UNITED NATIONS: Sexual violence is being committed in Sudan on a “sickening scale,” while fighting in the Darfur region is reopening “old wounds of ethnic tension” that could engulf the country, United Nations officials told the Security Council on Wednesday.
“The alarming accounts of sexual violence that are heard from people who have fled to Port Sudan are just a fraction of those being repeated at a sickening scale from conflict hotspots across the country,” said senior UN aid official Edem Wosornu.
War broke out on April 15 — four years after the overthrow of former President Omar Al-Bashir during a popular uprising. Tensions between the army (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which jointly staged a coup in 2021, erupted over disagreements about a plan to transition to civilian rule.
“The fighting in Darfur continues to reopen the old wounds of ethnic tension of past conflicts in the region,” Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, a senior UN official on Africa, told the council. “This is deeply worrying, and could quickly engulf the country in a prolonged ethnic conflict with regional spillovers.”
In the early 2000s “Janjaweed” militias — from which the RSF formed — helped the government crush a rebellion by mainly non-Arab groups in Darfur. Some 300,000 people were killed, the UN estimates, and Sudanese leaders are wanted by the International Criminal Court for genocide and crimes against humanity.
The current war has seen more than 4 million people flee their homes, of which 3.2 million people are internally displaced and nearly 900,000 people have crossed the borders into Chad, Egypt, South Sudan and other countries, the UN said.
“The humanitarian impacts are made worse by credible evidence to suggest serious violations of international humanitarian law by both the SAF and the RSF which could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity,” Britain’s UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward told the Security Council.
Russia’s Deputy UN Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva said Moscow was concerned by the situation in Sudan and pledged support for the Sudanese authorities. She accused Western countries of interfering with the Sudanese internal political process and slammed the use of unilateral sanctions.
Both sides in the Sudan conflict have claimed military advances in recent days but there are no signs of a decisive breakthrough. Efforts by Saudi Arabia and the United States to secure a cease-fire have stalled.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters after the council meeting that both sides were responsible for ethnic and sexual violence, adding: “There are no innocents here.”
Sudan’s UN Ambassador Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed told the Security Council that Sudanese troops “are not involved in any sexual or gender violence and the party involved in this atrocity is very well known.”
There was no immediate response from the RSF to the UN Security Council meeting. The RSF has said it is committed to upholding international humanitarian law and would work to prevent any abuses by its forces or others against civilians.
Sudanese suffer sexual violence on ‘sickening scale,’ UN says
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Sudanese suffer sexual violence on ‘sickening scale,’ UN says
- “The alarming accounts of sexual violence that are heard from people who have fled to Port Sudan are just a fraction of those being repeated,” said senior UN aid official Edem Wosornu
- Russia’s Deputy UN Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva said Moscow was concerned by the situation in Sudan and pledged support for the Sudanese authorities
Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition
- Exhibition is homage to renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai
The much-anticipated “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition will be held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art in JAX Diriyah from Jan. 15 to Feb. 8.
Held in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition, ratified by the Kingdom’s Museums Commission, will showcase the works of the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
It will highlight the history and evolution of manga, and provide a perspective on how Hokusai’s classical illustrations have influenced modern visual arts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Hokusai published his first collection of art in 1814, featuring sketches of “daily life, landscapes and whimsical creatures,” according to a post on X by the museum.
The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art aims to foster cultural exchange between local and international creators.
‘Delighted’ to return to Abu Dhabi, says Team Cup director
- Graham Glynn spoke to Arab News about the reasons for hosting the Team Cup in Abu Dhabi, the players taking part, and event’s importance for Ryder Cup selection
ABU DHABI: The Team Cup, the UAE’s first major golf tournament of 2025, tees off in Abu Dhabi on Friday, as Continental Europe, led by Francesco Molinari, aim to defend their title against a Great Britain & Ireland team captained by Justin Rose.
Ahead of the match-play event, Arab News spoke with Team Cup Championship Director Graham Glynn, who looked ahead to the competition over the weekend at the Abu Dhabi Golf Resort.
The popularity of golf in the region continues to grow. What makes the Team Cup different to some of the other more established events?
There is no doubt that golf fans within the UAE are spoilt for choice when it comes to high-profile events.
In November, we enjoyed the inaugural DP World Tour Play-Offs, comprised of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and DP World Tour Championship, while the New Year sees the return of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
While the Team Cup (formerly Hero Cup) is less established than those tournaments, what makes the event stand out from others is the match-play format, as opposed to the more traditional stroke-play format.
