The United Nations says security in Haiti is deteriorating and the magnitude of the violence has sown panic among the Haitian population. María Isabel Salvador, the special representative for Haiti told the Security Council that stepping up international support for Haiti is more critical than ever and urged member states to support the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan.

Salvador commended Kenya’s steadfast leadership and thank all contributing member states. ‘Haiti’s humanitarian crisis has reached critical levels,” Salvador said. She added that all member states must increase support to Haiti security forces, particularly the Multinational Security Support Mission, “not as a matter of choice, but of necessity as no viable alternative remains” Kenya’s advisor to the president said an urgent expansion of the MSS personnel is essential in order to deliver the intended impact and meet the legitimate high expectations of the Haitian people.

Haiti’s ambassador Ericq Pierre, said Haiti is prepared to discuss and support, as appropriate, any initiatives of its traditional partners aimed at helping rid the country of gangs that terrorize the population.

Every Easter, South Africans from far and wide gather for the Rand Easter Show at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in South Africa.

The visitors enjoy fairground rides, food stalls, exhibits and shopping at the family based event which ran through April 17-21.

It is the largest consumer exhibition in South Africa.

“We really enjoyed ourselves here in Rand Easter Show,” said one visitor. “It’s for the kids, it’s for the adults, it’s for the grandparents, it’s for everyone. So we’re having a fantastic time,” added another.

The theme for 2025 was Ocean Wonders and there was a virtual aquarium experience and an interactive marine world on offer.

The expo also has a dedicated space that hosts a wide range of government departments and public sector institutions, allowing visitors access to essential services while learning about the different sectors in government.

The show’s CEO, Adele Hartdegen said they are always looking for ways to keep the experience fresh.

“We really had a look at what consumers were asking for, what our visitors was asking for, and we also went back into previous editions of the shows to have a look at what haven’t we offered the public yet,” Hartdegen added.

Founded in 1936 and originally known as the Empire Exhibition, the Rand Easter Show has become a traditional annual event.

The United States could soon radically change its diplomatic presence in Africa, according to a leaked memo from the US State Department.

As part of large overhaul plans for the State Department budget, Washington could close down as many as six of its embassies and two consulates in Africa.

The diplomatic representations marked for potential closure are the embassies of the Central African Republic, Eritrea, the Gambia, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, and South Sudan. The consulates that could be closed are in Douala, Cameroon, and Durban, South Africa.

But according to some analysts, the news of the potential diplomatic cuts may be part of a wider attempt by Washington to change the relationship between the US and the African continent.

According to reports by Politico, the new relationship sought by Washington would be based on more business ties but scale back on foreign aid and its diplomatic – and also military – presence on the ground.

While the plans need to be approved by the US Congress, they have already given rise to fears that China could take advantage of a reduced American presence on the continent and further expand its own influence.