Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Monday, Mar 16, 2026

UN Urges Action Amid Sudan's Sexual Violence Crisis; EU Commits €1 Billion Post-Quake Aid to Morocco; Russia Engages Taliban for Regional Security

UN highlights sexual violence crisis in Sudan as EU pledges €1 billion for Morocco's earthquake recovery; Russia seeks ties with Taliban amidst U.S. political shifts and OPCW's Syria concerns.
The United Nations is sounding the alarm over an "epidemic of sexual violence" against women in conflict-ridden Sudan, with UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher urging global action during his visit to Port Sudan amid a dire humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, the European Union is stepping up its aid to Morocco, pledging a €1 billion package to support reconstruction efforts following a devastating earthquake in September 2023.

As the EU and Morocco work to rebuild, Russia is looking to strengthen ties with the Taliban, seeking to boost regional security and economic cooperation despite the group's non-recognition internationally. In the United States, political tensions arise as Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin blocks the promotion of Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, who led the Afghanistan withdrawal, leaving his future in limbo amid criticism from former President Trump.

Speaking of the U.S., prosecutors are dropping federal cases against President-elect Donald Trump due to Justice Department policy constraints, as he prepares to assume office on January 20, 2025, after his election victory. This legal maneuvering comes just as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is raising serious concerns about Syria’s unresolved chemical weapons issues, despite ongoing international efforts to ensure compliance.

The European Union has increased its earthquake aid to Morocco with a €1 billion package, aiming to bolster reconstruction efforts after the country's deadliest quake since 1960 caused over 2,900 deaths and extensive damage.

Russia explores prospects with the Taliban to enhance regional security, signaling potential cooperation despite the lack of formal recognition, emphasizing constructive political dialogue and economic partnerships.

In a shift within Washington, U.S. prosecutors have dropped federal cases against President-elect Trump, citing DOJ guidelines as the former president prepares to resume office, amid international alarms from the OPCW over Syria’s unresolved chemical weapon concerns.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Saudi Arabia Targets South African Professionals in New Recruitment Drive Amid Regional Uncertainty
Formula One Faces Major Financial Hit as Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix Cancelled Amid Middle East Conflict
U.S. and Saudi Firms Launch Local Production of Attritable Drone Systems in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia and UAE Warn Rising Gulf Tensions Could Endanger Regional Security
Saudi Arabia Rejects Claims It Encouraged Prolonged War With Iran
Saudi Arabia to Host World’s Largest Single-Cell Protein Plant as Food Security Push Accelerates
Saudi Crown Prince Urges Trump to Continue Military Pressure on Iran
Iran Intensifies Drone Campaign Against Saudi Arabia as Gulf Conflict Escalates
When Is Eid al-Fitr 2026? Saudi Arabia Awaits Moon Sighting to Confirm End of Ramadan
When Is Eid al-Fitr 2026? Saudi Arabia Awaits Moon Sighting to Confirm End of Ramadan
Iranian Missile Strike Damages Five U.S. Refueling Aircraft at Saudi Air Base
Iranian Missile Strike Damages Five U.S. Refueling Aircraft at Saudi Air Base
Washington State Pilot Among Six U.S. Airmen Killed in Military Aircraft Crash Over Iraq
Severe Storm Threat Looms Over Washington as Tornado Risk and Damaging Winds Target Mid-Atlantic
Trump Supports FCC Warning to Broadcasters Over Iran War Reporting
Trump Supports FCC Warning to Broadcasters Over Iran War Reporting
Saudi Stocks Edge Lower as Tadawul All Share Index Slips Slightly at Market Close
Iranian Missile and Drone Strike Targets Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base Hosting US Aircraft
Saudi Air Defenses Intercept Drone Over Eastern Province as Iranian Strike Campaign Intensifies
Middle East War Reshapes Gulf Economies as Saudi Arabia and Oman Gain Strategic Leverage While UAE Faces Economic Shock
Iranian Ambassador in Riyadh Blames ‘Enemies’ for Attacks Across the Gulf
Israeli Envoy Ron Dermer Reportedly Visits Saudi Arabia for Discussions on Potential Lebanon Talks
Formula One Cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix Scheduled for April
Iran’s Ambassador in Riyadh Rejects Claims Tehran Targeted Saudi Oil Facilities
Saudi Arabia Declares 2026 ‘Year of Artificial Intelligence’ in Major Push for Data-Driven Economy
Saudi Arabia’s 2018 Budget Signals Strong Push for Non-Oil Economic Growth
Pakistan Envoy in Riyadh Says Regional Diplomacy Intensifying to Prevent Wider Middle East War
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Dozens of Drones as Regional Strikes Kill Two in Oman
Saudi Arabia Redirects Oil Exports to Red Sea Ports as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Missile and Drone Barrage as Regional Conflict Intensifies
Iran Expands Drone and Missile Campaign Across Gulf as Conflict With US and Israel Intensifies
Muslims Worldwide Await Saudi Moon Sighting to Confirm Eid al-Fitr 2026 Date
F1 Calendar Faces Major Disruption as Middle East Conflict Threatens Bahrain and Saudi Races
Trump Says Most US Aircraft Hit in Saudi Base Attack Suffered Minimal Damage
Trump Says Most US Aircraft Hit in Saudi Base Attack Suffered Minimal Damage
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Forces Saudi Arabia Into Major Oil Production Shut-In
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Forces Saudi Arabia Into Major Oil Production Shut-In
Saudi Arabia Slashes Oil Output as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Cuts Deep Into Gulf Revenues
Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Scene Presses Ahead as Nation Navigates Regional War
Saudi-Pakistan Defence Pact Faces Real-World Constraints as Iran War Escalates
Saudi Arabia Offers Two Million Barrels of Crude From Red Sea as War Disrupts Gulf Exports
Formula One Faces Tens of Millions in Lost Revenue if Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Races Are Cancelled
Formula One Set to Cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix Amid Escalating Middle East War
Saudi Arabia Downs Dozens of Iranian Drones in Major Defensive Operation
Saudi Arabia Cuts Oil Output by About Twenty Percent as Iran War Disrupts Gulf Energy Flows
Formula One Set to Cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix Amid Escalating Iran War
Asian Energy Security Tested as Strait of Hormuz Disruption Threatens Oil Supplies
Iran Sets Three Conditions for Ending Regional War as Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
Saudi Arabia Launches Royal Institute of Anthropology to Examine Social Transformation
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Arrives in Saudi Arabia for High-Level Talks
×