AP, Khartoum
Sudanese protesters have toned down some of their demands in an attempt to ease tensions with the ruling military council that took over the country after ousting President Omar al-Bashir last month.
The protesters, who had rallied for over four months against al-Bashir’s 30-year rule, are demanding the military hand over power to civilians.
Deadly escalation in Syria threatens truce
AP, Beirut
Syrian activists say dozens of airstrikes by government forces and Russia on the last rebel-held enclave in northwestern Syria have killed several civilians. The escalation threatens a seven-month truce.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday a dozen overnight air raids on the southern edge of Idlib province killed six civilians.
Turkey not distancing itself from NATO with Russian S-400s deal
Reuters, Ankara
NATO member Turkey is not distancing itself from the military alliance by making an agreement with Russia on purchasing S-400 missile defense systems, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Friday.
In an interview with broadcaster NTV, Akar said that the latest U.S. offer to sell a rival Patriot missile defense system to Turkey was more positive than Washington’s previous offers.
N Korea cuts rations to record low after bad harvest : UN
Reuters, Geneva
North Korea has cut food rations to 300 grams a day-less than 11 ounces-the lowest ever for this time of year, and further cuts are likely after the worst harvest in a decade, the United Nations said on Friday.
The U.N. carried out a food assessment at the request of North Korea from March 29 to April 12. It was granted wide access, including to cooperative farms, rural and urban households, nurseries and food distribution centers.
Fighting rages in Tripoli
Reuters, Tripoli
Heavy fighting raged through the night in the battle for the Libyan capital Tripoli, with neither side able to secure gains on the frontlines as an offensive by eastern commander Khalifa Haftar entered its fifth week. Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA), which is allied to a parallel administration based in Benghazi, has in the past week brought up more troops and heavy guns to the frontline.
Christchurch mosque death toll rises to 51
AFP, Wellington
The death toll from the Christchurch mosque attacks has risen to 51 after a 46-year-old Turkish man succumbed to injuries sustained in the March 15 shootings, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Friday. “This sad news will be felt across Turkey, as well as New Zealand,” Ardern said.
