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South African soldiers moved into gang-ridden Cape Town townships Wednesday, as two people were killed in fresh violence, nearly 50 days after the president ordered the deployment.Troops in full combat gear and carrying assault rifles stepped from armoured vehicles that arrived with sirens blaring in Mitchells Plain, a neighbourhood in the Cape Flats.The low-lying area, nestled between tourist magnet Cape Town and the scenic winelands, is a hotspot for murder and plagued by gang turf wars and retaliatory attacks.Two men, aged 25 and 33, were shot and killed in a 5 am (0300 GMT) attack in the neighbouring sprawling area of Hanover Park.Earlier, around 2:45 am, a 27-year-old man was wounded in a separate shooting in Mitchells Plain."I am afraid for my children," said a 65-year-old grandmother on condition of anonymity, suspecting her backyard was being used as a night lookout."All night, I don't sleep," she said, adding that her daughter leaving at 4 am makes her "so anxious."Shootings happen at all hours, including when children are going to and coming from school, said 69-year-old retiree Malvin Gordan.The deployment was a welcome relief, he said, with the troop's "presence alone" forcing gang members to stand back.The Cape Flats saw one of its deadliest weeks last August when police recorded 59 murders in seven days.The violence and elsewhere prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa in February to announce the deployment to boost the country's struggling police force, saying crime was one of the biggest threats facing South Africa.Excluding countries at war, South Africa has one of the world's highest homicide rates, with an average of 60 killings reported each day.Codenamed "Operation Prosper," the deployment will last a year and cover five of the nine provinces, including Gauteng, home to the financial capital Johannesburg, according to a plan presented to parliament.It mobilises more than 2,200 soldiers to support police in tackling the surge in crime and illegal mining.South Africa has repeatedly turned to the army in times of crisis, from enforcing strict Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 to deploying troops during the deadly riots sparked by the jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma in 2021.Soldiers were also sent into the streets in 2023 after a wave of truck burnings raised fears of wider unrest. In 2019, around 1,300 soldiers were deployed to back up police in the gang-afflicted Cape Flats areas surrounding Cape Town. 

Iran has said that it is ready to respond to any US ground attack, accusing Washington of preparing a land assault while seeking talks, as regional powers met in Pakistan Sunday to try to bring the two sides together.The initial discussions in Islamabad with Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt focused on proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, sources familiar with the matter said.More talks will be held today.Iran's effective blockade of oil and gas shipments through the strait since the US and Israel began attacking the country on February 28 is spreading economic pain around the world.Food and energy security and supply chains were among issues discussed in Pakistan, Egypt's foreign ministry said.As the conflict entered its second month, Israel's military said it had launched over 140 air strikes on central and western Iran, including Tehran, over the 24 hours to evening Sunday, hitting ballistic missile launch sites and storage facilities, among other targets.A chemical plant in southern Israel near the city of Beer Sheva was hit by a missile or missile debris as Israel fended off multiple salvos from Iran, prompting official warnings to the public to stay away due to "hazardous materials".Another missile hit open ground near homes in Beer Sheva, located near several military bases, injuring 11 people.The war has killed thousands of people and affected countries across the Middle East, with major aluminium plants in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates damaged by air strikes over the weekend.The UAE, which has faced more Iranian missile and drone attacks than any other country, is seeking reparations from Iran for attacks on civilians and vital facilities and clear guarantees to prevent any repetition, an adviser to the president said.Pakistan has offered to host peace talks, but the United States, Israel and Iran have set out maximalist positions to end the warfare, complicating the path to a solution.Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf accused the US of sending messages about possible negotiations while at the same time planning to send in troops, adding that Tehran is ready to respond if US soldiers were deployed."The enemy publicly sends messages of negotiation and dialogue while secretly planning a ground attack," he said in a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency. "Our men are waiting for the arrival of the American soldiers on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional allies once and for all.""As long as the Americans seek Iran's surrender, our response is that we will never accept humiliation," Qalibaf added.Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis joined the conflict on Saturday, launching their first attacks on Israel and raising the prospect that they could target and thus block a second key shipping route, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.Analysts say renewed attacks there would pile further pressure on the world economy.Washington has dispatched thousands of Marines to the Middle East, with the first of two contingents arriving on Friday aboard an amphibious assault ship, the US military has said.The *Washington Post quoted US officials as saying that the Pentagon was preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, adding that it was not yet clear if President Donald Trump would approve such plans.Reuters has reported that the Pentagon has considered military options that could include ground forces.Trump faces a stark choice between seeking a negotiated exit or escalating militarily that risks a protracted crisis, and would likely weigh further on his already low approval ratings."President Trump has poor options all around to end the war," said Jonathan Panikoff, former US deputy national intelligence officer for the Middle East. "Part of the challenge is the lack of clarity related to what a satisfactory outcome would be."Washington said last week that it had offered a 15-point ceasefire plan, with a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restrict Iran's nuclear programme, but Tehran has rejected the list and put forward proposals of its own.An Israeli official said Israel would continue carrying out strikes against Iran on what were described as military targets, adding that there is no intention to scale back the campaign ahead of any possible talks between Washington and Tehran.Weeks of unrelenting strikes have taken a heavy toll on ordinary people in the country."I miss a peaceful night's sleep," an artist in Tehran told AFP, adding that night-time strikes were "so intense it felt like all of Tehran was shaking".Farzaneh, a 62-year-old woman in Iran's western city of Ahvaz contacted by AFP from Paris, said: "People wake up each day worried about an uncertain future."A university in Iran's central city of Isfahan said it was hit by US-Israeli airstrikes Sunday for the second time since the war erupted.A building housing Al Araby TV in Tehran was hit Sunday, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported, with video showing walls and windows blown out of the multi-storey block."The missile hit. The ceiling and everything fell on our heads. Unfortunately, we couldn't continue to work. It was a real miracle we survived," said Al Araby camera operator Mohammadreza Shademan. "There was no military target here."With US midterm elections due in November, the increasingly unpopular war has weighed on Trump's Republican Party.Demonstrators took to city streets across the US on Saturday in protests against the conflict.Trump has threatened to hit power stations and other energy infrastructure if Iran does not open the Strait of Hormuz, though he has extended a deadline by 10 days through April 6.A European diplomat warned that any further military escalation could make it harder to bring the two sides together, potentially delaying the possibility by weeks, if not longer.Iranian threats against ships have kept most oil tankers from attempting the waterway.Iran has agreed to let an additional 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels pass through the strait, with two ships permitted to transit daily, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said, calling it a "harbinger of peace". 

Nigerian troops backed by air support repelled a co-ordinated assault by insurgents ‌on a military base in ​the northeastern state ‌of Borno, killing at least 80 ‌fighters ⁠including ‌senior commanders, the army said ‌Wednesday.Boko Haram and Islamic State ⁠West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have intensified attacks on military bases in recent weeks in Borno, the epicentre of Nigeria's 17-year insurgency. Wednesday's assault followed multiple suicide bombings on Monday in Maiduguri, the capital ​of Borno, that killed at least 23 and left more than 100 wounded. The attacks ‌on the northeast's most heavily ⁠defended ​city suggested that the militant ​groups have shifted tactics to counter intense government operations against them.The pre-dawn attack targeted an army position in Mallam Fatori near the border with neighbouring Niger, with insurgents advancing on foot and deploying armed drones, military task force spokesperson Sani Uba said in a ‌statement.Troops had anticipated ‌the assault and ⁠mounted what Uba described as an "offensive-defensive" response, ⁠beating ⁠back the attack with ground fire and air support.Nigeria's air force carried out precision strikes, while allied Nigerien jets hit retreating insurgents. Four soldiers were wounded and evacuated for ​treatment, Uba said, adding that airstrike damage assessments were ongoing.The military said three "high-profile" insurgent commanders were killed, though Reuters could not independently verify the claims.Troops also recovered a large cache of weapons, including assault rifles, RPG launchers, machine guns, ammunition, improvised explosive devices, ‌and armed-drone ​components, Uba said. 

