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The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 continued Tuesday with some impressive team performances, including Brazil finding the net seven times against Honduras, while Venezuela beating fancied England in style.Egypt, North Korea, South Korea, Switzerland and Zambia also enjoyed winning debuts, while Colombia and Germany served up the most exciting encounter on the day in a share of the spoils.In Group E, Venezuela produced an exceptional all-round display to earn a famous 3-0 win over England. The South Americans hit the front when captain Roman Davis rifled home from a tight angle. If that goal was good, their second was even better, with Dioner Fuentes curling a wonderful strike into the top corner. Substitute Eider Barrios made it three late on with a close-range finish.England coach Neil Ryan was naturally frustrated with the result. Ryan said: “We’re very disappointed with the scoreline. We created five or six clear chances to score and of course that comes back to haunt you. But it’s only the first game of the group stage. We’re going to keep really positive and work hard to go into the next game and make things right.”Egypt sailed past Haiti 1-4. The Young Pharaohs made a triumphant return to the competition for the first time since a 2-1 quarter-final loss to Xavi and Spain in 1997. Belal Attia, Abdelaziz Elzoghby and Hamza Abdelkarim all sparkled and scored for Ahmed Elkass’s side, while Nikolai Pierre’s sumptuous curler gave Haiti hope before the break. Egypt’s victory was sealed when Omar Kamal headed home a devilish Attia delivery.Egypt coach Ahmed El Kass said: “I am very happy with the result today for two reasons: first we have always had slow starts in past tournaments, and also because we feel that we have made the Egyptian people happy – both here and at home.”In Group H Brazil thrashed Honduras 7-0. Dell struck a predatory double, while wonder goals from Ruan Pablo and Felipe Morais had Brazil cruising at the break. Thereafter, a Vitor Hugo header, a glorious strike from Angelo and an admirable Gabriel Mec effort ensured the four-time champions made an emphatic statement of intent.Felipe Morais, Brazil midfielder, said: "Our goal was to start well in the tournament and that's what we did. We executed everything we trained since our preparation until here. I'm very happy for the goal. This gives me even more confidence for the next matches."Zambia capped their inaugural match in the global finals with a thrilling comeback 1-3 victory over Indonesia, highlighted by a quickfire brace from Abel Nyirongo. Indonesia, the 2023 hosts, took an early lead through an opportunistic strike from Zahaby Gholy. But Zambia quickly fought back thanks to two goals in as many minutes from Nyirongo, with Lukonde Mwale ensuring the triumph just before the break.Defending champions Germany were held to a 1-1 draw by Colombia in a Group G tie. Marc-Patrick Meister’s Mannschaft and Fredy Hurtado’s Tricolor played out an exciting, evenly-matched stalemate. Just 16 seconds were on the clock when Toni Langsteiner scored the third-fastest goal in the tournament’s 40-year history. Criss Macias almost equalised following a swashbuckling surge through the German defence, before Juan Catano did grab Colombia a point by fizzing home a loose ball from the edge of the box.Colombia coach Freddy Hurtado was pleased with a draw against the holders. He said: "We began the match and got behind early. The opener is the hardest match, and more so against Germany. The guys competed well and we are happy with this point. Obviously we wanted more, but now our focus is on the next game."North Korea routed El Salvador 2-0 as Ri Kang-rim and Kim Yu-jin each bagged braces. Korea started on the front foot and broke the deadlock on a slashing run from Ri, whose shot deflected in off the fingertips of El Salvador goalkeeper Oliver Alegria.El Salvador tried to respond, but a late first half penalty following a video review saw Kim double the lead for the Asian side. They added some insurance in the second stanza when El Salvador failed to clear a free-kick and Ri easily tapped home, followed by late goals from Kim and Han Il-bok.In Group F, Switzerland recorded an 4-1 impressive victory in their opening fixture, with two goals in each half against Cote d'Ivoire. Captain Gil Zufferey opened the scoring when he tried his luck from long range with a dipping strike that evaded opposing skipper Christ Kouassi.Adrien Llukes doubled the advantage before the interval, following up to convert after his own penalty had been saved by the unfortunate Kouassi. Giacomo Koloto was released to calmly convert the third, with Jill Stiel smashing home a spectacular fourth before Hubert Yao’s consolation for the African side.South Korea edged out Mexico 2-1 in a compelling Group F clash. Koo Hyeonbin put his team in front with an instinctive finish, before Aldo De Nigris headed Mexico level. The Koreans went back ahead early in the second half when Nam Ian netted after a fast counter-attack, and then defended resolutely to secure maximum points.South Korea’s goalscorer and Player of the Match Koo Hyeonbin said: “Playing as one team was the key to winning the game. Although Mexico had a good start to the game, we had very good communication between ourselves and we overcame those problems.”

