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  • The devastating conflict where both sides have reasons to keep fighting

    The devastating conflict where both sides have reasons to keep fighting

    A Sudan Airways jet touched down at Khartoum International Airport on February 1, 2026, marking only the second commercial arrival since 2023. The 160 passengers erupted in celebration—hugging, cheering, and capturing selfies—as they stepped onto the tarmac of a capital city shattered by nearly three years of civil war. This symbolic moment occurred just weeks after Prime Minister Kamil Idris declared 2026 would be “the year of peace,” with the military-led government announcing its return to Khartoum.

    The scene contrasts starkly with the reality witnessed by BBC reporters months earlier. The airport terminal showed extensive damage, with unexploded munitions littering runways days after the Sudanese army recaptured it from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Khartoum remains the epicenter of a conflict that erupted in April 2023, transforming government districts into blackened shells and forcing the administration to relocate to Port Sudan on the Red Sea.

    The devastation extends throughout the capital: ministries, banks, and office blocks stand burned and hollowed. The presidential palace remains too damaged for use, while the British embassy bears pockmarked bulletproof glass testimony to intense firefights. The UN describes Sudan as plunged into “an abyss of unfathomable proportions,” with widespread destruction, famine, and human rights violations affecting millions.

    This conflict represents a fundamental power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF—a paramilitary force originally created by ousted dictator Omar al-Bashir as his personal guard. Following Bashir’s 2019 removal, tensions between RSF leader Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) and army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan erupted into full-scale warfare.

    The war has weaponized longstanding ethnic divisions, particularly between nomadic Arabs from the south and west (core RSF supporters) and Nile Valley Arabs from urban areas (traditional ruling class). In Darfur, RSF Arab militias have committed atrocities against non-Arab populations that UN experts say show “hallmarks” of genocide.

    International dimensions complicate the conflict further. Documented evidence suggests the United Arab Emirates supplies weapons to the RSF—a claim Abu Dhabi officially denies. Meanwhile, Sudan’s military employs Turkish and Iranian drones while receiving backing from Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

    Diplomatic efforts led by the Quad nations (US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt) face significant obstacles. While the RSF has verbally accepted a peace roadmap beginning with a humanitarian truce, neither side has formally responded, and fighting has intensified rather than diminished. Army chief Burhan insists he cannot agree to any plan unless the RSF accepts surrender conditions.

    The conflict has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with 25 million facing acute food shortages and 12 million displaced. Analysts fear even a ceasefire would be temporary without addressing fundamental issues: the military’s economic control, representation for marginalized regions, and accountability for widespread atrocities.

    With both sides viewing the conflict as existential and foreign powers continuing their support, many experts predict a prolonged war. Some officials compare the situation to America’s 20-year conflict in Afghanistan, while analysts warn of potential “balkanization” of Sudan if fighting continues for another decade or more—a scenario with devastating implications for the entire region.

  • Dirty laundry and chocolate bars: How Venezuelan prisoners smuggled messages out of jail

    Dirty laundry and chocolate bars: How Venezuelan prisoners smuggled messages out of jail

    In a remarkable display of resilience, Venezuelan political prisoners and their families developed ingenious methods to maintain communication under the brutal conditions of El Helicoide, Venezuela’s most notorious detention facility. The story centers on Adriana Briceño, who smuggled messages to her imprisoned husband Ángel Godoy hidden within chocolate bar wrappers, while he reciprocated by writing clandestine notes on dirty laundry returned from the jail.

    Originally conceived as a luxury shopping center in the 1950s, El Helicoide was never completed and eventually transformed into a symbol of state repression under President Nicolás Maduro’s government. The United Nations has documented its use for arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, and systematic torture practices.

    Godoy, arrested without warning by security forces, endured 96 days of complete isolation before establishing limited contact with his family. His experience mirrors that of human rights activist Javier Tarazona, who suffered 1,675 days in detention under similar conditions. Both men describe punishment cells known as ‘little tigers’—vermin-infested spaces so cramped that prisoners had to alternate lying down, using cardboard over sewer holes as makeshift mattresses.

