- At least 1,500 people across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are preparing to break terror law tomorrow: Their planned action? Sitting on the floor holding signs that read: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” The group was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in July. The campaign Defend Our Juries is planning a major escalation from its last major protest in August, when more than 500 people were arrested – beating the record from the poll tax riots. Half of those arrested supporting Palestine Action were over the age 60.
- Israel – Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, will visit London next Thursday just weeks before the UK is expected to recognise the state of Palestine at the UN general assembly, the Guardian understands. It would be the first time a senior Israeli leader came to Britain since the foreign secretary, David Lammy, met his Israeli counterpart on an unannounced visit in the spring.
- Politics – Nigel Farage is using a private company to reduce his tax bill on his GB News media appearances and other outside employment in a television star-style arrangement that has in recent years become frowned on by major broadcasters.
- UK news – A man who became the focus of far-right demonstrations outside a hotel in Epping, Essex where he and others were housed has been found guilty of sexual assault against two 14-year-old girls.
- Banking – Lloyds Banking Group is to warn 3,000 staff that they are at risk of being sacked for underperformance as part of a management overhaul led by the chief executive, Charlie Nunn.
- Fashion – Giorgio Armani, the celebrated Italian fashion designer who built a global empire, has died, his company said on Thursday. He was 91.
- Mercedes-Benz’s new plan to save its factory in South Africa: Mercedes-Benz is considering allowing a rival to share its South African plant to keep its local operation afloat.
- New VW Amarok coming to South Africa: A new VW Amarok model will launch in South Africa before the end of the year.
- New Tata Curvv launched in South Africa: The new Tata Curvv crossover has officially gone on sale in South Africa.
- Discovery released a trading update yesterday in which it said its headline earnings will be up by about 30%.
- Yesterday, Woolies announced that their food business delivered “above-market turnover” with 7.7% growth on a comparable store basis.
- Fashion icon Giorgio Armani has died at 91. The visionary designer built a €2.3bn global empire over five decades, famed for elegance and independence. Hollywood stars mourned “King Giorgio,” remembered as both a meticulous craftsman and down-to-earth leader.
- Canada’s July trade deficit narrowed to R63.5-billion (C$4.94-billion), from June’s R76.86-billion (C$5.98-billion), helped by rising exports of crude oil and passenger cars to the US. It marked the sixth straight deficit since Trump’s tariffs, though improving from April’s record R97.69-billion (C$7.6 billion).
- General Motors will halt December production of its Cadillac Lyriq and Vistiq EVs at its Spring Hill, Tennessee plant and scale back output in early 2025, citing slower U.S. demand after Trump’s administration pulled federal support for green cars.
- RFK Jr. Reveals Why CDC Director Monarez Was Fired.
- Do Doctors Make Money Off Vaccines?: “Doctors are being paid to vaccinate, not to evaluate,” Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a recent video. “They’re pressured to follow the money, not the science.”
- Trump Tells Supreme Court He Will Appeal in E. Jean Carroll Case: President Donald Trump plans to ask the Supreme Court this fall to overturn a civil jury verdict that found he sexually abused writer E. Jean Carroll and defamed her, his…
- Goldman Sachs Sets Out 3 Paths for Gold Prices: Goldman Sachs said gold prices are poised to extend their record-breaking rally through 2026, with the potential to climb far beyond current levels depending on how central banks, private investors,…
- France Gives Google Big Fine: France imposed a significant fine against American tech giant Google for displaying advertisements between Gmail users’ emails without their consent, and for placing cookies when creating Google accounts, without valid…
- U.S. seizes record 300K kilos of meth-making chemicals linked to Sinaloa Cartel.
- Ilhan Omar’s net worth reaches nearly $30M, despite Feb. 2025 claim that she ‘barely’ has ‘thousands, let alone millions’.
- D.C. sues Trump admin. over Nat’l Guard deployment, arguing it’s ‘Illegal federal overreach’.
