April 19,2023

*) Gunfire punctures ‘armistice’ as death toll from Sudan fighting climbs Explosions have shaken Sudan’s capital despite claims of a ceasefire on the fourth day of fighting that has killed nearly 270 people and wounded 2,600 others. After international mediation, Rapid Support Forces commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo promised to support a 24-hour “armistice” on Tuesday, which the army denied any knowledge of before later blaming the RSF for breaking it. By 1600 GMT, the time of the supposed start to the ceasefire, gunfire could still be heard throughout the capital Khartoum, according to several witnesses, and it continued into the evening. *) South Korea opens door for possible military aid to Ukraine South Korea might extend its support for Ukraine beyond humanitarian and economic aid if it comes under a large-scale civilian attack, President Yoon Suk-yeol has said. The South Korean president’s statement has signalled a shift in his stance against arming Ukraine for the first time. In an interview with the Reuters ahead of his state visit to the US next week, Yoon said his government has been exploring how to help defend and rebuild Ukraine, just as South Korea received international assistance during the 1950-53 Korean War. *) Mexico’s Obrador accuses US of ‘spying’ on his govt Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has accused the Pentagon of spying on his government following leaks in US media. Obrador said he would begin classifying information from the armed forces to protect national security. His comments came several days after the Washington Post reported on apparent tensions between Mexico’s Navy and the Army, citing a US military briefing that was revealed in online leaks of secret US military records. *) Hamas-Saudi relations in focus as Haniyeh visits kingdom for the first time Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh has arrived in Saudi Arabia for his first visit to the kingdom in years. Haniyeh, who touched down in the kingdom late on Monday, is accompanied by a high-profile del