Qatar has declared that Iranian attacks on its territory have crossed clear red lines and will not go unanswered, as its Foreign Ministry revealed the full scale of an assault that saw more than 140 missiles, drones, and fighter jets launched against the country since Saturday — the vast majority of which were intercepted and destroyed by Qatari armed forces.Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, speaking at the ministry's weekly media briefing Tuesday, delivered a comprehensive and at times pointed account of events, flatly rejecting Iranian claims that Doha had been forewarned of the attacks. "Completely untrue," he said, stressing that Qatar was taken entirely by surprise by what he described as wholly unjustified aggression.The scale of the attackSince the Iranian assault began on Saturday, Qatari territory has been targeted by three cruise missiles — all intercepted — 101 ballistic missiles, 98 of which were shot down, and 39 drones, 24 of which were brought down. Two Iranian SU-24 fighter jets that violated Qatari airspace were also destroyed in accordance with rules of engagement, after the necessary warnings were issued.A search is under way for the crews of both aircraft. In total, Qatar's air defences have neutralised the overwhelming majority of every category of weapon deployed against it.Al-Ansari was emphatic that the targeting was not confined to military installations or American interests, but extended deliberately to Qatari lands and vital civilian infrastructure, including sites in Mesaieed and Ras Laffan.Attempts to strike Hamad International Airport were also made, though every missile and drone aimed at the airport was intercepted before reaching its grounds. The airport, he confirmed, is completely safe and fully operational.He stressed that a tank struck in Mesaieed belongs to a factory and has no connection to the drinking water supply, adding that Qatar's strategic reserves of water and electricity remain secure and plentiful, with no threat on either front.‘Missile stockpile not depleted’Al-Ansari praised the performance of Qatar's armed forces in unequivocal terms, saying they dealt with every threat with high efficiency and without any real losses. He rejected outright the media reports — including a Bloomberg article — suggesting that Qatar's Patriot interceptor missile stockpile had been depleted, calling such claims entirely without foundation. "The missile stockpile has never been depleted," he said, confirming that Qatar maintains full readiness with reserves sufficient to address any further threat. The country is reviewing legal options to have such misinformation corrected.Recalling that Iran had also attacked Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base in 2025, al-Ansari said Qatar had at that time chosen to prioritise regional stability over retaliation, even though it had every right to respond. That restraint, he made clear, should not be mistaken for weakness. Qatar reserves the right to respond to the current attacks, all options remain on the table, and the Qatari leadership is actively weighing how to proceed whilst simultaneously calling for an immediate halt to the escalation.Diplomacy under fireOn the diplomatic front, Qatar has moved swiftly and on multiple tracks. The Iranian ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry last Saturday, where Qatar expressed its strong protest and outright rejection of the attacks, describing them as a brazen violation of sovereignty and a flagrant breach of international law and the UN Charter.Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi warned the ambassador directly that a repetition of such conduct would carry dangerous consequences for the bilateral relationship.Al-Ansari also dismissed Iranian foreign minister claims of prior notification as a fabrication, clarifying that an earlier contact — made during last year's attack — amounted to nothing more than a vague reference to a reaction directed generally against Gulf states, with no specification of time, place, or targets.Global support for QatarQatar has since received more than 88 expressions of solidarity from world leaders. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received 34 calls from heads of state, whilst His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani received 27 calls from heads of government and foreign ministers. Senior ministers received a further 18 calls from their counterparts.The prime minister also participated virtually in the 50th extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council Sunday, at which Gulf foreign ministers condemned Iran's attacks in the strongest terms, affirmed their collective solidarity, and reserved the right to respond in line with the UN Charter.Qatar additionally joined Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, the UAE, and the United States in a joint statement condemning Iran's missile and drone campaign as a menacing escalation that violates the sovereignty of multiple states.On Monday, Qatar dispatched identical formal messages to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and US Permanent Representative to the UN Michael Waltz — current president of the Security Council — calling for urgent international attention to what Doha described as an unacceptable assault imperilling regional security and stability.Life goes onDespite the gravity of the situation, al-Ansari was keen to stress that daily life across Qatar continues normally, underpinned by transparent governance and emergency plans that have proved effective at both the military and civilian levels. More than 8,000 transit passengers stranded at Hamad International Airport have been accommodated in hotels at the state's expense, with visas, residencies, and official documents extended for an initial period of one month, or until the crisis concludes. Passengers stranded on cruise ships have similarly been provided for.Qatar's attention, al-Ansari concluded, is now squarely focused on defending its territory. A nation that consistently chooses peace, dialogue, and de-escalation as the cornerstones of its foreign policy, Qatar will nonetheless never hesitate to defend its sovereignty — and those who have tested that resolve, he made plain, will not find it lacking. 

