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Nearly 50 years after Steve Biko's death in police custody, South African authorities are officially reopening an inquest into his death. The move follows new evidence and criticism of past cover-ups, aiming to provide closure for his family and address unresolved atrocities from the apartheid era. The inquest is scheduled for September 12, 2025.
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South Africa's Constitutional Court has ruled that husbands can now take their wives' family names, overturning a law from the apartheid era that restricted this. The court gave the government two years to amend the Births and Deaths Registration Act, citing gender discrimination and cultural shifts. The decision received mixed reactions on social media.
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South Africa's trade minister and the US trade representative held three days of talks, described as 'cordial and constructive,' aiming to repair strained relations. No immediate outcomes were announced, but a 'roadmap' was established for future discussions amid ongoing tensions over tariffs and political disagreements.
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The US is exploring ways to reduce reliance on Taiwan for semiconductor manufacturing, aiming to bring more supply chain capacity home. Discussions involve Taiwan's investment and security guarantees, amid concerns over China's threats and global chip shortages. South Africa and Africa are also in talks for trade agreements.
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At the UN General Assembly, Israel faces widespread criticism over Gaza war, with many countries condemning its actions. Netanyahu's speech was met with walkouts and protests, amid calls for accountability and sanctions. The global debate highlights Israel's growing diplomatic isolation in the context of ongoing conflict.
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A bus traveling from South Africa to Zimbabwe and Malawi crashed near Louis Trichardt, Limpopo, on Sunday evening, killing 42 people including children. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with initial causes under investigation. The incident highlights ongoing road safety concerns in the region.
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South Africa's G20 presidency led to a largely successful summit, with 19 countries signing a declaration on issues like climate, debt relief, and inequality, despite US opposition and President Trump's absence. The summit highlighted African leadership and multilateral cooperation amid global tensions.
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The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) expired on September 30, risking job losses and economic setbacks in African countries reliant on US duty-free exports. Leaders are seeking renewal amid rising tariffs and China's expanding influence, which could reshape Africa's trade landscape.
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Nathi Mthethwa, South Africa's ambassador to France, was found dead at a Paris hotel after his wife reported him missing. Investigations suggest a possible suicide, with no signs of struggle or drugs. Mthethwa previously served as police and sports minister, and his death is considered a national loss.
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The Biden administration has not finalized refugee admission numbers for 2025, with reports indicating a record low. Meanwhile, the U.S. is prioritizing the relocation of white South Africans, particularly Afrikaners, under a new program initiated by the Trump administration, citing claims of persecution amid South Africa's land expropriation laws.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet Donald Trump next week at the White House, ending a 270-day gap since their last face-to-face. The meeting follows recent tense interactions between Trump and other world leaders, including Macron and Zelenskyy, highlighting ongoing diplomatic tensions and power plays.
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On October 26, 2025, at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, US President Donald Trump co-signed a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia to end deadly border clashes. The deal includes military de-escalation, removal of heavy weapons, prisoner release, and ASEAN observer deployment. Despite the truce, core territorial disputes remain unresolved, and tensions persist amid trade negotiations and regional diplomacy.
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A series of recent fatal accidents include a motorcycle collision in Brazil killing a footballer, a bus crash in Uganda causing dozens of deaths, and a home crash in Nashville after a car driven by an impaired teen. Authorities urge caution amid ongoing investigations.
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On October 30, 2025, the Trump administration set the US refugee admissions ceiling at 7,500 for fiscal year 2026, a historic low compared to Biden's 125,000. Priority is given to white Afrikaners from South Africa, citing humanitarian concerns. The move has drawn criticism from South Africa's government and refugee advocates, who reject claims of 'white genocide' and warn of humanitarian consequences.
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A court in South Africa has reopened an inquest into the death of anti-apartheid leader Albert Luthuli, more than 50 years after his death was ruled accidental. The move aims to investigate allegations that he was killed by apartheid police, with the original 1967 ruling now under review amid suspicions of a cover-up.
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As global wealth inequality worsens, South Africa's G20 presidency highlights the need for international measures. A report shows the richest 1% captured 41% of new wealth since 2000, prompting calls for a permanent inequality monitoring body. Leaders are urged to address this pressing issue today.
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As of November 2025, over 1,400 Africans from 36 countries, including Kenya and South Africa, have been recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine under false pretenses. Many are deceived with promises of jobs, coerced into signing military contracts, and sent to deadly frontline assaults. South Africa is investigating 17 citizens trapped in Ukraine, while Ukraine urges recruits to desert and seek prisoner-of-war status.
