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Sudan army chief vows to punish RSF and extends control of capital
In a video message released on Saturday, Sudanese Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said that he would crush the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. He reaffirmed the commitment of the military to restore national unity and stability. Burhan said that fighters who "repent of the truth" and lay down their weapons, especially those in rebel-held regions, could still receive amnesty if they do so. On Saturday morning, the army announced that it had taken over a large market in Khartoum’s twin city, Omdurman. The RSF had used the market to launch attacks against civilians during the devastating war of two years ago. The Sudanese Army has also declared victory in Khartoum over the RSF, claiming to control most of the capital. The conflict between the RSF and the army has unleashed waves ethnic violence and created the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, according to the United Nations. It also plunged many areas into famine. In a press release, the army claimed that it had taken control of the market at western Omdurman's Souq Libya after capturing weapons and equipment the RSF left behind when they fled. Souq Libya, one of Sudan's largest and busiest commercial hubs, is located in the city. Two large military bases are located in Omdurman. The army has already taken control of most of the city. The army appears to be determined to control the entire capital, consisting of three cities: Khartoum and Omdurman, separated by the branches of the River Nile. The RSF did not comment on the army's advances in Omdurman where paramilitary groups still control some territory. The war broke out amid a power battle between the army, RSF and civilians ahead of a planned transfer to civilian rule. The war ravaged Khartoum and forced more than 12,000,000 Sudanese to flee their homes. About half of the 50,000,000 population suffered from acute hunger. It is difficult to estimate the total number of deaths, but according to a report published last year the death toll could have reached 61,000 people in Khartoum alone during the first 14-months of the conflict. In recent years, the war in Sudan has caused instability throughout the region. Sudan's neighbours, including Chad, Central African Republic, and South Sudan, have all experienced internal conflicts. Khalid Abdulaziz (Reporting, Menna alaa El-Din, and Mohamed Ezz. Editing by Aidan Lewis & Timothy Heritage).
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Denmark's Prime Minister will visit Greenland from April 2 to 4 amid U.S. Interest
Mette Frederiksen, Danish Prime Minister, will visit Greenland from April 2 to 4 for discussions with the new government of the semi-autonomous region, she announced on Saturday. This comes amid U.S. interests in gaining control of this Arctic island. Frederiksen stated in a press release that he was looking forward to the continuation of Greenland's close and trusted cooperation with Denmark. JD Vance, the U.S. vice president, visited a U.S. base in Greenland's north on Friday. He accused Denmark of failing to protect the island. Denmark has controlled Greenland from 1721. He made his comments hours after Greenland had formed a broad coalition government led by Jens Frederik Nielsen who called Denmark Denmark's closest ally. Frederiksen said that Vance's description was unfair. He said, "It is up to Greenland for the people to decide their future." In a statement made on Saturday, she said: "I am deeply impressed by the way the Greenlandic people are dealing with the enormous pressures on Greenland." "It's a situation which calls for unity between political parties, and among the countries of the Realm." (Reporting and editing by Timothy Heritage, Jacob GronholtPedersen)
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Stellantis will buy CO2 credits also in 2025 from Tesla's 'pool', says exec
Stellantis, a group of carmakers, will also buy credits in 2025 from a "pool", led by Tesla, to meet the European Union's CO2 requirements. This is despite Brussels' three-year deadline for carmakers to comply. The carmakers who are facing stricter EU emission rules this year have agreed to pool emissions in order to avoid heavy fines. They will buy carbon credits for their lower sales of electric vehicles (EVs) from the segment leaders, including Tesla and Polestar. Stellantis is the second-largest car manufacturer in Europe. It joined a group led by Tesla that also included other competitors. The European Commission has bowed to pressure from European carmakers and now allows compliance based upon the average emissions of a manufacturer's cars over the period 2025-2027, not just 2025, as originally envisaged. Jean-Philippe Imparato, head of European operations at Stellantis, said that he would use all the credits purchased from Tesla in this year. Imparato was speaking at an automobile event in Turin. It said that Stellantis had a 14% EV mix of its European sales, as opposed to the 21% EU target. He said that the 2027 extension gives us "some breathing space" but doesn't provide a solution. Imparato said that production of the Fiat 500 hybrid city car will begin at the Stellantis Mirafiori in Turin, in November. The car is expected to be produced in both its hybrid and electric versions with a target annual output of 130,000 cars. (Reporting and editing by Valentina Za; Giulio Piolovaccari)
