Nigeria Kidnapping: Over 170 Worshippers Abducted in Kaduna

By Al Mayadeen English

Nigerian police confirm the mass abduction of Christian worshippers in Kaduna state after initially denying reports. Over 170 people were seized during church services.

Nigerian police have acknowledged the mass abduction of Christian worshippers in northern Kaduna state, confirming reports they had initially dismissed. The kidnapping incident took place during Sunday church services and involved over 170 people, marking a significant escalation in a wave of mass abductions targeting civilians across religious lines.

The police's admission comes amid heightened international scrutiny over Nigeria’s growing insecurity and the effectiveness of recent foreign military support.

The victims, who were attending services at three different churches, were seized by armed gangs commonly referred to as “bandits.” The attackers struck in Kaduna state, just months after hundreds of Catholic schoolchildren were briefly abducted in neighboring Niger state.

The Nigerian government is under increased diplomatic pressure, particularly from the United States. President Donald Trump last month ordered US strikes in Nigeria targeting militants allegedly linked to ISIS. The action followed his claims that Christians in Nigeria were being systematically targeted.

However, analysts say the one-time US strikes have done little to reduce the violence that has plagued the country’s northern and central regions. Nigeria continues to battle jihadist insurgencies, mass kidnappings, and farmer-herder conflicts over land and resources.

International Scrutiny and Media Response

While local authorities in Kaduna state initially labeled reports of the kidnapping as “totally false,” multiple witnesses confirmed the incident. A senior Christian clergy member and a village head told AFP that dozens were taken. A security report prepared for the United Nations put the number above 100.

Only on Tuesday did national police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin confirm the abduction, stating that a rescue operation had begun. He explained that initial comments by Kaduna police were meant “to prevent unnecessary panic while facts were being confirmed.”

According to Kabir Adamu, a security analyst at Beacon Security and Intelligence, “security forces sometimes attempt to suppress security incidents” due to pressure from the government to demonstrate control.

Community testimonies and victim details

A Christian group submitted a list of the abducted, with long blocks of names sharing the same surname, suggesting entire families were taken, likely for ransom. “We did produce the names of over 177 people, and there is no contest that it was real,” said Reverend Joseph Hayab, head of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the north.

“Such a number couldn’t have been taken, and you think you can bury it just like that,” he added.

Despite the high-profile nature of the US strikes in Nigeria, analysts and journalists have questioned their effectiveness. While both US and Nigerian officials claimed militants were killed, no concrete evidence has been presented. The only verified casualties, according to local and international journalists, have been civilians.

Trump recently walked back initial claims that the strikes were isolated, stating: “if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike.” A Nigerian source told AFP that going forward, US reconnaissance flights would provide intelligence while Nigerian jets would carry out airstrikes.

Reverend Hayab called for a sustained campaign: “It should be a sustainable strike until every terror camp, until every terrorist, until every terror sponsor, until every terror supporter, until every terror hideout is completely wiped out.

Ongoing Violence and Security Challenges

While Nigeria appears to have weathered the worst of last year’s pressure campaign from Washington, which included Trump threatening unilateral military intervention, security concerns remain high. Abuja has since signed a $750,000-per-month contract with a US lobbying firm to improve communication about its efforts to protect Christian communities and maintain American support in countering West African jihadist groups.

Despite diplomatic and military interventions, the Nigerian kidnapping crisis reflects a broader breakdown in security infrastructure. With armed groups targeting both Christian and Muslim communities, and with state responses hampered by political pressure and limited resources, mass abductions continue to shake confidence in Nigeria's ability to protect its population.

Djibouti Revokes 1,400 Somaliland Passports in Tit-for-tat Move

By Al Mayadeen English

Djibouti revokes 1,400 Somaliland passports amid growing tensions over Hargeisa's alignment with "Israel", sparking a regional diplomatic rift.

Djibouti has revoked roughly 1,400 passports belonging to Somaliland officials, traditional elders, journalists, and members of parliament, in a move that signals a sharp escalation in tensions between the two administrations.

The decision comes after recent diplomatic developments involving "Israel’s" recognition of Somaliland, a breakaway region whose foreign policy shift Djibouti views as contrary to international law and regional stability. Reports indicate that the mass cancellation of travel documents is a direct response to Hargeisa’s new diplomatic alignment.

The latest action follows a series of retaliatory measures between Djibouti and Somaliland. Weeks earlier, Djibouti closed Somaliland’s liaison office in the country.

In turn, Somaliland withdrew its representative from Djibouti and barred Air Djibouti from operating flights to Hargeisa and Berbera, disrupting a route that previously offered at least four weekly services. Observers suggest that Djibouti’s passport revocation aims to pressure Somaliland to reconsider its engagement with "Israel".

'Israel' recognizes Somaliland in the name of normalization

On December 26, "Israel" formally recognized the Republic of Somaliland as an "independent state", a move widely condemned as a violation of international law. The decision is regarded as interference in Somalia’s internal affairs, and it undermines its sovereignty and territorial integrity, drawing criticism from the Somali government and regional organizations.

Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has never been internationally recognized, and "Israel’s" unilateral recognition breaks longstanding diplomatic norms. Observers warn that this act sets a dangerous precedent by legitimizing secessionist movements without a broader international consensus.

Even US President Donald Trump confirmed that he would not follow "Israel’s" move to recognize Somaliland. In an interview for the New York Post on December 27, Trump was asked whether he would recognize Somaliland and initially responded, “No, comma, not at this…” before correcting himself to say simply, “Just say, ‘No.’” He also remarked, “Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?”

The decision sparked strong regional and international backlash, with Somalia, the African Union, Türkiye, Egypt, and other Arab and Islamic states condemning the recognition. Critics argue that it threatens peace and stability in the Horn of Africa and could encourage further unilateral recognitions of breakaway regions in other conflict-prone areas.

Sudanese Army Reviews New US-Saudi Proposal for Ceasefire with RSF

By Al Mayadeen English

Sudan's army evaluates a new US-Saudi ceasefire proposal as clashes with the RSF continue and humanitarian conditions worsen across the country.

Sudan’s army is reviewing a new proposal from the United States and Saudi Arabia for a truce with the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a government source told AFP on Wednesday.

The Security and Defence Council, a high-level body composed of army and allied government officials, “is holding a meeting today to discuss the US-Saudi initiative for a humanitarian truce and a ceasefire,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.

Since April 2023, fighting between Sudan’s army and the RSF has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced around 11 million people, turning much of the country into a humanitarian crisis.

Previous truce efforts have repeatedly failed to produce a lasting ceasefire. Talks led by the so-called Quad, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the US, and Saudi Arabia, have stalled for months after army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan accused the group of favoring the UAE.

Last year, Sudan’s army cut ties with Abu Dhabi, alleging that the UAE was arming the RSF, claims the UAE denies, despite reports from UN experts, US lawmakers, and international organizations.

The new US-Saudi proposal marks the latest attempt to bring relief to a country grappling with one of the world’s fastest-growing displacement crises.

Quad-proposed ceasefire fails

In September 2025, the Quad, composed of the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, introduced a comprehensive roadmap aimed at ending the war in Sudan. The plan called for a three-month humanitarian truce followed by structured negotiations leading to a permanent ceasefire.