    The psychological torture extended beyond physical confinement. Guards deliberately disrupted prisoners’ sense of time by delivering meals at irregular intervals, while authorities systematically targeted detainees’ families. Briceño lost her state telecom job after 21 years of service following her husband’s arrest, while Tarazona faced threats against his 70-year-old mother during interrogations.

    Despite being charged with terrorism, treason, and incitement to hatred, neither prisoner received proper legal representation. Godoy never saw his case file or met his assigned lawyer during his year-long detention, while Tarazona saw legal counsel fewer than five times throughout his nearly five-year imprisonment.

    In January, Venezuela’s interim president announced plans to convert El Helicoide into a social and cultural center, a move rights groups characterize as an attempt to whitewash the facility’s dark history. While over 600 prisoners have been released since military operations began, hundreds remain detained according to prisoners’ rights organization Foro Penal.

    Both released detainees express extraordinary calls for national reconciliation despite their suffering. ‘Let us move forward without hatred, resentment, or bitterness to build that wonderful Venezuela,’ Godoy urges, embodying a profound resilience that transcends the brutality they endured.

  • Two-thirds of Cuba, including Havana, hit by blackout

    Two-thirds of Cuba, including Havana, hit by blackout

    A massive power failure has enveloped approximately two-thirds of Cuba, including the capital Havana, in a widespread blackout, exacerbating the nation’s severe energy crisis. The national electric utility UNE reported that the grid collapse originated from a sudden breakdown at the critical Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant shortly after noon on Wednesday.

    This incident represents the latest manifestation of an electricity generation system in disarray, where daily outages lasting up to 20 hours have become commonplace across the island nation of 9.6 million people. The structural deficiencies of Cuba’s power infrastructure have been dramatically compounded by fuel shortages stemming from geopolitical tensions.

    The crisis intensified significantly following the United States’ political maneuver against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on January 3. Maduro’s administration had previously supplied approximately half of Cuba’s fuel requirements. While Washington subsequently eased its oil embargo against Havana after regional warnings about potential humanitarian consequences, the Trump administration maintained substantial restrictions that have left Venezuelan oil shipments in limbo.

    Cuban authorities have implemented drastic measures including diesel sales suspensions, gasoline rationing, reduced hospital services, and expanded teleworking protocols. Public transportation has been sharply curtailed, triggering price surges for private shuttle services.

    The human impact is severe. Residents like Damian Salvador, father of a six-month-old infant, describe the situation as “the final blow,” with perishables including meat and baby formula spoiling without refrigeration. The blackout compounds existing shortages of fuel, medicine, and food that have plagued Cuba for years under the longstanding US trade embargo.

    Geopolitical dimensions continue to escalate. The Trump administration justifies its pressure campaign by citing Cuba’s hosting of foreign intelligence facilities and political repression as “extraordinary threats to US national security.” Meanwhile, Cuba finds itself increasingly isolated internationally, with Air France joining other carriers in suspending flights to Havana due to jet fuel shortages, and Ecuador expelling Cuba’s ambassador from Quito without explicit justification.

  • Household spending rebounds as shoppers open wallets after Christmas slump

    Household spending rebounds as shoppers open wallets after Christmas slump

    Australian households have demonstrated a cautious return to spending in January, though not in the manner many economists had anticipated. Official data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals a modest 0.3 percent increase in overall consumer expenditure for the month, defying expectations of a more robust post-holiday rebound.

    The composition of this spending, however, tells a more nuanced story. The growth was predominantly driven by essential services, which surged by 0.8 percent. This category was led by increased expenditure on health services and automotive repairs and maintenance—practical necessities rather than luxury items. Meanwhile, discretionary spending saw only a marginal uptick of 0.1 percent, with modest gains in air transport, personal effects, and recreational services.

