welcome to newsday. reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines... dozens are killed, as fighting between rival armed factions continues to spread in sudan. four people are killed and 28 other injured in a mass shooting at a teenage birthday party in alabama. appeals for calm after a former indian politician and his brother are shot dead on live tv. the nurses�* union in england say they're prepared to hold strikes until christmas, unless more money is offered. and spacex gets ready to launch the most powerful rocket ever made. live from our studio in singapore. this is bbc news.

it's newsday. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. we begin in sudan — where rival military factions are fighting for control of the capital khartoum. fighting has continued into the night, with dozens killed. earlier, the sudanese army and the paramilitary rapid support forces announced a temporary humanitarian pause — but it's not clear how well it was observed. the world food programme halted its operations in sudan, after three of its members were among nearly 70 people reported to have been killed. international efforts to end the fighting are ramping up, with the head of the african union commission planning to go on a ceasefire mission and the presidents of kenya, south sudan and djibouti also trying to mediate. anne soy reports. a clash of forces. the sudanese army using its

military might to crash a rival paramilitary unit. this fighting was sparked by political followed among the generals running the two units and governing the country. they have battled over the control of the presidential palace, airports, and key security installations over the last two days. locals and foreigners were caught unaware. this woman from save the children had gone to school to pick up her child. the strongest explosions were this morning, when we also saw some airforce being deployed, fighterjets, and we decided to go to the basement for around an hour. in total, we're now nine adults and kids. with two heavily armed forces fighting, including in the residential areas, it is virtually impossible for civilians to go out

safely — and that is the advice to them, to shelter indoors. that has also affected some of our colleagues in khartoum, and i've been speaking to one and asked him what he has been hearing. the fighting is to continue on their side, including at army headquarters, the military base, still the fighting continues between the two parties. persistent street protesters helped to topple the long serving leader in 2019. generals he had been working with, including those implicated in war crimes committed in the western darfur region two decades ago, entered an arrangement with military leaders. the deal was to transfer power to civilians after two years, but instead the generals staged a coup.

the man they ousted has called for peace. translation: we need - to at least reach a truce that will establish a humanitarian corridor that will allow civilians access to medicine, treatment, and food. amid the uncertainty about sudan's future, global powers are calling for the escalation of tensions and a return to dialogue. —— de—escalation of io —— de—escalation of 10 cents. —— of tensions. the path to democracy from decades of military rule was never going to be easy. a once thriving economy is in dire straits — and it is the sudanese who continue to bear the brunt of this bumpy process. anne soy, bbc news. four people have been killed and 28 others have been injured in a shooting at a teenage birthday party in the us state of alabama. the shooting happened in the town of dadeville. there's been no information on motive. us presidentjoe biden has called the shooting "outrageous and unacceptable", saying he and the first lady were praying for the victims' families. jess parker reports. what happened 7 confusion and fear —

the almost routine eruption of gun violence in america. but uniquely devastating for a small community in rural alabama, after a shooter opened fire at a 16th birthday party. police tape quietly hiding what you then can hear, the sound of horror and grief. people wail four lives were lost in the tragic event that occurred here in dadeville. as far as the injuries, there are 28 individuals that were injured during the course of the incident. this local dance hall was a place for young people to have fun. they were out to celebrate that rite of passage for girls, a sweet 16. it became a fatal crime scene. most of the victims dead and wounded, it's believed, are teenagers. phil dowdle was a star athlete and senior in high school. local media says he's one of those to lose his life after bullets ripped through the night at his own sister's birthday party.

our thoughts and prayers are with all the families. theyjust — there are no words to describe the emotions we are all feeling. millions of firearms are in circulation in this country. for some, it's part of a nation's promise of freedom. for others, it's a kind of madness that's costing the lives of america's children. jessica parker, bbc news. let's get more now and speak to colin scroggins, who is chief crime reporters with cnaw2news.com. he has been at the crime scene, and is now at his home in smith station, alabama. first, thanks so much for joining us on an occasion which i'm sure is sending shock waves through the community that you've been part of for so long. i understand that information is coming through fast and fluid as authorities have described — what we know

