New Delhi: The Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been accused of perpetrating a massacre in the village of Wad al-Noora, located in the 24 al-Qurashi locality of al-Jazira state. The RSF, engaged in a conflict with the Sudanese army for over a year, allegedly launched a “two-wave” assault on the village, resulting in the deaths of nearly 100 people.
According to the Wad Madani Resistance Committees — a collective of grassroots committees set up to protect people in Wad Madani, the capital of al-Jazira — the RSF deployed heavy artillery during the onslaught. The incident also claimed the life of a journalist from the Sudan News Agency, Makkawi Muhammad Ahmed. The attacks were confirmed by Arko Minawi, governor of Darfur province.
This is not an isolated incident. The RSF has faced allegations of involvement in the killing of journalist Muawiya Abdel Razek, fueling concerns about human rights abuses and the group’s impunity. The RSF, successor to the Janjaweed militia responsible for the genocide in Darfur two decades ago, has a history of perpetrating violence against non-Arab ethnic groups.
The war in Sudan has had devastating consequences, with an estimated death toll of up to 150,000 people. Additionally, nearly 9 million Sudanese have been forcibly displaced, while 25 million — half of Sudan’s population — are in dire need of humanitarian aid.
Zambia cyber scam ‘run by Chinese nationals’
Twenty-two Chinese nationals have pleaded guilty to charges of involvement in a sophisticated cybercrime operation in Lusaka, Zambia. These individuals were part of a larger group of 77 individuals arrested in connection with the scheme.
A joint operation by several law enforcement agencies targeted a Chinese-run company located in Roma, an upmarket suburb of the Zambian capital. During the raid, authorities seized thousands of SIM cards, firearms and SIM boxes used for fraudulent activities.
Authorities said the alleged online scam had affected not only Zambians but also people in various other African nations as well as countries such as Singapore, Peru and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
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Biden’s border restrictions
US President Joe Biden Wednesday announced measures aimed at curbing unlawful migration across the country’s border with Mexico. Now, migrants crossing the border unlawfully will be barred from receiving asylum. Specifically, the administration has been granted the authority to halt processing asylum claims if the number of irregular crossings exceeds an average of 2,500 per day for a week.
“President Biden believes we must secure our border,” a US government factsheet read. “These actions will be in effect when high levels of encounters at the Southern Border exceed our ability to deliver timely consequences, as is the case today. They will make it easier for immigration officers to remove those without a lawful basis to remain and reduce the burden on our Border Patrol agents.”
However, Biden’s decision has drawn criticism from migrant rights and civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU argues that it jeopardises the legal right to claim asylum and poses significant risks to vulnerable individuals seeking refuge.
Boat explosion, train crash & volcanic eruption
Six people have been killed and several injured in an explosion on a fishing boat off the coast of Cebu Province, Philippines. The incident occurred Wednesday about 8 km off Naga City when a fire broke out on the vessel, leading to a devastating explosion. The wooden-hulled boat reportedly developed engine trouble, sparking the fire. Six people were rescued and then taken to safety by Coast Guard officials. An investigation is under way to probe the cause of the disaster.
Two trains collided Wednesday evening in Pardubice, Czech Republic, resulting in four fatalities and over 20 injuries. The collision involved a RegioJet passenger train carrying 380 people and a freight train. Authorities have launched an investigation, and the main track between Prague and the eastern Czech Republic has been shut down. Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed condolences, describing the crash as “a great disaster.”
Meanwhile, Mount Ibu, situated on the island of Halmahera in North Maluku province, erupted three times Thursday. The initial eruption expelled an ash tower soaring more than 5,000 metres (16,400 feet) above the peak, followed by subsequent eruptions causing an ash column approximately 1,000 metres above the summit. Indonesia’s Geological Agency has asked residents and tourists to wear eye and mouth protection when outside and to steer clear of an exclusion zone extending between four and seven kilometres from the crater.
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