'Shxts and Gigs' has viewers laughing over Jonasi's behaviour in Netflix's 'The Polygamist',

From Iranian passport sagas and presidential card appeals to a final shaped by international dissent, North America’s showpiece exposed the myth that football exists in a vacuum.

France’s parliament has approved the bill banning social media access for children under 15, making it the first European country to bar children from apps such as TikTok and other platforms. French lawmakers on Tuesday approved a bill banning social media access, putting France at the forefront of similar efforts in the European Union. Social media ban French President Emmanuel Macron has championed the ban as a flagship reform of his final term in office and pledged to enforce it by September 2026. “France is leading the way in Europe when it comes to protecting our children and teenagers,” Macron said in a video posted on social media, hailing “a major step forward.” Macron said the Constitutional Council must now rule on the ban before the law takes effect; enforcing the measure by September would also ensure that one provision of the bill, a ban on smartphones in high schools, takes effect at the beginning of the French school year. Two stages The ban was to be rolled out in two stages, with under-15s blocked from creating new accounts from 1 September. The ban would apply to existing accounts from January 2027, according to the legislation. Digital Minister Anne Le Henanff said ahead of the vote that the timeline was realistic, “because age-verification tools already exist” with others still in the works, and the onus was on the platforms to impose the rule, according to AFP. “For four months, all of us in France will have to prove our age,” she told journalists. “If someone is under 15, the account will be closed.” Detrimental France’s public health watchdog last year said platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram were detrimental to adolescents, particularly girls, though it was not the sole reason for their declining mental health. The agency said that one in two teenagers spends between two and five hours a day on a smartphone. Smartphones In a report published in December, it said that some 90 per cent of children aged between 12 and 17 use smartphones daily to access the internet, with 58 per cent of them using their devices for social networks. The report highlighted a range of harmful effects stemming from the use of social networks, including reduced self-esteem and increased exposure to content associated with risky behaviours such as self-harm, drug use and suicide. Several families in France have sued TikTok over teen suicides they say are linked to harmful content. Last month, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced a social media ban for children under 15 on joining a growing group of countries including Australia, Britain and Canada to take similar measures. Social media Children should have “phased and gradual access” to social media, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Monday, as experts recommended that under-13s use online platforms only under supervision. The European Union has been mulling a social media ban since a push by EU states, including Greece and France, to limit access, with pressure intensifying for a bloc-wide ban like Australia’s.

Two South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers died after falling into an abandoned mine shaft west of Johannesburg during an anti‑illegal mining operation – sparking debate over training standards. But military experts insist the tragedy reflects hazardous conditions, not poor preparation. Debate over SANDF training standards The same competence question was initially raised after two soldiers were swept away while attempting to cross an overflowing river at the Lebombo Border Post in Mpumalanga. Military expert Dean Wingrin said that despite decades of underfunding affecting the SANDF’s primary mission equipment and supporting systems, South African soldiers were generally well trained. “However, that training is designed primarily to support the SANDF’s constitutional mission: defending the country’s territorial integrity and borders, and participating in peace support and peace enforcement operations,” said Wingrin. “Accordingly, soldiers are trained for combat operations, where the objective is to identify and neutralise threats using the force necessary to accomplish the mission.” He said this differs from the civilian policing support role, “which places greater emphasis on minimum force, restraint and de-escalation”. Soldier training differs from civilian policing support Wingrin said for domestic support operations such as Operation Prosper, SANDF members receive additional preparation covering issues such as operating in a civilian environment, communication and coordination with the South African Police Service (Saps) and the legal framework governing support to the police. He said it has not been publicly disclosed what mission-specific training was provided for operations against illegal mining. “The illegal mining environment itself presents unique challenges. In some cases, illegal miners operate from surface excavations, where the military’s role is primarily to secure and cordon off the area while the Saps conducts arrests,” he said. “In other cases, illegal mining occurs in existing mine workings that have been extended by new‑ ly excavated tunnels and shafts. These environments are inherently hazardous.” He added that inside the old mines, visibility was poor, ventilation may be limited, there are risks from unstable ground and concealed vertical shafts and suspects may be armed. Troops face poor visibility, unstable ground and armed suspects “Illegal miners also possess a significant advantage because they are familiar with the under‑ ground workings and any new excavations they have created,” said Wingrin. “It is important to distinguish between a deliberately planned underground operation and a spontaneous pursuit following contact with fleeing suspects, such as with this tragedy.” A planned operation would require detailed reconnaissance, a comprehensive risk assessment, clear command and control arrangements, close coordination with the Saps and, where appropriate, mining specialists, he said. “Even then, the SANDF’s role would ordinarily be to support the police rather than conduct an independent underground operation,” he said. Based on the information currently available, it would be premature to draw conclusions about the circumstances that led to the deaths of the two soldiers, he added. Heitman defends training Another military expert, Helmoed-Römer Heitman, said the training received by the soldiers was up to standard. Heitman said the troops did well in Goma fighting off M23 in a difficult situation and very well in Bangui, Central African Republic, in 2013. “Looking back, our troops also did well in Burundi, Comoros, Darfur and the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo]. In the latter two, different force commanders considered the SA battalion the best unit there. The sloppy soldiers we sometimes see around cities are not from combat units,” he said. “The incidents you mention can happen to the best soldiers. We had similar incidents in the SANDF and I can recall similar ones in foreign armies I visited.” Heitman said the problem was problem was when there was not enough money for unit and formation field training to build competence at that level, or for enough flying hours and sea days for pilots and ship crews to become as competent as they should be. “The bottom line is there is nothing much wrong with our soldiers, but if we keep underfunding them it will implode,” he said.

