…

In a rare development, former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma agree on one thing. They both share the view that President Cyril Ramaphosa erred when he appointed retired judge Justice Sisi Khampepe to chair the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases that have not been concluded. They unanimously agree that she must recuse herself. This view has sparked debates in various sections of society. One argument is that such a call is unwarranted and that it has the potential to delay the investigation. Those who hold this view argue that justice will be further delayed for the families of the victims of apartheid who need answers. A counter view is that these two leaders are correct. Buttressing their assertion, they reflect on Justice Khampepe’s…

After hosting the 2023 G20 Summit, India has assumed the presidency of another important multilateral grouping, BRICS, starting on January 1, 2026, and will host the 18th BRICS Summit later this year. India’s BRICS presidency comes at an inflection point in global politics – the transition toward multipolarity has become chaotic amid great power rivalries, the spirit of multilateralism is being challenged by unilateral impulses, and BRICS is trying to manage its expansion process without losing its significance. Multilateralism has been widely seen to be in decline as it has struggled to adapt to changing geopolitical circumstances. Interest-based and selective co-operation is now replacing the earlier universal rules-based multilateral co-operation. It is thus both a challenge and an opportunity for India to steer the BRICS grouping under its presidency this…

Games are coming thick and fast for Kaizer Chiefs in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage, and co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef knows that if they do not win their third outing against Zesco United today (3pm), they will have a tough task reaching the knockout round. Chiefs visit Zesco at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. The hosts are third in the table in Group D with just one point after losing 2-1 to Al Masry and drawing 1-1 with Zamalek in their first two games. Chiefs need to win the match to climb up the table, get their campaign up and running, and take healthy momentum and morale into the second leg at Moses Mabhida Stadium in a week’s time. While Zesco are based in neighbouring Zambia and have been…

McLaren may not have turned a wheel yet, but the Woking squad has already chalked up a significant win ahead of the 2026 season, and this one came in a courtroom rather than on the racetrack. The British team has emerged victorious from a long running legal dispute with IndyCar star Alex Palou, after a UK High Court ruled that the Spaniard breached his contract with McLaren. The judgment sees McLaren awarded more than 12 million dollars (just over R193 million) in damages, a ruling that sends a clear and forceful message across the motorsport paddock. The case dates back to 2022, when Palou signed an agreement to join McLaren’s IndyCar operation for the 2024 season. The deal was not just limited to America. It also included ties to McLaren’s…

A SPIRITED group of South African runners from the Durban Athletic Club recently took on the exhilarating challenge of the 42.195km Mumbai Marathon in India. The Mumbai Marathon, which is held in January annually and is the largest marathon in Asia, took place last Sunday. It attracted a record number of more than 69 000 Indian and international runners. Mahesh Ratanjee, 51, ran his fourth Mumbai Marathon and completed it in 4 hours 43 mins and 59 seconds. Ratanjee, from Glenwood, said he keeps going back “because it is the most entertaining and well-organised race”. “This year there was a change in route which made my race even more enjoyable and challenging at the same time. “Since I have run this race before, I was more experienced and more prepared…

Do you find yourself struggling to close your suitcase before a trip? If so, you’re not alone. A recent study revealed that female travellers tend to overpack, taking an average of 60 clothing items for a week-long trip, despite only needing around 34. Understanding the overpacking phenomenon According to a survey conducted by a travel insurance site, 72% of the 2 000 participants admitted to overpacking. Among these, 65% reported difficulties in closing their suitcases, while 58% exceeded airline weight limits. Surprisingly, even with their bags bursting at the seams, 42% of respondents planned to shop for more clothes while abroad. On average, women pack 19 tops but only wear 10, and they bring 16 bottoms but use just eight. Why do we overpack? The primary reason for overpacking is…

South Africa has one of the highest levels of alcohol consumption per capita in the world, and our government has long used sin tax as a way to tackle the problem. By steadily raising the price of alcohol, the aim is twofold: discourage excessive drinking and generate revenue for public health. But while the intention is clear, the reality is more complicated. As prices climb, demand for cheaper alternatives has surged. This has created fertile ground for the illicit alcohol trade, a shadow market that brings its own dangers, not just for public health but also for workplace safety in high-risk industries such as mining, construction, and transport. When alcohol goes underground Raising alcohol taxes is not a new idea. However, history shows that restricting access to alcohol rarely eliminates…

