The lead
The FCDO republished travel advice for 16 Middle East countries on 27 October. The new text says the risk of sudden escalation is high, and on 14 of the 16 pages it extends the warning to people travelling through the region. The earlier wording about the 17 June memorandum of understanding was removed from Bahrain and Syria, and is absent from all 16 pages. The FCDO gives no reason for the change.
The second post
The Home Office published interim guidance on non-ideological extreme violence on 27 October. It is aimed at frontline practitioners, creates no new duties, and says a Prevent referral does not need a clear ideology. It does not mention private security.
South Sudan
The UN spokesperson said on 27 October that peacekeepers are "concerned by rising violence in Tonj North and Tonj East counties in Warrap state, including reports of an armed attack on Akop Payam early today". The noon briefing added: "This follows deadly clashes on 26 October, which reportedly killed 72 people and injured 38 amid a cycle of retaliatory violence." UNMISS has deployed a six-day patrol in the area, with peacekeepers based in Warrap town patrolling towards affected communities, and is engaging state and county authorities. The UN does not say who the parties are or who counted the casualties. The FCDO advises against all travel to South Sudan.
Iran and the Security Council
At the Security Council on 27 October, members split on whether UN sanctions on Iran still apply. Russia and China say the Council ended its consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue on 18 October 2025; France, the UK and the US say resolution 2231 remains in force. The IAEA says it cannot verify Iran's declared 440 kg of highly enriched uranium, and its inspectors are working only at Bushehr. France said: "Such a quantity of material would potentially be enough for around 10 explosive nuclear devices." The Council took no decision.
Ukraine
UNHCR says long-range missile and drone strikes are increasing ahead of winter, and that between September and mid-October several security incidents affected its personnel, partners, aid facilities or marked relief vehicles. UNHCR's Philippe Leclerc said: "The increase in long-range missile and drone strikes means there is no safe place in Ukraine". The number and location of the incidents are not stated.
Kenya and DR Congo
Kenya released 20 Ebola contacts from quarantine on Monday 26 October, with 98 still in quarantine. It has nine confirmed cases and two deaths, all in one connected group, with no evidence of community spread. A ring-vaccination trial began in DR Congo on Friday 23 October, first testing the Ervebo vaccine, which is not yet known to protect against the Bundibugyo strain. The noon briefing adds a Kenya Humanitarian Fund allocation of over $2 million for Ebola preparedness, including along routes linked to the Kakuma refugee complex.
Gaza
UNOPS reported three incidents on three consecutive days in the past week affecting its convoys and premises in Gaza: close-proximity explosions, drivers detained at checkpoints, and "multiple small arms rounds striking one of the UNOPS guesthouses". The UN does not say who fired, on which dates, or whether anyone was hurt.