The proposal included guaranteed aid corridors, protection for civilians, and a mechanism for monitoring violations. It was meant to create space for both the Sudanese army and the RSF to engage in direct talks, facilitated by international mediators.

The roadmap also outlined a phased political transition, envisioning a return to civilian rule under a joint civilian-military authority. It was built on earlier ceasefire efforts but offered more detailed timelines and enforcement mechanisms.

Notably, the plan aimed to engage local civil society and resistance committees in shaping Sudan’s post-war governance. This element distinguished it from prior top-down approaches that had failed to gain traction on the ground.

However, despite initial interest, the plan stalled due to disagreements over sequencing, mutual distrust between the parties, and competing regional agendas, particularly over alleged foreign support for the RSF.

Drone Strikes Reach Al-Obeid as RSF Sweeps Through Kordofan

By Al Mayadeen English

Drone strikes and ground offensives by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are intensifying in Sudan’s Kordofan region, especially around al-Obeid.

Drone strikes have intensified in and around Al-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state in central Sudan, as the Rapid Support Forces close in on the army-controlled city, residents report. At least two recent attacks have caused significant civilian casualties.

Al-Obeid, one of Sudan’s most important cities, lies in the wider Kordofan region that separates the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) stronghold in Darfur from the army-controlled eastern half of the country. After consolidating control over western Darfur in late October, the RSF shifted its focus to Kordofan, with drone strikes reported weekly in and around al-Obeid.

At the same time, RSF ground forces began taking over towns and villages across the Kordofan region and besieging cities in South Kordofan state, residents said. The force has not yet approached Al-Obeid itself, where daily life continues despite the looming threat and an exodus of residents late last year as the conflict intensified. Army and allied forces remain stationed on the outskirts of the city.

Kordofan witnesses widespread RSF massacres

More than 100 civilians were killed in the first half of December across the Kordofan region, according to the UN human rights office. Satellite imagery from the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab shows about 100 new burial mounds in two cemeteries in Al-Obeid between January 2 and 14.

The imagery also shows damage to the city’s power station and the construction of berms around the city, possibly as a defense against future RSF encirclement.

Residents in Al-Obeid reported that the deadliest incident occurred on November 5 in the village of Al-Luweib. Dozens had gathered from afar for a funeral when an ambulance belonging to the army-aligned Joint Forces drove past. Shortly afterward, a drone, believed by residents to be operated by the RSF, fired on the gathering, killing 65 people, all women and children, according to four residents who spoke to Reuters.

Darfur governor warns of division

Meanwhile, the governor of Darfur and head of the Sudan Liberation Movement, Minni Arko Minawi, warned of “catastrophic” developments aimed at creating a new political reality dividing Sudan between two authorities.

In an interview for Darfur 24 newspaper, Minawi said, “Treating the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces as government counterparts during humanitarian ceasefire negotiations is a dangerous slide, as it grants parallel legitimacy that could lead the country into a state of divided authority and the fragmentation of national sovereignty, ultimately resulting in isolated local administrations across Sudan’s states.”

Minawi also sharply criticized regional actors, accusing the United Arab Emirates of seeking to strengthen its influence in western Sudan through local alliances. He added that “the coordination between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudan People’s Movement is directly aimed at imposing a new demographic and political reality” in Darfur and South Kordofan.

Sudan reviewing truce

Earlier on Wednesday, Sudan’s army began reviewing a new proposal from the United States and Saudi Arabia for a truce with the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a government source told AFP.

The Security and Defence Council, a high-level body composed of army and allied government officials, “is holding a meeting today to discuss the US-Saudi initiative for a humanitarian truce and a ceasefire,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.

Fighting between Sudan’s army and the RSF, ongoing since April 2023, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced around 11 million people, turning much of the country into a humanitarian crisis.

ICC Determines RSF Committed Crimes Against Humanity in El Fasher

By Al Mayadeen English

20 Jan 2026 22:14

RSF actions in El Fasher satisfied legal elements across multiple categories, including murder, extermination, persecution, rape as warfare, and forcible transfer of populations.

The International Criminal Court has formally determined that Sudan's Rapid Support Forces perpetrated war crimes and crimes against humanity during their October 2025 seizure of El Fasher, presenting the UN Security Council with evidence of systematic atrocities in the North Darfur capital.

Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan delivered the landmark briefing on January 18-19, 2026, outlining compelling documentation, including video footage, audio records, and satellite imagery, that shows RSF forces engaged in ethnically targeted executions, systematic sexual violence, arbitrary detention, and mass concealment operations following their takeover of the city.

The assessment marks the ICC's first formal determination regarding crimes perpetrated during the ongoing war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF. Khan emphasized that patterns documented in El Fasher replicate those from the 2023 El Geneina massacre, where UN experts estimate 10,000-15,000 civilians were killed.

Scale of atrocities

El Fasher had endured an 18-month siege before falling to RSF control on October 26, 2025. The blockade, including a 57-kilometer earthen barrier documented by satellite analysis, systematically cut off food, water, and medical supplies to approximately 250,000 trapped civilians, creating confirmed famine conditions by September 2025.

Following the city's capture, Governor Minni Minnawi reported that 27,000 people were killed in the first 3 days alone. Yale Humanitarian Research Lab satellite analysis of seven major markets found no signs of activity in November, suggesting catastrophic depopulation.

Survivor testimonies describe RSF fighters conducting house-to-house operations, asking civilians their tribal affiliation and executing those from non-Arab groups, particularly Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa populations. The ICC documented perpetrator-filmed videos showing fighters celebrating executions and desecrating corpses, providing unusually robust evidence of intent.

Legal framework, implications

The ICC's jurisdiction stems from UN Security Council Resolution 1593, adopted in 2005, which referred Darfur crimes to the Court despite Sudan not being a Rome Statute party. Khan confirmed that the October 2025 investigation builds on two decades of continuous evidence collection infrastructure in Darfur.

Under Article 7 of the Rome Statute, crimes against humanity require proof of widespread or systematic attacks against civilian populations with knowledge of the attack. The ICC assessment concluded that RSF actions satisfied legal elements across multiple categories: murder and extermination, persecution on racial and ethnic grounds, rape as a weapon of war, forcible transfer of populations, and severe deprivation of liberty through ransom-based detention systems.

However, enforcement remains the critical challenge. Four arrest warrants from earlier Darfur crimes, including ousted President Omar al-Bashir, remain unexecuted, and the ICC lacks independent arrest authority, depending entirely on state cooperation.

Humanitarian crisis deepens

By mid-November 2025, approximately 90,000 people had fled El Fasher to overcrowded displacement camps in nearby Tawila, where they encountered unsuitable conditions and depleted resources. The World Food Programme confirmed Sudan faces the world's largest hunger crisis, with 21.2 million people experiencing acute food insecurity, yet operations face a $700 million funding gap through June 2026.

The ICC's Office of the Prosecutor announced immediate steps to preserve evidence for future prosecutions, though no new arrest warrants have been issued for El Fasher crimes.

Sudan Approves 2026 Emergency Budget in First Khartoum Meeting Since War Began

21 January 2026

Sudan's Sovereign Council and the cabiet held their first joint meeting in Khartoum to approve the 2026 budget, Jan 21, 2026

January 21, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s Sovereign Council and cabinet approved the 2026 emergency budget on Wednesday in their first meeting in the capital since war broke out in April 2023.

