Collision involving multiple vehicles on Uganda highway kills 46 people
At least 46 people have died following a devastating collision on Uganda’s Kampala-Gulu Highway, one of the country’s busiest roads. The crash occurred shortly after midnight near Kiryandongo when two buses travelling in opposite directions attempted to overtake other vehicles simultaneously, colliding head-on with a truck and a car. Initial reports suggested a higher death toll of 63 before police revised the figures as rescue operations progressed. The Uganda Police Force said many victims were found unconscious at the scene and urged motorists to avoid dangerous overtaking, which remains one of Uganda’s leading causes of road fatalities. Red Cross spokesperson Irene Nakasiita described the wreckage as “too gruesome to share,” with many victims suffering severe injuries and broken limbs. The tragedy highlights Uganda’s worsening road safety record, with more than 5,000 people killed in crashes last year—a rise for the third consecutive year. Authorities have launched an investigation while emergency teams continue assisting survivors and families.
Peru declares 30-day state of emergency in Lima to tackle rising crime
Peruvian President Jose Jeri has declared a 30-day state of emergency in the capital, Lima, and the neighboring province of Callao to confront rising crime and growing public unrest. The measure, approved by the Council of Ministers, allows the armed forces to work alongside police in maintaining order and security. In a televised address, Jeri said the government was “moving from defense to offense in the fight against crime” to restore peace and public trust. The decision follows violent protests last week that left one person dead and over 100 injured, marking the first major challenge to Jeri’s new administration. Sworn in earlier this month after the ouster of Dina Boluarte, the president has made law and order his top priority. However, analysts warn that repeated emergency declarations — including similar measures under Boluarte — have failed to address the root causes of Peru’s insecurity. Critics say lasting reform requires judicial and police accountability, not just military deployment.
Cambodia, Thailand convene joint committee meeting to advance vital border discussions
Cambodia and Thailand have convened a two-day Joint Border Committee (JBC) meeting in Chanthaburi province to advance long-stalled talks on their shared frontier. The session follows June’s historic JBC meeting in Phnom Penh — the first in over a decade — which helped revive bilateral dialogue after tensions briefly escalated into armed confrontation between border troops. The agenda includes reviewing progress on boundary demarcation, addressing issues raised at September’s General Border Committee meeting, and approving the use of new mapping technologies such as LiDAR and orthophotography to speed up surveying along the 800-kilometre border. Cambodia’s delegation, led by Lam Chea of the State Secretariat of Border Affairs, and Thailand’s, headed by Prasas Prasasvinitchai, aim to confirm additional boundary pillars and strengthen cooperation under the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding. Phnom Penh reaffirmed that disputed zones like Ta Moan Thom and the Emerald Triangle should be settled through international legal channels, not unilateral mapping. Both sides expressed hope that continued dialogue will prevent renewed conflict and foster stability.
Syria’s post-conflict reconstruction to cost at least $216B: World Bank
The World Bank has estimated Syria’s post-war reconstruction will cost at least $216 billion, with possible totals ranging from $140 billion to $345 billion. Its ‘Syrian Conflict: Physical Damage and Reconstruction Assessment (2011–2024)’ report found $108 billion in direct physical destruction—around one-third of the country’s total capital stock. Infrastructure suffered nearly half the damage ($52 billion), followed by homes and public buildings, with Aleppo, Rif Dimashq, and Homs the hardest-hit regions. Syria’s economy has shrunk dramatically, with GDP down 53% since 2010, from $67.5 billion to just $21.4 billion. The report warns that reconstruction costs now amount to ten times the country’s current GDP, while sanctions, depleted reserves, and minimal capital investment leave the government unable to rebuild alone. Finance Minister Yisr Barnieh called for urgent global support to restore infrastructure and rebuild communities. Following Bashar al-Assad’s flight to Russia last year, Syria’s new government under President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has begun reforms aimed at stability, investment, and national recovery.