The Shura Council convened its weekly routine session in Tamim bin Hamad Hall at the council's headquarters Monday. The session was chaired by His Excellency Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim. As the session began, the council expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli assault that has been targeting the State of Qatar's territory with ballistic missiles and drones since last Saturday.It considered this assault a blatant violation of national sovereignty and a menacing escalation that undermines the security and stability of the region, runs contrary to the principles of good neighbourliness, and contravenes the international rules-based order and the UN Charter. The council commended the efforts undertaken by the Ministries of Defence, Interior, and Foreign Affairs, as well as the nation's authoritative agencies in dealing with the consequences of this attack. It praised the efficiency and high level of combat readiness of the Qatari Armed Forces, and the capability they demonstrated in intercepting a sheer number of repeated missile waves, reflecting a strong degree of professionalism and vigilance in safeguarding the country's security and territorial integrity.Qatar has been undertaking a constructive and responsible role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the international community and has always been committed to sparing the region from escalation risks, moved by its enduring belief in the settlement of conflicts with peaceful means and strengthening regional stability, the council pointed out.The council reiterated its call for the immediate cessation of hostilities and the return to the negotiation path to protect the region's security and the interests of its peoples, underlining that the renewed Iranian assault and its violation of the State of Qatar's sovereignty do not reflect good intentions and run contrary to the principles of good neighbourliness.In addition, the council expressed its strong condemnation of the attacks on a number of regional neighbours, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Republic of Lebanon.The council confirmed its full solidarity with those nations, as well as its backing of everything that would reinforce their security and stability and safeguard their sovereignty and territorial integrity. The council urged the public to adhere to the security and safety measures; to comply with all instructions and guidelines issued by the relevant authorities; and to collect information from official sources, thereby helping promote societal awareness and support the national efforts aimed at protecting the nation's security and stability.Thereupon, HE Secretary-General of the Shura Council, Nayef bin Mohammed al-Mahmoud, read out the session's agenda. The council then discussed the agenda items and took appropriate decisions thereon. It also adopted the minutes of the previous session. 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Saturday all countries should "uphold international law" after President Donald Trump announced US forces had captured Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro in a large-scale assault.Calling the situation "fast-moving", Starmer added that "the UK was not involved in any way in this operation" as he urged patience in order to "establish the facts"."I want to speak to President Trump, I want to speak to allies," the British leader said in brief comments aired on UK television hours after the US attack."I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved in that. And as you know, I always say and believe we should all uphold international law."Starmer added that "hopefully more information will come out" about the situation when Trump holds a press conference later Saturday.The UK has not recognised the results of the disputed 2024 election that handed Maduro a third term in power, and has called for a "peaceful, negotiated transition" of power there.Following Saturday's events, Starmer said his government's focus was on supporting around 500 British nationals thought to be in Venezuela."We're working with the (British) embassy to make sure that they are well looked after, safeguarded and get appropriate advice," he added.The Foreign Office in London on Saturday updated its advice to urge against all travel to Venezuela.It noted Venezuelan authorities had "announced a 'state of external commotion' due to air strikes on targets across the country"."This could lead to closure of Venezuelan borders and airspace," the advice added.The US actions prompted strong political reactions in Britain.Nigel Farage, leader of the hard-right Reform UK party and a longtime Trump ally, called them "unorthodox and contrary to international law"."But if they make China and Russia think twice, it may be a good thing. I hope the Venezuelan people can now turn a new leaf without Maduro," he added.But Ed Davey, leader of the centrist Liberal Democrats, urged Starmer to "condemn Trump's illegal action in Venezuela"."Maduro is a brutal and illegitimate dictator, but unlawful attacks like this make us all less safe," he added, arguing they give Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's Xi "a green light" to "attack other countries with impunity". 