The government has generally avoided announcing budget details during the conflict, allocating most resources to military operations and salaries while spending little on public services, according to analysts.

The Sovereign Council said in a statement that the joint meeting was held in Khartoum following the return of the military-led body and the “Government of Hope” to resume duties in the capital.

Information Minister Khalid Aleisir said the meeting approved the budget and passed several laws, while other draft laws remain under consideration.

Prime Minister Kamil Idris said on December 30 that the emergency budget targets gross domestic product growth of about 9 % and a reduction in average annual inflation to 65%.

Wednesday’s meeting was the first for the two councils in the new year and represented the practical launch of the executive government’s return to work from Khartoum, Aleisir said.

The 2019 constitutional document, which has been amended several times, transferred parliamentary powers to a joint meeting of the sovereign and ministerial councils until a legislative council is formed.

The council urged citizens to return home, stressing the government’s keenness to repay the Sudanese people for their support in restoring Khartoum to its natural status, the statement said.

The army regained control of Khartoum in March 2025 after the Rapid Support Forces had dominated most of the city since the conflict began in April 2023.

Sudan Central Bank Resumes Khartoum Operations After War Halt

20 January 2026

Bank of Sudan headquarters in Khartoum before the war

January 20, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s central bank has resumed operations in the capital Khartoum after a nearly three-year suspension due to civil war that caused extensive damage to its infrastructure, the bank said on Tuesday.

The bank’s headquarters and branches across the country were looted and vandalised during the conflict, alongside the destruction of ATM systems, banking networks and servers, it said in a statement.

Central Bank Governor Amna Mirghani Hassan told staff the return marked a “phase of recovery and reconstruction,” the statement said.

The bank will officially inaugurate its operations on Wednesday, it added.

The banking sector sustained severe losses, with 100 bank branches looted and destroyed nationwide and stolen funds exceeding 38% of holdings in Khartoum, the bank said.

Sudan currently has 38 banks operating 833 branches and 77 service windows.

The army regained control of Khartoum in March 2025 after fighting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which had held most of the capital since the conflict began in April 2023.

Sudan Anti-war Coalition Meets French Officials on Ceasefire Push

20 January 2026

Members of the "Somoud" delegation, led by former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, pose with Emmanuel Blattmann, Director General for Africa at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Paris, January 20, 2026. Somoud photo

January 20, 2026 (PARIS) – A delegation from the Civil Democratic Alliance of the Revolutionary Forces “Somoud”, a Sudanese anti-war civilian coalition led by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, met senior French officials on Tuesday, kicking off a European tour to seek solutions to Sudan’s civil war, the alliance said.

Sudan has been engulfed by war since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The delegation held talks with Emmanuel Blattmann, Director General for Africa at the French foreign ministry, and other officials responsible for Sudan and the Horn of Africa, the alliance said in a statement.

The meeting focused on the humanitarian crisis and alleged violations committed by both sides in the conflict, as well as the need for international action to halt the fighting, according to the statement.

The alliance warned that continued warfare risked destroying the Sudanese state and turning the country into a haven for terrorism that could threaten regional and international security.

The delegation outlined its vision for a ceasefire based on an unconditional humanitarian truce to allow aid delivery and create conditions for a comprehensive political process, the statement said.

That process should include all Sudanese forces except for the Islamic Movement and its affiliated groups, it added.

The delegation also called for accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and breaches of international humanitarian law.

It urged an end to foreign support for the warring parties, arguing that external interference was prolonging the war and worsening Sudanese suffering.

Sudan Medical Group Reports 39 Dengue Deaths in Khartoum as Epidemic Spreads

21 January 2026

Sudanese women lie in beds as they receive treatment for dengue fever at Omdurman Hospital, as Sudan grapples with outbreaks of dengue and cholera amid a collapsed healthcare and infrastructure system, in Khartoum, Sudan, September 23, 2025. Reuters photo

January 20, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The spokesperson for the Preliminary Committee of the Sudan Doctors Union on Tuesday reported more than 200 new cases of dengue fever, including 39 deaths, in Khartoum State.

The spike in infections comes despite the Ministry of Health’s efforts late last year to resume operations at 284 hospitals and health centres. Many of these facilities had been destroyed or vandalized while the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) held control over much of the state.

Sayed Mohammed Abdullah, the committee’s spokesperson, told Sudan Tribune that monitoring teams have identified a rising epidemic curve. He noted that the fatalities primarily involve vulnerable groups, including 22 women and six children, amid a critical shortage of basic medical supplies.

Abdullah warned that the current statistics likely understate the crisis’s magnitude due to the difficulty of conducting a comprehensive census. He attributed the resurgence of the disease to a deteriorating environment and a lack of preventative measures.

The spokesperson blamed the worsening situation on administrative failures and a lack of institutional intervention. Reports indicate that hospitals are overcrowded with patients while facing an acute shortage of intravenous fluids and life-saving medicines.

The outbreak of dengue fever and malaria is linked to a total collapse of environmental infrastructure, characterized by accumulated waste, sewage overflows, stagnant water, and mosquito breeding in water tanks.

Health officials expressed concern that the situation could deteriorate further in displacement camps during the winter months. Already, 2,576 malaria cases have been recorded among displaced populations suffering from malnutrition and weakened immunity.

The committee urged health authorities to officially declare an outbreak and launch an urgent government response. This would include public awareness campaigns, the establishment of a national committee with a unified diagnostic protocol, and the restoration of disabled laboratories.

In December, an assessment by Norwegian Church Aid and International Medical Teams showed that government funding covers less than 10% of the operating costs for health facilities in Khartoum. The study found that 70% of facilities lack antibiotics, 85% lack malaria drugs, and 45% lack access to a safe water source.

Sudan to Get Chinese Transformers for War-damaged Power Grid

20 January 2026

Sudanese and Chinese officials discuss the delivery of hydroelectric generation transformers in Cairo, Egypt, January 19, 2026.

January 20, 2026 (CAIRO) – Sudan’s energy ministry is working with Chinese firm Siyuan Energy Company to supply transformers and mobile power stations to repair infrastructure damaged by the country’s civil war, a ministry statement said on Tuesday.

The electricity sector has suffered extensive damage in the 20-month conflict, with approximately 150,000 kilometres of transmission lines and 15,000 transformers affected, according to ministry figures. Key power stations in Bahri, Garri and Jebel Aulia have also been severely damaged.

Consulting Engineer Mu’tasim Ibrahim Ahmed met the regional director of Siyuan Energy Company in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss accelerating the delivery of hydroelectric generation transformers, the statement said.

Both sides agreed the Chinese company would conduct field assessments of war-damaged stations in Sudan and urgently supply emergency mobile transformation stations to provide immediate relief, it added. They also discussed adding more transformers to their agreement.

Engineer Badr al-Din al-Fil, general manager of Sudan’s state-owned National Engineering and Energy Company, said his firm would oversee implementation in accordance with technical requirements and agreed timelines. The company provides strategic support for projects in coordination with the Sudan Electricity Holding Company, he said.

The meeting was attended by Sudan’s Ambassador to China, Omer Issa.

