World / The Times of India
A suspected drone strike by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) hit a prison in Kordofan, killing at least 20 inmates and wounding 50. The RSF has escalated drone attacks on military-held areas, while the military struck RSF-held Nyala airport. The ongoing conflict has resulted in numerous casualties, displacement, and atrocities, pushing parts of Sudan into famine.
South Korean presidential hopeful Kim Moon-soo accused his conservative party of staging a political coup on Saturday after it revoked his candidacy and moved to replace him with a former prime minister. The PPP unlawfully revoked my presidential candidacy, even though I, Kim Moon-soo, was legitimately elected by the will of the people and party members, he told reporters.
Heavy rains and severe flooding in Mogadishu, Somalia, have resulted in at least seven fatalities and widespread disruption. An overwhelmed drainage system exacerbated the situation, leading to collapsed houses and impassable roads. Rescue efforts are underway as residents remain trapped, and key infrastructure, including the main airport, suffered damage.
In Uganda, Meridah Nandudu is empowering women coffee farmers by paying them a premium for their beans, leading to a significant increase in female participation in the coffee trade. This initiative, through her company Bayaaya Specialty Coffee, addresses the historical imbalance where women perform the majority of the labor but receive little of the profits.
Israel's stated commitment to defending the Syrian Druze is, by the admission of some of its leaders, consistent with a long-term strategic goal -- the weakening of Syria. The State of Israel feels indebted to the Druze and their exceptional commitment to the Israeli army, said Efraim Inbar, a researcher at the INSS. According to Inbar, defending the Druze is also part of the new post-Assad geopolitical landscape in which Israel is trying to protect the Druze and Kurdish minorities from the Sunn
Israel would not be involved in food distribution under a US-led plan for the Gaza Strip but would provide ecessary military security, Washington's ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said on Friday. The Israelis are going to be involved in providing necessary military security, because it is a war zone, but they will not be involved in the distribution of the food, or even in the bringing of the food into Gaza, the US ambassador said.
Omani Foreign Minister announced a ceasefire agreement between the US and the Houthi militia, aiming to de-escalate tensions and ensure safe passage in the Red Sea. While Trump claimed Houthi capitulation, they vowed to continue attacks on Israel. Despite recent Israeli strikes on Yemen, analysts doubt air strikes alone can end the conflict, deeming a ground offensive unlikely.
Intense fighting in South Sudan has prevented desperately needed food from reaching some 60,000 malnourished children for almost a month, the United Nations said on Thursday. In a joint statement the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nation's children's agency, UNICEF, warned that escalating fighting along the White Nile river -- a major transport route -- has meant o humanitarian supplies have reached the area in almost a month.
Following a weekend soccer match between Shabab Al Ahli and Al Wasl in Dubai, police arrested several individuals involved in post-game fights, a rare occurrence in the UAE. The clashes involved fans throwing water bottles, lighting flares, and, according to reports, throwing stones.
Senegalese lawmakers will weigh on Thursday whether to allow several former ministers to faces charges before a special court over accusations they embezzled funds meant for the country's fight against Covid. Moustapha Diop was industrial development minister while Salimata Diop was the women's affairs minister under former president Macky Sall when the fund to fight the spread of Covid-19 was established in 2020-21.
Syria's finance minister has said Qatar will help the Islamist-led government to pay public sector salaries for the coming months through a mechanism he said had been exempted from US sanctions. We thank the Qatari government for the generous grant provided to pay part of the current wages and salary bill, Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh said in a statement carried by state news agency SANA late Wednesday.