- DOJ considering blocking trans-identifying individuals from buying firearms.
- Trump pressures European leaders to stop purchasing Russian oil, undermining Moscow’s war funding.
- Over 1K current and fmr HHS employees sign letter demanding RFK Jr.’s resignation, citing fmr CDC Director Monarez’s firing.
- Conor McGregor seeks support for presidential run in Ireland ahead of October election.
- Eight in 10 South Africans think country’s heading in wrong direction, new survey shows.
- Thailand will vote for a new prime minister today after a flurry of political chaos. The election could be overshadowed by the sudden departure on Thursday of influential politician Thaksin Shinawatra, whose daughter Paetongtarn was recently sacked as prime minister by a court.
- South Korea, Japan and the US will hold annual defensive military drills, starting on 15 September, to upgrade naval, aerial and cyber capabilities against North Korea’s potential threats. The announcement comes on the heels of a Beijing meeting by China, North Korea and Russia’s leaders.
- Continuing the war on names, Trump plans to sign an executive order to rename the US Department of Defense as the “Department of War”.
- Argentinian authorities are investigating the daughter of a former Nazi official and her husband for aggravated concealment, after a looted painting was recovered on Thursday. It had been missing for 80 years.
- Joburg clears officials after making U-turn on investigating R1bn tenders.
- SANDF backs off from contentious joint military exercise with Russia and China.
- Brazil cocaine traffickers again target conduit to Durban amid SA’s police scandal.
- South Africa’s nuclear energy company is without a functioning board after five board members resigned amid a governance crisis its chairperson has described as a “hiccup at the top”. Disciplinary notices and an internal audit show that top executives at the state-owned Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa allegedly misrepresented finances and misallocated millions.
- US job growth in August likely slowed to around 75,000, with unemployment rising to 4.3%. Economists cite Trump’s tariffs and immigration limits for stalling hiring, leaving businesses cautious. The data could cement a Fed rate cut.
- China has allocated R2.3-billion ($131-million) in disaster relief after record rains, to replant damaged crops, restore farming infrastructure and speed up reservoir repairs, aiming to stabilise grain output and protect food security nationwide.
- The US pledged nearly R356-million ($20-million) in new security aid to Ecuador, including drones, while designating two gangs as terrorist groups. Secretary Rubio floated a possible US base, discussed trade talks and signed a migrant “safe third country” deal.
- Golden Arrow bus company swaps diesel for electric.
- Allegations of evading arrest, a R5-million ransom demand and operating signal jamming devices came to light when seven suspects, accused of kidnapping Tracey Fourie last month, appeared in the Gqeberha Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
- After waiting eight months to be sentenced, due to a series of strange events a corrupt traffic official will have to wait another two weeks after a newly assigned judge misunderstood the purpose of the court appearance.
- Vodacom in the Eastern Cape said it would be investing more than R400-million in network infrastructure during this financial year. The company said in a statement on Thursday that the investment underscored its commitment to expanding coverage, enhancing capacity, and empowering rural communities across the province.
- VAT changes for businesses in South Africa: SARS’ proposed VAT Modernisation Project aims to combat tax evasion and improve compliance, making non-compliance both costly and risky for businesses and their directors.
- The toy taking South Africa by storm: The popular toy trend Labubu is arriving in South Africa, with strong demand leading to a rise in counterfeit products.
- South Africa’s biggest insurer coming for Capitec: Sanlam plans to offer banking services to its South African clients starting next year as it seeks to grow revenue and gain a foothold in a thriving credit market.
- Smart ID and passport services coming to Pick n Pays across South Africa: TymeBank has joined a new partnership with the Department of Home Affairs to offer Smart ID and passport services at its retail kiosks, significantly expanding access to these services for South Africans.
- South Africa could finally get some good news next week: Amid declining business confidence, increased liquidations, and multiple pressure points in key industries, South Africa is expected to see surprisingly resilient economic growth in the GDP data next week.
