UN human rights chief warns Sudan chaos ripe for exploitation, calls for end to impunity to violence

NEW YORK: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has expressed grave concerns that other “opportunistic” armed groups and militias could exploit the current instability in Sudan, underlined by impunity, to escalate violence even further.

Turk decried the “disastrous, senseless” war “borne out of a wanton drive for power” that has ravaged the country, resulting in thousands of deaths, the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and vital services, widespread displacement, and sexual violence that may amount to war crimes.




Key Turkish opposition figure set to run again for Istanbul mayor

ISTANBUL: Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key figure and possible future leader of Turkiye’s political opposition, said on Tuesday he is set to run again for mayor in local elections set for March.

“As I have said many times: Who wins in Istanbul also wins in Turkiye. Success in Istanbul would take one to very important spots in national politics,” Imamoglu, who runs the country’s largest city, told reporters.




Sustainability at heart of UAE’s support for global climate action: president

DUBAI: Sustainability remains at the heart of the UAE’s support for global climate action, the country’s president said on Tuesday.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also emphasised the need to enhance international solidarity and cooperation in pursuit of practical solutions to climate challenges, Emirates News Agency reported.

The president received the team overseeing COP28 at Qasr Al-Bahr Majlis about preparations for the conference and the four pillars of its action agenda.




Lebanese media outlets deny accusations of instigation in Kahale incident

BEIRUT: In his first media appearance following the Kahale incident, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah blamed the media for what happened, referring to the “incitement of a malicious TV channel,” being responsible for the bloodshed.

It is though Nasrallah was referring to MTV, a station backed by the Lebanese Forces party, which he described as “malicious.”




Egypt, Jordan, Iraq FMs discuss stronger economic ties at Cairo meeting

LONDON: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held a meeting in Cairo on Tuesday with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi and Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein to discuss the framework of a cooperation mechanism between the three countries.
Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said that the tripartite mechanism is an important platform as part of joint efforts to strengthen economic cooperation between the three countries.