News Bulletin of 23 October 2025, 2pm

Several major roads from Johannesburg South to Midrand will be closed on Sunday, 26 October for the annual Ride Joburg cycle race.
Over 20,000 cyclists are expected to take part, with closures starting as early as 3am.
Authorities including the City of Johannesburg, Gauteng Traffic Patrol, and JMPD will be on duty to ensure safety. Commuters are advised to plan alternative routes, as navigating the city may be challenging on race day.
Roads affected include the N1, N17, M1, M2, Woodmead Drive, and Rand Show Road. Commuters can visit the Ride Joburg website for a full map of all affected streets.

The Department of Home Affairs is introducing a new passport courier service for South Africans living overseas. Starting on 1 November 2025, expats will be able to receive their passports through courier delivery from new service centres around the world.
The move will save clients from making a second trip to collect their documents and aims to make the process faster and more convenient. Turnaround times are expected to be between 24 and 72 hours, with delivery fees ranging from 30 to 60 US dollars.
The service will launch in 18 global cities and could later expand to South Africans at home once the system is fully refined.

A massive inflatable Kermit the Frog is turning heads in Paris as the star attraction of this year’s Art Basel fair. The 20-metre artwork, titled Kermit the Frog, Even, was created by Venezuelan-American artist Alex Da Corte and is currently on display in the Place Vendôme.
The piece arrives just days after a jewellery heist at the Louvre, adding a playful touch to a city on edge. Organisers say security remains a top priority, with more than 200 galleries from 40 countries taking part in the main event at the Grand Palais this weekend.
Alongside Kermit, visitors can explore other large-scale installations around Paris, celebrating creativity and offering a moment of light-hearted relief through art.