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US companies warn French companies to comply with Trump's ban on diversity
The Trump administration ordered French companies that have contracts with the U.S. federal government to comply with its executive order prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion programs. This highlights the extraterritorial impact of U.S. policy and their possible impact on European corporate practice. Companies have been asked to fill out a form entitled "Certification regarding compliance with applicable federal anti-discrimination law." The questionnaire has been seen. The move comes amid increasing economic and political tensions in the United States and Europe after Donald Trump's election, which was based on a "America First" platform. The differences in approaches between France and the U.S. also raises concerns about what practical changes companies might need to make. Companies in the United States have adopted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies, tracking race and ethnicity and setting diversity goals. In France, the secular approach restricts such practices. Data collection is restricted by law, and corporate efforts are focused more on gender and socioeconomic background. The documents are also likely to spark concern in European boardrooms, that the Trump administration has expanded its fight against DEI overseas. This is at a moment when Trump's actions regarding tariffs and security relations have shattered transatlantic relationships. The U.S. Embassy in Paris, according to the French business newspaper Les Echos which reported this demand for the first time late Friday night, had sent it out to companies. According to a French newspaper Le Figaro's website, the letter reads: "We inform that Executive Order 14173 Ending Illegal discrimination and Restoring merit-based opportunities, signed by President Trump applies to all U.S. government suppliers and service providers, regardless of nationality or country of operation." We would appreciate it if you could sign and complete the document in English and email it back to us within five days. We would like to know why you don't want to sign the document. This information will be forwarded to our legal department. A request for comment was not immediately responded to by a spokesperson from the embassy. No indication was given that the companies selected to receive the letter were chosen based on the presence of the company in the United States. Sources close to the issue confirmed that France's Orange, the state-controlled French telecoms group, received the letter, despite the fact that it has no U.S. operations. According to spokespersons for both companies, the oil and gas major TotalEnergies as well as the defence electronics company Thales, which have operations in the U.S.A., also did not receive the award. Orange declined to comment. Un official in the office of French Finance Minister Eric Lombard confirmed that the issue would be raised with the U.S. Government. This practice reflects values of the newly elected U.S. Government. The values of the new U.S. government are different from ours. "The minister will remind the U.S. counterparts of this," said the official. It was not immediately apparent if similar questionnaires and letters had been sent to other foreign companies in Europe. Reporting by John Irish, Mathieu rosemain. Richard Lough and Kirby Donovan edited by Mark Potter.
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Former military leader pardoned by Guinea junta's chief over stadium massacre
According to a Friday night decree broadcast on state TV, Guinea's junta chief has pardoned Moussa Camara, a former military leader who was found guilty last year of crimes against humanity for a 2009 stadium shooting. Camara, the man who took power in 2008 in a coup, was sentenced on July 31, 2024 to 20 years of prison for his part in the killing of at least 157 during a rally pro-democracy in a stadium near the capital Conakry. Tens of thousands gathered on September 28, 2009 to pressure Camara to not stand in the presidential election that year. In a stampede, security forces hurled teargas into the stadium and fired shots. Many people were injured, including those who were stabbed or beaten. Prosecutors said that at least 12 women were raped during the trial by security forces. Camara, aged 61, along with seven other military leaders, were convicted. On Thursday, the current military government of the West African nation announced that it will pay compensation to victims for which the court ordered Camara and other accused to pay. Calculations show that at least $2 Million will be given to victims of rape and $18,000,000 to families of the dead or missing. Mamady Dommebouya, the leader of the Junta, took power himself in a coup that occurred in 2021. (Editing by Portia Crowe; Editing Kirby Donovan).
