The United Nations Security Council has issued one of its strongest warnings since the start of Sudan’s war, expressing alarm over the “imminent risk of mass atrocities” in El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State. The warning follows reports that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have amassed significant reinforcements around the city, raising fears of a major ground offensive against an urban centre that is home to roughly half a million people. Council members demanded that the RSF halt any assault and called on all parties to protect civilians. International concern has intensified because of the precedent set in other parts of Sudan, particularly Darfur, where rights groups and UN officials have documented mass killings, displacement, and alleged war crimes. The crisis comes against the backdrop of what the UN describes as the world's largest displacement and hunger emergency. More than 11 million people have been forced from their homes since the conflict erupted in April 2023, while humanitarian agencies warn that conflict-driven hunger continues to worsen across Sudan and neighbouring states.

RSF deploys forces across Nyala in bid to restore security and control

The RSF has launched a major security deployment across Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, following growing concerns over instability, tribal tensions, and challenges to its authority in the city. According to reports, additional forces have been deployed to key neighbourhoods, transport routes, and strategic locations as the group seeks to strengthen public order and reassure residents. Nyala has become increasingly important politically and militarily since the Sudan Founding Alliance (TASIS) designated it as the administrative centre of its proposed government earlier this year. The city has also experienced heightened tensions after protests linked to the detention of local RSF commander Issam Mukhtar, prompting authorities to move quickly to prevent tribal unrest. The security operation comes as RSF commanders face pressure from multiple fronts, including reported defections, Sudanese army offensives, and continued drone strikes targeting RSF-controlled areas. Analysts say maintaining stability in Nyala is critical to the group's efforts to preserve control across Darfur.

Former Kassala governor accuses Burhan administration of fuelling tribal divisions

Former Kassala Governor Saleh Ammar has accused the administration of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of contributing to growing tribal tensions and political fragmentation in eastern Sudan. The criticism reflects longstanding concerns that tribal rivalries are being manipulated for political and military purposes during the country's ongoing conflict. Eastern Sudan has experienced repeated disputes involving tribal identity, citizenship, political representation, and access to resources. Community leaders have previously signed agreements rejecting hate speech and committing to traditional reconciliation mechanisms, yet tensions continue to resurface. The allegations are particularly significant because eastern Sudan has remained strategically important throughout the war. Political observers warn that further tribal polarisation could destabilise areas that have so far avoided the scale of destruction seen in Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan. The accusations also add to broader criticism facing Burhan's administration regarding governance, inclusivity, and its handling of regional grievances.

South Sudan election commission allocates funding for December polls

In neighbouring South Sudan, the National Elections Commission (NEC) has announced plans to distribute approximately 5 million South Sudanese pounds to state-level offices as preparations continue for the country's scheduled December elections. The commission has simultaneously appealed for greater institutional and public support to ensure the electoral process proceeds successfully. The announcement comes amid concerns about logistical readiness, political tensions, and funding challenges surrounding South Sudan's long-delayed democratic transition. Electoral authorities argue that stronger cooperation between government institutions, political parties, civil society organisations, and international partners will be necessary to guarantee credible polls. The elections are widely viewed as a critical test for South Sudan's peace process and political stability. Delays or disputes could have implications beyond South Sudan's borders, particularly given the interconnected security and humanitarian challenges affecting both South Sudan and Sudan.

South Sudan mourns former Upper Nile Speaker Joseph Deng Faroj

South Sudanese political figures, community leaders, and residents are mourning the death of Joseph Deng Faroj , the former Speaker of the Upper Nile State Legislative Assembly. Faroj was regarded as an influential figure in Upper Nile politics and played a prominent role in regional governance during periods of significant political transition. His death has prompted tributes recognising his contribution to legislative affairs, public service, and political dialogue in one of South Sudan's most strategically important states. Upper Nile has long been central to South Sudan's political and security landscape because of its ethnic diversity, oil resources, and history of conflict. Faroj's passing comes at a sensitive moment as South Sudan prepares for elections and continues efforts to implement key provisions of its peace agreement. Political observers note that the loss of experienced leaders can have a significant impact on local political dynamics during periods of transition. Together, these developments highlight the interconnected crises shaping Sudan and South Sudan: escalating conflict, fears of mass atrocities, tribal tensions, fragile governance, and the continuing struggle to build stable political institutions amid one of the region's most challenging security environments.

The quick alert drew attention to how far Japan’s early-warning technology has advanced since the 2011 disaster, when delays and inaccurate readings left coastal towns with little time to escape. That quake and tsunami killed nearly 20,000 people and caused a triple meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

In response, Japan spent more than a decade building the world ’s largest seabed earthquake-monitoring system. 

The first network, S-net, extends across the Japan Trench and uses more than 3,500 miles of cable to link 150 ocean-floor observatories.

S-net can detect offshore shaking before it reaches land. In a 2018 quake, its sensors issued alerts 20 seconds faster than land-based instruments, allowing trains to slow and emergency warnings to be broadcast.

