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Recent reports reveal that for the first time, more children aged 5-19 are obese than underweight, driven by ultra-processed foods and marketing. Data from UNICEF, WHO, and national surveys show rising obesity rates worldwide, with significant health risks and calls for policy action.
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Recent US aid reductions and climate finance cuts are jeopardizing global health efforts, including TB and malaria programs, while private sector investment in climate adaptation in Africa is increasing amid declining government support. Experts warn these shifts could reverse progress on disease control and climate resilience.
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Recent days in Sudan have seen intensified fighting between the Sudanese army and RSF, with drone strikes killing at least 75 civilians in El-Fasher, Darfur. The city remains under siege, with ongoing clashes, ethnic violence, and worsening humanitarian crises, including food shortages and disease outbreaks. The conflict has killed over 40,000 and displaced millions since April 2023.
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UNICEF's vaccination campaign in Gaza faces delays due to Israeli customs restrictions on dual-use items like syringes and solar fridges. Despite a fragile ceasefire, critical supplies such as infant formula and water truck parts are also being denied entry, complicating efforts to address malnutrition and disease.
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Over 630,000 Palestinian children in Gaza have missed two years of school due to ongoing conflict. With a fragile ceasefire, efforts are underway to reopen schools, but damage, displacement, and lack of space hinder progress. Experts warn of a lost generation and long-term trauma.
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Since October 2023, Gaza's healthcare system has been decimated by ongoing conflict, with hospitals damaged and supplies limited. The UK has begun evacuating critically ill children for treatment, supported by WHO and international efforts, amid accusations of systemic targeting of healthcare by Israel and Hamas's use of hospitals for military purposes.
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Recent Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed at least 14 people, including a hospital nurse and his family, amid ongoing military operations aimed at dismantling Hamas. Thousands are fleeing Gaza City as Israel orders evacuations, worsening a humanitarian crisis with over 65,000 dead since October 2023. Peace efforts face significant hurdles.
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The UN Security Council has authorized an expanded 5,550-strong gang suppression force in Haiti, replacing the current Kenyan-led mission. The new mandate aims to combat escalating gang violence, which controls 90% of Port-au-Prince, amid ongoing political instability and humanitarian crises. Deployment timelines remain uncertain as violence worsens.
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The UNHCR reports over four million displaced across Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and neighboring countries, driven by insecurity, climate change, and resource scarcity. Humanitarian needs are urgent, with funding only a third of the required amount, and violence impacting women, children, and access to services.
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Since the ceasefire last week, aid into Gaza has increased to about 750 metric tons daily, but remains far below the needs of 2 million people. Israeli restrictions, border closures, and delays in aid delivery continue to hamper efforts to address the humanitarian crisis, with food and medical supplies still critically short.
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Tunisia has resumed voluntary repatriations of migrants, with about 7,200 returned in 2024, amid ongoing regional migration tragedies. Recent shipwrecks off Libya and Tunisia have resulted in over 58 deaths, highlighting the dangers of Mediterranean crossings. EU-Tunisia cooperation aims to curb migration, while Libya's chaos fuels deadly crossings.
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Edinburgh-based Canadian Stan Intihar created Jimbob McCluskey, a humorous Southern hillbilly character, to perform at a Scottish winter event. His act, blending storytelling, music, and comedy, features a solo descent in the Cairngorms and will be showcased at the Backcountry Bash on November 16.
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The UK has pledged £850 million to the Global Fund for 2026-28, a 15% reduction from previous commitments, amid broader aid cuts. This move risks reversing progress in fighting AIDS, TB, and malaria, potentially causing hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths and weakening health systems worldwide.
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Between November 21-23, 2025, armed bandits abducted over 250 students and 12 teachers from St. Mary's Catholic School in Niger State, Nigeria. This follows a recent kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State. Nigerian security forces, including military and local hunters, are actively searching for the victims amid escalating insecurity in northern Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu postponed foreign trips to address the crisis.
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On 26 November 2025, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the abolition of the two-child benefit cap, effective April 2026. The policy, introduced by the Conservatives in 2017, limited child tax credits to two children per family and contributed to rising child poverty. The repeal is expected to lift 450,000 children out of poverty, funded by new taxes including a gambling levy and mansion tax.
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South Africans staged a nationwide protest against gender-based violence and femicide, coinciding with the G20 summit. The government declared gender violence a national disaster after protests demanding action, highlighting the ongoing crisis despite legal frameworks and law changes.
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On December 8, 2025, a Boston federal judge ruled that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unlawfully terminated Rümeysa Öztürk's SEVIS record after her visa was revoked amid a crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism. Öztürk, a Tufts University PhD student, was arrested in March and detained for 45 days. The ruling requires ICE to reinstate her student record, enabling her to resume teaching and research.
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Since the ceasefire began, Gaza has seen continued violence, with medical teams treating women and children injured by Israeli airstrikes and gunfire. Despite the truce, both sides accuse each other of violations, and casualties, including children, persist. The situation remains fragile and volatile.
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Cybersecurity firms reveal unprecedented links between Russian and North Korean hacking groups, sharing infrastructure and tactics. The groups, linked to Moscow and Pyongyang, show signs of coordination, raising concerns about increased cyber threats linked to geopolitical tensions. This development underscores evolving cyber warfare strategies amid ongoing conflicts.
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On November 24, 2025, the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) permanently ceased operations after delivering over 187 million meals during a six-month emergency mission in Gaza. Created to bypass UN aid amid an Israeli blockade, GHF faced criticism for deadly violence near its distribution sites. Its aid model will now be adopted by a US-led coordination center.
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Nigeria's President Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency amid rising violence, kidnappings, and armed attacks in northern regions. The government is recruiting 50,000 police officers, deploying forest guards, and seeking legal reforms to enhance security. Recent abductions and violence have prompted international scrutiny and internal security measures.
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Recent fighting in Darfur has displaced over 100,000 people, with many arriving in Chad lacking aid. Funding cuts and ongoing violence have worsened conditions, leaving refugees malnourished and traumatized. Meanwhile, Syria's returnees face strained health services amid aid shortages, as international support diminishes.
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Fighting between Sudanese armed groups has intensified in Kordofan, following the fall of El Fasher in Darfur. Civilians face violence, displacement, and famine amid UN warnings and calls for ceasefire. Over 45,000 have fled, with hundreds killed in recent strikes. The crisis deepens as humanitarian access remains blocked.
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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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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.
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A severe cholera outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in over 64,000 cases and nearly 1,900 deaths this year, with children disproportionately affected. Limited water access, conflict, and underfunded health plans hinder response efforts, prompting urgent calls for increased funding and intervention.
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UNICEF reports that 9,300 children in Gaza were treated for severe malnutrition in October, despite a ceasefire agreement. Aid flows are still insufficient, with obstacles at crossings and security issues limiting supplies. The situation highlights ongoing humanitarian challenges in the region.
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Recent aid reductions have severely impacted malnutrition treatment in Kenya and Nigeria. Drought, conflict, and funding cuts have led to shortages of therapeutic food, risking irreversible health damage and deaths among children in vulnerable regions. The situation highlights the ongoing global challenge of food insecurity.