VietNamNet Bridge – When they agreed to join the UN Peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, 73 Vietnamese officers knew they would have to leave behind their families to travel to the war-ravaged country. 

 South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in Unity and Jonglei States.

 The UN Security Council on Tuesday approved a recommendation to almost double the UN peacekeeping forces in conflict-torn South Sudan to better protect civilians from violence.

 Hundreds of people are believed to have died in clashes between rival South Sudan army factions, the UN says, quoting unconfirmed reports.