Spain's former football boss on trial over World Cup kiss

MADRID, Spain

The former president of Spain's football federation, Luis Rubiales, goes on trial on Monday, accused of sexual assault for kissing the player Jenni Hermoso, in a case which has fed into wider discussions about sexism and consent.

Hermoso is scheduled to appear as a witness on the opening day having travelled from Mexico, where she plays club football. The trial runs until 19 February.

As Spain's players received their medals after defeating England in Sydney to win the 2023 World Cup, Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips. Afterwards, Hermoso said the kiss had not been consensual, while Rubiales insisted it had been.

The incident triggered protests and calls for Rubiales's resignation, and it also entered the political arena. Prime minister Pedro Sánchez, whose left-wing government has approved reforms seeking to boost gender equality and ensure consent in sexual relations, said that Rubiales's kiss had shown that "there is still a long way to go when it comes to equality and respect between women and men".

After initially remaining defiant and denouncing a witch-hunt driven by "fake feminism", the federation president eventually resigned, before legal charges were brought against him.

Prosecutors are calling for Rubiales to receive a one-year prison sentence for sexual assault for the kiss. They are also calling for him to be given a sentence of a year-and-a-half for coercion, for allegedly trying to pressure Hermoso into saying publicly that the kiss was consensual. Rubiales denies the charges.

Three colleagues of Rubiales are also on trial, accused of colluding in the alleged coercion: Jorge Vilda, coach of the World Cup-winning side, Rubén Rivera, the federation's former head of marketing, and former sporting director, Albert Luque. They all deny the charges.

Isabel Fuentes has watched the female national team closely ever since she was among the first women to represent Spain at football, from 1971 onwards. She describes the furore caused by the Rubiales kiss as "very sad", because of how it overshadowed the World Cup victory, which, when mentioned, brings her to the verge of tears.

"It was something we would have liked to experience, but we weren't allowed to," she says. "These players won it for us. They have lived out our dreams."

Fuentes played when the dictatorship of Francisco Franco was still in place and the women's team were not even allowed to wear the Spanish flag on their shirts.

"The regime said: 'We don't want you to play football, but we'll just ignore you,'" she says. "And the federation put all manner of obstacles in our way."

Like many fans, she was concerned by how the Rubiales controversy affected the international image of Spanish football and she was also shocked by footage showing the former federation president celebrating the World Cup win by grabbing his crotch as he stood just a few feet away from Spain's Queen Letizia.

Trump cuts funding to South Africa, accuses country of 'confiscating' land

WASHINGTON, United States

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday asserted South Africa was "confiscating" land and "treating certain classes of people very badly" as he announced he was cutting off all future funding to the country pending an investigation.

The land issue in South Africa has long been divisive, with efforts to redress the inequality of white-rule drawing criticism from conservatives including Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest person, who was born in South Africa and is a powerful Trump adviser.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa last month signed a bill that stipulates the government may, in certain circumstances, offer "nil compensation" for property it decides to expropriate in the public interest.

"South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

"I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!" Trump wrote.

Pretoria argues the bill does not allow the government to expropriate property arbitrarily and must first seek to reach agreement with the owner.

However, some groups fear a situation similar to the Zimbabwe government's seizure of white-owned commercial farms, often without compensation, after independence in 1980.

Later, in a briefing with journalists, Trump said that South Africa's "leadership is doing some terrible things, horrible things" without giving examples.

"So that's under investigation right now. We'll make a determination, and until such time as we find out what South Africa is doing -- they're taking away land and confiscating land, and actually they're doing things that are perhaps far worse than that."

Land ownership is a contentious issue in South Africa with most farmland still owned by white people three decades after the end of apartheid.

Since then land courts have adjudicated on a handful of land disputes and, after exhaustive processes, returned land to previously displaced owners.

According to the South African government, the 1913 Natives Land Act saw thousands of Black families forcibly removed from their land by the apartheid regime.