From the first minute to the last of Qatar’s FIFA U-17 World Cup showdown with Italy on Monday, the home fans backed their team with incessant noise and passion, creating an intoxicating buzz at the Aspire Zone complex.The match concluded a thrilling opening day at the newly-expanded tournament, which featured eight matches and 27 goals. The hosts ultimately went down 1-0 to their illustrious opponents, who mixed class, steel and poise to bank a hard-fought win. Samuele Inacio netted the game’s only goal and, speaking to FIFA, explained why the carnival atmosphere ensured it was an occasion to savour.“It was amazing,” said the Borussia Dortmund striker, fresh from being presented with his Player of the Match prize. “We were playing against the home team, so it was crazy. To play in this fantastic atmosphere and win makes us very proud. The key was the focus. We stayed together. We have a lot of confidence for this tournament. We did a great EURO (reaching the semi-finals), and we are ready to have a great World Cup.”Italy captain Benit Borasio wore a beaming smile as he reflected on his U-17 World Cup debut. “The atmosphere was incredible,” he said. “Even if the fans are against you, it gives you energy. That emotion transmits to you. The pitch was also perfect. It was great.”Qatar coach Alvaro Mejia witnessed his team go toe to toe against a top-quality outfit. The host nation steadfastly hunted an equaliser following Inacio’s strike, but could not find a way through Italy’s well-drilled backline. Mejia declared the squad’s collective hunger to reward their vibrant support when they return to action against South Africa tomorrow“Here in Qatar, everyone loves football,” he said. “They love to be part of it. The atmosphere was beautiful. It was colourful all around. For the people to watch players at this age – who very soon are going to be on TV and will be stars – it’s something amazing.“I am happy with how we performed against one of the strongest teams. The idea was to go out and compete. We competed. I am proud of the players and now we are going to come back against another strong team in South Africa. Let’s try to give the best of ourselves for all the people who are coming here to support. We have to push ourselves to the limits.”The game’s winning goal was fitting for the stage. Centre-back Borasio arrowed a sensational defence-splitting pass into the path of Inacio, who finished clinically into the bottom corner. “It was a good assist from Benit,” said Inacio of his skipper’s contribution. “I didn’t expect it, to be honest! It was a great pass. To have a captain like him is fantastic. He has a lot of responsibility, and he takes us with him.”Borasio, who plays his club football for Juventus, was a towering presence in the Italy backline throughout the contest. His comfort in possession was also eye-catching, and it came as little surprise to learn he formerly played higher up the pitch. “In the past, I played in the middle, like a CDM (defensive midfielder). Now I play centre-back. I like to play there, because I can drive with the ball and pass through the lines to my mates.”On the honour of leading his nation out at Qatar 2025, Borasio added: “It’s amazing to be captain for Italy, especially in the World Cup. You feel the responsibility for your team and for your country. It is a great feeling.” (fifa.com)

Darfur city fell to paramilitary force after long siegeFate of many of those who remained in El-Fasher is unclearWitness says he saw bodies strewn along the roadAt a clinic in Sudan's North Darfur where dozens of bony children lie on cots and men with bandaged wounds await surgery, patients described a desperate escape from the city of El-Fasher as it was captured last week by a paramilitary force.They are among up to 10,000 people who arrived in the town of Tawila after fleeing the capture of nearby El-Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces, and are now being treated at the clinic run by international aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres. Famine-stricken El-Fasher was the final stronghold of the Sudanese army in the vast, western Darfur region before it fell to the RSF after an 18-month siege. Witnesses have reported mass killings following the RSF takeover and many of El-Fasher's residents are unaccounted for. The city's capture marked a turning point in a two-and-a-half-year-old war between the RSF and the army. The siege had cut off food supplies, forcing many locals to eat animal feed as they sought shelter from drones and shelling.