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☆ What’s happening in Syria? How an old conflict in the Middle East erupted again
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-02 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Alex-Smith-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Alexander Smith | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

In the messy patchwork of conflicts raging across the Middle East, one country has been absent from the spotlight: Syria. That he has survived was largely because of the intervention of Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, Iran’s Lebanon-based proxy. In all, the U.N. has documented more than 350,000 deaths but says this is “certainly an undercount.”Today, however, Russia, Iran and Lebanon are distracted and depleted. All of this “puts Assad in a much weaker position.”But “the Syrian regime, in coordination with the Russians and less so the Iranians, will hit them with everything they’ve got,” he added. “Much as I oppose the Assad regime, its atrocities and abuses, what is happening in Aleppo right now is terrifying.

Persons: Bashar al, ”, Omar Haj Kadour, Assad, It’s, Abu Mohammed al, Robin Yassin, “ It’s, “, Aaref Watad, Abbas Araghchi, Dmitry Peskov, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s, Aleppo . Omar Haj Kadour, Hellyer, they’ve, Donald Trump, —, Charles Lister, ” Chris Doyle Organizations: Royal United Services Institute, Getty, Pentagon, Syrian, Human Rights, United Nations, State Department, ISIS, Observatory, Syrian Civil Defence, Middle East Institute, Foreign Relations, Council, Arab Locations: Syria, Syrian, Aleppo, Russia, London, AFP, Idlib, Hama, U.K, Qaeda, U.S, Golani, Russian, Aaref, Iran, Iraq, Iran’s Lebanon, Omar, Homs, moonscapes, ”, Lebanon, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Washington, Kyiv, Moscow, Assad, Aleppo . Omar, Israel, Gaza, Cairo, Washington, Deir el, Monday, British

☆ Selena Gomez couldn’t afford to go to her first Disney casting—now she’s a billionaire startup founder
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Selena Gomez's makeup brand Rare Beauty has catapulted her to billionaire status, according to a recent Bloomberg estimate. Gomez, who's publicly discussed her own struggles with bipolar disorder, launched it as a way to promote mental health in the beauty industry. Rare Beauty brought in a reported $350 million in sales last year, according to Business of Fashion. A makeup brand promoting self-acceptance can seem asymmetric, which made Gomez think her products wouldn't sell, she told People in 2022. Since then, she's expressed her pride in Rare Beauty's growth and dedication to promoting mental health.

Persons: Selena, Ellen DeGeneres, Gomez, Barney, —, Mandy Teefey, Gomez's, who's, Scott Friedman, Omar H, Fares, she's, we've, Get Organizations: Bloomberg, Disney Channel, Disney, Wizards, Globe, Company, Fund, of, CNBC Locations: Grand Prairie , Texas, California, Waverly

Tuesday’s primaries will also determine the matchups for some notable House seats, with Republicans looking to defend their slim majority. While Steil is expected to face Democratic former Rep. Peter Barca, multiple Democrats are competing to take on Van Orden. The top fundraisers in the Democratic primary include nonprofit leader Rebecca Cooke, state Rep. Katrina Shankland and activist Eric Wilson. Teirab is the top candidate in the Republican primary after his chief rival dropped out last month. Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar is looking to faces multiple opponents in the deep-blue 5th District, which includes Minneapolis.

Persons: Eric Hovde, Donald Trump’s, Democratic Sen, Tammy Baldwin, Amy Klobuchar, Connecticut’s Chris Murphy, Vermont’s Bernie Sanders —, Klobuchar, Royce White, Derrick Van Orden, Bryan Steil, Steil, Peter Barca, Van Orden, Rebecca Cooke, Katrina Shankland, Eric Wilson, Democrats — Minnesota’s Angie Craig, Connecticut’s Jahana Hayes —, Hayes, Sen, George Logan, Trump, Joe Teirab, Craig, Ilhan Omar, Don Samuels, Omar, outspent Samuels, Samuels, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Michelle Fischbach, Fischbach, Steve Boyd, “, ”, Mike Gallagher’s, — Gallagher, Tony Wied, André Jacque, Roger Roth, Kristin Lyerly, Will, Evers, Tony Evers Organizations: Senate, Republican, Democratic, Republicans, NBA, GOP, Rep, Van, Democrats, Marine, Tuesday, Minneapolis City Council, United Democratic, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Israel, Trump, America Leads Inc, Wisconsin’s, Republican Rep, Green Bay Packers, OB Locations: Wisconsin , Minnesota , Connecticut, Vermont, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Connecticut’s, Minnesota’s, Teirab, Minneapolis, New York, Missouri, Washington, District, Will Wisconsin