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Indian security forces kill 16 Maoists in a firefight
Police said that Indian security forces had killed 16 Maoists in a gunfight in central Chhattisgarh state, according to police. Since decades, the extreme left-wing rebellions have waged an offensive against the Indian government, particularly in central and east India. This has led to violent clashes on both sides and many casualties. Police said that during the search of Sukma, in southern Chhattisgarh on Friday, they found several guns. Rebels claim they want to give landless Indians and poor Indian farmers more control over the land that is being exploited and to have a bigger say in minerals being mined by large mining companies. Amit Shah, the Indian Home Minister, has pledged to eradicate the insurgency. Clashes between security forces and Maoists are on the rise since Prime Minister Narendra modi was elected for a third time last year. Reporting by Jatindra dash in Bhubaneswar; Writing by Rupam Jain, Editing by William Mallard
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Valeura’s Assets in Gulf of Thailand Remain Operational After Earthquake
Canada-based oil and gas company Valeura Energy has reported that all of its assets in the Gulf of Thailand remain operating safely, following a devastating earthquake that hit Myanmar, affecting the neighboring Thailand as well.At approximately 13:30 local time on Friday March 28, 2025, a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar, approximately 1,000 km from Bangkok Thailand.While certain buildings in Thailand were damaged, Valeura has confirmed that all of its facilities in the offshore Gulf of Thailand remain operating safely, with no immediate indications of damage.The earthquake killed dozens of people in Myanmar, the local media have reported, with significant damage to infrastructure and buildings recorded over the vast area.The quake also hit Thailand, with reports of at least nine people killed in the capital Bangkok.
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CIP Orders Vestas Offshore Wind Turbines for 495MW Taiwanese Project
Danish wind turbine maker Vestas has secured an order from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) to supply offshore wind turbines for the 495MW Fengmiao I project off the coast of Taichung in Taiwan.The order includes 33 V236-15.0 MW turbines as well as a long-term comprehensive service agreement designed to ensure optimized performance of the assets.CIP made a financial close on the Fengmiao I offshore wind project earlier in March, securing $3.1 billion project financing from 27 international and Taiwanese banks.CIP Reaches Financial Close for Offshore Wind Farm in TaiwanThe construction of the Fengmiao I offshore wind farm is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027."We are honored to deepen our partnership with CIP on the Fengmiao I project, our inaugural venture in Taiwan featuring the V236-15.0 MW turbine.“This project marks the start of construction for Taiwan’s first Round 3 offshore wind project and reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative clean energy solutions and supporting Taiwan’s ambitious renewable energy goals,” said Purvin Patel, President of Vestas Asia Pacific.“We are confident that, together, we will deliver the Fengmiao I project on schedule, safely, and to the highest standards. We look forward to playing a key role in supporting Taiwan’s energy transition and long-term renewable energy goals,” added Mark Wainwright, Fengmiao I Project CEO.
India ends parts of its gold deposit scheme due to rising prices
India has discontinued a part of a scheme which encouraged households and institutions in India to deposit gold as a form of interest payment.
Gold deposits were available for 1 to 3 years, 5 to 7 years, and 12-15 years under the gold monetisation program, which was introduced in 2015.
The Finance Ministry announced late Tuesday that the 5-to-7-year and 12-to-15-year deposits had been discontinued. It cited the changing market conditions and the performance of the scheme.
The ministry stated that banks can continue to provide short-term gold deposit based on their commercial viability.
This move will reduce future government obligations and minimize risks associated with gold prices. The government pays the interest for medium and long term deposits. While the banks pay the interest on short-term deposit, they do not pay it to the government.
Gold prices, seen as a hedge to geopolitical and financial uncertainties, are up more than 15 percent this year. This is due to the escalating tensions in geopolitics and uncertainty over U.S. Tariff policy.
India's Finance Ministry said that existing gold reserves will be maintained until maturity.
The Reserve Bank of India amended its master instructions on the scheme in order to reflect the changes. Reporting by Aleef Jhan in Bengaluru
(source: Reuters)