at this point, what are you able to tell us? so at this point, what are you able to tell us?— at this point, what are you able to tell us? so what we know so — able to tell us? so what we know so far _ able to tell us? so what we know so far is _ able to tell us? so what we know so far is dadeville - able to tell us? so what we i know so far is dadeville police and surrounding agencies all the way from lee county, i believe... responded to reports of a shooting that took place around 10:34pm cst here in alabama. when they got on scene, they found i believe nearly 30 gunshot wound victims, they were all transported to nearby hospital, some in columbus, georgia, others transported to a hospital right down the road, which is like martin hospital as well for some we were just told by state trooper officials in alabama that there were four people deceased and 28 others injured, some of which are critical. i injured, some of which are critical. , ., ., injured, some of which are critical. , . . , ., critical. i understand that you also spoke —

critical. i understand that you also spoke to _ critical. i understand that you also spoke to a _ critical. i understand that you also spoke to a dj _ critical. i understand that you also spoke to a dj at - critical. i understand that you also spoke to a dj at the - also spoke to a dj at the event, are you able to tell us what he said to you and what he himself witnessed? what he said to you and what he himself witnessed ?_ himself witnessed? yes, so while we — himself witnessed? yes, so while we were _ himself witnessed? yes, so while we were out - himself witnessed? yes, so while we were out at - himself witnessed? yes, so while we were out at that l while we were out at that scene, we started to talk with the dj, his name was kenny cooper — he got there around 9:40pm, he said the party started at around 7:30pm. when he got on scene, he started playing music, as he was the dj. he claimed that the lights were turned off as music started to play at the sweet 16 party. and that was when about two hours later, that's when shots erupted into the dance studio party, —— the dance studio party, —— the dance studio where the party was taking place. he said he shielded five teenagers from gunshots that ran out, he said after the gunshots rang out, he checked on the five teens to see if they were 0k, they're

0k, he then called his girlfriend and mother to let them know he was ok and not shot. . ., , ., , shot. the community that this has happened _ shot. the community that this has happened to, _ shot. the community that this has happened to, as - shot. the community that this has happened to, as i - has happened to, as i understand it, it's of the micro very close knit. we heard from officials in the last hour saying their thoughts and prayers are with the people who were going through this right now, but they've also asked for any information that people might have with regards to what's happened. is there any sense at this point, i know it's early days, of motive or why this happened this evening? know, honestly we've only been told a very limited amount of info. the only info we've really gotten from authorities was how many people have died and how many were injured, and where it took place, and what time. they really haven't set out motive or a suspect. they are urging if anyone has any information, to contact authorities. but they've not told us anything about a suspected shooter, or shooters.

i did speak to the dj, and he said there were multiple, possibly 4—5 shooters involved, but that's not been said by law enforcement.— enforcement. indeed, and so much information _ enforcement. indeed, and so much information that - enforcement. indeed, and so much information that hasn'tj much information that hasn't been confirmed yet. the authorities have yet to come out with a statement about motive, and as you point out, who is responsible for this. but if you can just talk us through what the community is going through today? i understand there are already vigils being held in some parts, what have people there been telling?— been telling? really they've 'ust been telling? really they've just been — been telling? really they've just been spreading - been telling? really they've just been spreading how- been telling? really they've| just been spreading how sad they are, and how this really doesn't happen here in dadeville. this is truly a shock to them. i know a reporter with one of our own with their local news stations was on the scene, and someone was on the scene, and someone was notified of the passing of their loved one, and they were screaming in anguish because they found out their loved one lost. but i did see a flag at

half staff — the american flag at half staff. 0ther half staff — the american flag at half staff. other than that, there was just some very emotional prayers offered, as well, lots of thoughts and prayers needed for this community as they are going through a rough time. i did try to speak with one person, they said they needed time to get their nerves settled before they could talk to the media. indeed, colin, thank you so much forjoining us with your thoughts on newsday, and just to say there's lots more on this developing story on the bbc website. our colleagues are running what's known as a life page where you can get the latest information on the development and analysis from our team. development and analysis from ourteam. so had development and analysis from our team. so had to our website if you are looking for more information on this story. to japan now, where the foreign ministers of the g7 nations are meeting to come up with an agenda for their bosses at the g7 summit that's happening next month in hiroshima.