The delicate issue has been a particular rallying point for the right, with various conservative figures including Musk and right-wing journalist Katie Hopkins championing the cause of white land-owners.

Musk was born in Pretoria on June 28, 1971, to an engineer father and a Canadian-born model mother, leaving the country in his late teens. The formal policy of apartheid lasted until 1990, and multi-racial elections were held in 1994.

Shelling at busy Sudanese market 'fills mortuary with bodies'

CAIRO, Egypt

Shelling at a busy market near Sudan's capital has filled a mortuary with bodies, medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says.

MSF and the Sudanese authorities said the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were responsible for Saturday's attack in the city of Omdurman, which killed and injured more than 100 people - a claim the RSF has denied.

The majority of those killed at the market were women and children, the Sudanese Doctors' Union says.

The RSF and Sudan's army have been locked in a civil war that, over 22 months, has killed tens of thousands and sparked what the UN describes as one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters.

In the past few weeks, the army has stepped up its offensive in Omdurman, which lies across the River Nile from capital city, Khartoum, aiming to regain complete control from the RSF.

Eyewitnesses told the AFP news agency that Saturday's artillery shelling had come from western Omdurman, where the RSF remains in control.

Saturday's explosion caused "utter carnage" at the nearby Al Nao hospital, which was overwhelmed with injured patients, MSF general secretary Chris Lockyear said.

The Sudanese Doctors' Union appealed for nearby medics to assist at the hospital, saying there was an "acute shortage of medical staff".

It added that one shell had fallen "metres away" from the hospital on Saturday.

One survivor of the market attack told the AFP news agency: "The shells hit in the middle of the vegetable market, that's why the victims and the wounded are so many."

Both sides have been accused of targeting civilians, including health workers, and indiscriminate shelling of residential areas.

The recent skirmishes have forced emergency response rooms to shut several health centres, affecting the provision of medical services to thousands of residents.

Paris protest calls for action on DR Congo Violence

PARIS, France

Over the weekend, nearly 1,500 demonstrators took to the streets of Paris in a powerful show of solidarity with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), demanding an end to the violence ravaging the eastern part of the country.

The march, organised by the group 'Urgence Pona Mboka,' was a call for international intervention and a push to hold accountable those fuelling the ongoing conflict.

The protesters, many waving Congolese flags and holding signs with messages such as “Stop the War,” “Our Wealth, Our Right,” and “Justice for the DRC,” voiced their frustration over the violence and the lack of meaningful international support for the DRC in the escalating conflict.

Gilcy, a protester, expressed the anger and determination felt by many:

“Today, we are gathered because we are fed up with everything happening in the east of the DRC. This conflict has been ongoing for 30 years, and many people have suffered because of it. And today, what we are asking from the international community is for them to impose strong sanctions on Paul Kagame’s regime, so that this conflict in the east can finally be stopped once and for all.”

Protesters called for a stronger response from world powers to take more decisive action.

One of the event organisers from 'Urgence Pona Mboka,' also addressed the crowd, stressing the importance of solidarity and perseverance:

“I’m here as one of the organisers of this protest. A protest to show that Congolese people are standing up. We must not be discouraged, we must not be intimidated. The international community, with France at the forefront, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the United States of America—this is what we call the international community, and they are still against us. And today, we’ve said—no, we’ve said no, and we are showing it.”

With the eastern DRC still plagued by conflict, the protesters are calling on the international community to act before it’s too late.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 03/02/2025

 

Arsenal thrash Manchester City 5-1

LONDON,  England 

Arsenal moved back to within six points of the Premier League summit with a 5-1 rout of Manchester City, helped by Myles Lewis-Skelly's first senior goal.

Lewis-Skelly, who was sent off in last week's victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers but saw his suspension rescinded on appeal, curled home just after the hour.

It meant he became the youngest player to score in the Premier League against the reigning champions since Wayne Rooney, who was 17y 150d, for Everton against Arsenal in March 2003.

Arsenal first went ahead with just 103 seconds played, Martin Odegaard sweeping into an open net after a mix-up involving John Stones and Manuel Akanji.