    A significant divergence emerged between spending on services and goods. Service-oriented consumption rose by 1 percent, bolstered by digital streaming subscriptions and travel agency services. In contrast, goods purchases declined by 0.3 percent, with notable reductions in vehicle acquisitions and recreational goods.

    This January performance follows a volatile holiday shopping season characterized by heavy discounting in October and November 2022, which boosted sales, followed by a 0.5 percent contraction in December. The latest figures fell slightly below projections from major financial institutions including Commonwealth Bank and NAB, both of which had forecast a 0.4 percent increase.

  • North Korean leader Kim inspects new warship, claims progress toward nuclear-armed navy

    North Korean leader Kim inspects new warship, claims progress toward nuclear-armed navy

    North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has personally overseen a significant naval modernization initiative, conducting two consecutive days of inspections of his country’s newest destroyer and witnessing live-fire cruise missile tests from the warship. According to state media reports released Thursday, Kim visited the Nampo shipyard on Tuesday and Wednesday to evaluate the Choe Hyon, a 5,000-ton destroyer first unveiled in April 2025, which he hailed as a transformative asset for expanding North Korea’s maritime strike capabilities.

    During the comprehensive inspection, Kim also examined progress on a third destroyer of the same class currently under construction at the Nampo facility, scheduled for completion by October to coincide with the ruling Workers’ Party founding anniversary. The Choe Hyon represents a technological leap for North Korea’s navy, designed to integrate multiple weapons systems including anti-aircraft defenses, anti-ship weaponry, and nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles.

    South Korean military analysts have noted the likely involvement of Russian technical assistance in the destroyer’s development, given deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. However, questions remain about the vessel’s operational readiness despite Kim’s declaration that it has met all sea trial requirements.

    The naval demonstration comes amid a strategic pivot in North Korea’s military development priorities. After years of concentrated ballistic missile testing, Kim has increasingly emphasized naval power projection, including ongoing development of nuclear-powered submarines. At last month’s Workers’ Party congress, the leader outlined ambitious five-year goals that include deploying intercontinental ballistic missiles from underwater platforms.

    Kim characterized these advancements as representing ‘satisfactory progress’ in nuclear armament of naval forces, claiming they would ‘constitute a radical change in defending our maritime sovereignty.’ Analysts suggest this language may foreshadow a formal declaration of expanded maritime boundaries that could challenge South Korea’s control over disputed waters.

    The developments occur against a backdrop of heightened inter-Korean tensions, with Kim repeatedly rejecting the legitimacy of the Northern Limit Line sea boundary established after the Korean War. While maintaining aggressive rhetoric toward South Korea, the North Korean leader has simultaneously left open the possibility of dialogue with the United States, contingent on Washington abandoning its denuclearization prerequisites for negotiations.

  • AFL 2026: Sam Mitchell warns of GWS depth despite injuries

    AFL 2026: Sam Mitchell warns of GWS depth despite injuries

    Hawthorn Hawks coach Sam Mitchell is adopting a distinctly different perspective regarding the injury crisis plaguing the GWS Giants ahead of their Opening Round AFL clash. While the Giants face the prospect of being without at least seven of their premier players for Saturday’s encounter, Mitchell emphatically rejects any notion that this diminishes the threat posed by the home side.

    Mitchell acknowledged the obvious absence of key personnel but emphasized the remarkable depth of the Giants’ roster. “You look at their team sheet and we were chatting through their possible line-up,” Mitchell stated, “there’s no one out there that’s not more than capable. They bat really deep, of all the teams they’ve got one of those lists that have got some really strong top-end talent but also go long.”

    The coach specifically addressed the significant midfield changes, noting the acquisition of Clayton Oliver who has demonstrated strong pre-season form, while acknowledging the season-ending ACL injury to star midfielder Tom Green. Mitchell also highlighted the potential return of Finn Callaghan, provided he emerges unscathed from final training sessions, as another element adding to the Giants’ strength.

