The UN Security Council unanimously renewed sanctions on Sudan’s Darfur region on Wednesday, extending an arms embargo, asset freezes, and travel bans for 12 months.
All 15 members of the council voted in favour of the resolution, which extended measures first adopted in March 2005 against people and entities involved in the Darfur conflict.
The renewal, a technical rollover of sanctions last extended in March 2023, includes individual sanctions - asset freezes and a travel ban - on three people, and an arms embargo.
A panel will continue to monitor compliance and report findings to the Council.
Robert Wood, the US deputy ambassador to the UN, highlighted the “danger” and “desperation” facing the people of Darfur, citing intensified fighting, restricted humanitarian aid, human rights violations and mass displacement.
“This adoption sends an important signal that the international community remains focused on their plight and is committed to advancing peace and security in Sudan and the region,” Mr Wood said.
China and Russia, permanent members of the Security Council who abstained the last time the embargo was renewed, in 2023, this time voted in favor.
China's ambassador, Dai Bing, noted that with no de-escalation in sight and a worsening humanitarian crisis, the renewal of sanctions would help stem the flow of illicit arms and contribute to calming the situation on the ground.
He said the sanctions were "a means, not an end. They must not replace diplomacy."
Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Monday accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing widespread war crimes and atrocities in Sudan’s conflict.
The rights group urged the UN Security Council to expand the arms embargo and restrictions from Darfur to all of Sudan and hold culprits accountable.
Jean Baptiste Gallopin, senior researcher at HRW, called the Council's decision to renew sanctions limited to Darfur a “missed opportunity.”
He urged the Council to “correct this failure as soon as possible” and expand arms restrictions across Sudan to curb the flow of weapons and prevent further atrocities.
In its most recent report, the International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan, established by the Human Rights Council, had called for extending the Darfur arms embargo nationwide to curb the flow of weapons and financial support to the warring parties.
However, during the Council’s June meeting on Sudan, Russia warned that expanding sanctions beyond Darfur would not help bring peace to the region.
War erupted in April last year between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary RSF over a transition to free elections.
The UN has said nearly 25 million people – half Sudan's population – need aid, famine is looming and some eight million people have fled their homes.
Sudan's UN representative, Al Harith Mohamed, urged the restoration of “balance in Darfur to prevent the negative consequences affecting the government's efforts to protect civilians.”
Mr Mohamed said civilians in El Fasher are being attacked by militias, and called for the enforcement of Security Council resolutions, specifically 1591, which prohibits states from supporting armed groups.
He also again accused the UAE of supplying weapons and support to the RSF.
UAE ambassador to the UN Mohamed Abushahab responded to the “baseless allegations” made by the Sudanese representative.
“The repetition of baseless allegations does not make them true, whether repeated in the media, in this council or elsewhere, there is simply no credible evidence these ludicrous accusations have been dispelled in our letters to the Security Council on this matter,” he said.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
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Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
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If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
UAE%20v%20West%20Indies
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The biog
Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.
Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella
Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
Scoreline
Swansea 2
Grimes 20' (pen), Celina, 29'
Man City 3
Silva 69', Nordfeldt 78' (og), Aguero 88'
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Overview
What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.
When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.
Where: At 13 different centres across Sharjah.
Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.
Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.
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