**media[377473]**In addition to those who reached Tawila, more than 60,000 others are believed to have escaped El-Fasher, according to the International Organisation for Migration, though their whereabouts are unclear. As many as 200,000 people may still be trapped inside the city, according to estimates of the city's population towards the end of the siege. The head of the RSF has called on his fighters to protect civilians and said violations will be prosecuted. Rights groups and U.S. officials have accused the RSF and allied militias of ethnic cleansing in Darfur earlier in the conflict.The dire conditions inside El-Fasher were described by two patients at the MSF clinic, in accounts obtained by a local journalist who has previously provided verified material for Reuters.**media[377472]**One, who gave her name as Fatuma, said she was entrusted with the care of three children orphaned when their parents and brother had been killed by a drone strike as they fetched a meal.The youngest, a thin infant just 40 days old, lay crying in her arms. His sister, sitting nearby, had suffered a leg injury when shrapnel hit her as she ran into a dugout shelter.**media[377468]**Fatuma took the children out of the city on a donkey cart with other injured people just before El-Fasher fell, but came across RSF soldiers on the road. "They made us lay the baby on the ground and made all of us get down on the ground, and took everything we had," she said. She was eventually able to bring the baby to the MSF clinic.Some 170 other children arrived in Tawila unaccompanied, said Sylvain Penicaud, MSF project coordinator, and all the children screened by the agency were malnourished. "People are arriving extremely emaciated," he said. On Monday, a global hunger monitor found that El-Fasher had been experiencing famine prior to its fall, conditions expected to persist until January. Mouna Hanebali, another member of the MSF team, said the clinic received almost 1,000 trauma cases stemming from attacks on the road, but also from inside El-Fasher. The city's last-standing hospital was under constant attack and deprived of antibiotics and gauze, leading to unstable fractures and infected wounds that need new surgeries. A second patient, Abdallah, said he had escaped El-Fasher amidst intense shelling and gunfire on the day of the takeover."People left in chaos, carrying children, some in wheelbarrows, some on donkey carts, some on their feet," he said. "No one walking around was untouched, everyone was injured." Abdallah, awaiting surgery in the MSF clinic after being shot multiple times, said he saw what he estimated to be more than 1,000 bodies on the road.**media[377471]**"Some were killed by thirst, some by exhaustion, some by their injuries, the bleeding," he said. Reuters could not independently verify his account.With only a fraction of those who remained in El-Fasher arriving in Tawila, medical supplies are still plentiful but water and latrines less so, the MSF staff said. Cholera had ravaged Tawila during the rainy season, and Penicaud said a new case had been recorded on Sunday, though it was unclear if it was isolated or the result of a new outbreak of the disease.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for a halt to fighting in Sudan, warning that the crisis was rapidly deteriorating after paramilitaries overran a key city.Guterres urged the warring parties to "come to the negotiating table, bring an end to this nightmare of violence -- now"."The horrifying crisis in Sudan... is spiralling out of control," he told reporters on the sidelines of the World Summit for Social Development in Doha.At the end of October the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), at war with the Sudanese army since 2023, seized control of the strategic city of El-Fasher, following an 18-month seige.Reports have emerged of executions, sexual violence, looting, attacks on aid workers and abductions in and around El-Fasher, where communications remain largely cut off."El-Fasher and the surrounding areas in North Darfur have been an epicentre of suffering, hunger, violence and displacement," Guterres said."And since the Rapid Support Forces entered El-Fasher last weekend, the situation is growing worse by the day," he added."Hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped by this siege. People are dying of malnutrition, disease and violence."Guterres also said there were "continued reports of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights".The UN chief also warned against violations of the ceasefire in Gaza that halted two years of war in the Palestinian territory.Hamas reported fresh Israeli strikes in Gaza on Saturday, after Israel said three bodies it received from Gaza did not belong to hostages.That came after Israeli attacks killed more than 100 people last Tuesday, according to the Hamas-run territory's civil defence agency. Prior to that, strikes on October 19 killed 45 people, the agency said.Guterres on Tuesday said he was "deeply concerned about the continued violations of the ceasefire in Gaza."They must stop and all parties must abide by the decisions of the first phase of the peace agreement."

