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Recent violence in Sudan includes drone strikes on hospitals and kindergartens, killing over 114 people, mostly children. The UN reports ongoing fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF, with thousands displaced and critical humanitarian needs unmet amid worsening conditions in Darfur and Kordofan.
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The US has accused South Sudan of obstructing humanitarian aid and violating international obligations, threatening to review and potentially reduce foreign assistance. The US highlights mismanagement of aid funds and obstructive policies, amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises in South Sudan. The government has yet to respond.
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On December 13, 2025, a drone attack on a UN peacekeeping base in Kadugli, South Kordofan, Sudan, killed six Bangladeshi troops and injured eight. The Sudanese military blamed the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which denied involvement. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, calling it a potential war crime amid Sudan's ongoing civil war.
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In South Sudan, communities like Akuak are building and maintaining islands using traditional methods to combat rising floodwaters driven by climate change. Recent years have seen catastrophic flooding, displacing hundreds of thousands, but local resilience and new infrastructure projects are helping communities adapt and survive.
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In South Sudan, two MSF facilities in Jonglei were attacked on February 3, displacing staff and civilians amid ongoing conflict. The violence has led to casualties, mass graves, and increased insecurity, with aid efforts severely impacted. The situation reflects deepening instability since last year's political arrests.
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Recent developments in South Sudan include the arrest of soldiers involved in a killing, ongoing investigations into UN aircraft with surveillance systems, and US warnings over aid obstructions. The country faces increased violence, political scrutiny, and international concern amid fragile peace efforts.
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On December 16-17, 2025, the US administration announced expanded travel restrictions effective January 1, 2026. Full entry bans now include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, and Palestinian Authority passport holders. Fifteen additional countries, mostly African, face partial restrictions. The move aims to address national security concerns, citing vetting challenges and recent violent incidents involving foreign nationals.
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The Biden administration announced a significant expansion of the US travel ban, adding six new countries including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, and Palestine. The move aims to tighten vetting amid concerns over security, corruption, and regional instability, affecting nearly 40 countries overall.
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The US announced new partial and full entry restrictions on nationals from several African countries and others, citing security concerns and civil record issues. The measures, effective January 1, 2026, target countries with high visa overstay rates and corruption, with exemptions for athletes and certain travelers. The move follows recent security incidents and aims to enhance vetting.
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Recent violence in South Sudan includes the killing of UN staff in Wau and ongoing political instability. UN investigations reveal security concerns over aircraft used for aid and resource smuggling. The country faces escalating conflict, delayed elections, and humanitarian challenges amid international criticism.
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The US State Department has notified at least 29 ambassadors, mostly appointed during Biden's administration, that their postings will end in January. The move affects key countries in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, as part of a broader effort to align diplomacy with the current administration's priorities.
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Rwanda signed nine new defense agreements in 2025, with 21 more in progress, focusing on joint training, intelligence, and peacekeeping. The Directorate General of IMC has become highly active, reflecting Rwanda's growing military engagement across Africa and beyond, including deployments in Mozambique and the Central African Republic.
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A US federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's plan to end Temporary Protected Status for about 230 South Sudanese nationals, citing risks of harm and ongoing litigation. The decision preserves protections set to expire on January 6, 2026, amid legal challenges and diplomatic concerns.
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Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have responded to the US travel restrictions by imposing reciprocal visa bans on US citizens. The US expanded its visa restrictions on December 16, citing security concerns, affecting 39 countries, mostly in Africa. The affected nations are led by military governments facing regional security challenges.
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On New Year's Eve 2025, a boat carrying over 200 migrants capsized near Jinack Village in Gambia's North Bank region. Authorities rescued 102 survivors and recovered seven bodies. The vessel was found grounded on a sandbank. This tragedy highlights the deadly Atlantic migration route from West Africa to Spain's Canary Islands, where thousands risk their lives seeking better opportunities in Europe.
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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.
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Fighting in Jonglei between government forces and SPLA-IO loyalists has intensified, with UN and government urging civilians to evacuate. Displacement has reached 180,000, and clashes threaten fragile peace efforts amid renewed violence since late December.
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South Sudan's army announced Operation Enduring Peace to recapture towns in Jonglei, amid renewed conflict and a controversial military order to kill civilians. The operation follows recent territorial gains by opposition forces loyal to Riek Machar, raising fears of a return to full-scale civil war.
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Fighting in South Sudan's Jonglei State has intensified, causing widespread displacement, attacks on healthcare facilities, and disrupting aid. The UN reports over 370,000 displaced this year, with escalating violence threatening to undermine peace efforts and worsen humanitarian conditions.
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In 2025, Guinea worm cases dropped to 10 in humans, with animal infections declining. The eradication effort, led by The Carter Center, has reduced cases by over 99.99% since 1986, with only six countries remaining uncertified. Progress continues despite logistical challenges and funding shifts.
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In South Sudan, a hospital in Lankien was attacked, marking the 10th assault on MSF facilities in 12 months. The hospital was evacuated before the strike, but its main warehouse was destroyed, and supplies lost. A separate looting incident occurred in Pieri, leaving communities without healthcare amid ongoing conflict.
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Recent reports show a global decline in perceived corruption levels, with the US and UK slipping in rankings. While some countries improve, many democracies face setbacks due to weakened institutions, political influence, and funding cuts, raising concerns about governance and transparency worldwide.
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Three years into conflict, Sudan's war has displaced 15 million people, worsened food insecurity, and triggered famine in Darfur. Despite some returns, ongoing violence and infrastructure damage hinder recovery, with millions in urgent need of aid amid escalating violence and health crises.
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The 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index shows a global decline, with the average score dropping to 42, the lowest in over ten years. Rwanda improved slightly, ranking 41st, while regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East continue to struggle with entrenched corruption. The US and Europe face rising risks.
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The US government has revoked Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen, affecting around 2,300 beneficiaries. The move, announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, cites improved conditions in Yemen, but critics argue the country remains unstable. Yemenis in the US face deportation or voluntary departure within 60 days.
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New documents reveal ICE plans to rapidly scale up detention capacity across the US, including conversion of warehouses into processing centers. The initiative, backed by $45 billion from recent legislation, faces local opposition and questions over transparency, especially in New Hampshire and New York.
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Youssouf highlights Palestinian suffering amid ongoing Gaza siege and conflicts across Africa at the AU summit. The event emphasizes water issues, climate change, and regional instability, with calls for humanitarian aid and peace efforts amid escalating violence and resource disputes.
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On Sunday, at least 90 civilians, including women and children, were killed in an attack in Abiemnom county, Ruweng, amid escalating violence between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and opposition groups linked to Riek Machar. Over 1,000 civilians sought refuge at a UN base. The conflict threatens the fragile 2018 peace deal and has displaced hundreds of thousands.
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U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy declared the Trump-era deportation policy invalid, citing violations of due process rights. He suspended his ruling for 15 days to allow an appeal, emphasizing the importance of legal protections for migrants facing expedited removal to third countries.
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South Sudan has seen a series of arrests targeting former officials, including a former finance minister, amid ongoing political and economic turmoil. The government claims these are non-political responses to financial irregularities, but tensions remain high as the country faces economic decline and renewed conflict.
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A recent attack in South Sudan's Ruweng region has resulted in at least 169 deaths, including civilians and soldiers. The violence, linked to ongoing civil conflict, prompted UN peacekeepers to shelter civilians. The attack highlights escalating violence amid fragile peace efforts and regional instability.