A third teenager has been arrested in connection with a foiled attack on now-canceled Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna. The foiled attack was planned for Thursday or Friday, according to Austria’s interior minister, Gerhard Karner. Taylor Swift fans gather in Vienna. Authorities display a photo of a man arrested in connection with a plot to attack Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Vienna, Austria. The U.S. State Department and the broader U.S. government have been in contact with Austrian officials about the alleged plot, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Gerhard Karner, Karner, Ernst Happel, Thomas Kronsteiner, Karl Nehammer, “, ” Nehammer, it’s, ” Swift, Sadiq Khan, We’re, ” Khan, Swift, ’, Southport , England Peter Powell, ”, Omar Haijawi, Franz Ruf, Taylor, Roland Schlager, Pirchner, Matthew Miller, “ Taylor, Pedro Gomes, TAS24, Elle, Magnus Ranstorp Organizations: Austrian, Authorities, Islamic State, Investigators, Ernst, London’s Wembley, London, Manchester Arena, Getty, Islamic, of State Security, Intelligence, Ministry of, Interior, CIA, U.S . State Department, State, ” Barracuda, Barracuda Music, Estadio da Luz, Las, Strip, Swedish Defense University, Associated Press Locations: Vienna, al Qaeda, Europe, Gelsenkirchen, Austria, Ariana Grande, Manchester, England, Southport , England, AFP, Ternitz, Austrian, Lisbon, Portugal, United Kingdom, Stockholm

☆ We live in hotels full-time with our 14-month-old baby. We won't be settling in the suburbs.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Megan Carnegie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

When my wife got pregnant with our 14-month-old Noah, we continued traveling throughout the pregnancy and Noah's infancy. Yusuf OmarAdapting Noah to nomad lifeSumaiya: Now, we're building our company and raising Noah, our 14-month-old, as best we can. AdvertisementSumaiya and Yusuf Omar flying with baby Noah. When we're on business trips, hotels are a business expense, which is the majority of why we travel. In addition to hotels, we've also spent short stints at our parents' homes and lived in a rented van.

Persons: —, Yusuf, Sumaiya Omar, Noah, Sumaiya, Noah's, Noah Omar, Yusuf Omar, COVID, Yusuf Omar Living, we're, Yusuf Omar Sumaiya, we've, Yusuf Omar We, Omar, London Yusuf Omar Yusuf, nannies, Yusuf Omar Yusuf Organizations: Service, Business, Hindustan Times, CNN International, CNN, UN Locations: London, Sumaiya, Durban, South Africa, Gold Coast, Australia, India, Sydney, isn't, New York

☆ Ilhan Omar has deep concerns with Biden's Israel policy. She's still sticking with him after the debate.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewRep. Ilhan Omar, along with other members of the progressive "Squad," has been a staunch critic of President Joe Biden's policies on Israel. She's unhesitant in defending that approach, arguing that former President Donald Trump would be worse. We will continue to push for that," Omar told Business Insider on Wednesday. I'm fully behind him," Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York, who recently lost his primary to a moderate Democrat in large part due to his criticism of Israel, told BI this week. Advertisement"There is not going to be a situation where the President is being removed from being the nominee," said Omar.

Persons: —, Ilhan Omar, Joe Biden's, Omar's, Biden, Omar, She's unhesitant, Donald Trump, Trump, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Kamala Harris, I'm, Jamaal Bowman, Israel, Harris, Omar wouldn't Organizations: Service, Minnesota congresswoman, Business, Capitol, Trump Locations: Israel, Minnesota, Gaza, Alexandria, Cortez of New York, Congress, New York