The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar officially kicked off on Monday with eight matches held across the Aspire Zone competition complex, marking a memorable start to the first-ever 48-team event.Hosts Qatar narrowly lost 1-0 in their opening match against Italy at the Mansour Muftah pitch, one of eight venues recently renamed to pay tribute to Qatari football legends.The U-17 World Cup will run until November 27, featuring 48 nations competing across twelve groups. A total of 104 matches will be played across eight pitches within the Aspire Zone, culminating with the final at Khalifa International Stadium.The expanded format welcomes five nations making their debut: Fiji, Republic of Ireland, Zambia, El Salvador and Uganda. Qatar will be looking to improve on their best finish, when they claimed fourth place in the 1991 edition of the tournament that took place in Italy – becoming the first Qatari team to reach the third-place playoff.HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani, Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chairman, said: "We are proud to host the first-ever 48-team FIFA tournament, which will showcase football’s exceptional emerging talent and celebrate the sport’s power in uniting people from all around the world.”“As the first of five U-17 tournaments that Qatar will host, this event is another testament of the country’s enduring commitment to advancing football at all levels. It will witness the rise of football’s stars of tomorrow, and hosting it at Aspire Academy is a continuation of the facility’s long-standing track record in producing elite athletes across multiple sports,” Sheikh Hamad added.“The FIFA U-17 World Cup will be another chapter in our rich football legacy and will further our position as a global sporting destination that constantly sets new standards in player and fan experiences,” Sheikh Hamad said.Tickets can be purchased exclusively from www.roadtoqatar.qa. Fans must download the RoadtoQatar mobile app to present purchased tickets and access tournament venues.Tickets are available as a Day Pass, enabling fans to attend multiple matches a day as well fan zone activities. Fans can also purchase a Prime Pass, which will enable them to reserve seats for high demand matches. Supporters of the Qatar national team can avail the Follow My Team ticket, which will enable them to attend all matches of the Qatari U-17 team during the group stage.All tickets will be digital and will include wheelchair accessible seating options for disabled fans. Accessible seat requests must be sent to:[email protected] U-17 World Cup Fan Zone will provide ticketed fans with an immersive experience celebrating the tournament's global diversity. Available exclusively on match days from 1:30pm through the final whistle, the Fan Zone features live match screenings, festive activations, a trophy display and diverse food and beverage offerings. Live stage performances showcasing cultural acts, talented youth and musical performances will be presented from 4pm to 8pmThe U-17 World Cup Qatar will be the biggest-ever edition of the youth tournament that saw the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Luis Figo, Xavi Hernandez, Eden Hazard, Andres Iniesta, Neymar, Ronaldinho, Son Heung-min and Francesco Totti appear on the world stage for the first time.

The President of the Transitional Presidential Council of the Republic of Haiti, Anthony Frank Laurent Saint-Cyr, and his accompanying delegation visited the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) on Monday.The visit came as part of his participation in the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled to convene on Tuesday.During the tour, Saint-Cyr viewed the museum's most prized collections across its various galleries and received a comprehensive briefing on its precious treasures, which span multiple eras.He was accompanied by HE Director of the National Museum of Qatar Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al-Thani.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, arrived in Doha on Monday to participate in the Second World Summit for Social Development, hosted by Qatar from Nov 4 to 6 .He was welcomed upon arrival at Hamad International Airport by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani.