Earlier this month, the first batch of 400 electrical transformers arrived in Khartoum as part of a 4,000-unit contract for the capital, following procurement by the Ministry of Finance.

UN High Commissioner: ‘Darfur Atrocities Could Spread to Kordofan’, ICC Probes Sudan

19/01/2026 19:19 NAIROBI / MEROWE / DELLING / KADUGLI / EL FASHER

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, addresses 55th session of the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Sudan (File photo: UNHCHR)

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has warned that the atrocities committed during and after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) takeover of North Darfur’s capital of El Fasher could be repeated in Kordofan, as fighting moves closer to Kadugli amid severe food insecurity.

Speaking at a press conference in Kenya’s capital of Nairobi following the conclusion of his five-day visit across Sudan on Sunday, Türk said he had received “stories of large-scale summary executions carried out by RSF during their attack on El Fasher”, stressing that Sudanese civilians had suffered grave atrocities and that his team will “document and report on these violations and abuses, to pave the way for accountability.”

He urged both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to immediately halt attacks on civilian objects, warning that strikes on vital infrastructure may amount to war crimes. He cited attacks on the Merowe Dam, which caused electricity cuts affecting hospitals and farms, and called for the protection of civilians, critical infrastructure and the opening of safe corridors for people fleeing conflict zones.

Türk said sexual violence was being used as a weapon of war in Sudan, with indications it was widespread and systematic. He also revealed that civilians in El Fasher were forced to survive on animal feed during an 18-month siege that led to famine. He voiced concern over restrictions on journalists, including smear campaigns that hinder their work. The High Commissioner said the war had derailed Sudan’s transition to civilian, democratic rule and called for an immediate end to the fighting.

“It is despicable that large sums of money are being spent on procuring increasingly advanced weaponry – funds that should be used to alleviate the suffering of the population,” he said, warning of the growing militarisation of Sudanese society.

RSF meeting with Türk

The RSF said a delegation led by its legal counsellor, Maulana Muhammad Mukhtar El Nour, met Türk in Nairobi. In a statement seen by Radio Dabanga, the RSF described the crimes in El Fasher as “individual acts” and said it had taken measures to hold those responsible to account. 

The RSF said Türk welcomed these steps but told the delegation they were insufficient and raised concerns about escalating violence in South Kordofan’s towns of Kadugli and Delling, urging both sides to stop the fighting.

The RSF delegation accused the SAF of targeting infrastructure, using humanitarian aid as a weapon of war, carrying out air strikes that killed thousands in Darfur and Kordofan, and even deploying chemical weapons. It said it supported Türk’s proposal for confidence-building measures and called for further UN visits to Darfur and Kordofan.

‘ICC Sudan probe’

ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan told the UN Security Council today, that her office had gathered information confirming war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the RSF in El Fasher.

She said the violence mirrored atrocities previously committed in West Darfur’s capital of El Geneina and warned that such crimes could be repeated “from town to town” unless impunity ends.

Khan urged Sudan’s authorities to prioritise the arrest of former president Omar Al-Bashir, Ahmed Haroun and Abdelrahim Hussein, calling for Haroun to be handed over to the Court without delay. She said investigators were analysing satellite imagery, documenting attempts to conceal crimes, and collecting testimony from affected communities, despite major obstacles including lack of access and security risks to witnesses.

She described the conviction of former Janjaweed commander Ali Muhammad Ali Abdelrahman, known as ‘Ali Kushayb’ and feared in Darfur as the “Colonel of Colonels”, sentenced to 20 years in prison, as a historic milestone for Darfur and its victims, and called for greater international and African cooperation to bring an end to the crimes and suffering in Sudan.

Sudan RSF Admits Border Clash as Chad Says Seven Soldiers Killed

20/01/2026 18:57 JARGEIRA / N’DJAMENA

Commander of the Rapid Support Forces Lt Gen Mohamed ‘Hemedti’ Dagalo (File photo: SUNA)

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Monday acknowledged that its troops clashed with the Chadian army after crossing into Chadian territory, describing the incident as an “unintentional mistake” and expressing regret over the deaths.

The admission came after the spokesperson for the Chadian government, Qassem Sharif, announced last Friday that an RSF armed incursion into Chad had killed seven Chadian soldiers and wounded others near Jargeira in North Darfur, close to the eastern Chad border. The area has repeatedly changed hands between the RSF and the Joint Force amid a week of heavy fighting.

In a statement issued on Monday, the RSF said the incursion occurred while its forces were pursuing Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) units and allied Joint Force fighters, whom it accused of entering Sudan from Chad as part of a “calculated plan” to provoke a confrontation between the RSF and N’Djamena.

The RSF said its units crossed the border without prior knowledge of the exact boundary, citing the similar terrain along the frontier.

The paramilitary force accused Darfur Governor and Sudan Liberation Movement leader Minni Arko Minawi, along with Sudan’s Finance Minister and Justice and Equality Movement leader Jibril Ibrahim, of orchestrating the events to fabricate a crisis with Chad and drag the wider region into conflict.

It said it respected Chad’s sovereignty and internationally recognised borders and pledged to hold those responsible accountable under its internal regulations.

Chad firmly rejected the RSF’s account. Government spokesman Qassem Cherif said RSF fighters had illegally crossed the border and carried out an armed attack targeting Chadian military personnel, resulting in seven deaths, injuries, and material damage. N’Djamena condemned the incursion, calling it a serious violation of its territorial integrity.

Chadian authorities warned that any further movements across its border would trigger an “immediate, strong and firm response”, while reiterating Chad’s declared neutrality in the Sudan war and denying accusations that it supports the RSF.

Namibian Subsistence Farmers Try New Techniques for Better Yields Under Climate Pressure

Source: Xinhua| 2026-01-21 21:36:30|Editor: huaxia

by Ndalimpinga Iita

OSHIKATI, Namibia, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- After years of drought-related losses, Fanuel Ikela is trying new farming techniques to restore soil fertility and improve harvests in Namibia's northern Oshikoto region.

In his village field, the 55-year-old subsistence farmer now places cattle manure directly into the planting holes together with pearl millet seeds after plowing, a departure from the traditional practice of spreading manure across the field before plowing.

By concentrating manure where seeds germinate, Ikela hopes to deliver nutrients more efficiently to young crops. He said the idea came after repeated setbacks and advice exchanged among local farmers facing similar challenges.

According to Ikela, prolonged dry spells in 2023 and 2024 severely affected his yields. Crops withered under intense heat, soil cover eroded, and overall fertility declined.

"I know this because even after the good rains of 2025, although my six-hectare field produced over 100 bags of pearl millet, it was not as good compared to previous years before the drought," he said.

The drought also reduced his access to manure. Several of his cattle -- the main source of organic fertilizer -- died during the harsh years, leaving the remaining herd of 10 unable to meet his field's needs.

In May 2024, the Namibian government declared a state of emergency following the severe drought.

Ikela decided to try the planting-hole manure method after observing a neighbor who applied it last season and achieved better yields.

His experience reflects a broader shift among communal farmers in northern Namibia, where pearl millet, locally known as mahangu, is the main rain-fed staple crop.

Faced with increasingly unpredictable rainfall, farmers are experimenting with techniques aimed at boosting resilience and productivity.

Beyond manure placement, Ikela has also begun planting multiple pearl millet varieties within the same field to identify those best suited to changing weather and soil conditions.