Who remembers The Librarians with Noah Wyle, Rebecca Romijn, Christian Kane, Lindy Booth, John Harlan Kim and John Larroquette? Adventure fantasy aficionados eagerly consumed the film franchise’s four-season spinoff until it ended in 2018. Now, The Librarians: The Next Chapter reboot has hit the small screen with Callum McGowan (Vikram Chamberlain), Jessica Green (Charlie Cornwall), Olivia Morris (Dr Lysa Pascal), Bluey Robinson (Connor Green) and Caroline Loncq (Elaine Astolat) at the helm. As a fan of the original series, I couldn’t skip past the reboot. The series offers a swashbuckling action-adventure feel, but with a fresh twist: the characters navigate various time dimensions, each presenting them with unique challenges and backgrounds. I recently interviewed Green, whose character strongly reminds me of Rebecca Romijn’s Colonel Eve Baird. Charlie has a tough…

South Africa has always had a complicated relationship with its struggle heroes. We celebrate them in song, in murals, in the sepia-toned nostalgia of public holidays, yet we recoil when they appear before us in the flesh. Flawed, human, unvarnished. Few figures embody this contradiction more sharply than Robert McBride. He is not a likeable man, and perhaps he has never tried to be. He is arrogant, flippant, dismissive, and often abrasive. He is also a politician’s worst nightmare: independent-minded, unpredictable, and utterly unwilling to toe any party line. But beneath the rough edges lies a truth that many in the ANC’s struggle-credential class quietly resent, McBride is the real thing. A genuine combatant. A man who went to war, carried out missions, faced the gallows, and lived to tell…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said on Friday that South Africa returned to this year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos with tangible evidence of economic progress, presenting a compelling case to global investors and business partners that the country’s reform agenda is delivering results. Key government ministers and leaders from industry and state agencies accompanied Godongwana. He reiterated that the team used the forum in Davos to highlight recent achievements, including the removal of South Africa from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist, an upgrade of its sovereign credit rating by S&P Global, and structural reforms under Operation Vulindlela that have improved electricity supply, modernised port and freight rail operations, and boosted investment in infrastructure. “When we came here in 2025, we presented our ambitious plan for driving economic…

THE latest assessment of the status of mammals in South Africa, eSwatini and Lesotho, reveals important trends for conservation decision-making and research. The 2025 Regional Mammal Red List of Threatened Species, was undertaken by the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi), along with 150 species experts. The assessment indicates the uplisting (declining conservation status) of 11 mammal species, whilst three mammal species have been downlisted (improved status). The Thick-tailed Bushbaby (Otolemur crassicaudatus) is among the species uplisted from Least Concern to Near Threatened based on increasing threats due to agriculture, residential and industrial development, and emerging threats such as linear infrastructure development and climate change. On the other hand, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae) was downlisted from Vulnerable to Near Threatened due…

The highly anticipated investigation into the death of medical intern Dr Alulutho Mazwi at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal has been concluded by the Office of the Health Ombudsman, Professor Taole Mokoena. The findings of the probe, which was launched following a request by Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi, are now in the final stages of compilation pending comments from key stakeholders. Dr Mazwi, who was diagnosed with diabetes, had informed his supervisor that he was feeling unwell but was allegedly instructed to continue working, collapsing twice before his death. The Ombudsman’s office confirmed the investigation's status, noting: “The investigation has been concluded and is in the final stages of writing up, pending comments from the family, the health establishment and other stakeholders.” The office further indicated that the…

THE scholar transport accident that killed 14 learners and injured three others this week has exposed systemic lawlessness. School children were being driven in vehicles that were stolen, unroadworthy, overloaded and without the necessary permits and in some instances by drunk drivers. This was uncovered during an operation by the authorities following the deadly crash in Vanderbiljpark that claimed the lives of children who were on their way to school on Monday. The taxi driver, Ayanda Dludla, 22, who was transporting the learners collided with a tipper truck while he was overtaking a number of cars, resulting in the collision. Dludla, charged for 14 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and driving a vehicle without a valid public driver’s permit has appeared in the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court. The…

ON crutches and with a bullet lodged in his leg, Miami Chauke is among the few people who did not flee the gun attacks that emptied South Africa’s once-bustling settlement of Sporong, where abandoned tin shacks bake in the sun. Hundreds of other residents of the area just west of Johannesburg fled two weeks ago, terrorised by violence, extortion and threats they blame on increasingly brazen illegal gold miners. Taking refuge in a community hall 11km from their homes, the displaced people of Sporong are among several communities living in fear of the several thousand illegal miners estimated to be operating in South Africa. “They all had guns and we were running but they kept shooting,” 32-year-old Chauke said of the battle one November night that left a bullet in…

