China Supports Malaysia’s Full BRICS Membership and Wider ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation

China backs Kuala Lumpur’s efforts to strengthen cooperation between China, ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council

China has reaffirmed its support for Malaysia’s bid to become a full member of BRICS while expressing hope that Kuala Lumpur will continue playing a key role in strengthening cooperation between Beijing and ASEAN member states.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said China reiterated its backing during his meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. He addedREAD MORE

The country is expanding renewable energy, restoring ecosystems and increasing forest cover as part of its national climate strategy

Ethiopia has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 74.3 per cent by 2030 compared with a business-as-usual scenario, Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itefa Geleta, as reported by Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), a TV BRICS partner.

The international meeting, which opened on 12 October, brought together climate experts and policymakers to advance scientific cooperation on climate change mitigation and adaptation.READ MORE

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola will resume his duties on Monday after President Cyril Ramaphosa lifted his precautionary suspension following the formal withdrawal of charges against him, a development welcomed by the South African Policing Union (SAPU).

Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia welcomed the decision on Friday, saying Masemola’s return presented an opportunity for the South African Police Service (SAPS) leadership to refocus on operational priorities and efforts to build a professional and trusted police service.

Ramaphosa announcedREAD MORE

TV BRICS and the University of Venda from South Africa have agreed to jointly implement information and educational projects, promote scientific research, and develop expert communities

The group of TV BRICS partners in science and higher education has been joined by a public university in the Republic of South Africa – the University of Venda (UNIVEN), a member of the BRICS Network University. On 15 October 2026, at the TV BRICS headquarters in Moscow, a cooperation agreement was signed byREAD MORE

The VP Justice Foundation has welcomed an investigation involving KwaZulu-Natal Hawks Lieutenant Colonel Deenadayalan “Deena” Govender, saying no police officer should be shielded from scrutiny regardless of rank or position.

The foundation’s comments follow a search conducted by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) at Govender’s residence amid allegations raised at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which has heard evidence relating to controversial police operations and shootings.

The investigation has drawn attention to questions surrounding R2.3 million deposited into Govender’sREAD MORE

Senators and experts discuss the group’s priorities on the 20th anniversary of its creation

Over the past 20 years, BRICS has formed an effective multi-level architecture of cooperation, but for further growth it is important to maintain momentum and avoid creating excessive formal structures. This was stated by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov at the round table “Improving the Effectiveness of International Cooperation in the BRICS Format”.

The event was timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the group’s creation and wasREAD MORE

Pastor Thandekile Sibiya, who allegedly received more than R1 million in suspected money-laundering transactions, has been released on R10,000 bail in a R114 million Mpumalanga education tender scandal involving the renovation of 21 dilapidated schools.

Sibiya appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 15 October 2026, following her arrest by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, a day earlier.

Her husband, Pastor Bongani Sibiya, who is also implicated in the case, has reportedlyREAD MORE

The world’s first regional agreement on the digital economy will be signed in November

At the 49th ASEAN Summit in November 2026, the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) will be signed. It is the world’s first legally binding regional-scale agreement regulating the digital economy. ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said this in an exclusive interview with TV BRICS.

Negotiations on DEFA began in September 2023 and concluded in May 2026. The member states are currently conducting an internal legal review ofREAD MORE

President Cyril Ramaphosa has lifted the precautionary suspension of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, clearing the way for him to resume his duties on Monday, 19 October.

The Presidency announced the decision on Friday, following the withdrawal of criminal charges against Masemola in September.

Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa and Masemola had agreed to the commissioner’s precautionary suspension in April 2026, after Masemola appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court to face charges relating to alleged contraventions of theREAD MORE

A former North West ANC regional treasurer and businessman has reportedly been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Although sources have identified the 49-year-old man arrested by the Commissions Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) on Thursday evening, African Times cannot reveal his identity until he appears in court. The man was reportedly apprehended moments before he was due to board an international flight.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) national spokespersonREAD MORE