Erling Haaland equalised early in the second half with a fine header, but Arsenal retook the lead one minute later through Thomas Partey's deflected strike.

Lewis-Skelly brilliantly effort gave them breathing space and Kai Havertz added a breakaway fourth before, deep in stoppage time, Ethan Nwaneri curled in spectacularly to complete the scoring.

Arsenal are now nine points clear of fourth-placed City, who could be overtaken by Chelsea should they beat West Ham United on Monday.

Two Tanzanian soldiers among 20 dead peacekeepers in eastern Congo

By Our Correspondent,  DAR ES SALAAM,  Tanzania 

Tanzania on Sunday February 2, confirmed the death of its two soldiers in conflict-hit eastern city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Acting Director of Information and Relations of TPDF, Colonel Gaudentius Ilonda

The Tanzanian People’s Defense Force (TPDF) said its two soldiers were killed during attacks by M23 rebels in the town of Sake and Goma on Jan. 24 and Jan. 28, respectively. Four others were injured in the attacks.

The statement issued by the Acting Director of Information and Relations of TPDF, Colonel Gaudentius Ilonda, stated that procedures are being carried out to return the bodies of the deceased to Tanzania for burial while the injured continue with treatment in the city of Goma before being returned to the country for further treatment.

"Following the series of attacks in the areas of Sake and Goma carried out by M23 rebels on 24 and 28 January 2025, the Tanzania People's Defense Force has lost two of its soldiers and four were injured." Confirmed Colonel Ilonda.

He said that TPDF continues with its mission to maintain peace under the auspices of the Southern African Development Community in Eastern DRC (SAMIDRC), an area that has been hit by a conflict that has sparked attacks between the M23 Rebels fighting the DRC Army (FARDC) in those areas.

With confirmation coming from Tanzania, at least 20 peacekeepers have been killed in eastern Congo since last week after violence erupted when M23 launched a major offensive against the Congolese army, leading to heavy clashes in and around Goma.

Fourteen of the 20 slain peacekeepers are from South Africa.

According to the UN, the fighting has left at least 700 people dead and 2,800 injured over the past five days.

Rwanda denies supporting M23 as alleged by SADC

By Our Correspondent,  KIGALI Rwanda 

The Government of Rwanda has strongly denied the allegations against the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) made in the declaration of the emergency meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held on January 31, 2025.

In the declaration,  SADC like other countries believe that Rwandan army are involved in the DR Congo conflict supporting the M23.

Through a statement issued today, February 2, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda, the government has emphasized that the RDF protects the borders of the country against threats and protects civilians, and does not aim to attack civilians as claimed.

The statement stated that SADC has sent the SAMIDRC military force to support the war of the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) against its citizens, especially the M23 fighters and their community, where many have fled to Rwanda and neighboring countries as refugees.

Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe accused SADC of worsening the crisis in eastern DR Congo by deploying the SAMIDRC force.

“SADC has sent troops to the DR Congo under the pretext of restoring peace, but in reality, they are supporting a war against Congolese citizens—specifically the M23 community, many of whom have sought refuge in Rwanda,” Amb Nduhungirehe said.

In addition, the Rwandan government alleges that the DRC aims to attack Rwanda and overthrow its government, something that the President of the DRC, Félix Tshisekedi, has been announcing frequently in public.

Rwanda has emphasized that SAMIDRC, in collaboration with the Burundian military, the FDLR rebel group and European mercenaries, have been part of the conflict and are exacerbating the crisis rather than bringing stability.

"Recent reports from Goma show evidence of preparations for attacks against Rwanda, which have been planned in collaboration with foreign forces fighting in eastern DRC, including the FDLR. Their goals were not only to defeat M23, but also to attack Rwanda," says part of the statement.  

Rwanda has continued to emphasize the need for a political solution to the crisis and welcomes the proposal for a joint meeting between the East African Community (EAC) and SADC in order to find a permanent agreement.

