UN officials condemn ‘horrifying’ mass killings in Sudan as RSF advances

UN Security Council members have been inundated with reports of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) killings in Sudan’s el-Fasher and have expressed concern that the city has “descended into an even darker hell.”

After compelled Sudan’s army to leave its final stronghold in the western Darfur region on Sunday, the RSF took control of the state’s capital, El-Fasher.

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At a Security Council emergency session on Thursday, assistant secretary-general of the United Nations for Africa, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, said, “The situation is simply horrifying.”

She claimed that there have been credible reports of widespread executions, summary executions, and house-to-house searches carried out by civilians as they attempted to flee.

“The situation is chaotic,” he declared. The number of civilians killed is difficult to calculate in this context. No one is safe in El-Fasher, despite promises to protect civilians, she said. There is no safe exit route for city residents.

According to the humanitarian chief of the United Nations, residents of the city were being subjected to “horrors.”

According to Tom Fletcher, the city has “descended into an even darker hell” and is “already the scene of catastrophic levels of human suffering.”

According to Fletcher, there were “credible reports of widespread executions after Rapid Support Forces fighters entered the city.”

“The horror is continuing as we sit here today, not that we can hear the screams. People are being mutilated and killed with utter impunity, and women and girls are being raped.

Recalls of the attacks are made by survivors.

An RSF siege had forced hundreds of thousands of people inside without food or essentials for 18 months prior to Sudan’s army withdrew from the city.

More than 36, 000 people have reportedly fled on foot to Tawila, a town that is 70 kilometers (43 miles) west of San Diego, and has already taken shelter from 650, 000 displaced people.

Fatima Abdulrahman, a woman who had fled from El-Fasher, reported to Al Jazeera from Tawila, “There was a lot of shelling.” Shells have also affected me personally. My son was paralyzed and my daughter was killed by screaming. My body has a lot of wounds and swelling.

El-Fasher’s departure from the RSF could signal yet another Sudan’s division, more than a decade after its creation. The most recent conflict began in Khartoum in April 2023 when tensions between the military and RSF erupted into fighting. More than 12 million people have been displaced and tens of thousands of have been killed in the conflict that followed.

Sudan’s ambassador to the UN, Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed, stated to the Security Council, “This is not an isolated incident.” Instead, it is a continuation of this militia’s ongoing slaughter and ethnic cleansing since its uprising in April 2023.

Hiba Morgan from Khartoum reported for Al Jazeera that thousands of people are still attempting to flee El-Fasher. The International Organization for Migration estimates that the conflict has caused more than 652, 000 people to be internally displaced.

A woman displaced from El-Fasher, Aisha Ismael, told Al Jazeera from Tawila, “Shelling and drone attacks were happening all the time. When we hid in the homes, they would fire back at us all day and night.

fears that the situation will get worse

As more internally displaced people leave El-Fasher and the supply of food and medicine continue to decline, aid workers in Tawila worry.

According to Mary Brace, technical protection advisor for Nonviolent Peaceforce, “the conditions are catastrophic, as we’ve been hearing.” There is no guarantee of safe passage for civilians trying to reach Tawila because the conflict is still ongoing.

Food, water, and emergency medical attention are provided to those fleeing El-Fasher in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.

Brace told Al Jazeera, “The last few months have been absolutely harrowing.” “People were only discussing the extreme fear of constant bombardment,” they said. The number of people who have been forced to relocate here is simply incredible. Just extreme trauma, to be exact.

‘Genocide’

Al-Harith Mohamed referred to the egregious events in el-Fasher as “genocide by all legal standards and definitions” in a gloomy address to the UN Security Council.

According to him, “Women and girls are attacked in broad daylight,” and Sudan is inquisitive about the Security Council’s location.

The Sudanese ambassador demanded that the UN impose a year-old arms embargo on the RSF, designate the organization as a “terrorist,” demand that the paramilitary group leave El-Fasher, impose a “terrorist” designation, and sanction any outside forces supporting the RSF.

FG Set To Implement Single Window Policy At Nigerian Ports By 2026

By 2026, the Federal Government has made more efforts to put the National Single Window into effect in Nigeria’s ports.

According to Vice President Kashim Shettima, the initiative aims to harmonise port records, lessen human contact, and improve cargo clearance transparency.

He referred to the strategy as a “game changer” for port operations.

Shettima stated that the policy intends to significantly shorten the time to clear cargoes at the Presidential Villa during its second meeting.

We want to cut the average time for cargo clearance in Nigeria from seven days to the end of 2026, he said.

According to him, the goal is to place Nigerian ports among Africa’s top three most effective trade centers.

Read more about Fubara’s pledge to support NDE to promote the creation of jobs in rivers.

He noted that port operations across the nation would be transformed by the introduction of the National Single Window in the first quarter of 2026.

