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African nations, led by the AU, demand increased climate finance and assert their role as solutions providers at COP30 in Brazil. The Addis Ababa Declaration emphasizes renewable energy, mineral transparency, and climate justice, amid ongoing debates over funding and development priorities. The summit highlights Africa's resilience despite limited emissions.
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In Myanmar's Sagaing region, a military-led attack using paragliders during a Buddhist festival has killed at least 20 civilians, including children. The attack targeted a protest calling for political prisoners' release amid ongoing civil conflict since the 2021 coup. The military blames resistance forces for using civilians as shields.
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WFP reduces food aid for Ethiopian refugees amid funding shortages, risking starvation for 780,000. Meanwhile, conflict in Congo hampers health services, leaving millions without medicine. Climate impacts worsen hunger in Kenya's Turkana, highlighting a growing regional crisis.
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On Saturday, al-Shabab claimed responsibility for an attack on the Godka Jilow prison in Mogadishu, targeting fighters linked to the group. No civilians or security officers were killed, and no prisoners escaped. The attack followed the government's reopening of roads, raising questions about security effectiveness.
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Gaza faces severe food shortages amid limited aid access, with only half of the targeted supplies entering since a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Somalia, Sudan, and Haiti are experiencing escalating humanitarian crises driven by aid cuts, conflict, and climate shocks, threatening millions with famine and displacement.
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On November 6, 2025, Somali pirates attacked and seized the Malta-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite in the Indian Ocean, over 1,000 km off Somalia’s coast. The 24 crew members locked themselves safely in the ship’s citadel. The pirates, armed with machine guns and RPGs, reportedly operate from a hijacked Iranian fishing boat. EU naval forces are responding amid rising piracy linked to regional instability.
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As of November 2025, the UN's Emissions Gap Report reveals that current national climate pledges will lead to a 2.3-2.5°C global temperature rise by 2100, surpassing Paris Agreement targets. Despite some progress, global emissions rose 2.3% in 2024. China's new 2035 goals mark its first specific emissions reduction target but fall short of what's needed. The US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement threatens to negate recent gains ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
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Recent attacks off Somalia's coast include the first in a year by suspected pirates. A dhow was used as a 'mother ship' to seize the tanker Hellas Aphrodite, but EU naval forces disrupted the pirates and secured the crew. Piracy has resurged amid regional instability.
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The New Orleans police department's decade-long federal oversight ends after a court proceeding in Loyola Law School. The consent decree, initiated in 2012 due to unconstitutional practices, including racial bias, was approved in 2013. Both DOJ and city officials agree the department has made sufficient progress to exit federal oversight, despite ongoing concerns about racial disparities and delays in investigations.
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On November 3, 2025, a rubber boat carrying 49 migrants from Libya capsized six hours after departure due to engine failure amid high waves. After drifting for six days, seven survivors were rescued near Libya’s Al Buri oil field; 42 remain missing and presumed dead. This tragedy adds to over 1,000 migrant deaths in the central Mediterranean this year, highlighting urgent needs for safer migration routes and improved rescue efforts.
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The UN World Food Programme warns that 318 million people will face crisis-level hunger or worse in 2026, more than double 2019 figures. Funding shortfalls threaten aid efforts, with only half of the $13 billion needed likely to be received. Conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability drive the crisis, with famine declared in Gaza and Sudan.
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Harare reports 501 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease, while cholera cases surpass 300,000 across Africa. Ethiopia and Rwanda investigate Marburg virus, with ongoing support from WHO and Africa CDC. No deaths reported yet, but health authorities remain vigilant.
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As of early December 2025, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has paused green card, citizenship, and asylum applications from nationals of 19 countries previously designated as high-risk under a 2025 travel ban. This follows a November attack in Washington by an Afghan national granted asylum. USCIS will conduct comprehensive reviews and interviews for immigrants from these countries who entered since January 2021, with no set date to lift the pause.
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Somalia faces a worsening health care crisis due to US aid cuts, affecting thousands of health workers and facilities. Despite recent gains against militants, public health services are collapsing, with hospitals relying heavily on international aid. The situation highlights ongoing instability and donor fatigue.
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Recent articles highlight worsening climate impacts and conflict-driven crises across Africa. A new UN-backed initiative aims to improve data on climate-health links, while ongoing droughts, food shortages, and conflict in countries like Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia threaten millions. Humanitarian efforts are increasing but face significant challenges.
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President Trump announced a new travel pause affecting 19 countries, including Afghanistan and Somalia, citing national security concerns after recent attacks. The move expands previous restrictions, halting processing of immigration applications and reviewing existing approvals amid heightened security fears.
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Since December 10, 2025, former President Trump has intensified racist comments targeting Somali immigrants and their representatives, including Ilhan Omar, amid ongoing immigration policies and political tensions. His remarks have sparked widespread condemnation and concern over rising xenophobia in the US and globally.
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In early December 2025, President Donald Trump launched a harsh verbal attack on Somali immigrants in Minnesota, calling them "garbage" and claiming they contribute nothing to the US. He also criticized Somali-born Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. These remarks coincided with federal plans for immigration enforcement operations targeting Somali residents, sparking local political backlash and highlighting ongoing tensions over immigration policy.
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Recent reports indicate that former President Trump made inflammatory comments about Somali immigrants, calling them "trash" and suggesting they should "go back" to their countries. The remarks, made during a cabinet meeting, have sparked outrage among Somali-American communities and critics, highlighting ongoing racial tensions and Trump's controversial rhetoric.
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On December 7-8, mutinous soldiers in Benin briefly seized state TV, declared a coup removing President Patrice Talon, and suspended the constitution. Loyalist forces, supported by Nigerian airstrikes and ECOWAS troops, swiftly regained control. The coup leaders cited governance failures and northern insecurity. Fourteen arrests were made; the leader remains at large. The incident underscores regional instability amid rising West African military takeovers.
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Nigeria launched military action in Benin to thwart a coup attempt, responding to requests from Benin's government. The operation involved fighter jets and ground troops, restoring stability within hours. Regional bodies condemned the coup, emphasizing the importance of constitutional order.