AFRICA

Rwanda, Mozambique sign peace agreement

Rwanda and Mozambique have signed a "peace and security "agreement during a visit by the southern African leader to Kigali on Wednesday, as their forces battle a long-running insurgency in Mozambique's north. Contacted by AFP, the Rwandan Defense Forces spokesman, Ronald Rwivanga, said there were "no details yet" about the deal. However, it comes as attacks in Mozambique have multiplied. Rwandan leader Paul Kagame welcomed the deal.

SOUTH KOREA

Mobile phones to be banned in schools

South Korea has passed a bill banning the use of mobile phones in school classrooms nationwide, officials said on Thursday, joining other countries in efforts to curb social media use among minors. South Korea has recently sought to tighten rules on electronic devices in schools, citing concerns over smartphone addiction among students. The bill, which will take effect in March next year, bans the use of smart devices, including mobile phones, in classrooms and was passed on Wednesday, a National Assembly spokeswoman told AFP.

UNITED STATES

White House fires health agency head

The US administration confirmed on Wednesday it had fired Susan Monarez, the head of the top US public health agency after she refused to step down during a standoff with vaccine skeptic Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The escalating dispute over Kennedy's sweeping overhaul of US vaccine policy also led to the resignation of five other senior officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a union representing some of the agency's workers.