Ian Wyles Auctioneers is featuring three properties set to go under the hammer during their multi-property auction on February 18 at 11am at the Oyster Box Hotel, 2 Lighthouse Road, uMhlanga Rocks. The first is 1 Ulex Road, Gordon’s Bay, in the Western Cape. Gordon's Bay is a seaside town in the Helderberg region, about 30km from central Cape Town and around 40 minutes from Cape Town International Airport. It offers both ocean views and mountain backdrops and is often described as a relaxed seaside village. It features easy access to other Cape highlights such as whale watching and wine routes as well as all necessary amenities from shopping centres and schools to medical facilities, restaurants, and beaches. This characterful property, which features up to six bedrooms, is just 100…

Reflecting on US President Donald Trump’s first year back in office, Tuesday marked the completion of his inaugural year as the 48th president of the US, following his second coming to the White House. His return was received globally with a mixture of expectation, anxiety and cautious optimism, shaped less by personality than by a world already burdened by deep structural crises and searching for decisive direction. These expectations were conditioned by material realities that long predated Trump’s return. The Covid-19 pandemic exposed the fragilities of the global economic system with unmistakable force. Supply chains fractured, production stalled, labour markets convulsed and economies across continents were brought to a standstill. Recovery, particularly in the Global South, proved uneven, externally constrained and structurally fragile, reinforcing long-standing asymmetries between centres of capital…

Orlando Pirates were left frustrated after being held to a goalless draw by Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium yesterday, a result that slowed their push back to the summit of the Betway Premiership. The draw saw Pirates move level on points with table leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, but they remained second on goal difference after failing to find a breakthrough in Polokwane. For Sekhukhune, the point reinforced their credentials as one of the league’s most organised top-four contenders. With the pressure of returning to the top of the table weighing heavily, Pirates were forced into a controlled yet frustrating opening half by a resolute Babina Noko side determined to deny them rhythm. Sekhukhune sat compact, closed spaces quickly and slowed the tempo whenever Pirates attempted to accelerate play through…

Brutal heat triggered a five-hour suspension of matches on outside courts at the Australian Open yesterday as Novak Djokovic powered to another landmark win but Naomi Osaka pulled out. Players and spectators roasted on day seven at Melbourne Park, where temperatures soared to 38 degrees. The tournament's Heat Stress Scale hit the highest level of five in the early afternoon, prompting the suspension on courts without roofs, and play did not resume until after 7pm. On a dramatic day on and off court, reigning champions Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys moved into the last-16, as did 10-time winner Djokovic. Two-time champion Osaka was supposed to be in action in the third round, but pulled out hours before because of an abdominal injury. The Japanese star, who made a grand entrance…

South Africa is undeniably a beautiful country, but there is a world of adventure waiting just beyond our borders. With a passport in hand, South Africans can explore numerous visa-free destinations across the African continent, each offering unique experiences and breathtaking landscapes. As someone who has embarked on my own travel adventures, I can attest to the wonders that await those willing to venture out. My journey began almost a decade ago when I first got my passport, initially with dreams of studying in Europe. While those plans fell through, the passport remained a symbol of potential adventure, albeit one that collected dust for many years. It wasn’t until a job opportunity arose, sending me to cover events outside South Africa, that I finally dusted off my “green mamba” and…

In the face of persistent inequality and systemic exclusion, the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) has issued a clarion call for the radical redesign of entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Global South. As a notable voice in this crucial discourse, Charleen Duncan, Head of Public Affairs and Communications at AGOF, spotlighted the barriers that hinder entrepreneurs from marginalised backgrounds, suggesting that current systems favour a privileged few while sidelining the many. Addressing global delegates at the recent Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) Conference in Mexico, Duncan articulated a stark reality: “Prevailing global systems perpetuate exclusionary privilege and place unfair expectations on startup entrepreneurs from marginalised backgrounds to play by rules that were never designed to include them.” This inequity, she asserts, necessitates a transformative approach in which opportunities are normalised…

