Russia strikes Turkish-owned bulk vessel off Ukraine’s southern coast
A bulk carrier struck during a Russian attack on Ukraine’s southern coast on Friday is owned by a Turkish company, a source familiar with the incide...
President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order as early as Thursday directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps to close the U.S. Department of Education, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.
The draft order, which is labeled “pre-decisional” and subject to change, includes a statement criticizing federal oversight of education. “The experiment of controlling American education through Federal programs and dollars—and the unaccountable bureaucrats those programs and dollars support—has failed our children, our teachers, and our families,” it reads.
Eliminating the department has long been a favored proposal among conservatives. Following her Senate confirmation, McMahon reportedly sent an email to staff stating that she would “send education back to the states,” emphasizing that both Trump and American voters had entrusted her with the task of streamlining or eliminating the department’s bureaucracy.
The U.S. Department of Education was established by Congress in 1979 with the goal of strengthening federal support for equal educational opportunities and supplementing state efforts. In a 2023 campaign video, Trump had previously promised, “One other thing I’ll be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington, DC, and sending all education and education work and needs back to the states.”
While an executive order cannot unilaterally close a federal agency without congressional approval, the administration could potentially undermine the department’s functions and reassign its duties. The move comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to reduce federal spending and reshape domestic policy.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Iran's President Massoud Pezeshkian has begun a two day visit to Kazakhstan, with officials from both sides describing the trip as an opportunity to advance cooperation in trade, transport, industry, mining and cultural exchanges.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their tensions through dialogue and engagement, as it pledged to work with the international community to help improve relations between the two countries.
A bulk carrier struck during a Russian attack on Ukraine’s southern coast on Friday is owned by a Turkish company, a source familiar with the incident told Reuters.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has begun a multi-nation diplomatic tour of the Middle East, showing Beijing’s deepening engagement in a region undergoing conflicts, shifting alliances and major geopolitical realignments.
Pakistan and China are conducting a joint counterterrorism exercise, Warrior IX, to strengthen military cooperation. The drill comes at a time of renewed regional instability, with analysts saying it underscores both countries’ determination to deepen security ties.
A former estate of drug lord Pablo Escobar, now a wildlife park in Colombia, has marked Christmas by setting animals festive feeding challenges designed to boost their mental and physical health.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 12th of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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