A second system, DONET, was built along the Nankai Trough, one of Japan’s most dangerous seismic zones. It was expanded in 2013 and later joined by N-net, completed in June 2025.

Together, the networks give Japan real-time coverage of its two major subduction zones. Authorities say the system can extend tsunami warning times by up to 20 minutes and provide more accurate readings of offshore quakes.

Scientists also benefit from continuous data on how faults move under the seabed, including slow-slip events that sometimes precede major earthquakes .

Local governments are improving evacuation plans, too. In September, the central government designated 108 coastal municipalities for enhanced tsunami-mitigation work, including new evacuation routes and warning facilities.

Sendai, one of the designated cities, has deployed automated drones that broadcast evacuation orders and relay images to disaster officials when normal communications fail.

It is indisputable that Japan, one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations, now has the world’s most advanced tsunami warning system. And the rapid alerts on December 8 showed how much more time authorities can now provide when offshore quakes strike.

The warning comes after a speech given by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te suggested the island country will "resist annexation" and a "regular exercise" from China.

Blinken warned China on Friday, October 11 to not use the speech as a premise for any action.

"I can tell you that with regard to the so-called 10.10 speech, which is a regular exercise, China should not use it in any fashion as a pretext for provocative actions, on the contrary, we want to reinforce -- and many other countries want to reinforce -- the imperative of preserving the status quo and neither party taking any actions that might undermine it," he said.

Blinken also added "Fifty percent of commercial container traffic goes through the Taiwan Strait every day; more than 70 percent of the high-end semiconductors that the world needs are produced on Taiwan. So there's a strong interest around the world on maintaining peace and stability, preserving the status quo, avoiding any kind of conflict that could disrupt things that are so essential to the global economy."

Since 1949, Taiwan has operated as a self-governing entity , separate from China. However, Beijing considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and has pledged to "unify" the island with the mainland, even if it requires the use of force.

"I once saw photo documentation of the south side of the Carstensz peak ridge from the Bandung Technical Institute team in the 70s. It looked all white. When I climbed the mountain for the first time in 2005, there was no longer any snow on that part," said Fandi Ahmad, one of the mountain climbers from the University of Indonesia who shared his experience in the last week of November 2023.

The peak area of Carstensz Pyramid is indeed the main target area for climbers because that is the highest point in Indonesia. With a height of 4,884 meters above sea level, Carstensz Pyramid is even the highest point on the Australasian continent.

The Carstensz peak ridge, which is shaped like a swordfish's fin, is not an ideal cross-section for holding snow. However, the steep geographical shape has made the snow in the area look like it is hanging. However, it is believed that the hanging glacier is now completely extinct. At least that is what Ripto Mulyono believes.

The middle-aged man was a mountain climber in the 80s in Indonesia, who had climbed it many times. According to him, in the late 80s, the hanging glacier on the south side of the Carstensz peak ridge was still there. But when he climbed the mountain again in 2011, the hanging glacier was no longer there.

"Not only in Carstensz, the worst snow loss is at Jaya Peak and Soemantri Peak, which are in front of Carstensz Peak," said Ripto.

According to Ripto, who had climbed this area 37 times, every time he climbs, the snow continues to shrink. Especially in the saddle section that connects the Jaya and Soemantri peaks. It can be seen that the snow had separated in 2015.

This was also confirmed by data from the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency . In their research published in 2019, a picture was attached where the saddle camp area between Jaya and Soemantri peaks showed that the snow had separated in 2015.

Reportedly, the area of snow ice cover in the Central Mountains of Papua has shrunk by 98%, namely from 19.3 square km in 1850 to only 0.34 square km in 2020.

The latest data from the Sentinel-2A satellite shows the unstoppable shrinking of Papua's ice cover. According to the data report, shrinkage of 0.27 square km occurred in July 2021 and 0.23 square km in April 2022.

In November 2015 to 2016, ice thinning was very significant, up to 5m. This is likely due to the very strong El Niño effect from 2015 to 2016. Meanwhile, in early 2021, aerial photos showed that the ice thickness had decreased by another 12.5 m since November 2016, or the equivalent of a thinning rate of around 2.5m per year.

However, not only the Jaya and Soemantri peak areas were affected, the loss of snow also affected the Northwall Firn area, which is west of the Jaya and Soemantri peaks. The flat area, which is a soft space for snow to lay down was full of snow when observed by the first Dutch expedition to the area. However, in recent years it has allegedly disappeared altogether.

"The last time I passed that area in 2017, there was no longer any snow. In 2010, I saw that there was snow like many large blocks separated," said Henricus Mutter, from the oldest mountain climbing organization in Indonesia, Wanadri.

In fact, according to Ripto's story, the snow on Northwall Firn was a very thick layer that he had to pass through on his first expedition to that area, in 1989. "The depth of the snow can reach an adult's chest," said Ripto, closing the conversation in a sad voice.