President Joe Biden called for an emergency evacuation of U.S. government personnel out of Sudan Saturday night due to the ongoing civil war.
American diplomats were safely removed from Khartoum by the U.S. military, temporarily suspending operations at the embassy in Sudan. Biden shared that the extraction mission was a success and thanked Djibouti, Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia for their assistance.
The plan to extract U.S. personnel came days after the president’s ceasefire plea.
“The belligerent parties must implement an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and respect the will of the people of Sudan,” Biden said. He still strives to support and help the citizens of Sudan caught in the middle of the deadly civil unrest.
The violent outbreak has resulted in “a horrendous loss of life” and a rising death toll, according to the United Nations. The UN says 180 people are dead and 1,800 injured.
This war is the harsh outcome of a power struggle between two Sudanese military leaders, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Gen. Mohomed Hamdan Dagalo.
After several days of intense negotiation, a nationwide ceasefire in Sudan was announced late Monday.
“The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) agreed to implement a nationwide ceasefire starting at midnight on April 24, to last for 72 hours. During this period, the United States urges the SAF and RSF to immediately and fully uphold the ceasefire terms,” the Department of State shared in a statement.
The U.S. continues to track the conditions in Sudan and says it will assist in reconciling the two sides.
“The U.S. is working with African Allies to mediate the war. We strongly support African lead efforts to help both mediate the crisis to end the hostilities and like I said get back on track to transition to a civilian-led government,” said Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.
There is currently no plan in place to evacuate some 16,000 American citizens due to security risks, according to The White House.
Sudan remains a level 4 threat. The Department of State urges citizens not to travel to this northeast African country due to armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, terrorism and kidnapping.
Beloved basketball team showcases its talents in Tampa
The entertainment basketball group the Harlem Globetrotters stopped in Tampa over the weekend during their world tour to display their impressive skills at the Yuengling Center on the USF Tampa campus.
The Globetrotters are recognized globally as symbols of family-friendly entertainment and remarkable basketball talent. For almost a century, the group has continuously performed and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their fans that extends beyond the realm of sports. The team’s history has always reflected a mission to promote kindness and to help break down barriers.
Abe Saperstein founded the team nearly 100 years ago in 1926. Since then, the Globetrotters have captivated more than 148 million fans in 123 countries and territories worldwide, introducing many to the sport of basketball. The team has popularized the slam dunk, the fast break, the forward and point guard positions, and much more. The shows are clear examples of pure basketball flair, spectacular athleticism and never-ending fun.
The jerseys reflect the American flag colors and serve as a reminder that the Globetrotters are more than just a basketball team. The team performs both nationally and internationally while even making time to visit U.S. bases. The NSA Naples base located in Italy was visited by the team in March which generated a great deal of enthusiasm and an enjoyable evening to the local community. U.S. military families were able to feel connected to the U.S. through this fun event which was eye-opening for many of them.
The Globetrotter’s active roster comprises of approximately 40 athletes, including both males and females. In addition to these skilled individuals, mascots Globie and Big also assist with engaging the large audiences.
Attending a Globetrotters game is a delightful and enjoyable time that provides entertainment for everyone in the family, regardless of age. If you have not seen the Harlem Globetrotters in action yet, check out their website to find tickets to upcoming games or events.
Credits
Anchor: Tahani Muhammed
Producer: Aziz Turner
Reporters: Emmy McCarthy, Bailey Wegenast
Teleprompter: Anna Ostraya
Graphics: Matt Narváez
Video Editor: Emily Ward
Cameras: Jackson Shewey
Web Editor: Shae Knowles
Web Managing Editor: Shae Knowles
Graduate Assistant: McKenzie Muskett
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Stephanie Anderson, Wayne Garcia