Shettima lamented that Nigeria charges 30% more for goods clearing than many regional competitors, noting that these errors lead to higher consumer prices, lower investment costs, and lower export competitiveness.

Our ports consistently have longer cargo dwell times than the average on the planet. He said, “We cannot afford to go down this path.”

The Vice President ordered the NPA, NCS, NAFDAC, SON, and other organizations to create a roadmap for a robust weights and measures framework.

He added that the framework would verify weighing equipment and protect consumers from fraud to ensure fairness in trade.

He believes that precise measurement is essential for efficiency and international trade standards.

Increasing Efficiency

Shettima expressed hope that the pending President Bola Tinubu’s Executive Order on Joint Physical Inspection would address long-standing bottlenecks.

He said, “This is the start of a new era where systems communicate effectively and agencies collaborate.”

He emphasized that port operations would be speedily, transparent, and predictably governed by the new order.

The Vice President urged agency synergy, claiming that the days of working alone were over.

He remarked that “no reform succeeds without ownership.”

He urged all port-related organizations to operate as a single value chain, including NPA, Customs, NAFDAC, NDLEA, SON, Immigration, and Quarantine Service.

He argued that “inter-agency rivalry must replace collaboration.” Our effectiveness is determined by our cooperativeness.

Zahrah Audu, the director-general of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), made a point about how poor port operations affect the ease of doing business.

She urged stakeholders to increase efficiency and stressed that the committee’s efforts reflect a shared desire to compete with Nigeria’s ports on a global scale.

Mr. Abubakar Dantsoho, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, emphasized that synergy is essential for efficiency.

You can’t work efficiently at ports without collaboration and partnership, he said.

He noted that the relevant agencies’ joint inspection and boarding have led to progress being tracked by the Customs and Ports Efficiency Committee.

To increase port competitiveness, Dantsoho identified technology adoption, infrastructure upgrades, and human capacity development as top priorities.

England pick ‘Bazball’ brains before Australia Test

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Before Saturday’s opening autumn test against Australia at Allianz Stadium, England’s coaching staff turned to their cricket counterparts for inspiration.

Before the Wallabies’ game against England at Twickenham, Steve Borthwick and his number two, Richard Wigglesworth, met with England’s Brendon McCullum and his staff in Manchester.

Since taking over England in 2022, New Zealander McCullum has instilled a fearless style of cricket under the name “Bazball” and is gearing up to face their bitter rivals in the Ashes series starting on November 21.

The rugby coaching staff was interested in McCullum’s mental approach, according to former England scrum-half Wigglesworth.

I was really interested when I inquired about Brendon’s impact on English cricket. Then we got into the technicalities of coaching someone one-on-one, how that would look, and how that would compare to his assistant position.

We sat for a while, and we learned a lot from it. They have a point, I believe.

This autumn, England will face Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina in addition to Australia.

The cricket team will also play five Test matches as they attempt to reclaim the Ashes for the first time since winning in Australia ten years ago.

Wigglesworth, who was a member of the British and Irish Lions team as they recorded a 2-1 series win over the Wallabies in the summer, predicted that “they’ll go out and give it a great dig – as English teams who are playing against Australia want to do.”

It’s a fierce conflict with Australia, they say. Because there is something there, both teams really enjoy playing against one another. Bring on Saturday

Australia, who are ranked seventh in the world, are the favorites to defeat England.

Coach Brendon McCullum of England throws a ballImages courtesy of Getty

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Claudia Winkleman hilariously wears ‘bath mat’ on Celebrity Traitors– where to shop it

Claudia Winkleman’s “bath mat inspired” chunky white knit on tonight’s Celebrity Traitors episode caught the attention of the audience, and we know where to buy it.

Claudia Winkleman’s outfit from Celebrity Traitors tonight is no exception to the rule in Highlands fashion. Her Isabel Marant jumper is a prime example of how Claudia and her stylist Sinead McKeefry always strike the perfect balance between chic, practical, and playful in her outfits.

It looks elegant and chic, is cozy and warm for the Scottish countryside, and still makes just enough of a statement. However, it’s the “bath mat chic” vibes that give Claudia’s outfits a certain air of playfulness, which is what we’re a little obsessed with.

The cable knit vest by Claudia Winkleman is a must-have layering piece for the winter.

The khaki coat by Celebrity Traitors by Claudia Winkleman is a must-have for the fall.

The roll neck adds that extra cosiness while dialing up the sophistication, and the oversized, fluffy knit is ideal to wear with everything, including leggings, leggings, and leather pants. For £645, down from £1290 right now, you can get Claudia’s exact Isabel Marant jumper on Net-a-Porter.

We’re assuming they’re Claudia’s go-to Spanx leggings, so Claudia’s knit was styled with a pair of black ones! with her signature fingerless gloves and chunky boots. Let Claudia’s outfit serve as the proof that sometimes all you need to have to make an outfit is a statement knit.

