The US is expelling South Africa's ambassador, citing him as a 'race-baiting politician' who opposes President Trump. The diplomatic relations have deteriorated since Trump's disapproval of South Africa's policy decisions, including its stance against Israel. The ambassador must leave the US by March 21.
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In 2024, extreme weather events disrupted schooling for at least 242 million children in 85 countries, mainly due to heatwaves, cyclones, flooding, and other climate hazards. UNICEF highlighted that children in low-income nations like those in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa faced the worst impacts, with many schools being destroyed, thereby affecting their right and access to education.
A new generation of Africans is increasing pressure on Western museums to return looted artefacts, reflecting growing awareness and changing attitudes, says Unesco's Ernesto Ottone. While countries like France and Britain hold vast collections of stolen cultural heritage, restitution efforts remain complex, often requiring bespoke laws. Some items, like Benin bronzes and Madagascar's royal crown, have been loaned, but widespread returns face legal and political resistance, stalling progress.
The US National Archives have released the final batch of files related to JFK's 1963 assassination, aiming for full transparency. Despite the release, many continue to question the events and Oswald's lone involvement, while the documents are now accessible to the public.
Donald Trump plans to use the recent Gaza ceasefire, which ended 15 months of conflict and involved a phased hostage release deal, to expand the Abraham Accords. The ceasefire arrangement follows significant casualties and destruction in Gaza. Trump emphasized continued cooperation to prevent Gaza from becoming a terrorist safe haven and aims to normalize Israel's relations with more Arab nations.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement came after weeks of painstaking negotiations in Doha but Donald Trump claimed credit for the deal and said it would not have been possible had he not won the election and his victory in the November election sent a message to the world that the new US administration would not have it any other way.
Donald Trump has fired a top official of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) official, Mary Comans, after it was revealed that the agency paid $59 million to luxury hotels in New York City to house illegal immigrants. Mary Comans was the chief financial officer. Three others involved in this scandal also lost their jobs, a Department of Homeland Security official confirmed.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk and US President-elect Donald Trump celebrated New Year's Eve at Mar-a-Lago. A video showed Musk dancing with his son, X, while Trump appeared engaged in conversation. Social media reactions ranged from curiosity about Musk's other children to admiration for the gathering.
The Philippines said Monday it planned to acquire the US Typhon missile system as part of a push to secure its maritime interests, sparking warnings from China of a regional "arms race". And on Monday, China swiftly condemned the decision to acquire the system as a "provocative and dangerous move" and warned it risked triggering an "arms race".
A Queens high school teacher, Scott Biski, allegedly used a classroom "escape room" to sexually molest a female student from ages 14 to 17, lavishing her with gifts and inappropriate texts. Despite the student's claims of consensual encounters post age 17, Biski was fired and the case prompted policy change recommendations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit Washington to finalize a significant economic partnership with the US, focusing on Ukraine's rare earth minerals sector. The deal comes amid Trump's criticism of Zelenskyy and pressure for Ukraine to allocate future revenue to the US.