"I assign a different part of the field to each seed variety to see which adapts best," he said. "For many years, I only planted one seed variety of pearl millet."

One section uses seeds saved from the best grains of his previous harvest, another uses seeds bought from fellow farmers, while a third relies on seeds provided by agricultural extension officers.

The Namibian government has been supporting such efforts through subsidies under the Rain-Fed Agronomic Subsidy Programs, according to Simon Nghipandulwa, public relations officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.

"These are aimed at increasing food production and productivity along cereal value chains, thereby enhancing food security and building resilience to climate change," Nghipandulwa said.

Many farmers are also turning to crop rotation, combining cereals with legumes such as beans, groundnuts, and watermelons, to improve soil health and reduce pest pressure.

"It nourishes the soil, fights pests, and boosts the food basket," Ikela said.

To guide their decisions, farmers increasingly rely on local radio weather forecasts. The Namibia Meteorological Service has predicted mixed rainfall patterns from October 2025 to March 2026, with northern regions already receiving heavy showers.

Hofnie Iipinge, governor of Oshana, said farmers are drawing on both tradition and innovation as they respond to climate pressures.

"Amid the hard work and resilience, the farmers really focus on what would aid their efforts and contribute to the country's food security," he said. 

Mozambique Faces 103-mln-USD Funding Gap for Flood Relief

Source: Xinhua| 2026-01-21 21:18:15|Editor: huaxia

MAPUTO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Mozambican government has confirmed a funding shortfall of 6.6 billion meticais (about 103.3 million U.S. dollars) to respond to humanitarian needs caused by torrential rains and widespread flooding across the country.

The assistance will focus on displaced populations, health services, and food provision in temporary accommodation centers, government spokesperson Inocencio Impissa said during a press conference on Tuesday.

Impissa said the newly announced figure represents a downward revision from an earlier estimate of nearly 8 billion meticais, following adjustments based on resources already mobilized and support pledged by partners.

Despite financial constraints, the government has allocated resources to manage the emergency, drawing on national funds, international partners, and assistance from neighboring countries, he added.

Available assets include nine helicopters, boats, and other aircraft being used in search, rescue, and relief operations for flood-affected communities, according to the spokesperson.

Impissa also said that traffic along National Road No.1 (EN1), the country's main transport corridor, will only resume after floodwaters fully recede and a thorough safety assessment of the road is completed.

The EN1 road is currently close at two points, with one in Manhica, Maputo province, and another in Gaza province, due to rainwater flooding the road.

South Africa's Inflation Eases to 21-year Low in 2025

Source: Xinhua| 2026-01-21 22:31:00|Editor: huaxia

JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's consumer price inflation for 2025 averaged 3.2 percent, the lowest annual rate in 21 years, according to data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) released on Wednesday.

The annual average of 3.2 percent marked the lowest inflation outcome since 2004, when the average stood at 1.4 percent, and was only marginally above the average rate recorded in 1969.

The country's consumer price inflation rose slightly to 3.6 percent in December 2025, from 3.5 percent in the previous month, according to the agency. Meanwhile, the monthly consumer price index change between November and December was 0.2 percent.

Food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation remained steady at 4.4 percent year on year in December, said Patrick Kelly, chief director for price statistics at Stats SA, adding that beef and other red meats continued to post elevated inflation.

"Beef steak, for example, recorded an annual price change of 28.4 percent in November, and rose to 29.4 percent in December. Other notable red meat products that registered higher rates include sausages (from 18.5 percent to 19.4 percent), boerewors (17.2 percent to 18.2 percent), mutton (13.7 percent to 15.0 percent) and pork (9.4 percent to 11.5 percent)," Kelly noted.

Stats SA's data showed that domestic fuel prices increased moderately, with diesel rising by 3.7 percent and petrol by 0.1 percent over the 12-month period. Passenger bus fares surged sharply in December due to increased travel demand during the festive season, though they were slightly lower than in the previous year.

Suez Canal's Revenues Up 18.5 pct in Q1 of FY 2025/26

Source: Xinhua| 2026-01-21 22:42:00|Editor: huaxia

CAIRO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Chairman Osama Rabie said Wednesday that the waterway revenues in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2025-2026 increased by 18.5 percent year-on-year, according to an SCA statement. Fiscal year in Egypt starts in July.

In a meeting with representatives of 20 shipping agencies, Rabie said that number of crossing ships and tonnage also increased by 5.8 percent and 16 percent respectively in the same period. These positive indicators signal a recovery in navigation traffic through the canal, he said.

The meeting seeks to coordinate with clients over navigation schedules in the coming period given the current stable conditions in the Red Sea region and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Rabie said.

Since December 2023, attacks by Yemen's Houthi group in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea had forced many major shipping companies to reroute around the southern tip of Africa, bypassing the Suez Canal. However, the Houthis have ceased attacks on commercial vessels since the Gaza ceasefire in October 2025.

China Ranks Among Zimbabwe's Top 3 Trading Partners in 2025

Source: Xinhua| 2026-01-17 00:28:00|Editor: huaxia

HARARE, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- China is Zimbabwe's third-largest export destination, accounting for 16.9 percent of the country's total exports in the first 11 months of 2025, Zimbabwe's trade promotion body ZimTrade said Friday.

"There is significant potential for growth through ongoing collaboration between both governments to enhance trade in key local commodities such as citrus and avocados," ZimTrade Chief Executive Officer Allan Majuru said in a statement.

Zimbabwe has been steadily expanding its agricultural exports to China in recent years, with the two countries signing a series of export protocols covering products, such as citrus, avocados and blueberries.

According to ZimTrade, cumulative export earnings for January to November 2025 totaled 8.57 billion U.S. dollars, a 27 percent increase from 6.74 billion dollars in the corresponding period in 2024.

The United Arab Emirates maintained its position as the country's top export destination, with South Africa ranked second during the period, ZimTrade added.

In a newsletter released in October 2025, Majuru commended the bilateral trade protocols signed between the two countries, which allowed the export of Zimbabwean agricultural products to the vast Chinese market.

"These initiatives aim to expand agricultural exports, reduce informal trade leakages, and improve returns for local farmers," Majuru said.

Chinese Community Donates Supplies to Children with Disabilities in Zimbabwe

Source: Xinhua| 2026-01-17 00:45:45|Editor: huaxia

(260117) -- HARARE, Jan. 17, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Students attend a donation ceremony at the Jairos Jiri Centre Primary School in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Jan. 16, 2026. The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe on Friday donated daily necessities and stationery to a school for children with disabilities in Zimbabwe's capital. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua)

HARARE, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe on Friday donated daily necessities and stationery to a school for children with disabilities in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital.

After receiving the donation at the Jairos Jiri Centre Primary School, school head Kudzanai Baramasimbe expressed gratitude to the Chinese community for the donation, saying it would help the school provide necessities for the children.

With a current enrollment of 168 children, the public school provides rehabilitation and educational services to primary school children with disabilities. According to Baramasimbe, many parents struggle to pay school fees due to financial constraints, adding pressure to the school's operations.

"We are very delighted by the donation that we received from the Chinese embassy. This donation is going to assist us in alleviating the food shortages that we have here at the school," Baramasimbe told Xinhua.

