October 2026

Healey made the remark in an interview with Channel 4. Asked whether he agreed that the UK should rejoin the EU in his lifetime, he said he did not expect it. Reports said Burnham had told Cabinet ministers to follow collective responsibility on the UK's future relationship with Europe.

Burnham has said he wants the UK to rejoin in his lifetime. He also said: "I'm not going to move ahead of the public." Some accusers claim he is gagging Eurosceptic frontbenchers. One report said 13 Cabinet ministers opposed rejoining, but it did not name its source.

Critics also accused Healey of raiding contingency funds to meet military commitments. A senior Labour MP said he is kicking security "into the long grass".Share

Stubb and Støre said the call followed a meeting in Oslo on 20 October and took place in consultation with Ukraine. Stubb said the call was frank and substantive. He said Russia's neighbours have a direct stake in how the war ends.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said: "It was not coordinated with any of us." She also said Europe should stick together rather than go alone, according to Danish media. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also cast doubt on the move. Støre said Europe should speak with Russia to complement the messages sent by the US administration.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the call offered nothing new. The Kremlin said Russia's interests must be taken into account in any settlement.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday that European nations will not be invited to the next Russia-US-Ukraine talks. Moscow has agreed in principle to a fourth round, with mid-November and Abu Dhabi floated. Three rounds have so far excluded Europe, as US President Donald Trump presses Kyiv to strike a deal.Share

Robert Wiggins, a researcher at What Security in the United Kingdom, found the password in the app's code. The database held customer names, emails, dates of birth, phone numbers and other data. Wiggins said an attacker could also have used the password to change customer data.

Dine Brands, which owns Applebee's, said its security team started an investigation. A spokesperson said the team has not currently found evidence of unauthorized access.

Applebee's had at least 8.5 million rewards members as of last year.Share

The truck overturned at Mcetheni Location in Bizana. Several injured passengers went to Holy Cross Provincial Hospital in Flagstaff.

Provincial Transport Spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the driver reportedly lost control on a gravel road. He said the passengers were travelling from Mswakazi in the Port St Johns area to a traditional ceremony.

Binqose said: "A call is made on motorists in particular to remain extra at vigilant on our roads to stop this bloodbath."Share

The Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation organised the forum. Hodges said development finance institutions could help remove barriers that stop private investors from funding projects. He also said financing must come with technical support and links to buyers if small businesses are to become viable.

Hodges said better risk information could help investors judge risks more accurately. He said this could encourage banks, pension funds and insurers to commit capital. He cited a risk database that shows an average default rate of about 3.5% for private-sector lending in Africa over 30 years. He said recoveries were about 73%.

Hodges said the EIB began working in South Africa in 1994. Its first transaction in the country came in 1995, with the Industrial Development Corporation. He also pointed to the Kulima initiative in Malawi.

Hodges questioned the development finance model: "The question really should be, are we fit to make it relevant for today?"Share

Binance said an initial investigation suggests a compromised laptop of a DevOps engineer may have let an attacker submit unauthorised withdrawal transactions. The company said it found no evidence of a wallet private key leak. It said user funds remained safe.

Tether said it froze over 1.567 billion USDT, and Circle said it froze over 800 million USDC. Binance said it will cover all losses with its Secure Asset Fund for Users and company funds. Co-founder Yi He said the exchange expects to start resuming withdrawals within the next 48 hours.

Glassnode, a blockchain analytics firm, used on-chain data to estimate that about $5.3 billion in assets was drained. Binance did not comment on that figure. Former chief executive Changpeng Zhao said the incident looked like a hack, and Binance promised a full post-mortem after its investigation.Share

The Badgers' second Super 8 win came at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn on Saturday. Malan and Yaseen Valli put on an 88-run opening partnership. Liam Alder finished the chase on 18 not out.