Qatar’s passionate fans created a raucous atmosphere at Mansour Muftah Pitch at Aspire, urging their team forward from start to finish, but Italy held firm to claim a hard-fought 1-0 victory in their opening match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.A fine first-half strike from Samuele Inacio — who finished coolly after a precise through ball from Benit Borasio — proved decisive for the Azzurrini.The young Maroons battled bravely to level the score, showing greater attacking intent after the break. Omar al-Marzouki came close with a powerful shot that was cleared off the line in the 50th minute, while Issa Walid narrowly missed an equaliser with a late effort in the 87th. Despite Qatar’s spirited second-half display, Italy’s disciplined defence ensured all three points stayed with the European side.Qatar's next match is against South Africa on Thursday, while their last group tie is against Bolivia on Sunday.In another Group A match, South Africa beat Bolivia 3-1. Goals from Emile Witbooi, Neo Bohloko and Shaun Els earned 10-player South Africa a superb win. Bafana Bafana were dealt a significant blow when Sive Pama was sent off midway through the first half, but Witbooi soon fired them in front before Bohloko added a second from close range. Bolivia pulled one back through Jesus Maraude's Panenka-style penalty, but Shaun Els’ late breakaway effort put the result beyond doubt.Meanwhile, Japan and Tunisia collected impressive wins while both Argentina and Portugal rallied for hard-fought victories.In Group B, Japan opened a sixth straight U-17 World Cup with 2-0 victory over Morocco. The Asian giants looked to have opened the scoring in the first half when Anthony Motosuna headed home, but he was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch.They wouldn't be denied for long, though, as Hiroto Asada drove through the heart of the Morocco backline and set up Taiga Seguchi, who unleashed a terrific first-time effort into the far corner. Minato Yoshida thought he'd netted a second soon after, only for play to be pulled back for handball. They would eventually make the game safe in the dying embers, with Daigo Hirashima rifling in from just inside the box.Portugal overcame a sluggish start to thrash New Caledonia 6-1. New Caledonia jumped out to a shock lead when a video review led to a penalty, and Ezekiel Wamowe converted the spot-kick. But Anisio Cabral spearheaded the comeback, equalising via a header and then giving his side the lead early in the second half with an easy finish. Stevan Manuel, Mateus Mide, Mauro Furtado and Jose Neto tacked on goals as well to complete the scoring.In Group C, ten-player Costa Rica claimed a hard-fought 1-1 draw against United Arab Emirates. The game sparked into life just after the half-hour, as Isaac Badilla was sent off for a last-player tackle on Faysal Mohammed.UAE made use of their numerical advantage shortly after the break, as Mayed Adel bundled home a corner. That lead lasted barely three minutes, though, with Yerlan Sosa's centre causing chaos in the UAE box, allowing Nick Bennette to lace home from just beyond the penalty spot.In another Group C match, Senegal and Croatia played out a goalless draw. The Europeans dominated the first half and ought to have taken the lead deep into it. Patrik Horvat saw his shot from the edge of the area parried by Vincent Gomis straight to Jona Benkotic, who cleared the crossbar with the goal gaping. Both pushed in the second period, but neither side could find the breakthrough.In Group D, Argentina squeezed past Belgium 3-2 in an early contender for match of the tournament. Diego Placente's men hit the front through a neat Ramiro Tulian finish, only for Arthur De Kimpe to strike back with a rasping drive.A well-worked Stan Naert goal then gave the Belgians the lead on the hour mark, as Ali Camara squared for the forward to tap in. The game was turned on its head inside four crazy minutes, though, with Facundo Jainikoski netting before fellow substitute Felipe Esquivel drilled in another fine goal. Belgium sub Rene Mitongo then passed up two great chances to level, allowing the South Americans to collect all three points.Tunisia delivered a commanding performance to cruise past Fiji 6-0. The North Africans hit their stride beginning at the half-hour mark, with Wassim Slama beating the goalkeeper at the near post with a clever shot and then a superb strike from Fedi Tayechi.Slama got his second by pouncing on a rebound, followed by a powerful right-footed finish from Anisse Saidi. Saifedin Haj Abdallah made it five with a composed curler from inside the area and Tayechi put on the finishing touches with a strike in the waning minutes.What they said..."When we were one man down, we still kept pushing each other. It’s all about teamwork. For me, it’s a dream come true to be here. I always wanted to reach this stage, and I am chasing my dreams."-Kamohelo Mareletse, South Africa midfielder and player of the match"The team did very well, we managed to hold on despite being a man down and we're ready to keep competing. The next match will be a close contest against Senegal, but we'll compete well".-Nick Bennette, Costa Rica goalscorer"As we expected, it was a tough match where we knew that a single goal could greatly influence the outcome. We managed to score the opener and then add another, which allowed us to control the game in a good way."-Nozomi Hiroyama, Japan coach"The players need to stop thinking about this defeat, even though it's a tough one. We'll make amends against Portugal. We have confidence in these players; they are capable of getting through this group."-Nabi Baha, Morocco coach"We knew it was going to be the most difficult match in the group because Belgium play very well, as well as being physically and technically outstanding. I'm happy for the team because they showed character on two occasions to come back from behind and win."-Diego Placente, Argentina head coach"We had a lot of opportunities and the lack of efficiency made us get to half-time with the game tied. But we kept calm to start strong in the second half and it didn't take long for us to be in front."-Bino Macaes, Portugal coach