Meng Limin, chairperson of China's Jiangsu Fanye Power Energy Equipment, which joined the embassy in donating solar equipment worth 12,000 U.S. dollars, said that after learning the school had long struggled with power shortages, her company acted quickly to help improve the children's learning environment.

"We were happy to see the children having electricity and learning in a bright environment," Meng said.

Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding said the embassy, together with the Chinese community, has long been committed to supporting vulnerable children and the education sector in Zimbabwe.

"We believe education is fundamental to this progress. In that spirit, the Chinese embassy donates books, school bags, computers and food supplies to the school," the ambassador said, adding that these contributions reflect the sustained partnership between China and Zimbabwe.

"These children are disabled, but we hope they do not feel marginalized, that they have the opportunity to grow up healthy and happy, and to make greater contributions to China-Zimbabwe relations and friendship in the future," Zhou added.

Chinese-built VIP Guesthouse Opens at Tanzania Airport

Source: Xinhua| 2026-01-18 01:07:15|Editor: huaxia

DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The VIP guesthouse at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Tanzania's port city of Dar es Salaam has been officially completed and inaugurated, marking its handover and the start of operations.

The project was constructed by China Railway Jianchang Engineering Company (CRJE) (East Africa) Limited, a leading Chinese construction firm.

Tanzanian Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi presided over the opening ceremony on Friday, noting that the facility can accommodate up to five heads of state and other distinguished guests simultaneously.

He emphasized that the guesthouse significantly enhances Tanzania's capacity to host high-level diplomatic and official events.

Nchimbi also highlighted that the project's completion demonstrates the strength of Chinese enterprises operating in East Africa and provides solid support for practical China-Tanzania cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Jiang Yuntao, chairman of CRJE (East Africa) Limited, said the facility will serve as a key venue for Tanzania's foreign affairs activities, reaffirming the company's commitment to supporting local infrastructure development.

Jiang noted that the project team completed construction in just 75 days, far ahead of the original 10-month schedule, setting a record for the fastest delivery of a national-level public building in Tanzania while maintaining high quality.

Located near Terminal 1 of Julius Nyerere International Airport, the 4,800-square-meter facility features a two-story main structure with sections rising to three floors. It includes a reception hall, VIP lounges, meeting and conference rooms, and supporting service facilities to meet diverse hospitality needs.

China-aided Free Medical Services Program Launched in Tanzania's Zanzibar

Source: Xinhua| 2026-01-21 00:56:30|Editor: huaxia

A member (1st L) of the 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar provides free medical services on Pemba Island of Zanzibar, Tanzania, on Jan. 20, 2026. Chinese medical experts on Tuesday launched the "100 Medical Teams in 1,000 Villages" free medical services program at a community health service center on Pemba Island in Tanzania's Zanzibar. (The 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar/Handout via Xinhua)

DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese medical experts on Tuesday launched the "100 Medical Teams in 1,000 Villages" free medical services program at a community health service center on Pemba Island in Tanzania's Zanzibar.

The campaign was jointly organized by the expert team of the China-aided Zanzibar schistosomiasis prevention and control project and the 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar, combining schistosomiasis health education and free medical consultations.

More than 300 community residents and local officials attended the event.

Wang Wei, leader of the China-aided Zanzibar schistosomiasis control expert team, said the campaign responds to the initiative for the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchange and aims to strengthen grassroots medical services and disease prevention and deepen China-Africa cooperation in public health.

Local health officials on Pemba Island praised China's long-term support in schistosomiasis control and healthcare, noting that the cooperation has enhanced primary medical services and disease prevention and control capacity.

Following the launch, the Chinese experts provided schistosomiasis prevention education and free medical services to residents, including physical examinations, health risk assessments, and advice on chronic disease management and medication use.

4 Killed in Tunisia as Heaviest Rainfall Since 1950 Causes Flooding

Source: Xinhua| 2026-01-21 03:04:00|Editor: huaxia

People wade through a flooded road in Tunis, Tunisia, Jan. 20, 2026. At least four people have been killed in Tunisia as the heaviest rainfall since 1950 caused flooding in the country, the state-run Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) reported Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhou Haojin)

TUNIS, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least four people have been killed in Tunisia as the heaviest rainfall since 1950 caused flooding in the country, the state-run Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) reported Tuesday.

The fatalities occurred between Monday evening and Tuesday in the city of Moknine in the eastern coastal province of Monastir, where rainfall reached 230 mm, TAP reported.

Khalil Meshri, head of operations and follow-up at the Civil Protection Department, said civil defense units had conducted over 106 interventions by 5 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) on Tuesday, including inspections of flooded roads and removal of vehicles stranded by rising waters.

Meshri added that they had evacuated 15 people and assisted about 300 others in crossing flooded valleys and waterlogged areas, as heavy rain caused rivers and streams to overflow, creating hazardous road conditions across several regions.

The National Institute of Meteorology issued a "red alert," the highest level in its warning system, for the Grand Tunis area, Tunisia's largest metropolitan region, Nabeul, and Monastir provinces.

Authorities suspended classes in more than eight governorates and closed major roads. They urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid flood-prone areas, and follow safety instructions, as heavy rain and strong winds are expected to continue.

Tunisian President Kais Saied has instructed the military to join rescue operations nationwide, according to local media.

Madagascar Mpox Cases Hit 111 Since Outbreak in December 2025

Source: Xinhua| 2026-01-20 23:48:15|Editor: huaxia

ANTANANARIVO, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The number of confirmed mpox cases in Madagascar has climbed to 111 since the outbreak began in December, with 263 suspected cases reported, according to a report released on Tuesday by the Malagasy Ministry of Public Health.

The ministry said 17 new confirmed cases and 19 suspected cases were recorded on Monday. As of Jan. 19, no deaths linked to the outbreak had been reported.

In response to the detection of mpox cases, health authorities have stepped up prevention and response measures, including the establishment of public health emergency operation centers across all regions, the installation of health checkpoints on major roads at the exits of affected areas, and the strengthening of protective measures in schools and tourist sites.

According to local media, the Comoros has required travelers arriving from neighboring Madagascar to present a medical certificate upon entry as the outbreak continues.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was first detected in laboratory monkeys in 1958. It is a rare viral disease typically transmitted through body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials. The infection often causes fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.

South Africa Mining Output Down 2.7 pct in November 2025

Source: Xinhua| 2026-01-21 00:34:30|Editor: huaxia

JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's mining production declined by 2.7 percent year on year in November 2025, according to data released by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday.

The contraction marked the first decline in mining activity since April 2025, reversing an upwardly revised 6.1 percent increase in October 2025 and falling short of market expectations of a 3.9 percent gain.

The downturn was driven largely by weaker output in key commodities. Coal production fell 7.9 percent, iron ore output dropped 7.6 percent, platinum group metals declined 2.8 percent, and gold production decreased 6.0 percent, the agency's data showed.

In contrast, manganese ore posted a strong performance, with production expanding 17 percent, providing support to overall mining activity.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, mining production plunged 5.9 percent month on month in November 2025, following an upwardly revised 2.7 percent rise in the previous month.

Despite the monthly drop, seasonally adjusted output for the three months ending November 2025 increased 1.6 percent compared with the previous three-month period.