A young Palestinian man was injured after being severely beaten by Israeli occupation soldiers in the town of Tammun, south of Tubas in the West Bank.The Palestinian news agency (WAFA), citing medical sources, reported that Palestinian Red Crescent teams responded to the incident and transferred the injured man to hospital for treatment.Israeli occupation forces have been carrying out a large-scale raid in the Tubas Governorate since midnight, involving a significant deployment of troops in the area.

Sudan's army said Tuesday it repelled a paramilitary assault on a key southern city, as Washington urged both sides to accept a ceasefire proposal aimed at stemming one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.Since April 2023, the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been locked in a brutal conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced nearly 12mn.Speaking in Abu Dhabi Tuesday, US Africa envoy Massad Boulos said neither of Sudan's warring parties have accepted a new truce proposal from the Quad group that includes the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt."We appeal to both sides to accept the humanitarian truce as presented without preconditions," the US envoy said.His remarks came hours after RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo declared a unilateral three-month truce, before the army reported his fighters subsequently attacking a key base in the country's south.Recent days have seen renewed diplomatic activity after US President Donald Trump said last week he would move to help end the war, following discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a visit to Washington.The Sudanese army Tuesday said it repelled an RSF assault on its infantry base in the strategic West Kordofan town of Babanusa, its last major stronghold in the region.Babanusa lies on a vital transport corridor linking the capital Khartoum through the Kordofan region to Darfur, where the army last month lost El-Fasher — its last stronghold in the western region.Over two years of conflict, both sides have repeatedly violated every ceasefire agreement. Diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting have failed to make any breakthrough.A US-backed plan put forward on behalf of the Quad in September called for a three-month humanitarian truce, followed by a permanent ceasefire and a nine-month transition to civilian-led governance.The army rejected the proposal, which also hinted at excluding both the army and the RSF from Sudan's post-war political roadmap.Burhan this week said he had dismissed a plan put forth by Boulos this month as "the worst yet", accusing him of parroting the UAE's talking points.Boulos Tuesday spoke alongside UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash, whose country has repeatedly denied widespread reports that it arms the RSF.Boulos rejected Burhan's accusations of bias."He was making reference to something that does not exist, that has never been presented by us. So we have no idea what he is talking about," the US envoy said."We have to overlook those comments and remarks and focus on the heart of the matter which is the humanitarian crisis," he added.

Leaning on crutches that he never imagined would replace his leg, 51-year-old Palestinian Tawfiq al-Sheikh walks slowly through the corridors of Hamad Hospital in Al Zawaida, central Gaza. His hope is to reclaim a semblance of his life before the Israeli assault, aided by a prosthetic limb that now supports his daily struggles. Al-Sheikh told QNA that he lived a normal life before the war, recalling the airstrike that hit his street at the start of the conflict. The blast led to an above-knee amputation and a long recovery, culminating in his referral to Hamad Hospital for prosthetic fitting. Getting the artificial limb, he said, helped him walk again and resume his life, even if partially. Al-Sheikh expressed gratitude to the hospital and the State of Qatar for their support, noting the care he received from rehabilitation to prosthetic installation. It changed his life, from someone disabled and dependent to someone who can function in society again. Established in northern Gaza in 2019 with funding from Qatar Fund for Development, Hamad Hospital is a leading center for rehabilitation and prosthetics. It offers free services to Palestinians suffering from amputations, neurological injuries, and spinal trauma. In May, the hospital sustained severe damage from Israeli shelling, halting its operations entirely. In October, the hospital announced the opening of a new branch in southern Gaza to expand access to medical and rehabilitation services for the wounded and disabled. Ahmed al-Absi, head of the prosthetics department at the hospital, told QNA that the unit provides artificial limbs, assistive devices, and spinal orthotics. After repairs in March, the department resumed operations and began receiving complex amputation cases, many resulting from Israeli strikes and high-impact weaponry. Since reopening, the department has fitted around 