Arab nations reject Trump’s Gaza relocation proposal

CAIRO,  Egypt 

Powerful Arab nations on Saturday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to neighbouring Egypt and Jordan.

Trump proposed the idea last month, stating that he would urge the leaders of Jordan and Egypt to accommodate Gaza’s now largely displaced population.

He suggested that resettling the majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million people could be either temporary or permanent.

Some Israeli officials had raised the possibility of relocation early on.

In a statement, Arab countries warned that such plans could "threaten the region’s stability, risk escalating the conflict, and undermine the prospects for peace and coexistence among its people."

The statement followed a meeting in Cairo of senior diplomats, including Hussein al-Sheikh, a senior Palestinian official who serves as the main liaison with Israel, and Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul-Gheit.

They expressed their commitment to working with the Trump administration to "achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, based on the two-state solution."

They also called on the international community to assist in "planning and implementing" a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Gaza, to ensure that Palestinians remain on their land.

Egypt and Jordan, alongside the Palestinians, are concerned that Israel would never allow them to return to Gaza once they have left.

They also fear the impact that such an influx of refugees could have on their already struggling economies, as well as the stability of their governments.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 02/02/2025

 

Uganda President challenges Supreme Court's ruling on civilian trial in Military courts

By Shammin Nabakooza, KAMPALA  Uganda 

Uganda President,  Yoweri Museveni has vowed not to implement a Supreme Court judgement that nullified the trial of civilians by military courts, firmly defending the military court system as essential to the country’s security and stability.

In a statement made following Friday's landmark decision, Mr Museveni expressed disappointment with the decision, which declared that civilians accused of certain crimes, such as illegal possession of firearms, should not be tried in military courts.

Uganda Chief Justice Alphonse Owiny-Dollo stated that all charges and ongoing criminal trials involving civilians in military courts must cease immediately because they are unconstitutional.

He emphasized that these cases should be transferred to civilian courts

Besigye, a long-time critic of President Yoweri Museveni, was arrested in Kenya last November and later returned to Uganda, where he faced multiple charges related to firearms and security, some of which could result in the death penalty.

He has been held in a maximum-security facility in Kampala.

Owiny-Dollo noted that military courts lack the legal capacity to conduct fair and impartial criminal trials as mandated by the constitution.

Justice Elizabeth Musoke, another member of the panel, pointed out that military courts are only authorized to deal with disciplinary matters concerning military personnel.

The President, who in 1981 went to bush to restore democracy in the country and has lived castigating predecessors such as Idi Amin for defiling the Temple of Justice, argued that this decision was a setback for the country’s efforts to curb crime and protect national security.

“I was sorry to hear of the wrong decision by the Supreme Court regarding the trial of civilians in military courts.” Mr Museveni said.

“This is an instrument we cannot and will not abandon. It has proven effective in dealing with armed criminals and ensuring the safety of our people.”

The President stressed that the military court system has been particularly instrumental in addressing security threats posed by civilians illegally armed with firearms, a concern that has been growing in parts of Uganda.

He emphasized that the military courts were established not just for the army, but to protect society from criminals who use guns to terrorize citizens.

“Why should civilians who illegally arm themselves with firearms not face military trials?” Museveni asked.

He also pointed to their role in disciplining the army, asserting that military courts are crucial for maintaining order and protecting both the armed forces and the wider population.

Mr Museveni further highlighted the role of military courts in regions like Karamoja, where insecurity had made it difficult for civilian magistrates to operate.

Instead, President Museveni called for constitutional amendments to address the issue and ensure that military courts remain a viable option for handling crimes related to national security.

“The country is not governed by the judges,” Museveni asserted. “It is governed by the people. We will use referenda or parliamentary amendments to make sure our legal framework serves the needs of our society.”

In conclusion, the President affirmed that he would not allow the judicial decision to undermine Uganda’s security and stability.

He vowed to continue protecting the country by ensuring that criminals, especially those involved in armed violence, are held accountable in military courts.

