News Bulletin of 14 January 2026, 3pm

Headline 1
Midrand orphanage receives support from philanthropist and family
Story 1
Children at Hotel Homes Orphanage in Midrand have received groceries, food, and daily essentials from philanthropist Gurrala Nagaraju, his family, and close friends.
The group spent time with the children, engaging in activities and offering encouragement, creating moments of joy and connection.
The visit forms part of Nagaraju’s ongoing efforts to support the well-being of children in the community, with the family hoping it will inspire others to contribute and assist children in need.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
Fuel price cuts predicted for February
Story 2
South African motorists could see a notable drop in fuel prices in February.
Early data from the Central Energy Fund shows a large over-recovery in both petrol and diesel.
Petrol is currently over-recovering by about one rand twenty a litre, while diesel is over-recovering by roughly one rand seventy-five.
If trends continue, petrol could fall by around one rand nineteen a litre for ninety-three octane, and one rand twenty-five for ninety-five.
Diesel could drop by between one rand sixty-eight and one rand eighty-four.
The expected decreases are being driven by lower global oil prices and a stronger rand, though fuel prices remain sensitive to market and currency movements ahead of the official announcement.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
Foster home in Sundowner supports children with special needs
Story 3
A foster home in Sundowner, Gauteng, is helping children with physical disabilities and special needs to thrive.
Bella’s Blessings, founded by Lauren Matthewson Woolard, provides long term care, therapy, schooling, and medical support for children who need it most.
Staff say one child who arrived with a difficult medical prognosis is now walking, talking, and making steady progress.
Matthewson Woolard says donations and volunteer support have been crucial in keeping Bella’s Blessings operating, ensuring the children continue to receive the care and support they need to thrive.
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.39 to the US Dollar, 22.04 to the British Pound, and 19.08 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 4,637.18 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 65.47 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 95,017.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
Eric Schmidt Funds New Space Telescope Set to Outperform Hubble
Teaser / Tailpiece story

Former CEO of Google Eric Schmidt and his wife Wendy, are funding four new telescopic observatories, including a space-based telescope called Lazuli, which is set to surpass Hubble’s capabilities.
Lazuli will feature a larger 3.1-meter mirror, orbit farther from Earth to reduce interference, and is designed to capture optical images of the universe. It could launch as early as 2028 and begin scientific operations in 2029.
The Schmidt Observatory System is part of the couple’s philanthropic efforts to support research that may not receive government funding.
Officials say the total investment could reach half a billion dollars, with the team aiming to complete design, construction, and launch within five years.
Split analysis
Local: 164 words (59%), National: 113 words (41%), International: 0 words (0%)