☆ Biden needs to show he's 'with it' at 'extraordinarily important' NATO summit, former diplomat says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

watch nowThe stakes are high for the NATO alliance as the organization's 75th anniversary summit gets underway in Washington this week. "I think this NATO summit in Washington is an important moment for Joe Biden, he really has to show that he is with it, he's ready to continue to lead not only the United States of America but the NATO alliance," she told CNBC's Dan Murphy. Asked if the summit could be make-or-break for the transatlantic alliance, Gottemoeller replied: "I think it is an extraordinarily important summit for the NATO alliance; I wouldn't say it is a make-or-break. US President Joe Biden participates in the US-Nordic Leaders' Summit at the presidential palace in Helsinki, Finland, on July 13, 2023. US President Joe Biden travelled to Britain on July 9, 2023, to a NATO summit in Lithuania and will end the trip to Europe on July 13, 2023 in Finland.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Rose Gottemoeller, CNBC's Dan Murphy, Gottemoeller, Andrew Caballero, Reynolds, Trump, Vladimir Putin, Defence Lloyd J, Austin III, Rustem Umerov, Jens Stoltenberg, Charles Q, Brown Jr, Omar Havana Organizations: NATO, CNBC's, Nordic, AFP, Getty, Trump, Kyiv, Defence, Ukrainian Defence, United, Joint Chiefs Locations: Washington, U.S, United States, America, Helsinki, Finland, Britain, Lithuania, Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Brussels, Belgium

☆ Don Omar: Reggaeton singer reveals cancer diagnosis
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Puerto Rican reggaeton star Don Omar has revealed that he is being treated for cancer. The singer posted a photo of himself wearing a hospital bracelet on his wrist reading “Orlando Health” on Instagram on Monday. Don Omar has been one of the biggest names in reggaeton since rising to fame in the early 2000s. Don Omar maintained a long-term feud with fellow reggaeton star Daddy Yankee until the pair announced that they had ended their rivalry in December last year. “Thank you for your words and for listening to the ones that came from my heart too,” wrote Don Omar on Instagram at the time.

Persons: Don Omar, ”, William Omar Landrón Rivera, Daddy Yankee, Instagram Organizations: CNN, Puerto, Orlando Health Locations: Puerto Rican, Instagram, Oakland , California

“It can be assumed that the 1 million rounds will not be reached,” Boris Pistorius said ahead of an EU defense ministers meeting in Brussels. In March, EU member states agreed to provide Ukraine with 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition for Ukraine to be delivered within 12 months. The US has also been ramping up ammunition production to supply Ukraine. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Kyiv urgently needed the EU to ramp up its ability to supply ammunition for the Ukrainian military. Ukraine is “ringing the bells a lot and loudly” over EU ammunition supply, he said on national television on Monday night.

Persons: ” Boris Pistorius, Pistorius, Josep Borrell, Borrell, Boris Pistorius, Omar Havana, Dmytro Kuleba, “, ”, ” Nick Witney, Tom Waldwyn, Waldwyn Organizations: CNN, EU, German, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, Ukraine’s, European Council, Foreign Relations, International Institute for Strategic Studies Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Brussels, EU, Ukraine’s, South, North Korea, Europe

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar got a prominent Democratic primary challenger Sunday when former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels announced he'll try once again to unseat her after coming close in 2022. But Omar — a Somali American and Muslim — has come under renewed fire for condemning the Israeli government’s handling of its war against Hamas. Jeremy Slevin, a spokesman for Omar, did not immediately return a phone message left Sunday seeking comment on Samuels' announcement. Omar has been critical of Hamas for attacking Israel and taking hostages — but even more so of Israel’s military response. That drew pushback from a strong supporter of Israel, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who issued a public show of support for Omar this summer.

Persons: Ilhan Omar, Don Samuels, he'll, Omar, Omar —, —, “, Samuels, beatable, George Floyd, Barack Obama, ” Samuels, Jeremy Slevin, Israel, Louis Park, Isaac Herzog’s, " Samuels, ”, Hakeem Jeffries, didn't, Sarah Gad, Tim Peterson, Dalia Al Organizations: — U.S . Rep, Democratic, Sunday, Minneapolis City Council, House Democrats, Hamas, Associated Press, WCCO Radio, Twitter, Israel, Israel Public Affairs Committee, House Democratic, AIPAC, Republican Locations: MINNEAPOLIS, Minneapolis, Somali American, Minnesota, Gaza, U.S, Somali, Russia, Ukraine, Iraqi American

☆ Exclusive: UAE plans to maintain ties with Israel despite Gaza outcry, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Alexander Cornwell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Abu Dhabi became the most prominent Arab nation to establish diplomatic ties with Israel in 30 years under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020. "The indiscriminate damage visited upon the people of Gaza in pursuit of Israel's security risks extinguishing that hope," she said. Israel and the UAE have developed close economic and security ties in the three years since normalisation, including defence cooperation. None of four sources ruled out that the UAE could downgrade or sever its ties if the crisis escalated. While criticising Israel's conduct of the war, Abu Dhabi has also condemned Hamas for its attack.

