Sudan's Cease-fire Threatened as Rival Forces Refuse Negotiations and Thousands Flee Fighting.

Sudan's military rejected negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces and demanded their surrender as a 24-hour cease-fire expired, raising the likelihood of renewed violence. The fighting has killed hundreds and pushed Sudan's population to the breaking point, with the medical system on the verge of collapse. The U.S. and other countries are making preparations to evacuate their citizens in Sudan, and the UN has appealed for a three-day cease-fire to coincide with the holiday of Eid al-Fitr. The conflict has raised fears of a spillover to neighboring countries, with up to 20,000 Sudanese seeking refuge in eastern Chad.