Suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar on Friday accused the prosecution of restricting communication between the accused and their defence lawyers in the Nasir attack trial, a claim that prosecution lawyer Ajo Onyo Ohisa strongly denied, prompting the Special Court to clarify the rights and responsibilities of both parties. Continue reading “Machar alleges restrictions on defence access as prosecutor rejects intimidation claims”
Author: Koang Chang
South Sudan signs joint communiqué on East African monetary union by 2031
South Sudan signed the Joint Communiqué reaffirming its commitment to the East African Community integration agenda and the establishment of the East African Monetary Union by 2031. Continue reading “South Sudan signs joint communiqué on East African monetary union by 2031”
Japan heat wave claims seven lives, thousands hospitalized
A severe heat wave sweeping across Japan has left seven people dead and sent thousands more to hospitals, according to government data released this week.
According Kyodo News, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said 4,580 people were taken to hospitals by ambulance for heat-related illnesses between July 6 and July 12. The figure marks a sharp increase of 3,210 cases compared to the previous week.
Older adults were the most affected, with 2,827 patients aged 65 and above, representing nearly 62 percent of all reported cases.
The seven deaths were reported across five prefectures, including Nagano, Shimane and Nagasaki.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency said the extreme summer heat persisted across much of the country. On July 10, temperatures climbed above 30 degrees Celsius at 585 of the nation’s 914 weather observation stations.
The heat intensified further on July 21, affecting wide areas from Kyushu to the Tohoku region. Forecasters warned of dangerously high temperatures well above seasonal averages, particularly in inland parts of the Tokai and Kanto regions.
Japan experienced its first extreme heat day of the year, with temperatures expected to exceed 40°C. Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture was forecast to reach 41°C, while Nagoya City and Tajimi City were expected to hit 40°C. Central Tokyo was projected to record a high of 36°C.
In response, authorities issued Heat Alert warnings for 42 prefectures, the highest number recorded so far this year.
Health officials warned that early signs of heatstroke include dizziness, muscle cramps and extreme fatigue, which can quickly develop into severe headaches, confusion and other life-threatening conditions if left untreated.
Authorities continue to urge residents, especially older people, to stay hydrated, avoid unnecessary outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day and keep air conditioning running throughout the day and night to reduce the risk of heat-related illness.
US renews Iran strikes; Trump cites soldier deaths
The US military says it launched another round of strikes against Iran to “further degrade” its capabilities to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The 10th consecutive night of strikes took place after US President Donald Trump vowed to punish Iran for the deaths of US soldiers.
In response, Iran said it struck two oil tankers in the waterway, as well as US military assets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, state news agency IRNA reported.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran was now fighting a “full-scale war” with the US. Trump earlier said Iran had been hit “very hard” the previous night “in honour” of three US soldiers killed recently – two in Jordan and one in Iraq.
US Central Command (Centcom) said its latest strikes had hit Iranian “military command centres, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defence systems”.
Explosions were reported near the north-western city of Tabriz, where state media said one person was killed and several wounded, as well at the Gulf ports of Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini and the south-eastern ports of Chabahar and Konarak.
Centcom also insisted that commercial vessels were continuing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran meanwhile said its forces struck two oil tankers as they attempted to transit through what it called the strait’s “unsafe and hazardous southern route” and rescue teams were picking up their crews, according to state media.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) said a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz had reported being struck by an unknown projectile, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel and board a lifeboat.
It was not clear whether the tanker reported by UKMTO was among those cited by Iran.
Six fuel tankers and cargo ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to preliminary data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler. Two of these vessels had previously been sanctioned by the US for links with Iran.
This is down from eight vessels crossing on 19 July, the data shows. All but one of the crossings made on 20 July were via the northern route near Iran.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also claimed to have targeted a data centre belonging to the US company Amazon in Bahrain, according to state media on Tuesday.
The IRGC “attacked and destroyed the central data infrastructure of the American company Amazon in Bahrain with several cruise missiles,” state news agency IRNA reported.
Jordan said on Tuesday that it had intercepted five drones after saying it had shot down three missiles late on Monday. Bahrain said drones launched by Iran had targeted its air navigation systems – but traffic remained unaffected. Kuwait’s armed forces also said they had intercepted Iranian drones.
Later on Tuesday Kuwait said Iran had hit several power and water desalination plants the previous day.
At the same time, Tehran said diplomatic messages were still being exchanged by both sides through intermediaries, despite a collapse of a ceasefire.
On Monday night the Department of Defense confirmed the identities of two of the US soldiers – Pte Isabella Gonzales, 19, from Texas, and Lt Tyler James Feehan, 25, from Hawaii – who were killed in an Iranian strike on the Muwaffaq Salti base in Jordan over the weekend.
Centcom said earlier a third service member also went missing in action after the attack, and unidentified remains were later found in the area.
South Sudan joins OPEC+ technical meeting in Azerbaijan to advance energy cooperation
South Sudan has joined fellow oil-producing nations in Baku, Azerbaijan, for an OPEC+ technical meeting focused on strengthening cooperation on energy policy, technology, market stability, and global energy security. Continue reading “South Sudan joins OPEC+ technical meeting in Azerbaijan to advance energy cooperation”
SIHA Network pushes for greater political inclusion of young women ahead of elections
The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA Network) has called on political parties and electoral stakeholders to create meaningful opportunities for young women and youth to participate in leadership and decision-making, warning that many continue to face barriers that limit their role in the country’s political processes. Continue reading “SIHA Network pushes for greater political inclusion of young women ahead of elections”
Former Trump adviser suggests recruiting volunteers from South Sudan, Uganda and other regions to defend Israel
Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign policy adviser, Dr. Walid Phares, has suggested recruiting volunteers from South Sudan, Uganda and several other African countries and regions to help defend Israel amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Continue reading “Former Trump adviser suggests recruiting volunteers from South Sudan, Uganda and other regions to defend Israel”
South Sudan workers seek delay of NSIF rollout pending reforms
A coalition of national employees’ unions in South Sudan has called on the government to suspend the implementation of the National Social Insurance Fund (NSIF) Act 2023, arguing that the scheme is being rolled out before the necessary legal, institutional, and governance structures are in place. Continue reading “South Sudan workers seek delay of NSIF rollout pending reforms”
Kiir to commission modern Terminal 3 at Juba Airport on Thursday – Minister Rizik
The Minister of Transport, Rizik Zakaria Hassan, has announced that President Salva Kiir will officially inaugurate the newly constructed Terminal 3 at Juba International Airport on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in South Sudan’s drive to modernize its aviation infrastructure and enhance international air travel services. Continue reading “Kiir to commission modern Terminal 3 at Juba Airport on Thursday – Minister Rizik”
South Sudan, Kenya deepen Cooperation on Border Security and Immigration
South Sudan and Kenya have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on border security and immigration management following high-level discussions held in Nairobi. Continue reading “South Sudan, Kenya deepen Cooperation on Border Security and Immigration”