    Meanwhile, Hawthorn faces its own fitness concerns with key defender Tom Barrass undergoing a final assessment. Barrass has experienced a slow recovery following last month’s State of Origin match, but Mitchell expressed confidence in the experienced campaigner’s availability. “I expect him to get up,” Mitchell said, noting the team’s conservative approach to his rehabilitation. “He’s an experienced campaigner and expect him to play.”

    The match marks Hawthorn’s return to the venue where they secured a memorable elimination final victory last season, adding another layer of narrative to this early-season showdown between two teams navigating significant roster challenges.

  • Names and ages of children killed in strike on Iranian school

    Names and ages of children killed in strike on Iranian school

    A devastating aerial assault on the Shajareh Tayyebeh primary school in Minab, Hormozgan province, has resulted in the deaths of at least 165 individuals, predominantly young children, according to multiple sources. The attack, attributed to joint US-Israeli military operations, employed a controversial ‘double tap’ tactic where a second strike targets first responders and survivors shortly after the initial explosion.

    Eyewitness accounts from Red Crescent medics describe a horrific scene where school administrators attempted to protect students by moving them to a prayer hall following the first impact. As parents arrived to retrieve their children, a subsequent missile struck the same shelter area, dramatically increasing the casualty count. School staff reported being rendered speechless by the overwhelming sounds of children’s screams and cries amidst the devastation.

    Middle East Eye has independently verified 61 victims through cross-referencing sources including Iran’s Gymnastics Federation, handwritten casualty lists, and Tasnim news agency reports. The documented fatalities include 25 boys, 26 girls, eight women, one man, and a two-month-old infant. Among the youngest confirmed victims were Sara Shayesteh (5), Ehsan Saleminia (6), and Salma Zakeri (6).

    US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth acknowledged the incident days after the strike, stating that an investigation was underway. The attack has sparked international condemnation and widespread mourning across Iran, with mass funerals attended by thousands of grieving community members.

    The extensive victim list includes:
    – Hana Dehqani, 8
    – Arya Bahadori, 9
    – Ahmad Soltani, 8
    – Athena Chamani-nezhad, 6
    – Mahna Zarei, 2 months
    – Mohammadreza Shahsavari, 8
    – Reza Ranjbar, 6
    – And numerous other children whose ages range from 5 to 12 years old

    This incident represents one of the deadliest attacks on an educational facility in recent Middle Eastern conflict, raising serious questions about targeting protocols and the protection of civilian infrastructure in warfare.

  • After oil, US moves to secure access to Venezuelan minerals

    After oil, US moves to secure access to Venezuelan minerals

    In a significant strategic pivot, the United States is expanding its resource interests in Venezuela beyond petroleum to include critical mineral reserves. U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum led a high-level delegation of mining executives to Caracas on March 4, 2026, signaling Washington’s intensified focus on securing access to Venezuela’s vast mineral wealth.

    Burgum’s visit marks the second senior U.S. official engagement since the January military intervention that removed former president Nicolás Maduro. Accompanied by executives representing billions in potential investments, Burgum emphasized the eagerness of American companies to navigate regulatory barriers and initiate mining operations. The Interior Secretary, who chairs President Trump’s National Energy Dominance Council, characterized the collaborative potential between the nations as “unlimited.”

    The diplomatic thaw has produced tangible results, including the U.S. Department of Transportation’s authorization of direct flights between Miami and Venezuelan cities—the first such connection since 2019. This development follows Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s previous visit advocating for increased oil production.

    Venezuela’s mineral portfolio extends beyond its world-leading oil reserves to include gold, diamonds, bauxite, and particularly coltan—a crucial component in electronics manufacturing. Most mining activity concentrates in the environmentally sensitive Orinoco arc region, where expansion has raised ecological concerns.

    Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who has implemented significant reforms to attract foreign investment in oil, now turns to modernizing mining regulations. While details remain undisclosed, her administration promises reforms enabling “large foreign companies” to exploit mineral and rare earth deposits.