El-Fasher taken by paramilitary force late last monthFood supplies had been cut off during long siegeUN-backed monitor first confirmed famine in Darfur last yearA global hunger monitor on Monday confirmed famine conditions in El-Fasher, the Sudanese city taken by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after a lengthy siege, as well as Kadugli, another besieged city in Sudan's south. The finding is the first time the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has determined that the cities are in famine, though in December it had confirmed famine in camps for displaced people in El-Fasher, capital of North Darfur.A war that began two-and-a-half years ago between the RSF and the Sudanese army has caused severe hunger and malnutrition to spread across Sudan, as well as displacing millions of people and triggering waves of ethnically charged violence in Darfur. The IPC is the internationally recognised standard for measuring the severity of hunger crises, and its findings have provoked criticism from Sudan's government, which is backed by the army.The IPC's first determination of famine during the conflict was for the Zamzam displacement camp south of El-Fasher in August 2024. El-Fasher was subject to RSF assaults and besieged for about 18 months before it fell late last month, deepening a geographical split in Sudan. During the siege, residents said food supplies were cut off, forcing people to eat animal feed and sometimes animal hides. Places where people gathered for community kitchen meals were targeted by drone attacks, they told Reuters.As a result, all children arriving in the nearby town of Tawila after fleeing El-Fasher were malnourished, MSF project coordinator Sylvain Pennicaud told Reuters on Monday, while adults arrived emaciated. International Criminal Court prosecutors said on Monday they were collecting evidence of alleged mass killings and rapes after El-Fasher's fall. The head of the Red Cross said history was repeating itself in Darfur.Monday's IPC report, based on analysis for September 2025, said Tawila, as well as Mellit and Tawisha, two other destinations for people fleeing El-Fasher, were at risk of famine. The IPC said the overall number of Sudanese facing acute food insecurity declined by 6% to 21.2 million people - or 45% of the total population - due to gradual stabilisation and improved access in central Sudan, where the Sudanese army took control at the start of the year.However, the situation deteriorated in the Darfur and Kordofan regions as fighting concentrated there, depriving people of livelihoods, increasing prices, and driving displacement, IPC said. Global aid cuts and bureaucratic impediments hobbling the ability of the United Nations and other aid agencies to provide food and other services have increased the humanitarian challenge in Sudan.Kadugli, capital of South Kordofan state, has been under siege by the RSF-allied SPLM-N armed group, though hunger has been spreading there since the start of the war.The wider Kordofan region has increasingly become a focus of the war as it lies between RSF-dominated Darfur and the rest of the country, where the army holds sway. The IPC said the nearby city al-Dalanj could also be in famine, but a lack of data prevented a determination. On Monday, a Red Crescent official said three volunteers in a city in North Kordofan state that was taken over by the RSF, who were shown being beaten in a video clip, were later killed.The RSF has denied responsibility for alleged summary executions.

The prosecutor's office at the International Criminal Court warned Monday that atrocities committed in the Sudanese city of El-Fasher could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.The ICC prosecutor's office (OTP) voiced "profound alarm and deepest concern" over reports from El-Fasher about mass killings, rapes, and other crimes allegedly committed.After 18 months of siege, bombardment and starvation, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of El-Fasher on October 26, dislodging the army's last stronghold in Sudan's western Darfur region."These atrocities are part of a broader pattern of violence that has afflicted the entire Darfur region since April 2023," said the OTP in a statement."Such acts, if substantiated, may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute," the founding text of the ICC.The UN said more than 65,000 people have fled El-Fasher, including around 5,000 to nearby Tawila, but tens of thousands remain trapped.Before the final assault, roughly 260,000 people lived in the city.Since the RSF takeover, reports have emerged of executions, sexual violence, looting, attacks on aid workers and abductions in and around El-Fasher, where communications remain largely cut off.The RSF traces its origins to the Janjaweed, a predominantly Arab militia accused of genocide in Darfur two decades ago.Reports since El-Fasher's fall have raised fears of a return to similar atrocities.

