Sudan conflict: Over 56 killed in airstrikes and shelling across Greater Khartoum
Khartoum: Intense fighting between Sudan’s regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) escalated on Saturday, resulting in at least 56 deaths and numerous injuries due to airstrikes and artillery shelling across Greater Khartoum. The ongoing conflict, which began in April 2023, has intensified as the army attempts to reclaim the capital.
Attack on Omdurman market leaves 54 dead
An RSF attack on a crowded market in army-controlled Omdurman killed 54 people and injured 158, overwhelming Al-Nao Hospital—one of the last operational medical facilities in the city. Eyewitnesses reported that shells struck the centre of a vegetable market, causing heavy casualties. While the RSF denied responsibility, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) described the hospital as being in a state of "utter carnage."
Airstrikes and rising civilian toll
In another incident, an airstrike in an RSF-controlled area of Khartoum killed two civilians and wounded dozens, according to local emergency response teams. While the RSF has deployed drones in attacks, the Sudanese army continues to dominate aerial strikes. Both sides have been accused of indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
The war has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced over 12 million people, and severely damaged Sudan’s healthcare system. MSF General Secretary Chris Lockyear, present at Al-Nao Hospital, reported dire conditions, with the morgue overflowing and a severe shortage of medical supplies, including blood donors and stretchers.
Army advances amid RSF resistance
The escalation follows the Sudanese army’s offensive across central Sudan. Having reclaimed Wad Madani, the army is now focusing on retaking Khartoum. However, the RSF still controls key routes, including the road between Wad Madani and Khartoum.
The army-allied Sudan Shield Forces announced the capture of multiple towns southeast of the capital. Their leader, Abu Aqla Kaykal, a former RSF commander, has been accused of atrocities both during his time with the paramilitary and in his current role with the army.
In recent weeks, the army has managed to break RSF blockades on several bases in Khartoum, forcing RSF fighters to retreat to the city's outskirts. The shelling in Omdurman reportedly originated from RSF positions in the western part of the city.
Humanitarian crisis worsens
Khartoum, once a thriving capital, has been devastated by nearly two years of war. A study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimates that 26,000 people were killed in the city between April 2023 and June 2024.
The UN reports that 106,000 people in Khartoum are facing famine, while 3.2 million are experiencing extreme food shortages. Nationally, famine has been declared in five regions, mostly in Darfur, and is expected to worsen by May. With no end in sight, the conflict continues to devastate the nation, leaving millions in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
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Mangaluru Konkani writer H.M. Pernal wins 2025 Sahitya Akademi Award
Mangaluru: Noted Konkani writer and journalist H.M. Pernal (Henry Mendonca) from Mangaluru has been selected for the 2025 Sahitya Akademi Award for his acclaimed literary criticism work Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam (2021).
The Sahitya Akademi Award is one of the highest literary honours given by the Government of India. Every year, the Akademi recognises outstanding literary works in 24 languages, including 22 scheduled languages along with English and Rajasthani.
Konkani has been a scheduled language since 1992 and is spoken in five states — Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat. The language had received recognition from the Sahitya Akademi in 1975. From 1977 onwards, the Akademi has been presenting awards to notable works in Konkani literature.
From Mangaluru, Cha. Fra. D’Costa (1992) and Melvyn Rodrigues (2011) had earlier received the Sahitya Akademi Award for their poetry collections, while Edwin J.F.D. Souza was honoured with the award in 2016 for his novel. With this recognition, H.M. Pernal becomes the fourth Konkani writer from Karnataka to receive the Sahitya Akademi Award.
His book Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam has created a historic milestone as the first Konkani work in the literary criticism category to receive the Sahitya Akademi Award. Earlier, the book had received the Best Book Award from the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi in 2021 and the Best Book Award from the Goa Konkani Akademi in 2023.
The book carries an extensive foreword written by Jnanpith award-winning Konkani writer Damodar Mauzo and has been published by Kavita Publications of Mangaluru.
Henry Mendonca was born in Pernal in Udupi district. He completed his schooling at Hindu Junior College in Shirva and pursued his degree at MSRS College, before obtaining his postgraduate education in Mumbai. Professionally, he is a commercial accountant.
He began his writing career in Kannada through magazines such as Taranga, Sankramana and Shudra. In the early 1980s, he entered Konkani literature as a cartoonist in the magazine Yuvak. Over the years, he has established himself as a short story writer, poet, critic, editor and publisher.
In 2011, he founded the literary online magazine Kitaal, which has been publishing continuously for the past fourteen years and has become a prominent platform for both senior and emerging writers in the digital Konkani literary space.
In 2013, he started the literary magazine Arso as a fortnightly publication. It is now being published as a monthly magazine in its twelfth year under the editorship of poet Wilson Katil. The annual special issues of Arso have gained special recognition in literary circles.
Through his own publishing house Kitaal Prakashan, Pernal has published more than 15 original literary works.
So far, he has published four poetry collections — Chalyank Chatray (1999), Kaydyacho Kavita (2004), Bhamunanchem Chedum (2006) and Janel (2025). He has also published two short story collections — Devak Sodullo Pado (2002) and Beeg Ani Bigat (2016), along with the award-winning literary criticism work Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam (2021).
His short story collection Beeg Ani Bigat received the Shrimati Vimala V. Pai Best Literary Work Award in 2017, presented by the Vishwa Konkani Kendra in memory of the mother of noted entrepreneur T.V. Mohandas Pai. For his contribution to Konkani poetry, he received the Mathayas Family Endowment Poetry Award from Kavita Trust in 2018.
He was also honoured with the Best Book Award by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi in 2021 for Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam, the Konkani Sahitya Gaurav Award by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi in 2022, the Dakshina Kannada District Rajyotsava Award in 2023 for his contributions to Konkani literature and journalism, and the Best Book Award from the Goa Konkani Akademi in 2023 for the same book.
Pernal has written more than 850 poems, over 100 short stories and more than 2,000 articles. Through print and digital media, he has consistently contributed to the growth of Konkani literature.
Since 2012, he has been identifying and encouraging emerging writers by presenting the Kitaal Yuva Puraskar every year. The award is sponsored by the family of Abu Dhabi-based entrepreneur and philanthropist Leo Rodrigues and includes a citation and a cash prize of Rs 25,000.
At present, Pernal is the chief editor of the Vision Konkani Book Grant Project initiated by Michael D’Souza. Under this scheme, Konkani writers are provided financial assistance of up to Rs 40,000 for the publication of a book.
The project, with a total budget of Rs 40 lakh, is fully sponsored by NRI entrepreneur and Konkani language patron Michael D’Souza. It is being implemented under the supervision of the Vishwa Konkani Kendra and aims to support the publication of 100 books over a five-year period.
A committed leader in the Konkani literary community, Pernal served as the working president of the All India Silver Jubilee Konkani Literary Conference held in Mangaluru in 2023. He is currently serving as the treasurer of the All India Konkani Parishad.
He has also served as the president of the Konkani Writers’ Union and is presently a member of the Konkani Language Advisory Board of the Sahitya Akademi.
