The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) on Wednesday expressed its grave concern over recent drone attacks on Port Sudan, stressing that the city's security is vital for delivering life-saving aid across Sudan.
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Wednesday repelled a drone attack targeting the country's largest naval base in Port Sudan, which marked the fourth consecutive day of attacks on the strategic Red Sea city, a Sudanese military source said.
According to the source, air defense missiles were launched to intercept the drones.
Stephanie Tremblay, an associate spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the Red Sea port is a key entry point for aid and humanitarian personnel in Sudan, and the attacks had thwarted the movement of both.
Since Sunday, Port Sudan has come under repeated attacks. That day, the SAF accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of using drones to strike the Osman Digna air base and other facilities in the city.
On Monday, a drone attack by the RSF on an oil storage facility near the Port Sudan New International Airport sparked a fire. Attacks continued on Tuesday, hitting multiple locations, including the airport, and port facilities and hotels in urban areas.
The RSF has yet to respond to the allegations.
Port Sudan has became Sudan's de facto administrative center after key government institutions were relocated there in May 2023. The city also hosts UN agencies and shelters hundreds of thousands of displaced people. Its airport remains a vital gateway for international travel.
Recently, the RSF has escalated drone attacks on military and critical infrastructure in SAF-controlled areas. Meanwhile, the SAF has made significant gains. In March 2025, the government forces recaptured central Khartoum, including the presidential palace, Khartoum International Airport, and other strategic sites.
Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating conflict between the SAF and the RSF since mid-April 2023, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives, with the exact toll unknown. The International Organization for Migration estimates over 15 million people have been displaced in the conflict, both within Sudan and abroad.
UN food agency expresses grave concern over security in Port Sudan
An industry observer said that 2026 is poised to be a "year of sequels and cultural stories" in global animation, following a strong 2025 where such films dominated box offices worldwide.
With heavyweights like Toy Story 5, Minions 3, and China's perennial favorite Boonie Bears set for release, along with culturally rooted productions such as The Three Kingdoms: War 1 Luoyang, the coming months are expected to draw large audiences and reinforce animation's central role in cinema.
This optimism is built on a solid foundation from the previous year.
Looking back at China's film market in 2025, animated features emerged as a powerful driving force. Four of the year's top 10 highest-grossing films were animations, three of which were domestic productions.
Total animation revenue exceeded 25 billion yuan (around 3.58 billion U.S. dollars), capturing nearly 50 percent of the annual box office. As the new year unfolds, the animation sector continues to shine with promising highlights.
A key trend driving this momentum is the surge of sequels from major franchises.
"One notable trend is the abundance of sequels to classic animated films, particularly from Hollywood. Several iconic series are releasing new installments, making 2026 a year of animated sequels. Given their strong IP foundation, these sequels are expected to attract more audiences' attention and achieve solid box office results," said Hu Jianli, secretary general of the Chinese Film Critics Society.
Alongside these international sequels, domestic animation IPs are also deepening their influence and expanding their reach. The annual Boonie Bears series will welcome its latest installment, while the popular TV series The Immortal Ascension is set for its big-screen debut.
"It's fair to say that the Boonie Bears series has maintained the most consistent quality among domestic animated film franchises over the years. Its expansion from television to movies, merchandise, and theme parks represents a fully developed industrial chain, greatly strengthening the IP's presence in the public consciousness. As for The Immortal Ascension, it's the first time that the animation IP is adapted for the big screen, which naturally generates exceptional attention—especially following the successful live-action web series last year. If this first animated film adaptation succeeds, it has the potential to become a major film IP in its own right," said Hu.
Beyond the reliance on established franchises, another significant creative trend is the growing number of animated films drawing inspiration from China's rich classical literature and historical epics. This approach aims to connect with audiences through deeply rooted cultural narratives.
A leading example is a prominent Chinese animation studio Light Chaser Animation's upcoming "The Three Kingdoms: War 1 Luoyang", which dramatizes the early power struggles from the famed historical period.
"We are seeing a clear increase in animated films adapted from classic Chinese novels and myths. Light Chaser Animation Studios' 'New Culture Series' has performed exceptionally well in our animated film market—for example, 30,000 Miles from Changan earned over 1.8 billion yuan (around 257.98 million U.S. dollars) at the box office. This series has truly succeeded in creatively transforming and innovatively developing China's outstanding traditional culture for the big screen, while also resonating emotionally with today's young audiences through its storytelling and character adaptations," said Hu.
Beyond sequels and adaptations rooted in traditional culture, original animated films are also carving out their space with unique concepts and distinctive styles, showcasing further creative possibilities.
Titles such as Arco, a 2025 animated science-fantasy film, and Pixar's Hoppers exemplify this trend of innovation.
"I believe animated films will remain a major force in the global box office in 2026. The worldwide top-grossing film of 2024 was Inside Out 2, and in 2025 it was China's Ne Zha 2. So I'm confident that animated films will once again rank among the highest-grossing releases globally this year," Hu said.
Animated films set to dominate 2026 global box office with strong lineup
