West African nation, now in focus amid regional tensions and post-c coup dynamics
Eswatini has been hosting up to 160 migrants deported from the United States under third‑country deals, with 19 detained in a Mbabane prison and others abroad. Detainees report crowded conditions; legal challenges argue the agreement bypasses parliament and violates rights. Sierra Leone and other West African nations have also agreed to accept deportees.
Sierra Leone has signed a Third Country National agreement with the United States to accept up to 300 ECOWAS nationals deported from the US each year, with a maximum of 25 a month. The first group of 25 deportees from Senegal, Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria is expected to arrive on May 20, 2026. The arrangement has drawn criticism over legal basis and treatment of deportees, and it remains unclear what Sierra Leone receives in return.
Zimbabwe’s draft constitutional bill would extend the presidency and other public offices to seven-year terms and defer 2028 elections. Parliament is set to debate it next week, with critics warning of legal challenges and protests.
Voters have faced ballot-paper shortages at polling stations, sparking protests and calls for accountability. The National Election Commission has apologised and ordered investigations, while parties contest results in key urban centers, including Seoul and Busan. Local elections test President Lee Jae Myung's administration and the opposition's regrouping prospects.
Australia’s World Cup campaign has opened with a 2-0 win over Turkey, highlighted by Nestory Irankunda’s goal and a young, refugee-rich squad. The team has released a video promoting multiculturalism, featuring players born in refugee camps, as a statement amid rising anti-immigrant rhetoric.
England’s children’s mental health referrals have surpassed 1 million for 2024-25, a rise driven by anxiety and suspected autism. Wait times remain long, with more than 60,000 waiting over two years. The report calls for joined-up services across health, education and social care to meet demand.
A global humanitarian picture shows funding shortfalls and ongoing emergencies across Mozambique and Somalia. OCHA and NGO reports highlight displacement, disease, food insecurity and the need for sustained aid amidst conflict and climate shocks. New funding gaps risk undermining relief efforts and recovery.
Uganda, Kenya and other African health leaders are pushing for integrated sickle cell care, newborn screening and sustained domestic financing to expand treatment, prevent poverty from illness, and improve outcomes for patients.
Israel’s government faces a constitutional clash as appointees to the Second Authority resign amid court intervention, threatening Channel 13’s sale. The High Court has frozen authority operations, citing concerns over political influence. The government refuses to concede, arguing the court’s ruling is invalid while pursuing legislation to curb regulatory power.
Congo’s Ebola outbreak has reached 2,536 confirmed cases and 1,033 deaths since May 15, making it the fastest-spreading outbreak to date. Bundibugyo virus is behind this wave, with no approved vaccines or treatments. The outbreak remains largely confined to the eastern provinces of Congo, with cases rising rapidly and the peak potentially still ahead.
The latest updates show the Bundibugyo-virus outbreak has grown rapidly in Congo, with thousands of cases and over a thousand deaths reported. The virus has no approved vaccines or treatments, distinguishing this outbreak from the 2014-2016 crisis.