- The 800-pound gorillas holding back e-commerce in South Africa: PayShap could be a game-changer for e-commerce and other businesses in South Africa, but the banks are holding it back.
- R3.84 million paid to ghost military veterans: This amount has been paid out to companies either not registered or registered under a different name.
- Cyril Ramaphosa should copy Putin: South Africa should learn from how Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged with Donald Trump in Alaska to improve its chances of securing a deal with the US, political analyst Dr Frans Cronje said.
- One company pays South Africans R5 million a day: Standard Insurance paid out R1.8 billion a year on average over the past five years, as more frequent extreme weather events drove an increase in claims.
- Chinese cars taking South Africa by storm: New AutoTrader data revealed that Chinese car brands like BYD, Omoda, and Haval are rapidly gaining market share in South Africa’s new and used car markets, causing concern for established players.
- Eskom’s playbook to save South African SOEs: Eskom’s recovery from record load-shedding to sustained stability is being hailed as a template for turning around South Africa’s struggling SOEs.
- Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared yesterday before the Senate Finance Committee to discuss recent turnover at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- “Bluey” animated feature film, based on the popular children’s TV show, sets August 2027 release date.
- Justin Bieber’s second surprise album of the year, “Swag II,” released this morning.
- New study suggests thumbnails instead of claws provided certain rodent species an evolutionary advantage, allowing the animals to better manipulate food.
- Spaceflight accelerates aging of stem cells, lowering their production of healthy new cells; findings suggest health risks of long-duration space flights.
- Fine particle air pollution linked to Lewy body dementia; particles can trigger formation of protein clumps in the brain, a hallmark of the disease.
- US stock markets close higher (S&P 500 +0.8%, Dow +0.8%, Nasdaq +1.0%) ahead of today’s jobs report release—the first since President Donald Trump’s firing of Labor Department official who oversaw the monthly reports (More)
- Justice Department opens criminal probe into Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over mortgage fraud allegations.
- Stephen Miran, Trump’s pick for Fed board, faces Senate confirmation hearing.
- President Donald Trump will sign an executive order today rebranding the Defense Department as the Department of War, a title last used in 1947; Dept. of War will be the agency’s secondary title until Congress approves the change.
- DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb (D) sues the Trump administration in effort to end deployment of National Guard; decision follows federal judge’s ruling this week that the Guard’s deployment in California was unlawful (More)
- Third earthquake hits Afghanistan as the death toll from Sunday’s earthquake exceeds 2,200 people, with over 3,600 others injured.
- Iceland tops ranking of most peaceful countries.
- Americans think ideal family size is 2.7 children.
- Study finds low-calorie sweeteners may accelerate brain aging.
- Lego’s upcoming Death Star set costs record-breaking $1K.
- FBI Reveals Seizures From Search of John Bolton’s Home.
- Trump to Sign Order Renaming Department of Defense to Department of War.
- 22 Chinese Nationals, 3 Americans, Accused of Trafficking Fentanyl Cutting Agents.
- Appeals Court Blocks Judge’s Order to Dismantle ‘Alligator Alcatraz’.
- New Study Highlights Widespread Spirituality Among Nonreligious Adults Around the World.
- An emergency alert drill will send a test message to mobile phones across the UK on Sunday at 3pm.
- London’s Tube strike also begins on Sunday for a week.
- Zack Polanski has won the election to lead the Green party in England and Wales.
- 26 world leaders attended one of the biggest global military parades in Beijing.
- Hydrogen-powered vessels set sail in the Netherlands, marking a significant step towards zero-emission maritime transport.
- The fossil of a “bizarre” armoured dinosaur with a tail weapon and spikes has been uncovered in Morocco.
- A new editor is in town! Vogue has officially announced who will be replacing the iconic Anna Wintour.
- On Bohemian Rhapsody’s 50th anniversary, a new version has been released in the Zulu language, performed by South Africa’s Ndlovu Youth Choir.