Persons: Ronen, Abu Dhabi, Israel ABU, Abraham, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Benjamin Netanyahu, Sheikh Mohamed, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Israel, Washington, Anwar Gargash, Lana Nusseibeh, Abu, Jordan, James Dorsey, Netanyahu, Israel's, Abdel Fattah al, Mohammed Mursi, Omar Hassan al, Bashir, Alexander Cornwell, Dan Williams, Steven Scheers, Maha El Dahan, Michael Georgy, Daniel Flynn Organizations: REUTERS, UAE, United Arab Emirates, Israel, U.S, Abraham Accords, Israeli, Qatari, UN Security Council, Reuters, West Bank, Gaza, National University of Singapore, European Union, Egypt's, Thomson Locations: Petah Tikva, Israel, UAE, Gaza, Israel ABU DHABI, Abu, Palestinian, Arab, United States, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, reining, East Jerusalem, Israeli, Iran, Yemen, OPEC, Al Aqsa, Islam, Egypt, Jerusalem

Bowman, Lee, Omar and Tlaib also were among the 17 sponsors of Bush’s resolution asking the Biden administration to call for a ceasefire. Challenges to Bush and the others were possible even before the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 or Israel’s subsequent attack on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It is unfortunate, Andrabi said, that the House Democratic leadership has not taken a stronger stance against AIPAC’s efforts to knock off rank-and-file Democrats. It remains unclear whether House Democrats will help incumbents fend off primary challengers through campaign fundraising arms. Before Oct. 7, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., issued statements of support for Omar and others, saying he will support the reelection of every House Democratic incumbent, regardless of ideology.

Persons: Cori Bush, Israel, Wesley Bell, Bush, Bush isn’t, Israel —, Bell, Summer Lee, Jamaal Bowman, Ilhan Omar, Rashida, Israel's staunchest, Omar, Bowman, Thanedar, Lee, Tlaib, Gaza . Bowman, Biden, Omar —, “, Democrats ’, Usamah Andrabi, Andrabi, Hakeem Jeffries, ” Tlaib, Israel Democrats ” —, Thanedar —, Detroit —, Sen, Adam Hollier —, Reconstructionists, ”, Daniel Fellman, Lee isn’t, ” Lee, Bhavini Patel, Lee doesn’t, Don Samuels, George Floyd, George Latimer, Latimer, Bush —, —, Darryl Gray, Louis, ” ___ Levy, Steve Karnowski, Joey Cappelletti, Anthony Izaguirre Organizations: LOUIS, Hamas, The Missouri Democrat, U.S, Senate, Democratic, Democrats, Israel, Democratic Party, Justice Democrats, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, “ Democratic, ”, House Democratic, Democratic Congressional, Palestinian American, Israel Democrats, Tlaib, Detroit, Conservative, Somali American, Westchester Locations: Israel, The Missouri, St, Louis, Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota, Michigan, Detroit, Gaza ., Gaza, D, Detroit House, Dearborn, Southfield, Hollier, In Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh’s Temple, Minneapolis, Somali, Westchester County, Missouri, Iran, Harrisburg , Pennsylvania, Lansing , Michigan, Albany , New York

☆ Fact Check: Trump quoted Ilhan Omar tweet saying ‘Israel hypnotized the world’
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A video of former U.S. President Donald Trump saying “Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people” at a 2019 rally has been cut to remove context that he was reading out a social media post by U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar. Online claims have falsely linked the 2019 video to the October 2023 war between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel. “#Israel has hypnotized the world. The video is clipped from a speech Trump gave at a rally in Minneapolis on Oct. 10, 2019. A video clip of Donald Trump saying “Israel has hypnotized the world” at a 2019 rally, lacks context that he was quoting a social media post by Ilhan Omar.

