US and Saudi forces retaliate against Iran-backed militants in Iraq, escalating tensions in the Middle East as President Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss strategies amid ongoing hostilities.

At least 13 lives have been lost in a devastating earthquake that struck Japan, leaving rescuers racing against time to save those trapped in the rubble of a collapsed shopping mall.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is expecting a stern Test for his players from an inexperienced-looking Los Pumas squad when they meet in a one-off Test in Buenos Aires next week Saturday. Argentina named a 34-man squad to prepare for the clash against the world champions with a number of senior players missing, while 10 uncapped players were included in the group. Despite regulars such as Joaquin Oviedo, Julian Montoya, Gonzalo Garcia, Justo Piccardo and Bautista Delguy being unavailable, Erasmus said that the Pumas still had an experienced core to call upon, which will make them a dangerous outfit. “They picked a squad now with 10 rookies in there. But if you look at their first choice team, I think that compared to the team that we will take over there, they will definite have more caps than our players,” explained Erasmus. “Although they picked a very inexperienced group, there’s like 14 or 15 guys that are really experienced that they can fall back onto, which will form their spine. So yeah, it will be a difficult match. “You can see with the way they’ve picked the team, it’s going to be 15 guys with real experience and then a bunch of youngsters with energy who come from the sevens circuit, who are really dangerous and we have to look out for that.” Mixed results Argentina have had a mixed start to their international season, with them suffering losses to Scotland and England, while beating Wales, all at home, but Erasmus isn’t reading too much into those results as he says it takes the Southern Hemisphere teams some time to get up and running. “We’ve learned our lessons many times against Argentina. If you take your foot off the pedal, you can get a hiding any day, and we certainly want to try and prevent that,” said Erasmus. “I think us, New Zealand and Argentina and Australia, we always struggle to find our feet in our first few matches (of the season). You saw how New Zealand struggled against France, who didn’t even send their first choice team. “They struggled to find their feet in the first test match and then just got stronger and stronger. We also didn’t hit the ground running (in our Nations Championship games). So it will be a different Argentina.”

A 47‑year‑old Boschkop man has appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on an attempted murder charge after allegedly concealing his HIV status and intentionally infecting his girlfriend. It is alleged that the accused, who has not been named, and the complainant were in a relationship between October 2025 and June 2026. Status During this period, the accused allegedly misrepresented his HIV status to the complainant, informing her that he was HIV negative. On 26 June 2026, it is alleged that the complainant discovered antiretroviral (ARV) medication in the accused’s bag and confronted him about it. Infected National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the accused allegedly admitted that he was HIV positive and informed her that he had intentionally infected her because he did not want her to be with another person. “On 25 July 2026, the complainant underwent an HIV test at a medical facility and was informed that she had tested positive for HIV. The following day, she reported the matter to the police. The accused was subsequently arrested on the same day at their place of residence.” The matter was postponed to 03 August 2026 for the obtaining of bail information and the accused remains in custody. Rape kit shortage Meanwhile, the DA has taken legal action against the Acting Police Minister, Feroz Cachalia, over a looming rape kit shortage in the Western Cape, warning survivors could be denied crucial forensic testing from 1 August. The party formally, through its lawyers, placed Cachalia on notice to respond to the crisis regarding the supply of D1 (for adults) and D7 (for children) forensic evidence collection kits (“rape kits”) in the Western Cape. DA NCOP member on security & justice Dominique Jeftha said the party has learnt that Saps will not have rape kits to administer crucial testing of rape victims beyond 1 August in the Western Cape. However, the police ministry has dismissed the DA’s allegations. On Tuesday, the acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, reassured South Africans that there was no shortage of adult or child rape evidence collection kits across the country. “Rape evidence collection kits are available throughout the country, and additional kits are currently being distributed as part of ongoing procurement and replenishment processes. These deliveries are proceeding as planned to ensure that facilities remain adequately stocked and that services to victims are not interrupted,” said Cachalia in a statement.