Match-play golf calls upon collective contributions and, in the Team Cup, every player will be involved in each session, making it the ultimate team test as Continental Europe, led by Francesco Molinari, aim to defend their title against Justin Rose’s Great Britain & Ireland.
While similar to the Ryder Cup, the format is not identical, with players paired up for the first two days, before the final-day singles against each other.
The collaborative element is something fans in the UAE won’t be used to watching in-person, and will undoubtedly make for some exciting and gripping action.
Why was Abu Dhabi Golf Resort selected as the host venue for the tournament?
We are blessed, here in the UAE, to have an array of elite-level golf courses all across the country, and there is certainly no shortage of options.
Abu Dhabi Golf Resort is one of the most impressive courses in the region and offers the perfect layout for match-play golf.
The venue opened over 20 years ago and boasts an illustrious history with tournament golf having played host to high-profile events down the years, including the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, while some of the biggest names in the sport have competed there.
From a logistical perspective, it’s a great venue due to the fact there is an on-site hotel, meaning players have the course and practice facilities on their doorstep, along with the world-renowned Falcon Clubhouse, which offers breathtaking views of the course.
Access for spectators, both in terms of getting to the course, and then moving around once on-site, is also fantastic, which is obviously hugely important for an event which will attract large numbers of fans.
Having hosted the Hero Cup at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort in 2023, we were delighted with its success both from a player and fan perspective, which is why we have chosen to return for the Team Cup.
With the likes of Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Francesco Molinari and the Hojgaard twins (Nicolai and Rasmus) confirmed to be competing, what does that say about the overall quality of the competition?
There will certainly be a strong lineup of talent on show, with plenty of big names who fans will be familiar with, and both teams each have players who have previously competed in the Ryder Cup.
However, what I really enjoy about this tournament is the fact we have those high-profile figures playing alongside some of the DP World Tour’s blossoming talents, with both teams combining youth and experience.
For example, the event’s oldest (Justin Rose) and youngest (Tom McKibbin) players will be part of the same team, with 23 years between them, which is a wonderful story and indicative of what the Team Cup is all about.
Aside from the big names, which players should fans look out for?
Italy’s Matteo Manassero is undoubtedly a player to watch, and he has a very interesting backstory, having become the youngest winner in DP World Tour history, at the age of 17, when he clinched the Castello Masters in 2010, before then stepping away from the game completely.
Following his return in 2019, he has continued to improve. This year, he won the Jonsson Workwear Open and finished 12th on the DP World Tour Race to Dubai Rankings, also securing a PGA TOUR card for 2025.
Aaron Rai, from England, is one of the lesser-known players in the competition, but don’t be fooled. He is a highly accomplished performer who boasts two DP World Tour victories, including at the Scottish Open in 2020 when he defeated Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff. He won on the PGA TOUR earlier this year and is one to watch.
Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin is the youngest player involved at 21 and having only turned professional in 2021, he has already claimed a maiden DP World Tour victory at last year’s Porsche European Open.
Regardless of age or experience, the Team Cup is a tournament packed full of quality, and we can all look forward to watching some brilliant golf over the three days.
Can you tell us about the structure and format of the event?
The event will follow the same format as 2023, with the teams competing in match play across one session of fourballs on the Friday, two sessions of foursomes on the Saturday and one session of singles on the Sunday.
Every player will take part in all four of the sessions. Each match will be worth one point, and the team who crosses the 12.5-point mark will be crowned Team Cup winners.
With so much talent on show, across both teams, we are hugely excited about what’s in store and I think it will be a tight and exciting battle.
How important is the event in terms of Ryder Cup selection?
It will certainly play a part, although only Luke Donald, who will lead Team Europe at the Ryder Cup, knows to what extent.
Luke has been heavily involved in proceedings up to now, and he has spoken publicly about how significant the Hero Cup was in 2023, particularly in relation to experiencing the uniqueness of a team environment.
As we know, there were players involved in that event who went on to play key roles in Team Europe’s success in Italy.
Competing in the Ryder Cup is a major milestone for any European player, and naturally those who are involved in the Team Cup will be eager to stake their claim, which should make for some fantastic competitive action.