Persons: Donald Trump, “ Israel, Allah, Ilhan Omar, Trump, Israel, Omar, “ Omar, “, ” Trump, X, Read Organizations: U.S, Hamas, Trump, Facebook, Twitter, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Israel, Minneapolis, United States, Minnesota

When mutinous soldiers seized power in the West African nation of Burkina Faso early last year, the president of neighboring Niger struck a dismissive note. “This is nonsense,” President Mohamed Bazoum told two Western diplomats who sat in his office as news of the coup came through. How cynical was it, Mr. Bazoum remarked, that the soldiers responsible for securing Burkina Faso had overthrown the government in the name of restoring security. Now Mr. Bazoum faces the same fate. Mr. Bazoum’s Western and African allies are trying to negotiate his release, and West African army chiefs on Friday were set to finalize a possible military intervention in Niger.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, Bazoum, Burkina Faso, Bazoum’s Organizations: Burkina, West Locations: West African, Burkina Faso, Niger

Stocking up on rice, fleeing the capital by bus or vowing to defend their new military leaders, many in Niger braced this weekend for a deadline imposed by a 15-member bloc of West African nations for the country’s junta to relinquish power. But that deadline to restore democracy or face military action expired on Sunday. But the ultimatum also rallied many Nigeriens behind their new military leaders. West African officials said that they would employ force only as a last resort, and most analysts said that a conflict appeared unlikely, at least in the near term. But ECOWAS military officials said that they did have a plan for an intervention, if needed.

Persons: Niger’s, insurgencies, Abdourahmane Tchiani Organizations: West, Economic Locations: Niger, West African States, Africa, Niamey

☆ Protesters descend on French Embassy in Niger shouting 'long live Putin'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Omar Hama Saley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Niamey, Niger CNN —Tense and sometimes violent scenes played out in front of the French Embassy in Niger Sunday as thousands of people who support a military coup voiced anger over France’s influence in its former colony. Some protesters tore down a plaque identifying the Embassy, stomped on it and then replaced it with Russian and Nigerien flags. Shouts of “long live Putin,” “long live Russia” and “down with France” could be heard among the crowds. President Emmanuel Macron’s office said France would immediately retaliate against anyone who attacks French nationals or facilities in Niger. Niger’s military leaders may have found one potential ally: the country’s eastern neighbor, Chad.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Mohamed Bazoum, Putin, ”, Emmanuel Macron’s, Bazoum, Stringer, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, ‘ We’re, I’ve, Karimou Sidi, “ Organizations: Niger CNN, Embassy, Kremlin, Russian, Nigerien, Niger, National Council for, Homeland, Reuters, West African States, Sunday, ECOWAS, European Union, ” Locations: Niamey, Niger, stomped, Nigerien, Russia, France, Reuters Niger, Republic of Niger, ”, Chad, Niger’s, Africa ’ Niger, French, Kanto, Africa, ” Kanto, St, Petersburg, Ukraine, Sahel, Burkina Faso

Military officers in the West African nation of Niger ousted the country’s president on Wednesday, they said in an address on national television, throwing into uncertainty the future of one of the West’s few reliable partners in a region marred by coups and widespread insecurity. Army officials representing different branches of Niger’s military, which has received support from the United States and France, among others, said they had “put an end to the regime” of President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger, following a day of stalled negotiations where members of the presidential guard held him hostage in the presidential palace. The officers removed Mr. Bazoum “due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance,” Col. Amadou Abdramane, an official of the Nigerien air force, said in a statement read on television. The statement also said the officers were closing the country’s borders.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, Bazoum, Col, Amadou Abdramane Organizations: Nigerien Locations: West African, Niger, United States, France

Soldiers from the presidential guard in the West African nation of Niger barricaded the president in his palace in an apparent mutiny on Wednesday, according to the president’s office and the regional bloc of neighboring states. The standoff raised fears of a coup in a region that has lately been jolted by many. Militant groups linked to both Al Qaeda and Islamic State operate there. Mr. Bazoum was elected in 2021 in Niger’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power. He has been one of the West’s most reliable partners in a volatile region filled with aging presidents clinging to power and young military officers who have seized control by force.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, Al, Bazoum Organizations: Militant, Islamic Locations: West African, Niger, Niamey, Africa, France, Al Qaeda, Islamic State, Niger’s

☆ Attack on Vienna's pride parade prevented, security services say
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

VIENNA, June 18 (Reuters) - Austrian security services said on Sunday they had thwarted a planned attack on Saturday's pride parade in the capital. "Through the successful and also timely intervention, we managed to defuse the moment of danger for Vienna Pride and to ensure the safety of all participants," said Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, Austria's domestic intelligence chief. He did not give details of what the attack would have consisted of, but said items prohibited under Austria's weapons law were seized in searches carried out at the suspects' homes. Vienna police and Austria's state protection service were involved in the operation. The three suspects - Austrian citizens with Bosnian and Chechen roots - sympathise with the Islamic State militant group, Haijawi-Pirchner said.