100 prosthetic limbs, focusing on above-knee and double amputations. Patients undergo full rehabilitation to adapt to their new limbs, restoring mobility and dignity in the face of war's lasting scars. Head of the Prosthetics Department at Hamad Hospital Ahmed al-Absi revealed that the facility has served over 5,000 cases since its establishment, with an annual average of 120 to 150 prosthetic fittings. Despite material shortages, the department resumed operations in March and is currently following up on 135 amputation cases in need of prosthetic limbs. **media[381394]** Al-Absi emphasized that many patients require reintegration into daily life, noting that rehabilitation marks the beginning of recovery and social reintegration. He cited numerous success stories, including students returning to school and employees resuming work after receiving prosthetics. He stressed the high quality of limbs provided by the hospital, which significantly aid patients in adapting and participating in society. However, he warned of severe challenges, particularly the critical shortage of prosthetic materials, which have not entered Gaza since 2023 due to Israeli restrictions. He said they are facing major difficulties, in a month or two, their stock will be depleted. Al-Absi urged relevant authorities to supply prosthetic limbs and the necessary materials to meet the growing demand, especially as the number of amputees in Gaza continues to rise due to ongoing conflict. In parallel, Assistant Undersecretary at the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, Dr Maher Shamia said that around 6,000 amputation cases have been registered during the Israeli assault, most requiring urgent and long-term rehabilitation programs. Speaking to QNA, Shamia noted that Gaza now records the world’s highest rate of child amputations relative to population size, according to a WHO report published in early October. Children account for approximately 25% of all cases, while women represent 12.7%, figures that reflect the deep humanitarian toll on thousands of wounded individuals and their families. He stressed the urgent need for rehabilitation and psychosocial support, particularly for children facing permanent disabilities at a young age. Shamia called on international and humanitarian organizations, as well as health and rehabilitation institutions, to intensify efforts and expand emergency interventions to meet the needs of the wounded and ensure access to adequate care in line with the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The Strip continues to endure a humanitarian crisis following the Israeli offensive, which left more than 170,000 injured amid a near-total collapse of the healthcare system, widespread shortages of medicine and medical supplies, and the destruction of hospitals. The Rafah border crossing remains closed, preventing patients from seeking treatment outside Gaza despite ceasefire agreements.

Residents of the southern Sudanese city of El-Obeid have said they are living in fear as paramilitaries appear to prepare for an assault, with the army reporting shooting down a drone targeting the city on Saturday.The North Kordofan state capital, about 400km southwest of the national capital Khartoum, is a regional hub and a strategic prize for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), at war with Sudan's army since April 2023.While the RSF announced Thursday it had accepted a truce proposal put forward by mediators, the UN subsequently said it saw "preparations for intensified hostilities", issuing a warning about the deteriorarting situation in the Kordofan region in particular."We are especially worried after what happened in El-Fasher," Soaad Ali, from El-Obeid's Karima neighbourhood, said referring to the RSF's capture of the last army stronghold in western Darfur after an 18-month siege.That takeover was followed by reports of mass killings, sexual violence, abductions and looting, triggering fears the conflict could spread into oil-rich Kordofan.El-Obeid, which hosts an airport, sits on a key supply route linking Darfur and Khartoum.Last month, the RSF captured Bara, north of El-Obeid, forcing more than 36,000 people to flee that town and four others in North Kordofan in less than a week, according to the UN.The group said last week it had massed forces in Bara to retake El-Obeid, "advising civilians to steer clear of military targets"."We are living in fear," said a resident of El-Obeid's Qubba neighbourhood, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons."Officials try to reassure us, but... after what happened in Bara, our fears are growing."The fall of El-Fasher two weeks ago gave the RSF control of all five state capitals in the vast western region, in addition to parts of the south.The army controls most of Sudan's north, east and centre, including Khartoum.Since El-Fasher's fall, more than 80,000 people have fled the city and surrounding areas, according to the UN.The General Coordination for Displaced People and Refugees in Darfur, an NGO, said that