Penny Lebyane has been announced as a co-host for SABC 2’s new show, Eintlek Let’s Connect, which is set to premiere on February 9. Lebyane will host alongside Fran-Rico Lucas. Both are known for their experience in making shows lively and engaging. Eintlek Let’s Connect is designed to focus on trending topics and what South Africans are talking about, promising to bring people and communities closer through authentic voices and real discussions. The show will celebrate local cultures, shine a spotlight on specific people, and explore today’s hot topics by having the hosts on the road across the country, diving into the everyday South African experience. Lebyane, a seasoned presenter, has a long history in the media industry, having started at the age of 17. Her extensive career includes presenting…

Google has quietly removed some of its artificial intelligence‑generated health summaries from search results after an international investigation found the feature could put users at risk of harm by offering misleading medical information. The AI‑powered feature, known as Google AI Overviews, is designed to sit at the top of search results with digestible “snapshots” of key information when people ask questions, including about health and medical issues. But a Guardian investigation found that in several cases the summaries were inaccurate and potentially dangerous, giving users false reassurance about serious health matters. In one example, the AI provided incorrect “normal ranges” for liver blood tests without accounting for crucial factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, or nationality. This is especially worth noting because these variables may affect clinical interpretations, including for…

A Constitutional Court judgment on customary marriages has sparked concern among legal experts who warn that it could affect thousands of couples who entered into civil marriages after first marrying under customary law. The case centred on a couple who concluded a customary marriage in 2011, which by law placed them in community of property. Eight years later, the couple entered into a civil marriage and signed an antenuptial contract (ANC) intended to change their marriage to out of community of property. The applicant argued that section 10(2) of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act was unconstitutional because it allowed spouses to change their marriage’s property system without court approval. This, the applicant said, could leave vulnerable spouses, particularly women, at risk of losing their property rights. In its judgment,…

ZULU King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has weighed in on the growing controversy surrounding the admissions crisis at Addington Primary School in South Beach, Durban, where police earlier this week used tear gas to disperse rival groups protesting outside the school. The king broke his silence during the 147th commemoration of the Battle of Isandlwana in Nquthu, northern KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday, held to honour Zulu warriors who defeated the British army on January 22, 1879. Addressing the gathering, King Misuzulu linked the Addington Primary standoff to broader concerns about illegal migration and social tensions, including what he described as the growing number of South African women forming relationships with foreign nationals. He said these dynamics had contributed to the confrontation involving lobby groups such as March and March and Operation Dudula, as…

AS the curtain fell on the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos on Friday, lingering questions remained about the influence of the Global South – and Africa in particular – on the global stage. With no major African keynote voices featured on the main stage this year, many delegates left private dinners and side events with the impression that discussions were largely driven by American and European priorities. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in a forceful address, said his country would not be bullied and would assert itself as an energy superpower with vast critical mineral reserves. He signalled that Canada would engage the world “as it is”, rather than waiting for a more favourable global order. Against that backdrop, the question arose: Is Africa prepared to claim…

After years of dereliction, the Stables Market, once a buzzing hub of activity in Durban’s Umgeni area, is poised for transformation in the coming months. The new Stables Lifestyle Market is expected to reignite the life in the community with a multimillion-rand investment that marks the beginning of an expansive redevelopment project aimed at rejuvenating the iconic site adjacent to the rugby stadium. In 2020, traders were forced to move out after the company that managed the Stables, lost a court battle against the eThekwini Municipality. This was to make way for a new soccer academy, which was announced in 2012. Spearheading the development of the Lifestyle Market is Private Park Enterprises (Pty) Ltd, with Hoy Park Management (Pty) Ltd acting as the master precinct leaseholder. The project, representing the…

A company implicated alongside former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede in the alleged R320 million Durban Solid Waste (DSW) tender fraud has demanded that prosecutors hand over the personal diaries or pocketbooks of all police officers involved in the investigation. The demand was made by the company Omphile Thabang CC, owned by the accused couple Bongani and Khoboso Dlomo, in an application heard earlier this week at the Durban High Court. The application was heard by Judge Sanele Hlatshwayo, who reserved judgment. The two-day legal proceedings focused on the defence’s demand for comprehensive access to investigation files. Beyond the police officers’ pocketbooks, the defence, among other things, sought minutes of all meetings between the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Integrity Forensic Solution (IFS), and the SAPS Clean…