The disdain for the law, including the highest legal authority in the land by President is not something new. He has in the past said the Constitution was a "mere piece of paper" and also told off the Judiciary saying the "country does not belong to judges and lawyers".

UN ‘alarmed’ at reported summary executions of civilians in Sudan

GENEVA, Switzerland 

The UN rights chief said Friday that he was “deeply alarmed” by reports of summary executions of civilians in Khartoum North, allegedly by Sudanese army fighters and allied militia.

“Deliberately taking the life of a civilian or anyone not or no longer directly taking part in hostilities is a war crime,” Volker Turk said in a statement.

The war between Sudan’s army (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023 has killed tens of thousands of people and uprooted more than 12 million, according to the United Nations, and pushed millions to the brink of famine.

After months of apparent stalemate in Khartoum, the army last week broke an almost two-year RSF siege of its Khartoum General Command headquarters.

On the same day, the army reported reclaiming its Signal Corps base in Khartoum North, and expelling the RSF from the Jaili oil refinery north of Khartoum.

The UN rights office said it had verified the killings of at least 18 people, including one woman, in seven separate incidents “attributed to SAF-affiliated fighters and militia since the SAF regained control of the area on 25 January.”

“Many of the victims of these incidents, which took place in the vicinity the Al Jaili oil refinery, were originally from the Darfur or Kordofan regions of Sudan,” it said.

The rights office also highlighted “further disturbing allegations emanating from Khartoum North,” which it was still corroborating.

It noted a video circulated Thursday showing men in SAF uniform and members of the Al Baraa Bin Malik Brigade in Khartoum North “reading out a long list of names of alleged RSF collaborators, saying ‘Zaili’ — Arabic for ‘killed’ — after each name.”

“These reports of summary executions, following similar incidents earlier this month in Al Jazirah State, are deeply disturbing,” Turk said, adding that “such killings must not become normalized.”

He reiterated his call for “all parties to the conflict to take urgent action to protect civilians and to uphold obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.”

“Independent investigations must be held into these incidents in line with relevant international standards.”

The rights office voiced fear of further attacks “amid shocking threats of violence against civilians.”

It said it had reviewed a video showing a member of the Al Baraa Bin Malik Brigade “threatening to slaughter the residents of El Hadj Yusif in East Nile,” an area of Khartoum North.

The office also denounced continued RSF attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including the shelling of a camp for displaced people in El-Fasher in North Darfur that killed nine civilians on Wednesday.

Canada, Mexico and China face tariffs on Saturday, White House says

WASHINGTON,  United States 

US President Donald Trump will impose tariffs on Saturday of 25% on Mexico, 25% on Canada and 10% on China, says the White House.

But Trump said on Friday that Canadian oil would be hit with lower tariffs of 10%, which could take effect later, on 18 February.

The president also said he planned to impose tariffs on the European Union in the future, saying the bloc had not treated the US well.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Canada and Mexico duties were in response to "the illegal fentanyl that they have sourced and allowed to distribute into our country, which has killed tens of millions of Americans".

Trump has also repeatedly said the move was to address the large amounts of undocumented migrants that have come across US borders as well as trade deficits with its neighbours.

Ms Leavitt told a news briefing at the White House on Friday: "These are promises made and promises kept by the President."

During the election campaign, Trump threatened to hit Chinese-made products with tariffs of up to 60%, but held off on any immediate action on his first day back in the White House, instead ordering his administration to study the issue.

US goods imports from China have flattened since 2018, a statistic that economists have attributed in part to a series of escalating tariffs that Trump imposed during his first term.

Earlier this month, a top Chinese official warned against protectionism as Trump's return to the presidency renews the threat of a trade war between the world's two biggest economies - but did not mention the US by name.

Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of China, said his country was looking for a "win-win" solution to trade tensions and wanted to expand its imports.

China, Canada and Mexico are the top US trading partners, accounting for 40% of the goods imported into the US last year, and fears are rising that the new steep levies could kick off a major trade war as well as push up prices in the US.

