Weekly Update (Jan 26th – Feb 1st, 2026)

Philippines: Ferry sinking kills 18 as 316 rescued

A ROPAX ferry sank near Basilan in the Philippines, killing at least 18, with 316 rescued and 10 reported missing. Disasters like this quickly become political: they raise questions about regulation, vessel safety, emergency response and the informal economies that push people onto risky routes.

Ethiopia: Marburg outbreak ends after nine deaths

Ethiopia declared an end to a two-month Marburg virus outbreak that killed nine people. The declaration matters because it closes a high-risk public-health chapter in a region where containment capacity is uneven — and because “end of outbreak” statements are themselves confidence signals to neighbours, airlines and aid agencies.

Europe: 10 tonnes of cocaine seized, 105 arrested in maritime bust

Spanish police dismantled a maritime cocaine-smuggling ring, seizing 10 tonnes of cocaine and arresting 105 suspects after a year-long multinational investigation. The scale is a reminder that Europe’s organised-crime challenge is increasingly maritime and industrial: fast craft, offshore transfers and logistics networks that mirror legitimate supply chains.

Ukraine: Drone strike hits minibus, killing 15 and injuring seven

A Russian drone strike hit a minibus transporting mineworkers in Dnipro, killing at least 15 and injuring seven. Even amid a broader war, incidents with clear civilian targets carry disproportionate diplomatic weight: they sharpen pressure for air-defence support and shape public perceptions of escalation and intent.