Six foreign nationals were killed and one was injured after a massive fire broke out at a shop in the Tsomo CBD in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday. According to the police, the fire broke out at 03:40 in the morning and the victims were asleep inside the shop at the time. #sapsEC [SIX FOREIGN NATIONALS DIE IN FATAL FIRE INCIDENT IN TSOMO]The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Tsomo has opened an inquest docket following a fire at a business premises on Tsomo Main Street on 28 July 2026, in which six foreign nationals lost their lives.… pic.twitter.com/wuQ6wUcQD8— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 28, 2026 MAA CASH AND CARRY FIRE INCIDENT The provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, said the officers responded to the scene after hearing a loud explosion near the Tsomo Police Station.  The police detected a strong smell of smoke in the area which led them to the MAA Cash and Carry store. Upon arrival, the members found the building engulfed in flames and rushed to the back of the shop, where they discovered that several people were trapped inside.  The officers and private security personnel attempted to enter the premises in an effort to rescue those inside, however, only one person managed to escape. “Officers established that multiple persons were trapped inside the premises. They attempted to gain entry, along with private security personnel and members of the local community who came to assist. Despite their combined rescue efforts, only one person managed to escape. Sadly, six other occupants succumbed to the fire.” “Firefighters arrived on the scene and despite challenges posed by thick smoke and rainy weather, they managed to extinguish the blaze. All six burnt bodies were recovered. The deceased have since been identified by their employer,” said Gantana. The Emergency Medical Services, Provincial Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) and members of the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) were also summoned to the scene. INVESTIGATION Gantana confirmed that the police have opened an inquest docket into the incident. Police said no foul play is suspected at this stage and the investigation continues.

A Zimbabwean business executive who spent nearly three decades working for Transnet Engineering has been shot dead in South Africa, with his family alleging the killing was linked to a dispute over his rental properties. Jeremiah Madondo was killed on July 19 after being shot six times in what relatives describe as a violent attack following a dispute involving houses he owned in South Africa. Madondo had worked for Transnet Engineering for 28 years and was serving as Acting Corridor Quality Manager for the North Corridor based in Vryheid at the time of his death. Zimbabwean family alleges dispute over rental properties According to family spokesperson Ishmael Madondo, the late executive had been instructed to ensure tenants occupying two of his residential properties vacated the premises before 1 August. According to H-Metro, the family claims they were told the properties would be taken over by South Africans, and believe the dispute may have been linked to his killing. “We lost a breadwinner, a loving man who has been a source of inspiration,” Ishmael said. “We have been informed that he was shot to death over his three residential properties. “His tenants were warned to leave the houses because there were claims that by August 1, 2026, the houses would be owned by a South African.” The family has not indicated who allegedly issued the warning, and the claims have not been independently verified. Transnet mourns longtime employee In a condolence message, Transnet Engineering paid tribute to Madondo’s years of dedicated service to the company. “It is with great sadness to announce the passing of our dear colleague Mr Jeremiah Madondo on the 19th of July 2026,” the company said in a statement. “Mr Madondo joined the Transnet Engineering family on the 28th of January 1998. “At the time of his passing, he was acting as a Corridor Quality Manager for North Corridor based in Vryheid. “Transnet Engineering would like to extend their sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.” Madondo’s death has sent shockwaves through colleagues and members of the Zimbabwean community in South Africa, where he had built a successful career over almost three decades. Former Transnet executive laid to rest in Rusape A memorial service for Madondo was held last Friday at King and Queens Dorenfontein in South Africa before his body was repatriated to Zimbabwe. He was taken to the Madondo family homestead in Hayisoswi Village, Rusape, where he was laid to rest on Sunday. His family described him as a devoted provider whose death has left a significant void. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The motive for the killing has not been officially confirmed, and authorities have not publicly linked the murder to the alleged property dispute raised by the family.

Tribunal ruling advances a project whose power demand approaches Teraco's entire installed critical capacity.

MultiChoice Group's delisting took DStv's subscriber numbers with it, and new owner Canal+ has not put them back.