Future Media News

Brent crude may have dipped a little as Iranian and Qatari officials continue talks to end the US-Israeli war on Iran. But international traders warn that tensions could push prices towards US$120 a barrel after Tuesday’s US midterm elections with the Trump administration having toned down rhetoric regarding Iran in the run-up to the vote. Future Media News South African economist Dawie Klopper fo...

More information is available on Sunday morning's horror crash involving an Amarok and Fortuner, in which seven people were killed. Joseph Simson, known as Nally, is confirmed under the dead with four others identified as Tomas Shinanga, Dino Shinanga, Paulus Nuuyoma and Maria Hongola. Two victims are unidentified while one survivor, a passenger in the Fortuner, is in critical condition. Omusati c...

The Hephzibah Mental Health Wellness Centre is urging Namibians to speak up and seek professional help when loved ones struggle with alcohol or drug use. Founder Cynthia Martin says the initiative aims to encourage families to support loved ones battling substance abuse, while raising awareness among young people about vaping and cannabis use, including misconceptions that these substances improve...

The Deputy Agri-minister Ruthy Masake said transformation in the agriculture sector requires incorporating modern technology with indigenous knowledge, rather than relying solely on expensive machinery. Speaking at the national World Food Day commemoration in Onyaanya Constituency, Oshikoto Region, on Friday, Masake said climate-resilient farming depends on localised, practical solutions. Future M...

Iran's army has warned that any new war could spread well beyond the Middle East, as Iranian negotiators hold a third day of Qatar-mediated talks in Doha aimed at ending the conflict with the United States and Israel. US President Donald Trump has said the negotiations are going well, but has also spoken of Iranian targets the United States still needs to deal with, while US Secretary of State Mar...

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure says it is ready to facilitate and safeguard free, fair and safe local government elections across the country. Special voting is taking place today and tomorrow, with the main election day on Wednesday. NATJOINTS chairperson Tebello Mosikili says security assessments have been conducted at all voting stations, with intelligence-led deploym...

In international news, Americans are heading to the polls Tuesday in high-stakes midterm elections that will decide the balance of power in Washington for the rest of President Donald Trump’s term. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate are up for grabs. Currently, Republicans hold narrow majorities in both chambers. A Democratic win in either house would bring leg...

Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi says the provincial government has completed 21 of the 67 directives aimed at strengthening the response to gender-based violence and femicide, with a further 38 underway. He briefed the media yesterday on the province’s 90-Day GBVF Response Plan. This follows presidential directives and a four-point plan to combat the scourge of GBVF in the province. Lesufi acknowle...

A Learjet flying from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas crashed into a Palm Beach County neighbourhood in Florida yesterday, killing all nine people aboard. In a video, the aircraft can be seen nose-diving and erupting into a giant fireball near a major roadway. At least 600 residents were evacuated. The crash is the second deadliest in the US this year, following June’s skydiving plane crash in Butle...

South Africa votes this week in its local authority elections. Security is tight amid strong campaigning from all the parties. In KwaZulu-Natal police have warned that marches and protests will not be allowed on election day, Wednesday, 4 November. Acting Provincial Police Commissioner Phumelele Makoba says anyone taking part in such demonstrations will be committing a crime. Future Media News Pod...

Twenty-year-old Kimi Antonelli has claimed his maiden World Drivers' Championship in just his second season, becoming the youngest Formula One champion in history. The Mercedes driver finished third at the Mexico City Grand Prix to secure the title with four races left in the season. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the race with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in second. Antonelli, who is also the first It...

The FNB Eagles have pulled off a dramatic 3-2 ODI series victory over Test nation Ireland, securing a landmark achievement for Namibian cricket on home soil. After dropping the series opener, the Eagles bounced back in the 2nd ODI as skipper Gerhard Erasmus blasted a brilliant unbeaten 156 off 125 balls, powering Namibia to 321 and their first-ever ODI win over a Full Member side by 31 runs. Namib...

