First in Africa: What to know about the G20 summit boycotted by Trump

Ireland is set to face South Africa in the Autumn Nations Series rugby union match, with kick-off scheduled for 5:40 PM GMT. Sam Prendergast has been selected as the fly-half, while experienced players Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier return to bolster the team against the world champions.

US President Donald Trump has announced the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a decision that will involve critical components from Australia. This move raises concerns among experts regarding Australia's potential complicity in human rights violations associated with the Saudi regime.

World leaders at the G20 summit in South Africa adopted a new declaration, marking a departure from traditional protocols, despite the boycott by the United States. This summit is significant as it is the first G20 meeting held on African soil, highlighting the continent's growing role in global governance.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican congresswoman from Georgia, announced her resignation from Congress effective January 5, 2026, citing a breakdown in loyalty with former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. She expressed her refusal to be a 'battered wife' following a public fallout with Trump, which has drawn mixed reactions from her colleagues.

At the G20 summit in Johannesburg, Western leaders expressed that the US peace plan for Ukraine requires significant revisions, with French President Macron warning that the G20 risks losing its relevance. The plan, which has been leaked, includes concessions to Russia, such as territorial claims in eastern Ukraine and limitations on Ukraine's military capabilities.

The Rand Club, established by white mining magnates, symbolizes the decline of South Africa as a former capital of the global gold industry. This storied institution reflects the broader economic and social changes that have occurred in the region over time.

Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani, the New York City mayor-elect, formed an unexpected alliance during their first face-to-face meeting at the White House. They agreed to collaborate on key issues such as housing, food prices, and cost-of-living concerns, which resonate with their working-class voter bases. Trump expressed surprise at their level of agreement, highlighting a shift in their previously contentious relationship.

In Nigeria, 215 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were abducted from a Catholic school in Niger state, marking the second mass kidnapping in a week. This incident occurred amid Donald Trump's threats to intervene militarily over alleged 'Christian genocide,' which the Nigerian government denies. The ongoing security crisis in Nigeria has seen a troubling rise in school abductions, raising concerns about the safety of students and the effectiveness of government responses.