- Charli XCX will be contributing to the soundtrack of Emerald Fennell’s highly anticipated version of Wuthering Heights. Brontë but make it #brat, right!
- The SA National Taxi Council apologised to commuters affected by a taxi strike in Durban, which was prompted by impoundments of vehicles and lasted two days. The shutdown was called off after successful discussions with the council and KZN Transport MEC Siboniso Duma, with officials citing regulatory frustrations as the reason for halting operations.
- The Usindiso Commission found the City of Johannesburg responsible for rundown and hijacked inner-city buildings, citing systemic neglect and weak by-law enforcement. It highlighted failures in basic services like water, sanitation and electricity, which have forced residents into unsafe conditions and enabled illegal activities.
- The UN found that M23 rebels, Congolese forces and other groups committed killings, torture, sexual violence and used child soldiers in eastern DRC, potentially amounting to war crimes. The report urges accountability and a fully funded inquiry as peace talks stall and civilians remain at risk.
- Sweden’s former national security adviser Henrik Landerholm was cleared of severe negligence after leaving sensitive documents in a hotel safe, with the court ruling his actions were negligent but not serious enough for a conviction. The case, which embarrassed the prime minister, came amid heightened Baltic security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Sweden’s Nato membership.
- A recent snap survey of spaza shop operators by Yebo Fresh found that while cash is still king, most operators are now using one or more point-of-sale devices. The research focused on 2,769 spazas and 20 midi wholesalers. The midi wholesalers mostly supply the spaza shops.
- A display of diplomatic clout, stamina and geopolitical ambition has helped quell concerns among some China observers about the 72-year-old president’s vitality, linked to sporadic absences and – so far unknown – succession plans.
- Thailand’s Anutin Charnvirakul was elected prime minister after breezing through a parliamentary vote, trouncing the candidate of the Shinawatra family’s once-dominant ruling party to end a week of chaos and political deadlock.
- Florida’s plan to eliminate vaccine mandates would make inoculations optional for several million school-age children and college students, a move that experts said will accelerate declining immunization rates and put more people at risk of diseases such as measles across the country.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that any Western troops deployed to Ukraine would be legitimate targets for Moscow to attack, in a warning to Kyiv’s allies as they discuss measures for its future protection.
- Nigel Farage’s populist Reform UK kicks off a conference the Brexit veteran hopes will underline the growing popularity and sway of a party enjoying a double-digit poll lead over the Labour government.
- A viral French X account has tapped into rising generational tensions in France, where squeezed millennials rallying under the slogan “Nicolas foots the bill” say that better-off baby boomers should do more to fix the country’s huge deficit.
- The Rwandan-backed rebel group M23, Congolese Armed Forces and other armed groups committed serious rights violations in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that may amount to war crimes, the UN Human Rights Office said.
- Giorgio Armani established one of the world’s best-known fashion brands over the past five decades, and his death inevitably raises questions about the future of an Italian company whose independence he cherished.
- A handful of apparel retailers including Levi’s and Aritzia are teasing more full-priced products, testing how much wealthier shoppers are willing to pay despite the sobering effect of tariffs.
- Trump is expected to unilaterally reinterpret a 38-year-old arms control treaty to sell sophisticated “Reaper” style and other advanced military drones abroad, according to a US official and four people familiar with the plan.
- Chinese and European carmakers are set to face off at next week’s Munich car show, reflecting intensifying competition on the continent that has pitted incumbents such as Volkswagen against EV giant BYD and newcomers GAC and Changan.
- The US payrolls number is more keenly awaited than usual, after last month’s data so angered Trump that he fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The president may not want a weak number, but Wall Street does – because it would ease the way to lower rates.
- France holds a confidence vote in parliament on Monday.
- The ECB meeting is set to hold rates on Thursday.
- Investors have a lot riding on Thursday’s August US inflation report.
- SA’s Eskom forecasts load shedding free summer.
- Transnet revenue increases by R82.7 billion.
World News – 5 September 2025
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