South Sudan, Pakistan, the Koreas.

Today's three stories you should know.

Nov 04, 2022

South Sudan

One of the strange quirks of international news is that hunger crises don’t tend to make it into the top headlines. Here’s the latest example: Almost eight million people in South Sudan - a staggering two-thirds of the population - are at risk of “severe” food shortages next year, the UN said today. A major driver of the problem? The war in Ukraine. It has not only pushed up global food prices but has diverted humanitarian aid money away from countries like South Sudan as nations pour their resources into supporting the Ukrainian government. South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, has been beset with difficulties for most of its 10-year existence.

Pakistan

Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan today made the stunning accusation that current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was behind Thursday’s assassination attempt on Khan. Speaking from hospital while sitting in a wheelchair, the wounded Khan said that Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and a senior army commander were also involved. The government has denied playing any part in the attack, during which one man was killed and 10 wounded, and said the gunman was motivated by “religious extremism.” Khan had been leading a campaign convoy of thousands of people from Lahore to Islamabad, which he said he would resume when he recovers.

The Koreas

While North and South Korea engage in almost constant aggressive posturing against each other, recent months have seen a significant escalation. The South today scrambled 80 warplanes after tracking about 180 flights by North Korean fighters in their own territory, though it was not clear if some planes flew more than once. The North says it is reacting to joint US-South Korea military drills this week, which have involved about 240 warplanes, including F-35s. Such displays of military strength from both sides are often aimed at gaining leverage in the event talks should resume.