Over 36,000 Sudanese civilians have fled towns and villages in the Kordofan region east of Darfur, according to the UN, as the paramilitary warned that its forces were massing along a new front line.In recent weeks, the central Kordofan region has become a new battleground in the two-year war between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).Central Kordofan is strategic because it is located between Sudan's Darfur provinces and the area around the capital Khartoum.The widening of the war comes just over a week after the RSF took control of El-Fasher -- the army's last stronghold in Darfur.The RSF has set up a rival administration there, contesting the pro-army government operating out of the Red Sea city of Port Sudan.In a statement late Sunday, the UN's migration agency said an estimated 36,825 people have fled five localities in North Kordofan between October 26 and 31.Residents on Monday reported a heavy surge in both RSF and army forces across towns and villages in North Kordofan.The army and the RSF, at war since April 2023, are vying for El-Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a key logistics and command hub that links Darfur to Khartoum, and hosts an airport.The RSF claimed control of Bara, a city north of El-Obeid last week."Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," an RSF member said in a video shared by the RSF on its official Telegram page late on Sunday, "advising civilians to steer clear of military sites".Suleiman Babiker, who lives in Um Smeima, west of El-Obeid, told AFP that following the paramilitary capture of El-Fasher, "the number of RSF vehicles increased"."We stopped going to our farms, afraid of clashes," he told AFP.Another resident, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal, also said "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El-Obeid" over the past two weeks.Awad Ali, who lives in al-Hamadi on the road linkinig West and North Kordofan, said he has seen "RSF vehicles passing every day from the areas of West Kordofan toward El-Obeid since early October".Kordofan is a resource-rich region divided administratively into North, South and West Kordofan.It "is likely the next arena of military focus for the warring parties," Martha Pobee, assistant UN secretary-general for Africa warned last week.She cited "large-scale atrocities" perpetrated by the RSF, adding that "these included reprisals against so-called 'collaborators', which are often ethnically motivated."She also raised the alarm over patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against non-Arab communities after the fall of El-Fasher.At least 50 civilians, including five Red Crescent volunteers, were killed in recent violence in North Kordofan, according to the UN.Both the RSF, descended from Janjaweed militias accused of genocide two decades ago, and the army face war crimes allegations.The United States under Joe Biden in January this year concluded that "members of the RSF and allied militias have committed genocide in Sudan".But international action on Sudan has largely been muted and peace efforts have failed so far.The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced nearly 12 million more and created the world's largest displacement and hunger crises.

Hosts Qatar will look to make a strong impression when they kick off their FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign against Italy Monday at Aspire Zone. Drawn in Group A, the other teams Qatar will face are South Africa and Bolivia. Making their eighth appearance in the competition, the young Maroons are determined to build on their best-ever finish — fourth place in 1991 — under the guidance of coach Alvaro Mejia. Zaid Faisal Ktit, a talented all-round centre-forward known for his intelligent movement and composed finishing, will be one of Qatar’s key players as the hosts aim for a deep run in the tournament. After the training session Saturday, Ktit said: “Italy are a strong team but all teams in this tournament will be tough. Of course, we will have to play well and we are looking forward to it.” Tameem al-Qadi, the Al Sadd youngster, added: “We will play a great game. Italy is a tough team, but there are no weak teams in the World Cup. It’s a proud moment for us to represent our country on home soil, and we will do our best in all the matches.” Meanwhile, Brazil coach Eduardo ‘Dudu’ Patetuci praised the organisation and atmosphere in Doha, saying: “The atmosphere here in Qatar is great, the environment is wonderful, and we’re very happy to be here. It’s going to be a beautiful World Cup.” Saudi Arabia manager Abdulwahab Alharbi expressed confidence in his side’s preparation, adding: “The team has been preparing for two years, and in the last three months, we’ve seen major improvement. InshaAllah, they will do well.”