Pakistan to launch pilot motorbike patrol for security of motorways
- Motorways in Pakistan have a dedicated police force, but various crimes, including rapes, have been reported in the past
- Communications minister says 30-35 motorbikes will boost motorway security and improve response time in the first phase
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has ordered the launch of a pilot motorbike patrol to enhance security of motorways in the country, Pakistani state media reported on Thursday.
Pakistan’s motorway network has improved road connectivity for the people and the government has deployed a dedicated motorway police force, installed CCTV cameras and established emergency response systems, but security concerns have persisted for travelers.
In 2020, the gangrape of a woman traveling from Lahore to Gujranwala via the M-11 motorway in front of her children sparked widespread outrage in the country, leading to calls for enhanced security measures. In 2023, a motorway police officer was also arrested on allegations of raping a woman on the highway, according to a report in Dawn newspaper.
“Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has directed the motorways authority to launch a pilot motorbike service aimed at enhancing security and surveillance on motorways,” the Pakistan Television (PTV) broadcaster reported.
“The motorway police have been instructed to utilize existing resources to kick-start the service with plans for expansion in the future.”
Khan directed the motorway police to include 30-35 motorbikes for patrolling in the first phase to boost security measures and improve response times, according to the report.
The communications minister urged the National Highway Authority, Motorway Police, Frontier Works Organization, and local police to collaborate in securing the motorways.
“Motorway police must take maximum responsibility for ensuring the safety of citizens while a robust mechanism should be developed to make motorway travel as secure as possible,” he added.
Oil Updates — crude set for 3rd straight weekly gain on winter fuel demand
LONDON: Oil prices rose in early Asian trade and were on track for a third straight week of gains with icy conditions in parts of the US and Europe driving up fuel demand for heating.
Brent crude futures climbed 40 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $77.32 a barrel at 9:02 a.m. Saudi time. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 38 cents, also 0.5 percent, to $74.30.
Over the three weeks ending Jan. 10, Brent has advanced 6 percent while WTI has jumped 7 percent.
Analysts at JPMorgan attributed the gains to growing concern over supply disruptions due to tightening sanctions, amid low oil stockpiles, freezing temperatures in many parts of the US and Europe and improving sentiment regarding China’s stimulus measures.
The US weather bureau expects central and eastern parts of the country to experience below-average temperatures. Many regions in Europe have also been hit by extreme cold and will likely continue to experience a colder-than-usual start to the year, which JPMorgan analysts expect to boost demand.
“We anticipate a significant year-over-year increase in global oil demand of 1.6 million barrels a day in the first quarter of 2025, primarily boosted by ... demand for heating oil, kerosene, and LPG,” JPMorgan said in a note on Friday.
Meanwhile, the premium of the front-month Brent contract over the six-month contract reached its widest since August this week, potentially indicating supply tightness at a time of rising demand.
Oil prices have rallied despite the US dollar strengthening for six straight weeks. A stronger dollar typically weighs on prices, as it makes purchases of crude expensive outside the US.
Supplies could be further hit as US President Joe Biden is expected to announce new sanctions targeting Russia’s economy this week in a bid to bolster Ukraine’s war effort against Moscow before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20. A key target of sanctions so far has been Russia’s oil industry.
“Uncertainty over how hawkish Trump will be with Iran will be providing some support. Asian buyers have already been looking for alternative grades from the Middle East, with broader sanctions against Russia and Iran making this oil flow more difficult,” ING analysts said in a note on Friday.
Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai to visit native Pakistan for girls’ summit
- Nobel peace prize laureate Malala Yousafzai will attend a summit on girls’ education hosted by her native Pakistan, where she was nearly killed by militants as a schoolgirl
ISLAMABAD: Nobel peace prize laureate Malala Yousafzai will attend a summit on girls’ education hosted by her native Pakistan, where she was nearly killed by militants as a schoolgirl.
Yousafzai was evacuated from the country in 2012 after being shot by the Pakistan Taliban, who were enraged by her activism, and she has returned to the country only a handful of times since.
“I am excited to join Muslim leaders from around the world for a critical conference on girls’ education,” she said Friday in a post on X.
“On Sunday, I will speak about protecting rights for all girls to go to school, and why leaders must hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes against Afghan women & girls.”
A spokesperson for her Malala Fund charity confirmed she will attend the summit in person.
The two-day summit will be held in the capital Islamabad on Saturday and Sunday, focusing on girls’ education in Muslim communities.