Swapo is preparing for its 7th Elective Congress next year, where delegates will elect the party’s top four, the president, vice-president, secretary-general and deputy secretary-general. The congress is expected to be a key moment for the party as it considers its future leadership and direction. Political analyst Dr Ndumba Kamwanyah spoke to Future Media News. He does not expect much change. Fut...

The European Union in Namibia has found no evidence of misuse of Erasmus+ funds by the Namibia National Students Organisation, Nanso, following an investigation into allegations linked to the SHINE Project. This after allegations arose regarding the potential misuse of EU funds after Nanso utilised grant money to organize a dedicated plenary session on the SHINE Project during its own National Con...

The Bank of Namibia raises the repo rate to 7 percent as inflation climbs, while FMD vaccinations pass 61,000 cattle. Government development spending lags, prompting a N$110.6 million reallocation. Beyond our borders, South Africa deploys soldiers ahead of local elections, Ebola spreads in Central and West Africa, and oil prices top US$116 a barrel. Binance investigates a US$6.3 billion security b...

Namibia remembers former First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba at a memorial service in Ohangwena, and Meatco resumes slaughtering at Okapuka with a 20 percent cut in producer prices. And, Cape Town Airport faces delays amid taxi unrest, and US Vice President JD Vance says he expects the Iran war to end soon. More at futuremedianews.com.na. Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

Foot-and-mouth disease costs the livestock sector N$13 million a day, Cape Town Airport faces delays amid taxi unrest, and Binance is hit by a record US$6.3 billion hack. Plus, the Bank of Namibia’s loan relief for farmers and the Dakar Youth Games get underway. More at futuremedianews.com.na. Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

Namibian Chamber of Environment CEO Dr Chris Brown has defended marine phosphate mining, saying scientific assessments found its impact on commercial fish species and spawning grounds would be insignificant. He says the seabed can recover after dredging and that strict monitoring can protect marine ecosystems. Brown argues the project offers economic benefits. Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

Consumer confidence hits a record low as inflation rises, a South African farmer is critically injured in the latest farm attack, and the US war in Iran costs at least US$47 billion. Also, CAF reverses its AFCON four-year cycle plan and the latest from the High Court. More at futuremedianews.com.na. Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

Consumer inflation reached 5.4 percent in September, while fuel prices rose 30 percent year-on-year. The Simonis Storm Consumer Confidence Index fell to a record low of 42.2 in the fourth quarter. The firm forecasts 2 percent economic growth this year and expects inflation to peak at 6.2 percent in March 2027. Future Media News spoke to economist Almandro Jansen. Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

# Foot-and-Mouth Controls Hit Sheep Exports.... # Fuel prices in focus ahead of November adjustment.... # Kamwi calls for stronger community support for malaria spraying ..... # Fishrot Trial Judge No Longer Assigned to Case ......PLUS # Sovereign wealth fund surpasses half-billion-dollar milestone Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

# Sheep Marketing Drops 40% After Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak.... # Fuel prices face another crucial monthly review.... # Malaria prevention efforts gain momentum in Zambezi ..... # Fishrot Trial Still Awaits Presiding Judge...... # Welwitschia Sovereign Wealth Fund grows to N$514.6 million... PLUS # Billions in crypto move from Binance-linked wallets Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

Namibia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund has surged past the half-billion-dollar mark, with government moving to table dedicated legislation that will legally protect natural resource revenues for future generations. According to the midterm budget documents, the Welwitschia Fund reached a market value of N$514.6 million Namibian dollars as of late June. That marks a 75% growth from the N$293 million recor...

Former Health Minister Dr Richard Kamwi has praised intensified indoor malaria spraying in high-risk areas. After spending three weeks supporting malaria control efforts in the Zambezi Region, he says community resistance remains a challenge, but awareness campaigns are improving acceptance of the programme.  Future Media News Podcasts Webpage

The Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, last month announced a N$1.50 increase in the price of petrol, while both grades of diesel remained unchanged. Future Media News spoke to IJG Securities data analyst Ndapewa Jeremia to find out what the firm predicts for fuel prices in November. Future Media News Podcasts Webpage