IT never rains but pours for residents of an informal settlement perched precariously on a hill along Alpine Road in Springfield, Durban, where poverty and unemployment have pushed families into life-threatening living conditions. During a visit to the area, Isolezwe, sister publication of the Sunday Tribune, found that many residents knowingly risk their lives by erecting makeshift shacks on the steep terrain, saying they have no alternative as they continue searching for work. Mlungisi Chiliza, originally from Mkhomazi on the South Coast, has lived in the settlement for six years. He describes the area as a poverty-stricken squalor. “Nothing is going right here. We are only here because we have nowhere else to go. It’s really bad, my brother. We can’t find work so that we can move into better,…

South African universities are adopting a human-centred, ethical and responsible approach to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to balance the threat of academic dishonesty with the need to produce “AI-literate” graduates for a tech-driven world. With the development of advanced AI tools, including ChatGPT, where students could prompt AI to write an academic paper in seconds, or solve a math quiz in the blink of an eye, tertiary institutions found themselves in a complex environment where they have to draw the line on what is permissible or not, to preserve academic integrity. While most universities have AI guidelines, the North-West University (NWU) recently announced that it has become the first South African institution to adopt an official AI policy, transitioning from temporary guidelines to a formal AI Framework Policy.…

Africa is entering 2026 not at a moment of transition, but at a moment of reckoning. Across the continent, armed conflict, state fragmentation, humanitarian collapse, economic distress, climate shocks, democratic erosion and geopolitical entanglement are converging with a simultaneity and intensity unseen in recent decades. What distinguishes this moment is not the presence of crisis per se, but the growing risk that instability is becoming structural rather than episodic –normalised rather than exceptional. This reckoning is unfolding against the backdrop of a deepening global disorder. The international system itself is unraveling at an alarming speed. Established norms, institutions and rules are eroding, replaced by ad hoc power politics, coercive economic statecraft and fierce geopolitical competition. This disorder is not stabilising. It is accelerating – and its consequences are ominous,…

Dusi Canoe Marathon K1 queen Christie Mackenzie will line up alongside long-time friend and trusted marathon partner Saskia Hockly at next month’s race feeling she finally has the missing puzzle piece that could bring her that elusive K2 crown. That belief is backed by form. Back-to-back victories in recent build-up races have propelled the pair to the forefront of the women’s doubles conversation, sending a clear warning to rivals ahead of 75th edition of the gruelling three-day race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. Mackenzie’s dominance in the K1 is well documented, with four consecutive titles to her name, but the K2 crown has remained stubbornly out of reach despite multiple runner-up finishes. In Hockly, however, she feels she has found a partner whose grit, reliability and competitive mindset mirrors her own…

The anxiety that comes with a new Formula 1 season is always real, but heading into 2026 it feels especially palpable. A sweeping set of technical regulations, new power units, revised aerodynamics and a reshaped competitive landscape have left teams, drivers and fans peering into the unknown. Before the spotlight swings to Bahrain and then Melbourne, the first clues about who has interpreted the rules best will emerge quietly, behind closed doors, in Barcelona. The F1 shakedown is scheduled to take place in late January at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and serves as the first collective on-track outing for the new generation of cars. Drivers will get a chance to test equipment from Monday to Wednesday. Unlike traditional pre-season testing, this is not about chasing lap times or making bold…

Bollywood hunk Hrithik Roshan’s love for fitness is well known. In many of his movies, he has been seen flaunting his toned physique, and now the War actor has finally admitted to his hardwired obsession with Bollywood Biceps. In his latest Instagram post, Roshan published photos of himself flexing his huge biceps at various stages of his life, from 1984 to 2022. One thing in common in all of the photos is Roshan’s love for posing and fitness. “2016, 1984, 2019, 2022 and yesterday. No matter how many books I read or how evolved and nuanced my understanding of life gets, this hardwired obsession with Bollywood Biceps just doesn’t seem to end. I hope I get over it eventually. Pray for me. (sic),” he wrote in the caption. Reacting to…

After A R Rahman stirred controversy with his comments on his experience working in the Hindi film industry, his son Ameen has yet again come out in support of his Oscar and Grammy- winning music composer father, calling him “a legend for life.” Ameen took to his Instagram stories, where he shared a throwback video of his father with Ed Sheeran on stage, accompanied by the words, “A legend for life – written forever in the books.” Ameen further reinforced the sentiment by adding visuals from Marvel superhero Iron Man, featuring the iconic quote: “You can take away my house, all my tricks and toys, but one thing you can’t take away – I am Iron Man.” It was during his interaction with BBC Asian Network that Rahman spoke about…