News in Brief (2023-05-09)

Airstrikes rock Sudan as truce
talks yield no breakthrough
KHARTOUM, May 08: Air strikes again shook Sudan's capital Monday while the latest truce talks in Jeddah have yielded no progress, with a Saudi diplomat saying both sides consider themselves "capable of winning the battle". Sudan was thrown into deadly chaos when fighting broke out on April 15 between the forces of army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy turned rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who heads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The battles have since killed hundreds, wounded thousands and left millions barricaded inside their homes amid dire shortages of water, food and basic supplies.—AFP
Macron to make Germany state visit
BERLIN, May 08: French President Emmanuel Macron will make his first state visit to Germany in July, the two countries said Monday, amid persistent tensions on issues ranging from energy policy to China. Macron will visit Germany from July 2 to 4 at the invitation of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier "to honour the close friendship of the two countries in the 60th year of the Elysee Treaty" on bilateral relations. It will be the first state visit by a French president in 23 years, Steinmeier's office said. Macron will visit "several regions of Germany" with Steinmeier to "underline the unique ties between our states, our citizens and particularly German and French youth". — AFP
Boat capsizes in India: 22 dead
NEW DELHI, May 08: At least 22 people have died after a packed tourist boat capsized in India's southern Kerala state. The death toll could rise as rescue efforts are under way on Monday and the vessel is pulled from muddy waters. Overcrowding caused the double-decker boat to capsize, Abdul Nazar, junior superintendent of police of Malappuram district, told Reuters. The boat was reportedly carrying about 50 people, or double its capacity, when it overturned on Sunday night. The police on Monday registered a case of culpable homicide against the owner of the boat, who is reportedly absconding. — BBC
Singapore plans law to fight online crime
SINGAPORE, May 08: A bill which will allow Singapore authorities to remove apps was introduced in parliament Monday to provide police with broad powers to combat malicious online crime and scams. If passed, the "Online Criminal Harms Bill" could among other things require app stores to remove an app from Singapore storefronts as well as demand online service providers to disable specified content. — AFP