🌏 More Than 185 People Dead In Sudan From Military Fighting, Joe Biden Snubbed By Ireland's First Dog And More

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Sudan's army and paramilitary forces are fighting over control of the country, and more than 180 people have been killed.

Sudan has been ruled by the military since a coup in 2021, when the army seized power from a power-sharing government made of military and civilian leaders that was established after the country's long-time dictator, Omar al-Bashir, was overthrown by an uprising in 2019.

After taking power in 2021, the military promised elections in July 2023, but key generals have since started disagreeing on the future of the country.

The two rival factions of the military include General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan's de factor ruler since the 2021 coup, and his deputy, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemeti, who runs the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group.

Fighting broke out on Saturday April 15, as the two groups vied for control over important infrastructure such as the presidential palace, state television, army headquarters, airports, and sea ports, according to the BBC.

Much of the fighting has happened in urban areas where many civilians are, including the capital Khartoum.

At least 185 people have been killed, more than 1,800 have been injured, and the death toll is still expected to rise.

Civilians are reporting food and water shortages, and humanitarian groups say it is nearly impossible to get aid into Khartoum.

The UN proposed a ceasefire to allow civilian evacuations beginning at 4 p.m. on Sunday, which was agreed by both generals, but the fighting resumed after a short respite.

Also Happening Around The World

🇰🇷 K-pop star Moonbin from ASTRO has been found dead at the age of 25.

🇰🇷 Also in South Korea, BTS member J-Hope has begun South Korea’s mandatory military service, becoming the second member of the K-pop boy band to enlist after Jin.

Meet Semakaleng Mathebula, South Africa's first Black woman hot air balloon pilot and one of the few women in the industry.

“Growing up I had never seen a hot-air balloon – there’s no balloons flying over Ga-Rankuwa. My interests were cooking, Accounting, at some point I wanted to do media but ballooning was not something that was in reach for me," Mathebula told Reuters.

Deciding to pursue her passion, she eventually received a scholarship for her pilot training and earned her license.

Mathebula now says she hopes she can bring more youth and diversity to the once exclusive sport.

“When we think of aviation, we think of helicopters, we think your traditional planes, but ballooning is part of aviation – you are a pilot, it is an aircraft, and it is the field to explore,“ she said.

Mathebula is now set to compete in the South African Hot Air Balloon Championship.

US president Joe Biden made a visit to Ireland to meet with Misneach, the first dog of Ireland, and his human, but did not receive a warm welcome from Misneach.

US president Joe Biden made a visit to Ireland to meet with Misneach, the first dog of Ireland, and his human, but did not receive a warm welcome from Misneach.

Misneach and his human, Michael Higgins, received Biden on April 13, on the final day of Biden’s three-day trip to Ireland, where he met with local leaders and explored his Irish roots.

Misneach, a Bernese Mountain dog, had been at his official residence and workplace, Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin, when Biden walked up to him with Higgins and Higgins’ wife Sabina Coyene.

A known dog-lover, Biden approached Misneach, arms open, but Misneach immediately barked back and refused to go over to greet his guest.

Biden was left looking disappointed before eventually moving on, to the laughter of the onlooking crowd.

Misneach then went about his usual business, playing on the garden grass before approaching his human, who was delighted to see him.

Misneach then snuck out again when his human tried to lead him back into the house.

Misneach and Bród, another Bernese Mountain dog whose name stands for “pride” in Old Irish, often accompany Higgins on his official visits and even have their own fanpage on Twitter with more than 35,000 followers.

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