Over 200 Dead as Heavy Rains, Flooding Batter Southern Africa

Source: Xinhua Editor: huaxia2026-01-19 00:41:45

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa inspects flood-hit areas in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, on Jan. 19, 2026. Weeks of persistent heavy rainfall and widespread flooding have struck several countries in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, leaving more than 200 people dead, destroying property and prompting large-scale evacuations and rescue operations. South Africa's National Disaster Management Centre declared a national disaster on Sunday as heavy rains and flooding continued to batter northern parts of the country. (GCIS/Handout via Xinhua)

JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Weeks of persistent heavy rainfall and widespread flooding have struck several countries in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, leaving more than 200 people dead, destroying property and prompting large-scale evacuations and rescue operations.

South Africa's National Disaster Management Centre declared a national disaster on Sunday as heavy rains and flooding continued to batter northern parts of the country.

According to local media reports, continuous rainfall since late December has caused severe flooding in Limpopo Province, where at least 17 people, including two children, have died. Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa said in a statement on Sunday that 20 people had been killed in flood-related incidents in Mpumalanga Province.

More than 1,600 homes and 31 schools have been affected in Limpopo, while over 1,000 homes in Mpumalanga have suffered varying degrees of damage. The flooding has also forced the partial closure of Kruger National Park, one of Africa's largest wildlife reserves, with more than 600 visitors evacuated after rising waters inundated access roads and campsites.

The South African National Defence Force has deployed two helicopters to assist with rescue operations and evacuate residents stranded in hard-hit areas.

In Mozambique, data released Friday by the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction showed that at least 103 people have died following an unusually severe rainy season, with more than 200,000 people affected nationwide. About 173,000 acres of farmland have been left waterlogged, threatening food security.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's Department of Civil Protection said at least 70 people have died and more than 1,000 homes have been destroyed since early January, with schools, roads and bridges damaged or washed away by floodwaters.

Neighboring countries, including Madagascar, Malawi and Zambia, have also reported flooding and weather-related disruptions.

According to The Weather Channel, a slow-moving low-pressure system has brought repeated bouts of torrential rain across Southern Africa. The agency warned that further heavy rainfall is forecast in the coming days, particularly in South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, raising concerns of additional flooding.

Photos taken on Jan. 19, 2026 shows a road damaged by floods in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Weeks of persistent heavy rainfall and widespread flooding have struck several countries in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, leaving more than 200 people dead, destroying property and prompting large-scale evacuations and rescue operations.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa inspects flood-hit areas in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, on Jan. 19, 2026. Weeks of persistent heavy rainfall and widespread flooding have struck several countries in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, leaving more than 200 people dead, destroying property and prompting large-scale evacuations and rescue operations.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa inspected flood-hit areas in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, on Jan. 19, 2026. Weeks of persistent heavy rainfall and widespread flooding have struck several countries in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, leaving more than 200 people dead, destroying property and prompting large-scale evacuations and rescue operations.

World Insights: Davos Becomes Political Battleground After Trump's Greenland Threats

Source: Xinhua Editor: huaxia2026-01-21 18:46:15

People attend the welcome reception at the 2026 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

Over the weekend, Trump announced an additional 10 percent tariff from Feb. 1 on eight European countries, including Denmark, Britain, France and Germany, all of which opposed his takeover of Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory.

Denmark's absence at this year's World Economic Forum is one example of the palpable political tensions.

BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, traditionally a key platform for discussing global economic trends and promoting cooperative development, is evolving into a political battleground this year amid growing tensions over U.S. President Donald Trump's bid to take over Greenland.

Denmark's absence at this year's forum is just one example of the palpable political tensions. However, Trump is leading the largest ever U.S. delegation in WEF history, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and his special envoy Steve Witkoff, signaling the U.S. administration's active involvement in shaping the forum's discourse this year.

The forum, running from Monday through Friday, was convened under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue."

Over the weekend, Trump announced an additional 10 percent tariff from Feb. 1 on eight European countries, including Denmark, Britain, France and Germany, all of which opposed his takeover of Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory.

In a further mockery of European leaders, Trump on Tuesday shared an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated image on Truth Social, which featured himself, followed by Vice President JD Vance and Rubio, planting a U.S. flag on Greenland, with a sign saying "U.S. territory est. 2026." A second AI-generated image saw Trump in the Oval Office with European leaders, presenting them with a map showing Greenland, Canada and Venezuela covered in the U.S. flag.

"The Greenland standoff has upended the opening days of the forum that had been expected to largely focus on artificial intelligence, economic growth, and climate change," TIME Magazine said Tuesday. Ahead of Trump's Davos speech on Wednesday, world leaders "began the week in Davos with thinly veiled denunciations of Trump's conduct," the magazine added.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned on Tuesday of a "rupture" in the world order during his speech at the forum. Living in an era of great power rivalry, "the rules-based order is fading," he said. "That the strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must."

Without naming Trump, Carney referred to "American hegemony." He said, "More recently, great powers began using economic integration as weapons. Tariffs as leverage. Financial infrastructure as coercion. Supply chains as vulnerabilities to be exploited."

Noting multilateral institutions, such as the World Trade Organization and United Nations, which aim to solve collective problems, "are greatly diminished," Carney called on middle powers, like Canada, to "act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu."

He also expressed strong support for Greenland and Denmark and opposition to tariffs proposed by the United States.

Similarly, French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday in Davos: "It's a shift towards a world without rules. Where international law is trampled underfoot and where the only law that seems to matter is that of the strongest, and imperial ambitions are resurfacing."

Macron said the European Union (EU) "should not hesitate" to deploy its anti-coercion mechanism in response to the U.S. tariff threats linked to Greenland. "We do prefer respect to bullies," Macron said. "And we do prefer rule of law to brutality."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed the EU's full support for Greenland and Denmark, stressing that "the sovereignty and integrity of their territory is non-negotiable."

Without referring to Trump, she said in her address at Davos that "the proposed additional tariffs are a mistake especially between long-standing allies."

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said that with Trump's Greenland provocations, "so many red lines have been crossed" in Europe.

"Being a happy vassal is one thing. Being a miserable slave is something else. If you back down now you're going to lose your dignity," he said during a Davos panel discussion on redefining Europe's place in the world.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, writing on X, called on Europeans to beware of "appeasement." "Europe cannot afford to be weak -- neither against its enemies, nor ally. Appeasement means no results, only humiliation. European assertiveness and self-confidence have become the need of the moment," he said.

Gavin Newsom, governor of the U.S. state of California, told European leaders to "stand tall and firm, have a backbone" during his visit to the Davos forum. "It's time to get serious and stop being complicit."

The WEF's Global Risks Report 2026, one of its flagship publications released ahead of the annual meeting, points out that geopolitical and economic risks rise in a new age of competition.

The report identifies geoeconomic confrontation as the top risk for 2026, followed by interstate conflict, extreme weather, societal polarization, misinformation and disinformation.

Ambush in Northwest Nigeria Kills 5 Soldiers and 1 Police Officer

By DYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN

Updated 7:52 AM EST, January 21, 2026

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Five soldiers and one police officer have been killed in an ambush in northwest Nigeria, the army said.

The attack occurred in Zamfara state on Monday, army spokesman David Adewusi said in a statement on Tuesday.