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As of November 27, 2025, the US has boycotted the G20 summit in Johannesburg, citing unsubstantiated claims of persecution against white Afrikaners and land confiscation. South Africa, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, condemned the boycott as based on misinformation and confirmed its full G20 membership. Despite US absence, the summit proceeded with a declaration addressing global challenges, supported by most members except the US and Argentina.
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The UK has pledged £850 million to the Global Fund for 2026-28, a 15% reduction from previous commitments, amid broader aid cuts. This move risks reversing progress in fighting AIDS, TB, and malaria, potentially causing hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths and weakening health systems worldwide.
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On November 14, 2025, 153 Palestinians fled Gaza via a chartered flight from Israel through Kenya to Johannesburg. Initially denied entry due to missing Israeli exit stamps and unclear travel plans, 130 were later admitted after the NGO Gift of the Givers offered accommodation. The flights were organised by Al-Majd Europe, linked to an Israeli-Estonian operator and Israeli military facilitation, sparking concerns over forced displacement amid Gaza's conflict.
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Recent flights of Palestinians from Gaza to South Africa have raised suspicions. South African authorities are probing the flights, linked to a secretive Estonian-Israeli company, amid accusations of an Israeli-led campaign to relocate Palestinians. The flights occurred without proper documentation, prompting official investigations and regional concern.
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The upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg is impacted by the US and China boycotts. The US is withdrawing over South Africa's stance on racial policies, while China is reducing travel. South Africa aims to highlight global issues like climate change, debt, and inequality despite these absences.
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Leaders gather in South Africa for the G20 summit, where 19 countries signed a declaration on global issues, including renewable energy and debt relief. The US boycotted, citing disagreements. South Africa's presidency led to a consensus, amid global conflicts and economic challenges.
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South Africans staged a nationwide protest against gender-based violence and femicide, coinciding with the G20 summit. The government declared gender violence a national disaster after protests demanding action, highlighting the ongoing crisis despite legal frameworks and law changes.
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The G20 summit in South Africa concluded with tensions over the presidency handover, as the U.S. boycotted the event citing alleged anti-white policies. Despite this, the summit highlighted issues like global inequality, debt relief, climate resilience, and regional trade, emphasizing South Africa's focus on inclusive development for the Global South.
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President Trump boycotted the G20 summit hosted by South Africa, citing claims of white persecution. South Africa pushed for a declaration on global issues, but US opposition hindered consensus. The summit focused on climate, development, and inequality, with US and South Africa at odds.
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Western officials, including EU and US representatives, have expressed skepticism about a US-led peace plan for Ukraine. They emphasize the need for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and European integration, while highlighting major flaws in the proposed agreement. The plan's future remains uncertain.
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Since late November 2025, X (formerly Twitter) has rolled out an "About This Account" feature showing where accounts are based. This exposed many popular US-focused political accounts, especially pro-Trump and pro-Israel ones, as operated from countries like India, Eastern Europe, Nigeria, and Bangladesh. The move aims to increase transparency but raises privacy and safety concerns.
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Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a South African opposition MP, resigned after police announced an investigation into her alleged role in recruiting South Africans to fight in Ukraine for Russian mercenaries. The move follows accusations from her half-sister and ongoing efforts to repatriate the men trapped in Ukraine. The investigation is ongoing as of December 2, 2025.
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Italy's lower house unanimously approved a law defining femicide as a crime punishable by life imprisonment, aiming to better quantify and raise awareness of misogynistic violence. The law responds to high-profile cases like Giulia Cecchettin's murder and coincides with the UN's Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
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Leaders from the EU, US, and Africa gathered at a summit in Angola to discuss trade, security, and infrastructure. Key topics included mineral processing, regional stability, and strengthening multilateral cooperation amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The summit aims to reshape Africa's role in global supply chains.
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On December 4, 2025, the US and Kenya signed a $2.5 billion, five-year health agreement replacing previous USAID programs dismantled earlier this year. Kenya will increase domestic health spending by $850 million. Meanwhile, US-South Africa relations remain strained after the US boycotted the recent G20 summit in Johannesburg, citing unsubstantiated claims of white farmer persecution and refusing to recognize South Africa's G20 presidency transfer.
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Four South Africans were detained at Johannesburg airport en route to Russia, suspected of recruiting men to fight in Ukraine. The arrests follow reports of 17 others stranded in Ukraine, linked to allegations involving Zuma's daughter. An investigation is underway into illegal foreign military assistance.