IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Sudan

UN chief alarmed by forces opening fire

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned the violence and reports of the excessive use of force by security personnel on civilians in Sudan. Noting the violence has "resulted in the deaths and injury of many", Guterres condemned the use of force to disperse protestors at the sit-in site and he was alarmed by reports that security forces have opened fire inside medical facilities, said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric. The Associated Press reported at least 35 people were killed on Monday. In recent days, Khartoum, the capital and largest city of Sudan, has witnessed security incidents near army headquarters, where thousands of Sudanese protesters have been staging a sit-in since April 6.

Australia

At least 4 dead in Darwin mass shooting

A gunman was arrested after killing at least four people and wounding several others on Tuesday in the tropical city of Darwin, officials and media said. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the incident was not terrorism related. A 45-year-old man was in custody following the shooting, Northern Territory Police Duty Superintendent Lee Morgan said. "At this stage, we've got reports of four deceased and a number of other people who have been shot," Morgan said. Witnesses told national broadcaster ABC that they saw a man with a "sawn-off shotgun" enter a Darwin hotel. "He shot up all the rooms, and he went to every room looking for somebody and he shot them all up, then we saw him rush out, jump into his Toyota pickup, and rush off," witness John Rose told the ABC.

Xinhua - AP

(China Daily 06/05/2019 page12)