Sudan rival forces battle in capital as UN sees little prospect for mediation now

Smoke hung over the capital, and residents reported a clamour of airstrikes, artillery fire and shooting that shut hospitals in a city unused to violence.

KHARTOUM, April 17 (Reuters) - Sudan’s battling factions both claimed to have made gains on Monday as violence cut power and water in the capital, and the UN envoy to Sudan said the two sides showed no signs of being willing to negotiate.