Republic of South Africa, the southernmost country in Africa, with nine provinces and 63+ million people.
The European Parliament has awarded its 2026 Sakharov Prize to the International Criminal Court as the Hague tribunal has faced sweeping US financial sanctions announced in October. The EU and many member states have pledged support; the ICC and UN officials have condemned the US measures, while Israel and the Trump administration have welcomed them.
Kabila has announced the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN), a politico-military alliance that replaces the AFC/M23. He will lead the FRN, with deputies from AFC-M23 figures. The FRN vows to end tyranny by any means, including force, amid ongoing fighting in eastern DR Congo and stalled Doha peace talks.
Formula One has signed a 10-year agreement with Rwanda to host the African Grand Prix on a new, purpose-built FIA Grade 1 circuit in Bugesera, about 40km south of Kigali. The deal, announced in Kigali, has set the first race for the early 2030s and forms part of a wider development to drive tourism, jobs and motorsport training while prompting sportswashing concerns.
South Africa is defeated by Australia by 214 runs after Hazlewood?s career-best 6 for 49 helps dismiss the hosts for 206 in Durban. Boland contributes with a late innings of 40 and strong bowling, while Smith surpasses 11,000 Test runs with a sharp slip catch.
Hyron Andrews has died after an aortic dissection, French authorities have found. The 31-year-old Lions lock was discovered at his hotel on Île de Ré ahead of a Champions Cup match; the Lions have played on in his honour while his family begins repatriation of his body to South Africa.
Sgt. Maj. Robert Kabera, a Rwanda critic who fled to Uganda, has been found dead near Kampala. Ugandan police say the head is still missing. Multiple outlets report on the investigation, with Human Rights Watch calling for a full probe into possible motives tied to his opposition to Kigali.
Tshwane authorities have continued to battle contaminated, unchlorinated tap water after hundreds of illnesses were linked to the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works. Officials say chlorination has resumed, but safety remains uncertain as cases persist and investigations continue into upstream sewage pollution and governance failures.
Temba Bavuma leads South Africa to a commanding victory over Australia, scoring 179 and guiding a 425-9 declaration. Marco Jansen’s 85 and Simon Harmer’s 82 support a dominant innings, while Kagiso Rabada’s 4-77 helps dismiss Australia for 295 in the final test, setting up a decider in Cape Town.
Scotland has moved up in the world rankings and will host New Zealand, Australia and Japan at Murrayfield next month as part of Finals Weekend, with a further fixture to be announced. Townsend’s side are preparing for the 2027 Rugby World Cup with warm-up matches including a potential home-and-away against France.
Two shark attacks in KuGompo City have raised concerns about safety at Orient Beach and nearby shores. A 65-year-old swimmer died after an attack off Orient Beach; authorities have closed beaches as officials monitor rising shark activity. New details confirm ongoing investigations and safety measures.
Inflation has edged higher in September, driven by transport costs and energy bills. Analysts expect further pressure on policy makers as prices rise across sectors, with energy and transport among the main contributors.
Police say a man was assaulted by a crowd during a Durban march, leaving him dead at the scene. The incident follows months of anti-immigrant protests across South Africa, with thousands of migrants leaving the country amid violence and safety concerns.
The government has faced sharp questions about who is steering the country as President Mutharika remains abroad on a private trip. Fuel shortages persist, medicines are scarce, and public confidence is waning as the opposition demands transparency and a clear plan to address the economy.
A round-up of fashion campaigns and premieres from the tail end of Dubai Fashion Week and related campaigns. The week features Miu Miu, Gap, and Saint Laurent campaigns, with Hadid, Al-Jasmi, Abdelnour, and other designers in focus.
Netanyahu has said Israel is preparing ways to bypass sanctions through an alternative economy, including blockchain-based currencies. The Bank of Israel rebukes the idea, warning it cannot replace traditional finance. The comments come amid growing international sanctions pressure and Israel’s political confrontations ahead of elections.
Senegal has opened the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar with about 2,700 athletes aged 14 to 17 across 25 sports. The event marks Africa’s first hosting of the Youth Olympics. While officials tout sport as a development tool, many Senegalese face rising living costs and job scarcity, prompting questions about prioritising youth needs alongside the games.
Scotland has named a 37-man squad for the Nations Championship phase, led by Townsend. The selection prioritizes experience, with returns for Huw Jones and Blair Kinghorn, and the introduction of Ollie Leatherbarrow. Scotland will host New Zealand, Australia and Japan at Murrayfield before Finals Weekend at Twickenham.
A Nigerian independent investigation has found that severe overcrowding, heat stress and dehydration caused the deaths of 33 detainees in Minna, Niger State. The panel recommends prosecution for officers involved, compensation for families, and reforms to detention practices. The government says the deaths were preventable custodial tragedies linked to overcrowding and poor conditions.
Ethiopia has announced that Su-35 fighters and S-400 air defenses have arrived ahead of schedule, strengthening national security as fighting in Tigray persists. The government credits Russia’s delivery for enabling a pre-emptive deterrence, while Moscow seeks closer military and economic ties with Africa.
Israeli authorities have issued new security directives after a Sept. 30 incident in which a FlyDubai copilot attacked the captain and attempted to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport. Off-duty pilots and passengers subdued the attacker, enabling an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The government is now tightening pre-clearance and vetting for crew and passengers and expanding oversight of foreign flights.
South Africa has beaten Australia by 176 runs at Newlands to win the three-Test series 2-1. Simon Harmer has taken a career-best 6-16 to collapse Australia to 111, Kagiso Rabada has reached 350 Test wickets fastest in history, and the Proteas have moved to first in the ICC Test rankings and into the top two in the World Test Championship race.
Hamilton has reaffirmed his desire to race into his mid‑forties and says an African Grand Prix could keep him competing at the highest level. F1 has struck a 10‑year deal with Rwanda for a first Africa race since 1993, targeting the early 2030s; Hamilton contends he is a special case and remains fully committed.
The US has cancelled the traditional group photograph at the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Atlanta after several European countries, the UK, Australia and others refused to be photographed with Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has opened talks urging cooperation on trade, energy and food-security threats as divisions threaten a joint communique.
Voters are heading to the polls as South Africa conducts local government elections. Police have heightened security amid warnings of political violence; Ramaphosa has urged peaceful participation while outlining reforms to local government.
The Trump administration has determined that Rwanda and South Africa are failing AGOA eligibility criteria, citing barriers to trade, national security concerns, and governance issues. The move risks removing both countries from duty-free access to thousands of U.S. goods as of January 2027, with broader implications for regional trade and diplomacy.