    The cooperation has garnered presidential approval, with Trump praising Rodríguez’s compliance on his Truth Social platform. The collaboration has already yielded concrete results: Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA has shipped over 80 million barrels to the U.S. since January and recently signed additional supply agreements. This expanded partnership emerges amid global oil market uncertainties driven by Middle East conflicts, which have driven prices to 18-month highs.

  • Fidan reveals failed Turkish attempts to stop Iran war

    Fidan reveals failed Turkish attempts to stop Iran war

    Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has disclosed extensive diplomatic efforts by Ankara to prevent military confrontation between the United States and Iran, revealing that Tehran fundamentally misjudged Washington’s determination during critical negotiations.

    In a comprehensive briefing, Fidan detailed how Turkey initiated backchannel diplomacy following a historic January 27 phone conversation between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump. During this exchange, Trump expressed support for Erdogan’s proposal to facilitate direct talks with newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian via teleconference—an offer Tehran ultimately declined.

    “Had the proposal for a trilateral meeting between the United States, Turkey and Mr. Pezeshkian been accepted by the Iranian side, it would have been a game-changing development,” Fidan stated, emphasizing that negotiations had reached a critical impasse requiring innovative diplomatic solutions.

    The minister described January’s security environment as particularly volatile, with Washington facing intense decision-making pressure regarding potential military action against Iran. “Those were truly dark days,” Fidan recalled. “Talk of war breaking out, of an imminent strike, was everywhere.”

    Three days after the Trump-Erdogan discussion, Turkey hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Istanbul, where Turkish diplomats developed a novel negotiation architecture. The proposal involved separating four contentious issues into two categories: two matters for direct US-Iran discussion and two for resolution through regional mediation involving Turkey and other Middle Eastern nations.

    While American officials immediately accepted this framework, Iranian representatives requested consultation with senior leadership in Tehran. Turkish officials later learned that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—recently deceased—opposed multilateral negotiations in Istanbul.

    Iran instead opted for bilateral talks in Oman, excluding regional powers Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Jordan from the process. By February 27, Fidan recognized the negotiations were stalling, though he believed extended dialogue might have produced agreements absent American military timetables and substantial Israeli pressure.

    Fidan suggested Iran’s misreading of Trump’s decision-making constraints ultimately weakened their diplomatic position. He expressed Ankara’s preference for limited military de-escalation rather than regime change, which would introduce “far more complex risks” regionally.

    The foreign minister indicated that Iran’s temporary leadership council—including President Pezeshkian—might present new opportunities for conflict resolution, describing the Iranian leader as someone Ankara could productively engage with on American concerns.

  • Legendary Notre Dame college football coach Lou Holtz dies at 89

    Legendary Notre Dame college football coach Lou Holtz dies at 89

    Lou Holtz, the iconic American football coach who led the University of Notre Dame to a national championship during his transformative tenure, has passed away at age 89. His family confirmed he died peacefully while surrounded by loved ones in Orlando, Florida.

    Holtz’s coaching legacy spans five remarkable decades, most notably his 11-season leadership of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish from 1986 to 1996. His crowning achievement came in 1988 when he guided the team to an undefeated season and national championship victory. Throughout his 33-season coaching career across multiple universities, Holtz accumulated 249 total victories, including 100 wins with Notre Dame alone.

    Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Holtz was recognized for his profound impact on players’ lives and his commitment to team values. He implemented enduring traditions including the famous ‘Play Like A Champion’ locker room sign and removed individual names from jerseys to emphasize collective effort over personal recognition.

    His influence extended into the political arena where the longtime Republican endorsed Donald Trump at the 2020 party convention and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom that same year. Post-coaching, Holtz transitioned to broadcasting roles with ESPN and CBS, where his inspirational pre-game speeches gained renewed popularity among new generations of fans.

    The Holtz Charitable Foundation continues his legacy of service, reflecting what his family described as ‘enduring values of faith, family, service, and an unwavering belief in the potential of others.’ Tributes from Notre Dame and the broader sports community highlight his dual legacy as both a championship coach and transformative mentor who shaped countless lives beyond the football field.