-
Since December 2025, the UN reports that the Houthis in Yemen have detained 59 UN personnel, all Yemeni nationals, with some held incommunicado for years. Several have been referred to a criminal court on fabricated espionage charges, raising concerns over violations of international law and human rights.
-
Eritrea announced its withdrawal from IGAD, citing the organization's failure to promote regional stability. Tensions with Ethiopia over border issues and Red Sea access have escalated, with both nations accusing each other of interference. The UN urges renewed commitment to peace accords.
-
The UK government has suspended the visa route for refugee family reunions, affecting thousands. The move, announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, limits family reunification to exceptional cases, prompting campaigns from charities and protests. The policy change is set to impact over 4,900 families and may increase dangerous crossings.
-
Severe flooding in Safi, Morocco, caused by heavy rain, has killed 37 people and flooded dozens of homes. The disaster follows a week of extreme weather linked to climate change, with authorities launching a relief effort for affected provinces amid ongoing storms and snowfall warnings.
-
Israel has officially recognized Somaliland, a breakaway region from Somalia, marking a historic shift that has intensified regional tensions. The move aims to strengthen Israel's strategic position near key shipping lanes and counter Iran-backed threats, but it faces strong opposition from Somalia and regional actors. The story is unfolding today, Jan 10, 2026.
-
The US has announced new visa restrictions affecting 38 countries, mainly in Africa, requiring applicants to post bonds of up to $15,000. The policy aims to reduce overstays but raises concerns over affordability and fairness, especially for Nigerian travelers. It takes effect on January 21, 2026.
-
Since January 20, 2026, the Trump administration launched "Operation Catch of the Day," targeting roughly 1,400 immigrants in Maine, focusing on those with alleged criminal records. Governor Janet Mills and local leaders criticize the operation for secrecy and community disruption, especially in Portland and Lewiston's immigrant populations. The raids coincide with a broader visa suspension affecting 75 countries, including many African nations, amid heightened immigration enforcement nationwide.
-
Libyan authorities have uncovered an underground prison near Ajdabiya, containing bodies of migrants reportedly tortured and killed. The operation revealed a mass grave with at least 21 victims, highlighting ongoing abuses against migrants in Libya, a key transit route to Europe. The farm owner was detained, and investigations continue.
-
A court in the Netherlands sentenced Eritrean migrant smuggler Amanuel W. to 20 years for leading a transnational network involved in human smuggling, extortion, and violence. The case highlights legal efforts to prosecute crimes committed mainly outside Dutch territory, with suspects extradited from Ethiopia and the UAE. The verdict underscores the severity of migrant exploitation and trafficking in Europe.
-
Fighting has resumed in Tigray, Ethiopia, with drone strikes and military movements raising fears of conflict escalation. Flights are suspended, and residents face shortages amid rising tensions after a 2022 peace deal. Humanitarian aid is limited, worsening a crisis that has already caused hundreds of thousands of deaths.
-
Ethiopia has ordered Eritrea to withdraw troops amid accusations of border incursions and support for rebel groups. Relations have deteriorated since Ethiopia's peace deal with Tigray, with recent clashes raising fears of renewed conflict. Both sides deny the allegations, but tensions remain high.
-
Since April 2023, Sudan's war between the military and RSF has caused tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 11 million. The UN, US, and UAE are coordinating efforts for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid, amid ongoing clashes and accusations of foreign support for the RSF.
-
Regional tensions in the Horn of Africa have intensified as Gulf states, notably the UAE and Saudi Arabia, deepen their influence amid regional conflicts. The UAE backs Somaliland and invests heavily in ports, while Saudi Arabia builds alliances with Somalia and Egypt. These rivalries threaten regional stability and involve military, diplomatic, and economic maneuvers.
-
UK government figures show a 4% decline in asylum claims in 2025, despite a 13% rise in small boat crossings. Hotel housing for asylum seekers decreased by 19%, with the backlog falling 48%. Visa issuance also declined, amid ongoing border control efforts.
-
Ethiopia's push for sovereign access to the Red Sea via Somaliland and Eritrea heightens regional tensions. Diplomatic moves, port developments, and military posturing suggest a potential escalation, with regional powers and external actors involved amid fears of conflict and strategic shifts.