UN Politics: A UN watcher argues the General Assembly should stop rubber-stamping Security Council picks for the next UN Secretary-General, after it refused to challenge nominees in the past. Local Government & Elections: Cosatu puts the ANC on notice ahead of the November 4 local government elections, blaming ANC-led municipalities for collapsing services and corruption. IEC Court Fight: The ANC asks the electoral court to treat its IEC submissions as valid even where an electronic step was allegedly missed, raising a key question about whether technical access issues can decide outcomes. Education Integrity: Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube downplays a reported fallout with her director-general over lifestyle audits and insists senior officials must comply. GBV & Safety: Commentary and reporting keep spotlighting South Africa’s femicide crisis after the Kempton Park killings, with calls for faster, tech-backed crime-fighting. BRICS & Economy: President Cyril Ramaphosa pushes BRICS ties to attract investment as growth lags, while BRICS leaders adopt a New Delhi declaration urging “maximum restraint” amid US-Iran tensions. Business: Solar Industries’ R22bn Omnia bid signals confidence in South Africa’s industrial base, even as deal terms and approvals remain pending. Infrastructure: Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana blames poor planning for SA’s infrastructure backlog and flags Treasury’s push to constrain spending and borrowing. Water Standards: A major drinking-water standard overhaul raises the bar for municipalities, boreholes and refill stations—if enforcement keeps up.