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While coal producers stand to benefit from stronger prices and export demand, researchers warn that increased coal production and exports carry significant environmental and social costs, from greenhouse gas emissions to the impacts borne by communities living near mines and coal-fired power stations.
 (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

How the US-Israel-Iran conflict is reshaping South Africa’s coal exports

Middle East tension has pushed up energy prices and boosted demand for South African coal, raising questions about climate commitments and exports

Researchers agree that global warming caused by the release of large amounts of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil can be clearly linked to intense downpours and heavy storms happening more often. (Pexels)

Why storms that used to happen every 50 years are hitting more often

Climate scientists agree that intense downpours and heavy storms will probably happen more often and become more unpredictable. But can every extreme weather event be pinned on…

Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams boarding to Mexico. (Bafana Bafana/X)
Video

Can Safa fix Bafana’s World Cup admin mess?

Safa’s latest Bafana blunder has been tackled. Now comes the harder question: can it actually stop the next one?

The 2026 boot wars echo innovation races in marathon running and basketball. The boots blend heritage, technology and personal stories, from Jordan’s influence to Maradona’s untied laces and Khumalo’s Puma legacy, helping propel athletes towards glory.

The evolution of glory: Soccer boots and brand battles at the 2026 Fifa World Cup

The 2026 boot wars echo innovation races in marathon running and basketball. The boots blend heritage, technology and personal stories, from Jordan’s influence to Maradona’s…

Richard Shibiri was found guilty of misconduct that brought the SAPS into disrepute, including associating with known criminal Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala. Photo: Screenshot from proceedings

SAPS head of organised crime Richard Shibiri axed

Shibiri was found guilty of misconduct that brought the SAPS into disrepute, including associating with known criminal Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala

The cost of living does not reward breaks of any nature.

The cost of living does not reward breaks

It does not pause because you have given birth. It does not soften because you are tired. It demands that you keep moving, bruised and battered if necessary.

Aerial view of the Google data center at Eemshaven,
Netherlands, surrounded by wind turbines and a nearby
power plant. As AI expands, data centers like this require
large amounts of electricity, making energy supply a key
challenge -Aerial view of the Google data center at Eemshaven,
Netherlands, surrounded by wind turbines and a nearby
power plant. As AI expands, data centers like this require
large amounts of electricity, making energy supply a key
challenge. Photo by Wvdp

AI’s hidden environmental cost: UN report flags massive water, energy and land footprint

AI’s rapid growth is driving major water, energy, land and e-waste impacts, raising environmental justice concerns worldwide

Two-time Grammy winner Peabo Bryson, whose voice graced Disney classics and R&B charts for five decades, has died after a stroke

Peabo Bryson, the voice behind Disney’s greatest love songs, dies at 75

Two-time Grammy winner Peabo Bryson, whose voice graced Disney classics and R&B charts for five decades, has died after a stroke

SA launches first climate and health surveillance platform

The tool allows researchers and policymakers to track links between extreme weather, heatwaves, flooding and health outcomes

KZN Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer and HOD Dr Vish Govender at the KZN DPWI Technology & Innovation Summit in Durban on Monday. Source: DPWI

KZN Public Works slashes wasteful expenditure to zero, invests R20m to go paperless

The second-smallest provincial department by budget allocation is leveraging its savings to bankroll a R20 million digital overhaul aimed at eradicating paper-based bureaucracy,…

The blue-footed baboon spider, a rare species found only in South Africa, is appearing in the international exotic pet trade, raising concerns about wildlife trafficking and conservation. (@tarantulas_glasgow Instagram)

Blue-footed baboon spider targeted by exotic pet trade despite low public profile

The blue-footed baboon spider, a rare species found only in South Africa, is appearing in the international exotic pet trade, raising concerns about wildlife trafficking and…

The University of Fort Hare has formally charged its vice-chancellor, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu.

Fort Hare serves misconduct charges on vice-chancellor Sakhela Buhlungu

Buhlungu is further accused of damaging the University’s reputation through public comments made during a media interview, which Council claims undermined its integrity

The remains of a cholera treatment centre near Quelimane, Mozambique, after Cyclone Freddy struck in March 2023. (Martim Gray Pereira)

What years of war, cyclones and displacement have wrought upon the people of northern Mozambique

Northern Mozambique has been absorbing what humanitarian groups call “multiple shocks” for years. Conflict, cyclones, cholera, displacement; each arriving before the last has…

A charity chaired by Malawi’s first lady, Gertrude Mutharika, has accepted multimillion-dollar pledges from two men facing serious legal scrutiny in South Africa,

Malawi first lady’s charity faces transparency questions after multimillion-rand donations

Contributions from controversial regional figures revive scrutiny over governance and political influence

Working on Fire sues over tender

Working on Fire seeks to halt the award of the national wildfire management contract to Tefla, while the department and Tefla oppose the urgent relief

Tensions escalated on Tuesday morning when the group refused to vacate the police station precinct, forcing police to use teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. (Screenshot)

Foreigners seek UN intervention after Durban police station standoff

About 200 foreigners who say they are fleeing attacks linked to anti-immigrant groups have called for United Nations intervention after spending two days outside Durban Central…

The claim follows a February 3 ruling by the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal that the Reserve Bank of Malawi (above) acted unlawfully when it revoked the Finance Bank of Malawi’s licence in May 2005.

Defunct Malawian Bank seeks $552m compensation

A bank that ceased operations more than two decades ago is seeking compensation from Malawi that could approach a 10th of the country’s annual budget, following a court ruling…

New research links rural solar adoption to mobile money use, while raising concerns about inequality

Solar powers Malawi’s mobile money boom but leaves the poorest behind

New research links rural solar adoption to mobile money use, while raising concerns about inequality

Hawks Lieutenant Colonel Nkoana Sebola Photo: Supplied

‘Chaos’ at police drug theft attempt

Lt-Colonel Sebola told the Madlanga commission that under instruction from Warrant Officer Rikhotso, Colonel Maluleke and General Kadwa, he was to seize the bakkie carrying the…

The suspects boarding a police van. Photo: Macmillan Mhone

Malawi’s century-old witchcraft law leaves door open to mob killings

Seven deaths in southern Malawi expose legal gaps, weak prosecutions and a colonial law that authorities say is no longer fit to manage modern waves of panic-driven violence