more than 16,000 people had arrived in Tawila and were in dire need of food, water and medical care.El-Fasher had a population of around 260,000 before the RSF takeover.Little is known about the fate of thousands still trapped in the city, which has been largely cut off from communications.Mathilde Vu, advocacy manager for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Sudan, told AFP that many families arriving in Tawila came with "children who are not their own".The children, she said, "have lost their parents on the way, either because they've... disappeared in a chaos, or they've been detained, or they've been killed".Survivors said that women and men were separated on the way out of El-Fasher, and that hundreds of men were detained in nearby towns.Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Saturday visited displaced people from El-Fasher in Al-Dabba city, about 1,000km north.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian forces are engaged in fierce battles against Russian troops on the Pokrovsk front in the east of the country.In his remarks, Zelenskyy said that Russian forces have concentrated their main assault capabilities on the Pokrovsk front, where intense fighting is ongoing even within the city, according to the Ukrainian National News Agency (Ukrinform).He added that Pokrovsk remains a key objective for Russia, noting that every success achieved by Ukrainian forces on this front represents a victory for all of Ukraine and for the nation’s overall defense.Ukraine has deployed new military reinforcements to the strategic city of Pokrovsk, as fighting intensifies following Russian incursions into the area, which serves as a major transport and supply hub in the Donetsk region.

Two years after Israel's devastating war on the Gaza Strip, the full scope of what observers describe as one of the most extensive acts of cultural erasure in modern history is becoming increasingly clear, as the destruction has not only leveled buildings but also torn through the collective memory, identity, and heritage of an entire people. Libraries have been burned, museums demolished, and cultural institutions leveled, in what Palestinian officials and rights groups describe as a systematic assault on the cultural and intellectual foundations of Palestinian society, aimed at erasing history and dismantling the cultural identity of Gaza and its people. Observers note that the Israeli occupation has long pursued policies designed to undermine Palestinian identity and suppress cultural expression, as part of a broader strategy targeting the intellectual and social pillars of Palestinian society. The repeated bombardment of cultural, artistic, educational, archaeological, and religious landmarks across Gaza serves, they say, as a tool for achieving wider political objectives. Gaza's cultural and historical heritage now faces severe peril amid ongoing destruction and deliberate targeting. The extensive bombing of cultural centers, museums, theaters, art galleries, historical landmarks, public and private libraries, printing presses, publishing houses, and places of worship has drastically reduced the ability of future generations to access their history and cultural legacy. All of Gaza's museums have been damaged or destroyed during the war. Among them is the National Museum housed in Qasr al-Basha, which contains tens of thousands of artifacts, and the Deir al-Balah Museum, operated by the local municipality. Many collections were either destroyed or looted and later transferred to Israeli museums. The offensive also wiped out dozens of public, private, and university libraries, as well as printing presses and publishing houses, an act cultural experts describe as a deliberate obliteration of Gaza's intellectual record. The destruction has also extended to hundreds of historical buildings and archaeological sites. According to local heritage authorities, at least 226 archaeological sites have been damaged, including Tell al-Ajjul, which dates back to the Middle and Late Bronze Ages. More than 1,000 mosques were completely or partially destroyed, among them the Great Omari Mosque, one of the oldest and most significant in historical Palestine. Additionally, eight cemeteries, including the Roman Cemetery dating back nearly 2,000 years, were obliterated. The education sector has faced unprecedented devastation. Around 18,000 students, 750 teachers, and more than 230 university professors have been martyred since the start of the war. Nearly 95% of schools, universities, and kindergartens have sustained damage or total destruction, depriving over 650,000 students of access to education. The deliberate targeting of Gaza's academics, artists, journalists, and scientists poses a grave threat to its cultural and intellectual future. The loss of these figures — the very transmitters of heritage and innovation — together with the destruction of their cultural and educational institutions and means of expression, has severely weakened Gaza's cultural, artistic, and academic foundations.