The new jersey pays tribute to the iconic 1994 Mamelodi Sundowns jersey while celebrating the club’s latest success. It will be worn throughout the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign. The new home kit revives the classic look of a yellow shirt, blue shorts and white socks that featured on the cover of the inaugural edition of Kick Off magazine in February 1994. MAMELODI SUNDOWNS HONOUR THEIR HISTORY Inspired by that famous jersey, the shirt also includes red PUMA logos, a thin green stripe on the collar and subtle debossed yellow stripes. According to the club, the design celebrates both its rich history and its continued success. “The new shirt is the first to feature two stars after the club’s ‘shoeshine and piano’ style of play secured the CAF Champions League for the second time, in May 2026.“ The “Shine on Masandawana” campaign features current stars Grant Kenana, Thapelo Morena, Malibongwe Khoza and Kutlwano Letlhaku, alongside club legends Daniel “Mambush” Mudau, Roger Feutmba and Hlompho Kekana. PUMA CELEBRATE SECOND STAR PUMA South Africa Marketing Director Brett Bellinger said the new jersey celebrates everyone who has contributed to the club’s success over the years. “Mamelodi Sundowns and PUMA have formed a formidable team over the past decade and with the new kit we wanted to honour and celebrate all the players who have contributed to the club’s successful legacy.“ He added: “It is fitting that this Shine on Masandawana kit will be the first to feature a second star marking the club’s latest CAF Champions League win. More evidence that with Masandawana the Sky is the Limit.“ Club legend Hlompho Kekana, who captained Mamelodi Sundowns to their first CAF Champions League title in 2016, believes the new jersey carries special significance. “The new jersey, which is the first edition with two stars above the club’s crest, is a piece of history as it pays homage to the past and celebrates the success of Mamelodi Sundowns as the Champions of Africa.“ The new Mamelodi Sundowns home kit will go on sale on 31 July 2026. The Authentic jersey will retail for R2,399, while the Replica versions will cost R1,299 for adults and R1,199 for children.

The countdown to the new Betway Premiership season is officially on, with the opening round of fixtures promising blockbuster clashes as South Africa’s top-flight returns on Saturday, 1 August 2026. Defending champions Orlando Pirates will begin their title defence at home against newly promoted Milford FC, while Kaizer Chiefs face an away assignment against fellow newcomers Kruger United. Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns kick off their latest title challenge with a home clash against Marumo Gallants, as they look to reclaim the league crown after finishing as runners-up to the Buccaneers last season. Opening weekend fixtures Saturday, 1 August Orlando Pirates vs Milford FC – 15:30 Golden Arrows vs Chippa United – 15:30 Stellenbosch FC vs AmaZulu FC – 15:30 Mamelodi Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants – 18:00 Sekhukhune United vs Durban City – 18:00 Kruger United vs Kaizer Chiefs – 20:15 Sunday, 2 August Richards Bay vs Polokwane City – 15:30 Siwelele FC vs TS Galaxy – 18:00 Big storylines to watch Orlando Pirates will be expected to make a winning start against promoted Milford FC, while Kaizer Chiefs will be eager to begin the Fernando Da Cruz era on a positive note against Kruger United. Mamelodi Sundowns, perennial title contenders, face Marumo Gallants in Pretoria, while Sekhukhune United’s clash with Durban City adds another layer of intrigue, with new Durban City coach Khalil Ben Youssef taking charge against his former co-coach at Kaizer Chiefs, Cedric Kaze. With the MTN8 set to follow just a week later, clubs will be looking to hit the ground running in what promises to be another fiercely contested Betway Premiership campaign. Who’s your pick for the title in the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season? Let us know by clicking on the comment banner below …

Pre-vetted employers get faster work visas – but the scoring shuts out smaller companies.

Higher education minister Buti Manamela has referred governance concerns at the MICT Seta for assessment.