April 27, 2023

*) Sudan military approves truce extension but fighting flares Sudan's army chief has given initial approval to a regional bloc’s proposal to extend the shaky truce between military forces and the paramilitary RSF. In addition to extending the previously agreed three-day ceasefire for 72 hours, both parties are expected to send an envoy to neighbouring South Sudan for talks. There was no immediate response from the paramilitary force to the proposal, while fighting continued on Khartoum's outskirts, undermining the existing truce. Over 500 people have died and thousands wounded since tensions between Sudan’s army and RSF erupted into an unprecedented power struggle on April 15. *) Russia pounds positions in Bakhmut, Mykolayiv Fighting has gripped eastern Ukraine’s Bakhmut and nearby areas as Russian forces failed to advance on two villages to the northwest, according to Ukrainian authorities. Meanwhile, the head of Russia's Wagner mercenary force said Ukrainian troops were pouring in ahead of an inevitable counter-offensive. In the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolayiv, a Russian missile killed one person and wounded over a dozen others as a high-rise building and a house were hit. *) Kenya finds more bodies as starvation cult toll nears 100 The number of victims linked to a suspected starvation cult in Kenya has climbed to 98 after investigators unearthed dozens of bodies buried in Shakahola forest last week. Cult leader Paul Mackenzie Nthenge is accused of driving his followers to death by preaching that the world would end on April 15, and starvation was the only path to God. According to rights group Haki Africa, which tipped off the police about Nthenge's activities, 50 to 60 percent of the victims were children. *) Brazil Congress launches inquiry into rampage Brazil's Congress has opened an inquiry into the January 8 congress attack by violent demonstrators who denied the electoral victory of recently inaugurated President Lula. The parties began selecting committee members, with opposition p