SADC bloc backs Congo’s territorial integrity amid M23 rebel offensive

HARARE, Zimbabwe

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) backed the independence, sovereignty and territorial sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday amid an offensive by the M23 rebel group.

The regional bloc also urged the immediate dispatch of ministers and defense chiefs to ensure the SADC peace mission in Congo (SAMIDRC), that troops are safe and to facilitate that immediate repatriation of dead and injured troops.

Zimbabwe hosted the SADC summit Friday as M23 rebels claim control over Goma, the capital of North Kivi province, which borders Rwanda.

It also called for a joint meeting with the East African Community (EAC) bloc to deliberate the conflict in eastern Congo.

The EAC held a separate virtual summit Wednesday and demanded that Kinshasa directly engage with the M23.

The rebel group launched a major offensive last week in Goma, home to around 3 million people.

Kinshasa accused Rwanda of sending troops to support the rebels. Rwanda denied the accusation, but regional leaders have urged an immediate ceasefire, as dozens have died with hundreds injured.

Uganda has also been accused of backing the rebels, a claim it rejects.

Reports by Unite Nations claimed nearly 700 deaths in the past week.

Thousands have been displaced, many fleeing to Rwanda, including staff from international organizations like the UN and World Bank.

Rwanda said nine of its citizens died in alleged cross-border fire from Goma. At least 17, including 16 from SAMIDRC, peacekeepers have also been killed since last week.

At least 700 killed in DR Congo fighting since Sunday - UN

KINSHASA,  DR Congo 

United Nations says at least 700 people have been killed in intense fighting in Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, since Sunday.

UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said 2,800 people have been injured, as M23 rebels - backed by Rwanda - captured the capital of North Kivu province.

The rebels are now reported to be moving south towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.

The conflict in eastern DR Congo dates back to the 1990s but has rapidly escalated in recent weeks.

M23, which is made up of ethnic Tutsis, say they are fighting for minority rights, while DR Congo's government says the Rwanda-backed rebels are seeking control of the eastern region's vast mineral wealth.

On Friday, Dujarric said the casualty figures came from an assessment made by the World Health Organization and its partners, alongside the DR Congo's government, between Sunday and Thursday.

The UN spokesman also warned the death toll would rise further.

In an attempt to halt M23's progress, the DR Congo military has set up a defensive line on the road between Goma and Bukavu, according to the AFP news agency.

Hundreds of civilian volunteers have been enlisted to defend Bukavu.

One young man told the AFP: "I am ready to die for my country."

Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki, the governor of South Kivu - the province M23 are marching on - told Reuters news agency the government army and its allies were holding back the rebels, though that claim has not been independently verified.

Earlier this week, M23 vowed to continue its offensive until it reached the capital Kinshasa, about 2,600km (1,600 miles) to the west.

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the country's foreign minister, told reporters that Rwanda was illegally occupying her country and attempting to orchestrate regime change.

Wagner said the international community had allowed Rwandan President Paul Kagame decades of impunity and failed to hold him accountable for violating international law.

Rwanda's government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo denied the accusation, saying the country's troops were only deployed to prevent the conflict spilling over to its territory.

"We're not interested in war, we're not interested in annexation, we're not interested in regime change," Makolo said.

UN experts estimated last year that Rwanda had between 3,000 and 4,000 troops operating alongside the M23 in eastern DR Congo.

On Friday, the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) regional bloc declared its support for DR Congo at a crisis summit in Zimbabwe.

In a statement, the 16-member group "reaffirmed its solidarity and unwavering commitment to continue supporting the DRC in its pursuit of safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity".

Sadc has sent peacekeeping troops, primarily from South Africa, to DR Congo to combat armed groups like the M23 and restore peace in the mineral-rich region after decades of unrest.

Sixteen soldiers from southern African countries have been killed in clashes with the M23 around Goma in the past week.

The fighting has also worsened the humanitarian crisis in eastern DR Congo. - Africa