they are likely to reiterate calls for russia to immediately end its war against ukraine, and to issue a tacit warning against china over attempts to change the status quo by force. for g7 chairjapan — the only member in asia — keeping the three—day meeting relevant to the region will be a key goal. for more, we can speak to james brown, professor of political science and international affairs at temple university japan. hejoins me now from tokyo. wonderfully get you on the show, professor. just to say this meeting, as has been the case in past g7�*s, it's the way the officials form the basis for discussions at the g7 summit. what do you think is likely to be a key priority? that's right, so this is very much about putting the pieces in place so it'll be a successful summit next month in hiroshima. so the priorities, three without the micro stand out in particular — the first

does with nuclear weapons. it takes place in hiroshima, something very important to the japanese print minister. so nonproliferation issues is one, but also the ukraine and china issues. injapan sees those as linked, showing that changes to the status quo by force, either in europe or in asia, are unacceptable. professor, my sense is that _ unacceptable. professor, my sense is that both _ unacceptable. professor, my sense is that both the - unacceptable. professor, my sense is that both the war i unacceptable. professor, my sense is that both the war in | sense is that both the war in ukraine and the issue of china — are we expected a united front, united approach to these issues, or do you see some splintering in opinion amongst members? 50 splintering in opinion amongst members?— members? so you're right, that'll be — members? so you're right, that'll be one _ members? so you're right, that'll be one of— members? so you're right, that'll be one of the - members? so you're right, that'll be one of the goals, | members? so you're right, i that'll be one of the goals, to smooth over any frictions in the area. these frictions have resulted from the french president macron's visit to

china, where that visit is accompanied by a media interview by the french president in which she seemed to suggest visions over the time bond issue, seeming to suggest that was more of an asian issue rather than one for europe. that was directly against what japan wanted to hear — one of the reasons japan has been so forceful in supporting ukraine is that they want reciprocity, they want the european countries to show similar commitment when it comes to taiwan issues. so i think this is an opportunity here for the members to show that these divisions are not deep, and actually it was just, in a sense, a one—off, that overall they are united on these important issues. how successful— these important issues. how successful do _ these important issues. how successful do you _ these important issues. how successful do you think- these important issues. how successful do you thinkjapan successful do you think japan will successful do you thinkjapan will be in trying to achieve those goals of getting everybody at the table, so to speak, to move forward with a united view? i speak, to move forward with a united view?— united view? i think they will be successful, _ united view? i think they will be successful, i— united view? i think they will be successful, i think - united view? i think they will be successful, i think on - united view? i think they will i

be successful, i think on these issues of ukraine and china, i expect there will be language about unity. i think there'll be language also about the importance of peace and security in the taiwan strait, and also urging china to be a responsible stakeholder internationally. so i think there'll agreement on those things. if there is a bit of disagreement, it'll be more on the nuclear issues because, whilst the japanese prime minister really wants to push that as part of his identity as a politician, others might think it's perhaps not quite the ideal time to be moving forward with arms control when relations between the united states and china and russia are so difficult. states and china and russia are so difficult-— so difficult. james brown, thank you _ so difficult. james brown, thank you so _ so difficult. james brown, thank you so much - so difficult. james brown, thank you so much for- so difficult. james brown, - thank you so much forjoining us on newsday. thank you so much for “oining us on newsdayfi around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

meet mimi. a keen knitter, she wanted to do something special to mark eurovision taking place in the uk. so she spent three months making this dress. and she's even knitted a mini graham norton to go with it. i love knitting, i love eurovision, and ijust thought, "what can i do to put the two together?" and i had this mad idea — and then, everybody said, "don't be ridiculous, you can't knit a dress of all the flags of all the countries in eurovision, what are you talking about?" so if somebody tells me i can't do something, that's when i'll pick up my needles, and off i went. so, should we take some more photos than? absolutely. let's go. we started at abercromby square — which is to be renamed abba—cromby square, in honour of the event. it was then time to meet the fab four on a very windy pier ahead. finally, a visit to where the big event will be taking place. it's kind of like the end of our pilgrimage, isn't it? we've made it to the holy grail.