Authorities didn’t release details about who was responsible for the ambush, but referred to the attackers as “terrorists.”

“Despite the surprise of the ambush, the troops responded gallantly, engaging the terrorists and preventing further harm to nearby communities,” Adewusi said. “Regrettably, five soldiers and one police officer paid the supreme sacrifice during the encounter.”

The ambush followed successful operations in Zamfara last week, when three suspects were arrested and weapons recovered, he said.

Nigerian soldiers also rescued 62 hostages in a separate operation in the country’s northwest region on Wednesday.

Another army spokesman, Olaniyi Osoba, said that the hostages were released in the Munhaye Forest, a known hideout of notorious bandit leader Kachalla Alti, which is also located in Zamfara state.

“Efforts are ongoing to reunite the freed hostages with their families,” he said.

Northern Nigeria has been the hardest-hit part of the country, with a surge in kidnappings for ransom by gunmen across the northwest and north-central regions over the recent months, alongside an insurgency in the northeast.

Boko Haram, Nigeria’s homegrown jihadis, took up arms in 2009 to fight Western education and impose their radical version of Islamic law.

The insurgency now includes an offshoot of the Islamic State group known as the Islamic State West Africa Province or ISWAP. It has spilled into Nigeria’s northern neighbors, including Niger, killing about 35,000 civilians and displacing more than 2 million people, according to the United Nations.

Last month, the U.S. launched airstrikes in northern Nigeria, targeting IS, after allegations that the West African country failed to rein in attacks on Christians.

South Sudan President Fires Interior Minister in a Move Threatening Peace Agreement

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir attends the swearing-in ceremony for Kenya's new president William Ruto, at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi, Kenya on Sept. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga, File)

By DENG MACHOL

7:29 AM EST, January 20, 2026

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — The president of South Sudan has dismissed his interior minister, the wife of a detained opposition leader with whom he was running a unity government following a peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war.

President Salva Kiir on Monday evening removed Interior Minister Angelina Teny, a senior opposition figure and the wife of detained First Vice President Riek Machar. No reasons were given for the dismissal.

Kiir replaced her with Aleu Ayieny Aleu, a veteran loyalist who previously served as interior minister from 2013 to 2015.

The move further weakens the 2018 peace agreement, which allocated the Interior Ministry to the opposition under a power-sharing arrangement.

The opposition accused Kiir of undermining the power-sharing framework.

Machar, a former rebel leader who joined the unity government in 2020 following the peace agreement, remains in detention with several associates, facing treason charges linked to violence in Nasir in Upper Nile state.

Forces loyal to Machar, alongside allied White Army fighters, have made gains against government forces in Jonglei state. They recently captured Pajut, a strategic town in Duk County on the main road to Bor, the state capital, heightening fears of a broader offensive. The government has deployed reinforcements in an attempt to secure Bor.

Clashes have also flared in recent weeks in Unity, Upper Nile, and parts of Central and Eastern Equatoria states, alarming regional and international observers who warn of a wider escalation and the unraveling of fragile security arrangements. Key provisions of the 2018 peace deal — including security sector reforms and the unification of forces — remain unimplemented.

Teny had headed the ministry since a reshuffle in March 2023, when Kiir transferred her from the defense portfolio and assumed control of the defense ministry himself.

She has been largely absent from the Interior Ministry since March 2025, when Machar was placed under house arrest. In June 2025, security agents reportedly confiscated her phone, laptop and a modem.

Pal Mai Deng, spokesperson for the opposition, on Tuesday described Teny’s removal as “a clear sign of desperation” and said it reflected a government that is “crumbling under pressure” as the security situation deteriorates.

Judge Refuses to Block New DHS Policy Limiting Congress Members’ Access to ICE Facilities

Rep. Kelly Morrison D-Minn., center, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., second from the right, and Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., far right, at the Bishop Whipple Federal Building, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN

6:37 PM EST, January 19, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge refused Monday to temporarily block the Trump administration from enforcing a new policy requiring a week’s notice before members of Congress can visit immigration detention facilities.

U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in Washington, D.C., concluded that the Department of Homeland Security didn’t violate an earlier court order when it reimposed a seven-day notice requirement for congressional oversight visits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities.

Cobb stressed that she wasn’t ruling on whether the new policy passes legal muster. Rather, she said, plaintiffs’ attorneys representing several Democratic members of Congress used the wrong “procedural vehicle” to challenge it. The judge also concluded that the Jan. 8 policy is a new agency action that isn’t subject to her prior order in the plaintiffs’ favor.

Plaintiffs’ lawyers asked Cobb to intervene after three Democratic members of Congress from Minnesota were blocked from visiting an ICE facility near Minneapolis earlier this month — three days after an ICE officer shot and killed U.S. citizen Renee Good in Minneapolis.

Last month, Cobb temporarily blocked an administration oversight visit policy. She ruled Dec. 17 that it is likely illegal for ICE to demand a week’s notice from members of Congress seeking to visit and observe conditions in ICE facilities.

A day after Good’s death, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem secretly signed a new memorandum reinstating another seven-day notice requirement. Plaintiffs’ lawyers from the Democracy Forward legal advocacy group said DHS didn’t disclose the latest policy until after U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison and Angie Craig initially were turned away from an ICE facility in the Minneapolis federal building.

On Monday, Cobb ruled that the new policy is similar but different than the one announced in June 2025.

“The Court emphasizes that it denies Plaintiffs’ motion only because it is not the proper avenue to challenge Defendants’ January 8, 2026 memorandum and the policy stated therein, rather than based on any kind of finding that the policy is lawful,” she wrote.

Democracy Forward spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz said they were reviewing the judge’s latest order.

“We will continue to use every legal tool available to stop the administration’s efforts to hide from congressional oversight,” she said in a statement.

Twelve other Democratic members of Congress sued in Washington to challenge ICE’s amended visitor policies after they were denied entry to detention facilities. Their lawsuit accused Republican President Donald Trump’s administration of obstructing congressional oversight of the centers during its nationwide surge in immigration enforcement operations.

A law bars DHS from using appropriated general funds to prevent members of Congress from entering DHS facilities for oversight purposes. Plaintiffs’ attorneys from the Democracy Forward Foundation said the administration hasn’t shown that none of those funds are being used to implement the latest notice policy.

“Appropriations are not a game. They are a law,” plaintiffs’ attorney Christine Coogle said during a hearing Wednesday.

Justice Department attorney Amber Richer said the Jan. 8 policy signed by Noem is distinct from the policies that Cobb suspended last month.

“This is really a challenge to a new policy,” Richer said.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys said the matter is urgent because members of Congress are negotiating funding for DHS and ICE for the next fiscal year with DHS’s annual appropriations due to expire Jan. 30.

“This is a critical moment for oversight, and members of Congress must be able to conduct oversight at ICE detention facilities, without notice, to obtain urgent and essential information for ongoing funding negotiations,” the lawyers wrote.

Government attorneys have said it’s merely speculative for the legislators to be concerned that conditions in ICE facilities change over the course of a week. But the judge rejected those arguments last month.

“The changing conditions within ICE facilities means that it is likely impossible for a Member of Congress to reconstruct the conditions at a facility on the day that they initially sought to enter,” wrote Cobb, who was nominated to the bench by Democratic President Joe Biden.