Eastern Storm made 144 for seven in 20 overs. Kabelo Sekhukhune top scored for them with 25. Badgers bowler Leo Sadler took three wickets for 16 runs in four overs.

Eastern Storm remain winless at the bottom of the table.Share

Malema claimed that criminal syndicates take over hijacked buildings and charge vulnerable residents rent. He said conversions would let workers live closer to their jobs and students stay near their campuses. He said that from the 5th of November, occupying a building in Johannesburg would be treated as criminal.

Malema said the EFF has been the most stable coalition partner in local government. He said the party opened a criminal case against the mayor of Tshwane and the City Manager over unsafe water in Bronkorstspruit.

He accused municipal officials and councillors of corruption and tender manipulation that undermine services. He claimed jobs go to people with political connections and that some councillors demand sexual favours for work. He also said some officials delay or cancel projects to protect corrupt interests and secure kickbacks.

He said: "The collapse of our municipalities is not an accident. It is a business model."Share

Intel reported third-quarter revenue of $16.5 billion, up 21%. Earnings were 52 cents a share. Wall Street had expected 40 cents, according to one report.

Intel's chief financial officer, David Zinsner, said the slowdown in the PC market should last until at least the first half of next year. Intel forecast that the PC market will shrink 10% in 2027 after an expected 12% fall in 2026.

Chief executive Lip-Bu Tan said the data center unit would have done better without a shortage of certain raw materials and the closure of an Israeli factory. Intel's shares had risen more than 150% since January before the drop.Share

Siboniso Mngadi, spokesperson for the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, advised residents to exercise extreme caution. He said: "We would like to advise all the residents across the province regarding the level 4 weather warning."

The department listed the municipalities likely to be affected. They include eThekwini, Newcastle, Alfred Duma, KwaDukuza, Msinga, Nkandla and Ray Nkonyeni. Other areas on the list are Abaqulusi, Endumeni, Mooi River, Giants Castle, Underberg and Richmond.Share

South Africa made 329 in their first innings and Australia replied with 429. Ryan Rickelton scored 101 and Wiaan Mulder 115 in the second innings, and they added 154 for the sixth wicket. South Africa were all out for 387, which set Australia 288 to win.

Australia were 60 for seven at lunch on day five. Kagiso Rabada and Harmer did most of the damage. Rabada reached 350 Test wickets when he dismissed Travis Head. Harmer took 10 wickets in the match.

Cricket South Africa claimed the win moved the team to the top of the Test rankings. Its post said: "Series winners. World No. 1. A brilliant achievement for South African cricket!"Share

Ramokgopa said the range covers the phase in which control of the power grid passes to an independent Transmission System Operator. He spoke on the sidelines of the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation's annual forum in the Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal.

He said South Africa is taking a cautious approach to electricity reform to avoid unintended consequences. Some observers say that liberalisation of the industry in countries like the United Kingdom and Australia failed and led to high electricity prices.

Ramokgopa said the department is working on the matter with the Presidency and the National Treasury.Share

The video was Zuma's first public statement since he left hospital. The MK Party posted it on its social media platforms. Zuma urged registered voters to back uMkhonto weSizwe.

Zuma said: "I am wishing that everyone will vote and vote correctly, but more than anything, vote for uMkhonto weSizwe." He also said his new political home is the only one that can bring change.

Several election polls say the MK Party is likely to become the biggest political organisation in eThekwini after the elections.Share

Ahmed scored a try and kicked four conversions. No 8 Evan Roos scored a try after he ran 80 metres. JD Schickerling also crossed for the Stormers, who scored five tries in all.

Ulster scored one try, by Dave McCann. Jack Murphy kicked the conversion. Ulster player Canan Knox received a yellow card. The Stormers conceded 14 turnovers in the first half.

Paul de Villiers was man of the match. The Stormers play the Sharks in Durban on 5 December in the return derby.Share

Offspinner Simon Harmer took six for 16 in 21.1 overs, a career-best return for an innings. He finished with match figures of 10 for 120 and was man of the match. Kagiso Rabada took three early wickets, and Australian captain Pat Cummins said two wickets in the first over ended any chance of a chase.

