Israel is in talks with South Sudan about resettling Palestinians from Gaza, part of its push for mass emigration after a 22-month offensive against Hamas. Six sources confirmed the discussions to the Associated Press, though it’s unclear how advanced they are. If enacted, the plan would move people from one war-torn, famine-threatened region to another, raising human rights concerns. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has framed the idea as “voluntary migration,” in line with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision, and has floated similar proposals with other African nations. Netanyahu told i24 TV that allowing civilians to leave would let Israel strike Hamas harder, though he did not mention South Sudan specifically.

AU calls for a permanent ceasefire

The African Union (AU) has urged South Sudan to uphold a permanent ceasefire and fully implement the revitalised peace agreement. Following a three-day mission to Juba, AU Peace and Security Council members met with President Salva Kiir and other leaders to discuss the accord’s progress and preparations for the December 2026 elections, which will end the transition period. The AU commended political leaders’ commitment to peace, called for inclusive dialogue, and pledged continued support to ensure stability and successful elections. The visit coincided with renewed regional efforts to reinforce South Sudan’s fragile peace deal, which has faced setbacks since independence in 2011.

3,000 Ugandans receive cholera vaccine from South Sudan

At least 3,500 Ugandans from Elegu Town Council in Amuru district have received cholera vaccines in South Sudan’s Nimule Town amid efforts to contain an outbreak that has killed five since July 2. The cross-border campaign, coordinated by Amuru health authorities and Nimule Hospital, aimed to curb transmission across the border. Officials said the initiative followed limited government support and resources in Amuru. Patrick Louis Lamot, Elegu’s Port Health focal person, said both sides agreed on joint strategies to combat public health threats, with vaccination as a key measure. He noted a recent drop in cholera cases but said it is unclear if it was directly linked to the vaccines.

Central Banks of the UAE and South Sudan sign MoU on payment

The Central Bank of the UAE and the Bank of South Sudan have signed an MoU to boost cooperation in security printing, payment systems, and capacity building. The agreement, witnessed by UAE Minister Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan and South Sudan’s Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel, was signed by officials from both banks. Under the deal, the UAE will support South Sudan in banknote security printing through its subsidiary Omlat, and develop a two-phase payment card system via Al Etihad Payments. The MoU also covers knowledge exchange, technical support, and staff training through the Emirates Institute of Finance.

South Sudan denies Israel talks over forced transfer of Palestinians

South Sudan has denied reports it is in talks with Israel to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, calling the claims “baseless” and not reflective of its policy. The Associated Press had reported discussions on an Israeli proposal to transfer Palestinians to South Sudan. The foreign ministry’s statement follows international criticism that such transfers would amount to forcible expulsion and violate international law. Critics fear the plan could block Palestinians’ return to Gaza and enable Israeli annexation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promoted “voluntary migration” for Gaza’s population, and similar proposals have reportedly been floated with other African nations. Egypt has rejected any forced transfers, while South Sudan—still recovering from civil war—already hosts large refugee populations.

In general, the recommended daily intake can range from 2,100 to 4,800 calories for adult men and from 1,750 to 3,400 calories for women. In food terms, that ranges from the equivalent of 35 McDonald's chicken nuggets per day at the low end to 96 at the top end. 

In 2022, the average American consumed the calorie equivalent of 10.6 McNuggets a day. In contrast, the average person in Burundi, Somalia, Lesotho, and Yemen consumed only around five nuggets' worth of calories each day. 

Over time, the amount of food available to most people, and therefore the amount they eat, has been rising. This is a result of poverty reduction as well as improvements in the way we produce and transport food. In most cases, this is a benefit, although in some wealthy countries, a surplus of food has led to serious health problems.

The inequality across the globe is not a recent trend, but a long-term challenge. According to the FAO's 2023 State of Food Security and Nutrition report , over 3.1 billion people, which is nearly 40% of the global population, cannot afford a healthy diet. Even more concerning is that this number has risen by 134 million since 2019, driven by overlapping crises: COVID-19 pandemic fallout, climate-induced harvest failures, inflation, and economic slowdowns.

These figures expose a multi-layered nutritional inequality, where calories are not just unequally distributed, but also increasingly inaccessible for the low-income group. A 2023 World Bank analysis revealed that in some low-income countries, households allocate up to 60% of their income to food.  

However, progress in some parts of the world has been rapid. The chart comparing calorie intake in 1980 vs. 2022 shows Vietnam and Ghana making significant gains, with Ghana's per-person calorie consumption more than doubling. This success is rooted in long-term agricultural investment, better food distribution, and poverty reduction strategies. Ghana, for example, has expanded public agricultural extension services and promoted farmer cooperatives.

Kenya saw a 10.2% decrease in average calorie intake, despite GDP growth and urbanisation. This reflects deeper structural problems, including rising food import dependency, regional inequality, and stagnant rural incomes. According to the report , rural communities have seen stagnation in dietary diversity and food availability.

Meanwhile, another graph shows China's dramatic rise in calorie intake over the past four decades, which closely aligns with its GDP growth. In the 1980s, China implemented market-oriented agricultural reforms, lifting millions out of hunger. Today, China also strategically uses international trade agreements and grain reserves to stabilise food prices. Other countries, including Mali, which has suffered from widespread violent conflict, and Indonesia, have seen less dramatic progress. Today, Indonesia is rolling out the world’s most ambitious free meals programme to close its nutritional gap. More than 80 million people are expected to benefit by 2029.

While undernutrition remains a critical issue in parts of the Global South, a different concern arises in high-income countries: overnutrition and obesity. The WHO warns that the worldwide prevalence of obesity more than doubled between 1990 and 2022. In the UK, for example, over one-third of adults are obese, driven in part by ultra-processed diets.

However, despite the concerns of unhealthy overeating, the biggest problem currently facing the world remains undernourishment. The success stories of the past thirty years demonstrate that it is a problem that can be conquered, but the failures indicate that its demise is far from guaranteed.

*Obviously consuming all your calories in the form of chicken nuggets does not represent a healthy diet. McDonald’s nuggets are used only as an example, other brands have similar nutritional profiles.