you're live with bbc news. the chief minister of the indian state of uttar pradesh has appealed for calm after a former politician was shot dead while under police escort. atiq ahmed — who had been convicted of kidnapping — was shot dead live on tv along with his brother. they were answering questions from journalists when they were killed in prayagraj. 0ur correspondent roxy gagdekar chhara gave us more details. reporters were asking questions to these two people, brothers. atiq and his brother, one among them first shot atiq and then ashraf was shot dead. all this has happened amidst heavy police protection to both of them, because both were trying to get into the hospital. as soon as they get out from the police van, and they were approaching the hospital, at that time reporters tried to stop them for questions, and three assailants were hiding as journalists among this group of people,

and they first killed them and then they started shouting, "jai shri ram," which is a slogan that has normally been used by hindu extremists in various parts of the country. and then all three, they surrendered themselves, and they did not agitate once they realised both the people were killed. this entire incident has created havoc among many people in the country, and this news has remained at the top since last two days, because this incident happened more than 100 police cases were registered against him because he was a gangster. but he was a lawmaker, a parliamentarian, and he lost the election and since that he was arrested and he was injail since february. but more than 100 cases were already registered against him. attic has also been a strong

critique for the ruling party during his election campaigns. so i think ahmed was trying to sort of, his mother has created a situation of lawlessness in the state, and the current minister has said that when a person who has been under police protection has been killed like this, then what would happen to a normal person who is struggling or who is commuting in the state? to the uk now — and nurses in england could continue striking until christmas in their dispute over pay. that's the warning from the head of the royal college of nursing.

pat cullen has called for ministers to put more money on the table, but the government insists it's current offer is "fair and reasonable". members of the rcn, are due to strike again, at the end of the month, and for the first time, nurses from emergency departments like intensive care, willjoin the industrial action. here's our political correspondent damian grammaticas. chanting: claps | don't pay the bills! claps don't pay the bills! in an already stretched health service, months more strikes are now a real prospect. the royal college of nursing's leadership had recommended the pay deal. now, taking its cue from its members, escalating action is coming, with the government's call for strikes to be put on hold rejected. we'll absolutely not do that. we've strike action for the end of this month, beginning of may, and then we will move immediately to ballot our members. if that ballot is successful it will mean further strike action right up until christmas. chanting: what do we want? fair -a ! junior doctors have also been striking. 0ne concern — that they and the rcn might coordinate action.

there are no plans in place from the royal college of nursing to coordinate strikes with doctors. the offer the government made to health staff was a 5% pay increase plus a one—off payment. members of one union, unison, have accepted it. staff from two more unions will deliver their verdicts in the next fortnight. let's wait and see what the other unions have to say first. there's a lot of other staff out there. unison, as i mentioned, voted by 74% to accept the offer, which represents a third of the agenda for change staff, so there's a lot of people accepting what i think... but what the other unions say doesn't change... the government may be hoping if those other unions accept the deal, the rcn will end up looking isolated and the resolve among nurses to continue striking will weaken. but the problems in the health service run deep and the pressure is real on the government to try to sort them out. rishi sunak has put the health service among his five priorities, specifically

cutting waiting lists. complicating thing is that deals have to be reached in each part of the country. while in england the offer from the government has been rejected, in scotland a higher pay settlement has been accepted. in wales, one offer was made and rejected and a higher one may be coming. in northern ireland there are talks but no offer yet. pressure from other political parties is growing as well. the liberal democrats said today ministers need to "urgently get round the negotiating table instead of sitting on the sidelines". and labour also say the government should engage. we don't want to see an escalation. what i do want to see is the government recognising that their approach to these strikes, their refusal to negotiate for months... the question here is whether the labour party supports the royal college of nurses. do you back this strike action or not? no, and how could i? there's a risk to patient safety. it wouldn't be the right thing to do. the health secretary today has said he is prepared to talk to the rcn. but the strikes are going to escalate and the risks will grow. damian grammaticas, bbc news, westminster. let's take a look at some

of the other stories making headlines in the uk. the scottish national party has denied it's facing financial problems, following reports in a sunday newspaper of claims by the snp's treasurer that there are "difficulties" balancing the books. the snp told the bbc selective quotes had been taken out of context, and the party says the finances are in balance. hundreds of amazon workers in coventry have begun a three—day strike in a dispute over pay. 600 members of the gmb union walked out and are calling for a pay rise from £10.50 to £15 an hour. amazon does not recognise the union, and said only a tiny proportion of its workforce was involved in the dispute. more strike action is due to take place later this week. the british horseracing authority says it "robustly condemns" what it calls the "reckless" protests at yesterday's grand national. 118 people were arrested, after animal rights activists delayed the start of the race. in a statement, the bha also said it would analyse all the races in the three—day aintree festival to try to understand

