Electricity & Municipal Finance: Johannesburg has cleared its R5.25bn Eskom debt in full, ending the court-linked threat to restrict power supply, with City Power’s final payment confirmed and Eskom withdrawing its PAJA process. Fuel Costs: Central Energy Fund data points to another September fuel-price squeeze, with diesel under-recoveries looking especially painful for freight, farming and construction. Water & Environment: Researchers at UCT’s Future Water Institute are using stones, sand and biochar to treat about 50,000 litres a day of heavily sewage-polluted Stiebeuel River water for reuse. Crime & Illicit Trade: Police seized 282,000 counterfeit and non-compliant items worth R14.9m in Gauteng, targeting everything from consumables to electrical goods. Drugs & Security: Limpopo Hawks, with US partners, raided an industrial crystal meth lab in Musina, seizing equipment and drugs worth about R600m and arresting five suspects including two Mexicans. AI & Skills: A leading scientist says South Africa’s AI revolution needs more women at the table, not just as beneficiaries but as decision-makers shaping research and funding. Housing Delivery Debate: Cape Town’s housing investment push is being challenged as “pipeline not homes”, with critics calling for delivery measured in keys. BRICS Youth & Sports: BRICS Youth and Sports Ministers meet in Visakhapatnam under India’s 2026 chairship, with South Africa among the delegations.