Khartoum, Sudan – Sudan is facing a worsening dengue fever outbreak as the country’s fragile healthcare system continues to collapse under the strain of prolonged conflict.   Health officials report a surge in cases across multiple states, with hospitals struggling to cope due to shortages of medical supplies, power cuts, and damaged facilities. The war, now in its second year, has left millions displaced and exposed to poor sanitation and unsafe living conditions, creating fertile ground for the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.   Aid agencies warn that without urgent intervention, the outbreak could escalate further, threatening thousands of lives. Limited access to clean water, inadequate waste management, and the breakdown of vector control programs have exacerbated the crisis.   The World Health Organization (WHO) and local health authorities are calling for international support to deliver essential medicines, strengthen disease surveillance, and restore basic healthcare infrastructure.

Nairobi, Kenya – The Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme (PELIS), a government-backed initiative in Kenya’s forest sector, is drawing mixed reactions as it continues to balance biodiversity concerns with community livelihoods and forest restoration goals.   Under PELIS, farmers are allowed to cultivate food crops on degraded forest land while planting trees, a strategy officials say has helped restore thousands of hectares of forests while also supporting rural incomes.   Environmentalists, however, caution that the practice risks eroding biodiversity, as monoculture plantations often replace indigenous tree species. They warn that the long-term ecological costs could outweigh short-term livelihood benefits if not properly managed.   On the other hand, supporters argue that PELIS has significantly increased tree cover, improved food security, and empowered forest-adjacent communities with economic opportunities.   The Kenyan government has pledged to expand PELIS as part of its target to achieve 30% national tree cover by 2032, while promising stricter monitoring to ensure ecological sustainability.

Cairo, Egypt / Khartoum, Sudan — The governments of Egypt and Sudan have released a joint statement addressing the ongoing dispute over Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD), calling for a renewed commitment to dialogue and regional cooperation.   In the statement, both nations emphasized that Ethiopia’s unilateral actions on the dam pose risks to regional stability and water security, urging the international community to support a fair and binding agreement.   Egypt and Sudan reiterated their commitment to protecting the rights of downstream countries under international water laws, while stressing the importance of African Union-led negotiations to reach a lasting resolution.   Diplomatic sources suggest the joint declaration signals a stronger alignment between Cairo and Khartoum as Ethiopia continues to press ahead with the dam’s filling and operations.

Blue Nile State, Sudan — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has described the recent landslide in a remote Sudanese village as a “catastrophic humanitarian disaster,” stressing the urgent need for relief efforts.   According to the IOM spokesperson, the disaster, which killed at least 370 people, has left thousands homeless and cut off from essential aid due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing insecurity in the region.   Humanitarian organizations are calling for immediate international support, citing concerns over food shortages, shelter, and access to medical care for survivors. Rescue operations remain difficult due to logistical challenges and heavy rains.   The Sudanese government, alongside aid agencies, has pledged to intensify relief operations in coordination with local communities.

Bilari, India – The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has directed officials to submit a detailed report on pending sugarcane dues owed to farmers in Bilari, amid growing concerns over delayed payments by local sugar mills.   Sugarcane farmers have repeatedly voiced frustration over long-standing arrears, which they say are affecting their livelihoods and putting them under financial strain. The CMO’s intervention is seen as a step toward ensuring accountability and faster disbursement of payments.   Authorities have been instructed to assess the total outstanding dues, reasons for delay, and a clear timeline for settlement. The government has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding farmers’ interests and ensuring transparency in the sugarcane payment process.

Nairobi, Kenya – Kenyan security and customs officials have intercepted a large consignment of smuggled sugar from Somalia, intensifying the government’s crackdown on cross-border contraband trade.   The seizure, made during a joint operation by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and law enforcement agencies, involved several trucks attempting to sneak the goods into the country without proper documentation.   Authorities say the smuggling of sugar from Somalia has been a recurring challenge, undermining revenue collection, destabilizing the local sugar industry, and raising concerns over quality and safety standards.   The government has vowed to tighten border surveillance and prosecute those involved in illegal sugar imports.

Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has officially launched its weight-loss drug Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) in South Africa, marking the product’s first entry into the African market.  The launch positions Novo Nordisk in direct competition with Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, which entered the South African market eight months prior.  At the launch event, Sara Norcross, General Manager of Novo Nordisk South Africa, highlighted the urgency of addressing obesity and diabetes in the country, where one in two adults is overweight or obese. She noted that over two-thirds of South African women and about one in three men fall into this category. Wegovy will be available for prescription-based weight-loss management and follows Novo Nordisk’s established presence in the market via Ozempic for diabetes. 

The United States and Rwanda have reached a landmark agreement for the East African nation to accept up to 250 migrants deported from the U.S., as part of President Donald Trump's intensified immigration crackdown. The deal, first confirmed by Reuters, was signed in June in Kigali by officials from both countries. A Rwandan government spokesperson revealed that the initial list of 10 individuals had already been submitted by Washington for vetting. “Rwanda has agreed with the United States to accept up to 250 migrants, in part because nearly every Rwandan family has experienced the hardships of displacement, and our societal values are founded on reintegration and rehabilitation,” said Yolande Makolo, the spokesperson for the Rwandan government. Under the agreement, Rwanda retains the right to approve or reject each proposed deportee. Those who are accepted will receive workforce training, healthcare, and accommodation support, allowing them to restart their lives in one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. The White House and State Department have not issued a statement on the deal. The Department of Homeland Security referred all questions to the State Department. President Trump, known for his hardline stance on immigration, has emphasized plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, including those with criminal records. His administration has previously pursued third-country deportations, targeting nations like South Sudan and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). In May, Rwanda's Foreign Minister acknowledged that discussions with the U.S. over deportations were underway. Despite human rights concerns raised by watchdogs regarding Rwanda's domestic policies, Kigali continues to present itself as a resettlement partner for Western governments. Trump administration officials argue that relocating migrants to third countries is an effective method to remove individuals who cannot be repatriated easily, especially those who pose potential public safety risks.