Ryan Rickleton and Wiaan Mulder both made centuries for South Africa in the match. South African captain Temba Bavuma said the series win was a tribute to the character of the team. He said of the bowling attack: "It's been the backbone of our team".

Cummins said Australia are still a good side and that changes to the team were possible. He said: "We need to get better if we want to get back to No 1."Share

Wu Peng spoke on the second day of the forum. He said trade between China and South Africa reached nearly $15bn from May to August, up almost 24% year on year. Chinese exports to South Africa grew 23% in the same period.

The ambassador said agricultural exports to China reached nearly $500m, up more than 35% year on year. He said talks on market access for other farm products should follow a September protocol on South African cherry exports. He also said the two countries have 66 sister-province and sister-city partnerships.

Wu argued the zero-tariff policy could help South Africa sell more than minerals and add higher-value products. He said it could make South Africa a more competitive base for firms that export to China. He said this could draw more Chinese investment, and named Chery and West China Cement.

Wu said the policy could support local industrialisation and create jobs. He said Beijing intends to open its domestic market further to international trade in its next five-year planning period.Share

Provincial Electoral Officer Bonolo Modise said all material needed for a successful election has been delivered to the offices of the municipal electoral officers (MEO). The Electoral Commission says the final dispatch is meant to ensure smooth voting.

Modise said the commission has prepared as far as it can. In his words: "We have done what’s reasonably possible to make sure that we are ready for elections on the 4th of November."Share

Hill-Lewis told supporters that the DA is a party for all South Africans. He said it stays committed to serving every community across the country.

He rejected claims by critics that the party serves only one racial group. In his words: "There are those who say the DA is only for one race. Do not believe them. They are liars."Share

Cachalia said the job had to be advertised twice because there was no suitable candidate. He said he wanted someone dynamic and strategic, who the public appreciates.

The minister said he wanted a person able to take the fight to the cartels. He said he believes his decision was the right one.Share

Zille said voters who stay at home would help the people she blames for the city's problems. She said they would give criminals another five years to loot, and that Johannesburg cannot afford another five years of failure.

She also used a direct appeal to voters at the rally. Zille said: "if you stay at home on election, you won't be punishing Amasela [criminals], you will be rewarding them."

South Africans vote next Wednesday. Special votes are expected on Monday and Tuesday.Share

Ramokgopa spoke on the second day of the forum. He said Africa has the mineral and renewable resources for manufacturing but lacks enough electricity infrastructure. He said about 600-million people on the continent have no access to electricity.

The minister said electricity has historically been treated as an instrument for private accumulation rather than the public good. He said the state has a central role to play in using energy to drive development and industrialisation.

Ramokgopa also said high electricity costs make local mineral processing less competitive. He said growing demand from data centres and artificial intelligence gives South Africa a chance to attract investment.Share

Nearly 200 nations struck agreements at the two-week UN summit. Ecuador won the right to host the next biodiversity talks in 2028 after it defeated Panama in a secret vote.

French Ecological Transition Minister Monique Barbut said the outcome was "not commensurate" with the crisis facing the natural world. She said the progress that was not achieved is a series of missed opportunities to speed up the response to biodiversity loss.

Decisions on the design of the Cali Fund are deferred for two years. Pakhi Das of the nonprofit Plant-for-the-Planet said this all but ensures the fund stays empty until then.

Guido Broekhoven of WWF International called the text a positive step forward, with weaknesses on harmful subsidies. An Lambrechts of Greenpeace International said the text expresses political momentum on harmful incentives in weak terms. Observers and delegates also accused some countries of undermining efforts to approve key reports.Share

NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said the prosecution is satisfied that it has enough evidence. He said the case has reasonable prospects of success.