Persons: Omar Haijawi, Pirchner, Noele, Frances Kerry Organizations: Vienna Pride, Islamic State, Thomson Locations: VIENNA, Austrian, Vienna, Bosnian, Chechen

☆ Fleeing Generals at War and Violent Militias, Many Say ‘We’re Not Coming Back’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Elian Peltier | Yagazie Emezi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Militias, made up mostly of Arab fighters, have exploited the power vacuum to rampage through cities, loot households and kill an unknown number of civilians, according to aid workers, doctors and local activists. In response, some civilians have begun arming themselves, and non-Arab groups have also retaliated against militias at a small scale. But while Khartoum had been a peaceful city before April, Darfur has been torn by decades of violence. More than 300,000 people were killed in Darfur in the 2000s when Sudan’s former dictator, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, ordered militias, widely known as the Janjaweed, to crush a rebellion among non-Arab groups. Its eastern region, semiarid and isolated, already has more than 400,000 refugees from Darfur living in 13 camps, which are now filling with new arrivals helped by the U.N. refugee agency.

☆ Citi appoints new North Africa, Levant and Central Asia head
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

DUBAI, May 8 (Reuters) - Banking group Citi has appointed Omar Hafeez as head of its North Africa, Levant and Central Asia operations based in Dubai after a reorganisation of the company's MENA region, it said on Monday. Hafeez transfers from Japan, where he was head of the corporate banking business, the third largest for Citi globally. The North Africa, Levant and Central Asia sub-cluster consists of Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Israel, Citi said. Reproting by Yousef Saba Writing by Lisa Barrington Editing by David GoodmanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands wounded since a long-simmering power struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into conflict on April 15. Locked in a battle for Khartoum, Sudan's capital on the Nile, the parties have fought on despite a series of ceasefires secured by mediators including the United States, the latest of which expires at midnight (2200 GMT). The Sudanese army said on Sunday it had destroyed RSF convoys moving towards Khartoum from the west. The RSF said the army had used artillery and warplanes to attack its positions in a number of areas in Khartoum province. A U.S.-government organised convoy arrived at the Red Sea city of Port Sudan on Saturday, evacuating U.S. citizens, local staff and others.

☆ Mystery of Ex-Dictator’s Whereabouts Adds to Crisis in Sudan
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As Sudan is ripped apart in a battle between rival generals, one question was swirling around the country on Wednesday: Where is the former dictator Omar Hassan al-Bashir? Mr. al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. In Sudan, he still faces charges related to the 1989 coup that propelled him to power, and he faces a death sentence or life in prison if convicted. Amid the chaos, it was thought that Mr. al-Bashir, 79, was being held in the Kober prison in Khartoum, the capital, serving a two-year sentence for money laundering and corruption. But then a former official being held with Mr. al-Bashir said on Tuesday night that he had left the prison along with some other, unnamed officials, without mentioning the former dictator.

☆ Sudan Live Updates: Civilians Feel Strain as Blasts Rock Capital
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

A policeman in 2011 in Abyei, a dividing line between northern and southern Sudan that was the site of a long-running standoff. For decades, Sudan’s military has waged brutal conflicts in the south, east and west of the country. The two sides ultimately negotiated a peace agreement that split the country in 2011 after southerners voted in a referendum for South Sudan to become a new nation. Image Celebrations in Juba, Sudan, on the eve of independence for South Sudan in 2011. Credit... Tyler Hicks/The New York TimesWithin South Sudan, infighting in the government led to clashes in 2013 and ultimately triggered a violent feud between the two biggest ethnic groups. Nuba Mountains conflictClashes between government forces and rebel Nuba fighters in Sudan’s South Kordofan State broke out in the aftermath of South Sudan’s secession, with Nuba fighters supporting South Sudan.

The Sudanese Doctors' Union earlier reported at least 25 people were killed and 183 wounded in battles that erupted on Saturday between the military and the RSF. The army told soldiers seconded to the RSF to report to nearby army units, which could deplete RSF ranks if they obey. The military and RSF, which analysts say is 100,000 strong, have been competing for power as political factions negotiate forming a transitional government after a 2021 military coup. The RSF shared a video that it said showed Egyptian troops who "surrendered" to them in Merowe. Clashes also erupted between the RSF and army in the Darfur cities of El Fasher and Nyala, eyewitnesses said.

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