UKZN faces scrutiny as xenophobia debates spill into regional diplomacy following SA protests; the university traces its origins to the 2004 merger of University of Natal and University of Durban-Westville.
UNAids warns that funding cuts and tightening civic space threaten progress against HIV. Six-month lenacapavir injections are rolling out in South Africa, with early results showing promise but concerns over access and equity persist as external aid declines.
El Niño has strengthened, with forecasters warning it will be among the strongest on record. Regions across Africa, South Asia, and the Americas face droughts, floods, and rising food prices as climate impacts intensify. Aid groups warn that vulnerable communities and smallholder farmers will bear the brunt as aid budgets tighten.
A wave of xenophobic protests in South Africa has intensified, targeting undocumented migrants and fueling violence, looting, and displacement. Governments are coordinating repatriation, while discussions on formal migration policy and regional dialogue are accelerating ahead of local elections.
Leaders at the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit in Durban face pressure after Ramaphosa’s call for dignity and for tighter action against discrimination. Protests highlight demands for stricter border controls and accountability, with a focus on protecting African migrants amid ongoing violence and political tensions.