Mohlatlole said the charges follow an alleged incident involving an e-hailing driver in Edenvale. He said the defence has indicated that it intends to take its representations to the office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).Share

The Department of Home Affairs published the proposals in a Government Gazette on Friday. They would set up a Refugee Reception Office at the Beitbridge Port of Entry. They would also disestablish the Tshwane Refugee Reception Office.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration welcomed the proposals. It said they aim to improve the administration of asylum applications, strengthen identity checks and enhance security screening. It also said they would reduce opportunities for abuse of the asylum system.

The committee said the reporting rules would improve efficiency, keep records accurate, strengthen biometric verification and support case management. It said the proposals do not change the legal rights and protections of asylum seekers under South African law.

Written submissions must reach the department by 30 November 2026. Advocate Moses Malakate, Chief Director of Legal Services at Home Affairs, is the contact for submissions.Share

Oman's Maritime Security Centre issued a statement on the RITI rescue. The Revolutionary Guards said the three tankers were halted after incidents or mine strikes. They said the ships used an unauthorised route through the strait.

The Guards also said the tankers switched off their navigation and positioning systems. They said the ships tried to leave with the support of the US military, which they called terrorist. One supertanker, which carried two million barrels of oil, stopped after an explosion, the Guards said.

US Central Command chief Brad Cooper said in a video released on Friday that US forces had cleared the main transit routes of Iranian sea mines. He said Washington had helped Gulf countries export more than 1.5 billion barrels of crude through the strait since summer.

The British maritime security agency UKMTO reported that a ship was struck 40 nautical miles (74 kilometres) south of Lavan island. Iran has restricted traffic through the strait since the Middle East war began on 28 February with US-Israeli strikes.Share

Quintas made the announcement after he visited taxi ranks and the Cape Town Station Deck. He said the city also held talks with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO).

The city, the South African Police Service and the Western Cape government ran joint operations. Quintas said these operations and the talks with SANTACO helped ensure safe commuting.

Safety officials will keep monitoring ranks, stations and routes, Quintas said. The areas named include Khayelitsha, Langa and Wynberg.Share

Malatsi said the DA expects to be the largest party in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane. He said that if the party gets closer to 40 per cent, it will be in the strongest position to form coalitions with fewer parties.

On coalitions, Malatsi said: "There is nothing as unstable as a multi-party coalition. So, the fewer coalition parties, the better".

The DA said the elections are mainly about restoring basic service delivery. It listed reliable water, electricity, refuse removal and safer communities.Share

Motshekga briefed the Joint Defence Committee on Friday. She said protests in places like KwaZulu-Natal make it difficult for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to attend to the elections.

The SANDF has deployed 510 soldiers in KwaZulu-Natal to maintain law and order. Motshekga said this deployment could affect the election plan of the SANDF and divert its priorities.

Committee member Emma Powell also spoke at the briefing. Motshekga said Powell was right on the point about the most urgent matter, which involves Joint Operations.Share

SALGA said millions of voters are expected to go to the polls. It also told voters to monitor warnings from the South African Weather Service, given changing weather conditions.

The Department of Home Affairs is extending front-office hours so eligible voters can get identity documents. Offices will open from 8am to 6pm on 2 and 3 November. On Election Day, 4 November, they will open from 7am to 9pm.

The department said the extended hours let voters collect or apply for identity documents and Temporary Identity Certificates. Registered special voting takes place on 2 and 3 November, from 8am to 5pm.Share

Mncube testified under cross-examination by state prosecutor Dr Ronnie Sibanda on Thursday. He said witnesses described the intruder who shot Meyiwa as having dreadlocks reaching the neck. He said the state describes the killer as light in complexion, which he says does not fit that evidence.

Mncube is one of five accused on trial for the murder of Meyiwa, the former Bafana Bafana captain. Meyiwa was killed in October 2014. Mncube was expected to continue testifying on Friday.Share