why three horses died. now elon musk�*s spacex is hoping to carry out the first test flight of starship later on monday. it's the most powerful rocket ever built, and designed to send astronauts to the moon and eventually beyond. 0ur reporter nicky schiller is in the newsroom with more. this is starship, and it can be a game—changer when it comes to space travel. it is a fully reusable space transportation system that can carry up to 100 people. now spacex have shared these pictures of it on its launch pad at its base in texas, ready for this test flight. it has a 150—minute launch window — but look, it is absolutely massive. let me give you a sense ofjust how huge it is. take a look at this — here's the starship, at 120 metres. the space shuttle was less than half that. these are the 33 raptor engines that will get it in the space.

and in february, spacex engineers did this. a successful test firing — what's known as a static fire — simultaneously igniting 31 out of the 33 engines at the base of the vehicle's lowest segment. the spacex founder, elon musk, has often talked of building cities on mars. last week, the firm shared this computer—generated video showing astronauts landing on the red planet. this launch will be uncrewed, but elon musk isn't100% sure that it'll be successful. take a look at this tweet he posted... well, the us space agency will be hoping that it is successful — it has chosen the starship capsule to take its astronauts to the moon as part of its artemis iii mission, which is due in late 2025. that's all for now —

stay with bbc world news. hello. it was a drier weekend for many. still quite a bit of cloud around, but in the sunshine we saw temperatures reached just about 19 celsius in northern ireland. that's the warmest day of the year so far. and we could see the high teens again during the day on monday, the start of the week, certainly a little warmer with some sunshine. and on the whole, it's a drier week ahead, but there will be some showers around. and as this high pressure just drifts a little bit further northwards, we introduce more isobars, tightly packed lines here, stronger winds and one or two showers as well. and that keen easterly wind coming off the chilly north sea will be noticeable, particularly across the eastern half of the country. but as we go through the remainder of the night, its low cloud, mist and fog with generally light winds and a few showers here and there. so largely frost free, just a little bit chilly

where we keep the clear skies and they could, as i say, could well be some fog around first thing on monday morning with some fog over the hills as well as that. so generally quite leaden skies, but brightening, the april sunshine strong now, pushing the showers away, breaking the cloud up, butjust enough still for the odd shower here and there. but where we see the lengthy spells of sunshine, 17—18 on the cards, again, perhaps central and eastern areas up towards northern scotland, northern ireland once again. but as we go through the evening and overnight, we start to pick up a bit more of an easterly breeze, as you can see, coming off the north sea, just ushering in some lower clouds, some sea air and fret on the east coast and foggy conditions around first thing on tuesday morning under this slack ridge of high pressure in the north. and it's the north, scotland, northern ireland, where we keep that high pressure for longest. in the south, we've got this little weather front starting to make its way across from the low countries to increase the risk of cloud on tuesday showers on wednesday, but it's that keen north wind — sorry, that keen east wind coming off the north sea that we are going to notice, because at this time of year,

our sea temperatures are about as low as they get. so whilst inland, we'll see temperatures getting up into the mid, possibly high teens, you can seejust on the coast, they'll be pegged back because of those cold waters of the north sea. into wednesday, we've still got these tightly—packed isobars, brisk winds pushing in, a few showers as well. and that risk continues particularly across the southern half of england and wales through the rest of the week. so after a warmish start, still a lot of dry weather, but temperatures just tapering off a little. more online.

china tax agenda as ministers from the group of seven major economies gather injapan. economies gather in japan. asia's economies gather injapan. asia's blooming beauty industry is embracing digital tools, but will it be enough to raise profits? hello. welcome. we start today in japan hello. welcome. we start today injapan where foreign in japan where foreign ministers injapan where foreign ministers from the group of seven major economies have gathered for a three—day meeting. china and its assertiveness within this region is expected to top the agenda along with the ukraine war. 0ur agenda along with the ukraine war. our business reporter is katie silver, she has been

looking into the story and