Record concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide in 2025 are locking in further global warming, with climate impacts expected to persist for centuries, the UN says.

While the couple’s family and friends discouraged their latest adventure, concerned that Nepal was still recovering from deadly flooding, they were undeterred.

On 14 October 2026 The Citizen published an article headlined “Masingita Group of Companies faces questions over seven-day approval for Malamulele Mall land”. The headline and article implied that the Masingita Group of Companies may have obtained land-use rights for the former Malamulele High School site through an irregular, preferential or procedurally improper process. The Citizen did not have documentary evidence supporting that implication and retracts it. Because it forms a substantial basis of the article, The Citizen retracts the article in its entirety. The Citizen also corrects the following: Seven-day approval: The article stated that Masingita obtained business rights seven days after acquiring the property. Masingita states that the property was transferred to it on 2 December 2025, after the business rights were granted. Legal proceedings: The article stated that the dispute was understood to remain before the courts. Yinhla Property Development (Pty) Ltd’s High Court application to stop Masingita’s development (Case No. 355/2026) was struck from the roll on 10 March 2026, with costs. Masingita states that Yinhla’s later appeal to the Municipal Appeal Tribunal was dismissed on 7 July 2026. Competing business rights: Masingita states that it is not aware of any competing business rights in Malamulele that are subject to judicial review. Masingita has also highlighted relevant background after having been given limited time to respond before publication of the herewith retracted article. According to the Company, its offer for the site was selected through a process begun in 2005 by the Malamulele High School Governing Body and the Limpopo Department of Education to relocate the school out of the Malamulele CBD. It states that public participation involving the local councils and municipalities, the Departments of Education and Public Works, the school and the community supported relocating the school and converting the site to business use. The Citizen apologises to the Masingita Group of Companies and to its readers for publishing the article without independently verifying its allegations.

The Stormers have sent an SOS to retired veteran hooker Scarra Ntubeni because of an unexpected crisis at hooker, ahead of their United Rugby Championship (URC) match against Ulster in Cape Town on Saturday. This is the second time since his retirement, at the end of the last URC season, that Ntubeni has been recalled by the Stormers. He twice played off the bench during the Currie Cup in July, and he might be pressed back into action once again, this time in the URC. The Stormers are without four hookers currently, after three went off injured against Scarlets over the past weekend – Andre-Hugo Venter with an elbow injury, Lukhanyo Vokozela with a head knock and their back-up, utility forward Deon Fourie, with a hamstring injury. Compounding the Stormers’ woes is the fact JJ Kotze is suspended, after his red card in the Champions Cup against Bristol Bears a week and a half ago. He will only be available again after the November international break. “We sent him (Ntubeni) an SOS. He has just come into training. We obviously have Vernon Paulo, who has been training and has played for us as well. And then we have the youngster Altus Rabe who has played Currie Cup, so they are our available hookers,” said Stormers assistant coach Labeeb Levy at a press conference on Tuesday. “Those three are our options for now. They just have to step up. We play within a system, so it’s not only about the individual, and they have experience around them. So we are backing our system to carry us through this crisis.” Levy, however, said it was unlikely that Ntubeni would need to play, as his fitness wasn’t at the level of the other players, and that he had been brought in more as cover, in case of the worst case scenario that another hooker went down injured during the week. “It (his fitness) obviously could be better, as he has been in retirement. But he trained solo a few weeks ago. He is basically just a stop-gap or a medical joker if you can call it that, in case something happens (to the other hookers). With the suspension of JJ we just need to get through this one,” said Levy. The Stormers are also hoping to receive a boost with captain Ruhan Nel nearing a return from injury, after he missed their last two games. “He is part of the discussion and it is obviously the plan (to bring him back in). But he has missed a few weeks (of training and playing), so we are giving him the best possible chance to play this weekend,” explained Levy. “It (the team) hasn’t been finalised yet and he will train this afternoon and then decisions will be made around that. I spoke to him this morning and he is quite keen to play, so there is a strong chance that he will be playing this weekend.”

A Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor and ward candidate has been shot dead at his home in Zamdela, Free State, just days before the local government elections. Thulani Mbana, the party’s Ward 14 candidate in Metsimaholo, was killed in Taylor Park on Monday night, 26 October. According to police, two unidentified men approached his residence at approximately 21:40 and called out to him. As Mbana approached, one of the men allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot him several times at close range. Both suspects fled on foot. Mbana died at the scene. POLICE HUNT FOR KILLERS Free State police commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia has assigned the Zamdela Trio Task Team and Serious Organised Crime Unit to investigate the murder. The motive remains unknown, and police have not established whether the attack was politically motivated. Authorities have urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information that could compromise the investigation. ELECTION SECURITY UNDER SPOTLIGHT Mbana’s murder comes ahead of the local government elections on Wednesday, 4 November. The Free State Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (ProvJOINTS) says it is ready to coordinate security operations across the province. Lesia warned that police would not tolerate violence or criminal activity and pledged to protect communities during the election period. Anyone with information can contact investigating officer Captain Sandile Dladla on 082 453 6245 or 073 226 6788. Anonymous tip-offs can also be submitted through Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the MySAPS App..

Miss SA 2025 Qhawekazi Mazaleni has moved out of her “dream apartment” that came with her reign. Take a look inside the luxury home. MISS SA MOVES OUT OF ‘DREAM APARTMENT’ Qhawekazi Mazaleni, who was crowned Miss SA in 2025, has completed her one full year of reign as Miss SA. She is still the reigning Miss SA. However, it is time for her to move out of her “dream apartment”. She took to Instagram to share her grattitude and sadness as she packed away all her stuff to officially move out. Take a look… “Can’t believe it has been 1 FULL YEAR. Thank you for trusting me to serve ♥️🇿🇦 I’ve cried so many tears of gratitude these past days, I keep saying I won’t cry on finale night buuut I’m scared to make that promise,” she wrote. “@official_misssa, thank you for seeing me. Thank you believing in me and for teaching me to be my biggest advocate so I can advocate for others. Ndiyabulela ♥️. Let’s start the next chapter,” she continued. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Qhawekazi Mazaleni (@qhawemazaleni) “I’m moving out of my Miss South Africa apartment and my first box is PACKED. What a beautiful journey 🥹 19 Days until a new Queen is crowned. It’s all feeling so real. To fresh starts and chapters that we’ll cherish forever 🥂,” she wrote. INSIDE THE dream APARTMENT The Miss SA 2025 apartment was a luxury penthouse located at Ellipse Waterfall in Waterfall City, Midrand. The property was developed by Tricolt and Attacq, the high-rise residence features modern kitchen finishes, natural light, world-class amenities, and a private plunge pool. The Miss SA Organisation shared a glimpse inside the apartment via Instagram. Take a look… “Step inside @qhawemazaleni’s sanctuary during her reign. 🏡,” read the caption. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss South Africa (@official_misssa)

The Information Regulator has fined FNB R1-million after its app exposed 88 home loan applications.

Africa Tech Festival's Kadi Diallo argues for adaptable AI rules that suit each market's level of readiness.