News Wrap: Deadly conflict, airstrikes erupt in Sudan’s capital city

John Yang:

Good evening. I'm John Yang. Tonight, control of the North African nation of Sudan appears to be up for grabs after months of rising tensions. The Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary force led by rival generals engaged in fierce fighting, including in the capital city of Khartoum. Details are hard to come by, but a doctor's group says at least 25 people are dead and nearly 200 injured.

People sheltering from the fighting say they saw gunfire in the streets and heard fighter jets overhead. Black smoke billowed throughout the Capitol, and houses were left in ruins from shelling. The paramilitary force claims it has seized the presidential palace and the airport. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, traveling today in Vietnam, called for an end to the violence.

Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State: It's a fragile situation. This is a real opportunity to finally carry forward the civilian led transition and one that we and other countries are trying to bolster.

John Yang:

In December, Sudanese political parties agreed to move toward a democracy after an October 2021 military coup.

In Japan, an explosion just feet from Prime Minister Fumio Kishida disrupted a campaign event. Police tackled a man who officials said had thrown a suspicious object. The prime minister was whisked away unharmed. The incident was reminiscent of the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nine months ago at a similar event.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron signed into law the controversial pension measure that gradually increases the age of retirement from 62 to 64 starting in September. The changes follow months of sometimes violent protests that injured hundreds of people. The government says the reforms are necessary to keep the pension system afloat amid an aging population. Labor unions are calling for a mass protest on May 1st, which is International Workers Day.

And families of Boston Marathon bombing victims laid wreaths at the spot near the finish line where the explosion killed three people and injured hundreds of others 10 years ago today. The 127th Boston Marathon will be run on Monday.

Still to come on "PBS News Weekend," a look at the troubling spike in sexually transmitted infections and a native tribe in Louisiana relocates to escape rising sea levels.