The high street has you covered if you’re trying to copy her look on a tight budget. This Arrange Pure Wool Hand Knit Ultimate Loop Fringe Jumper ($140) from ASOS is the ideal choice if you’re looking for a close match. The all-over fringing adds the drama and fun Claudia’s jumper does while the boxy and oversized silhouette maintains the cool factor.

H&amp, M’s Fringed Jumper is £37.99, has a chunky cable knit design, a favorite of Claudia’s, and has oversized balloon sleeves. It has an identically large oversized fit and chunky fringing down the sleeves.

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Similar to this Topshop item, which costs £55.25 less than the original £85, and has a super soft fuzzy body that keeps you cozy and warm. Its roll neck, similar to Claudia’s designer one, gives it a sophisticated edge, and the sleeves have texture fringing on them.

Celebrity Traitors’ Cat Burns reschedules tour over ‘mental wellbeing’ concerns

After an “intense period” and buildup that she didn’t anticipate, Cat Burns, the celebrity traitors’ cat burns, made the decision to postpone her upcoming UK tour. She did this by sharing the news on The One Show.

Cat Burns, the stand-out star of The Celebrity Traitors, has had to postpone her upcoming UK tour because of mental health concerns that arose after an “intense period” leading up to the string of concerts. The singer, who has become a firm fan favourite on the Celebrity Traitors, explained that she had to postpone her tour and, though it was a difficult decision, it was one she had to make.

Taking to social media, she shared that the “album and tour mean the world to me” but touring is “incredibly demanding mentally and physically” so she had to avoid doing so for the sake of her “wellbeing”.

READ MORE: Shoppers rushing to buy Bluey Advent Calendar for under £5 with little known dealREAD MORE: Celia Imrie’s courageous move on Celebrity Traitors ‘could see her win the series’

She shared a message: “Hi! on her Instagram Stories. I’m so grateful for this album and tour. It’s been a long journey getting ready to share How to Be Human with you.

“I can’t believe it’s almost here!” Unfortunately, the build-up has been much more intense than any of us had anticipated, so it has taken me and my team to make the difficult decision to postpone the How To Be Human Tour until April 2026.

“Touring is incredibly physically and mentally demanding, so I want to make sure I’m in the right mindset to give you the show you deserve.” I want to give you a night that is worth the wait before I even step on stage.

She added that all tickets for the postponed performances would be canceled and still be valid for the new April dates, with the exception of Wolverhampton, which cannot be rescheduled. These tickets will be reimbursed in their entirety.

Cat claimed that the small record store shows would still be going on despite the fact that not all of the gigs had been postponed. She thanked her supporters for their patience as she finished her statement.

“Thank you for your understanding, kindness, and patience with this”! she stated. “These decisions are never easy, and I don’t take your support for granted,” he says.

She continued on The One Show that she needed to postpone the shows because of her mental health because it was an “intense period” leading up to them. Cat has been very open about her autism and ADHD, which can make social situations challenging for her. On the Celebrity Traitors, she has opened up about that.

Continue reading the article.

At midnight, she’ll release her second studio album, How To Be Human. Audiences will be able to tell when Cat made it to The Celebrity Traitors’ season finale.

Humphries qualifies as Littler criticises officials

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Luke Humphries, the reigning world champion, criticized tournament officials as he entered the Players Championship Finals in November.

Humphries, 30, placed 58th in the rankings for the day and was a possibility of missing the finals if he had lost in the Players Championship 34 competition’s opening round.

However, he qualified by beating Dutchman Martijn Dragt with a 6-2 victory in the first round at the Wigan-based Robin Park Leisure Centre before falling to Rob Owen with a 6-4 defeat.

The final of 34 Players Championship competitions took place throughout the year. The 64 best-performing players will now advance to the Minehead, Somerset, finals on November 21 through November 23.

Littler, 18, only won the Players Championship 32 earlier this month to take his place.

However, he missed the 11:00 GMT registration deadline because he was stranded in traffic after a serious incident and did not participate in Wednesday’s Players Championship 33.

Later, it became known that a fatality occurred in an M6 incident.

After that, Littler wrote on Instagram: “Someone sadly lost their life while I missed registration for the pro tour today.” “Thinking of everyone.”

He reached the final 32 on Thursday, losing 6-5 to Matt Campbell in the final match, and then criticised officials by posting a message on social media, claiming that other players had been allowed to play when they arrived late for the events.

Not the best day today, Littler wrote on Instagram, “But some decent music.”

However, I’m really pleased to hear from a few other players that they were almost an hour and a half late for a professional tour, but I can’t wait for two minutes.

Says a lot, “one rule for one, one rule for another.”

Littler’s assertions have been contacted by BBC Sport for comment.

The Players Championship 34 title was won by Dutchman Wessel Nijman after defeating England’s Luke Woodhouse 8-5.

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