News Bulletin of 17 February 2026, 7am

Headline 1
UJ ranks 1st latest QS World University Rankings
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The University of Johannesburg ranked first in the latest QS World University Rankings for Sub-Saharan Africa.
The ranking places UJ ahead of nearly 70 universities from 21 countries in the inaugural regional assessment.
UJ was also ranked number one in Sub-Saharan Africa by the Times Higher Education regional rankings.
Other South African universities featured in the rankings include Wits University, Stellenbosch University, the University of Pretoria, University of KwaZulu-Natal, North-West University, the University of the Free State, the University of the Western Cape, and the University of Ghana.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
Joburg Film Festival spotlights African stories
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African and global storytelling will take centre stage at this year’s Joburg Film Festival, set to run across multiple Johannesburg venues in March.
The festival will screen more than 60 films selected from 691 submissions spanning Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.
Audiences can attend premieres, filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions and masterclasses, connecting with creators and industry professionals.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026
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The Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 welcomed thousands of athletes from around the world and among them were competitors over the age of 59 years-old.
The athletes competed with energy and skill on tracks, in pools and on courts.
The event aims to encourage an active lifestyle, celebrate sport and promote cultural exchange.
Mohamed Al-Ramithy, Director from the Open Masters Games, says the athletes are proving that passion and determination grow stronger with time, inspiring everyone who watches them in action:
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Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 15.98 to the US Dollar, 0.00 to the British Pound, and 0.00 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 4,977.26 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at Error per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 68,403.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
Two Oceans Marathon 2026 boosts prize money
Teaser / Tailpiece story
The Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town will award R2.6 million in prizes this year.
The prize structure for the event taking place in April, is split between the Ultra Marathon and the Half Marathon, with elite male and female winners of the Ultra Marathon each receiving top prizes.
In the Half Marathon, winners will earn a prize money, with payouts across the top 10 and age categories.
Additional prize money has been allocated to top Western Province, South African and team athletes.
Split analysis
Local: 61 words (27%), National: 0 words (0%), International: 167 words (73%)