Category: International

South Africa has reported its first confirmed death from mpox, formerly known as monkeypox. A 37-year-old man died after being hospitalized in Gauteng province. The health minister said all five severe mpox cases recorded in the country this year required hospitalization, suggesting local transmission. He urged those with suspected symptoms to seek medical attention, as the viral infection can be severe for immunocompromised individuals. Mpox spreads through close contact and causes fever, rash, and other flu-like symptoms.

Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others were killed in a plane crash, President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed after search teams located the wreckage in a foggy forest. The military plane went missing on Monday after being diverted due to bad weather. Chilima, 51, was widely loved and had recently resumed duties after graft charges against him were dropped. Chakwera described Chilima as a “patriotic citizen who served with distinction.”

Singapore Airlines is offering $10,000 compensation to passengers who suffered minor injuries when flight SQ321 encountered severe turbulence last month, killing one passenger. Those with more serious injuries are invited to discuss higher payouts. The airline is providing $25,000 advance payments to seriously injured passengers requiring long-term care. It is also refunding airfares of all passengers on the diverted flight and providing delay compensation per regulations. The move comes as investigations continue into the cause of the sudden turbulence incident.AFP

The UN Security Council adopted a US-drafted resolution backing President Biden’s proposal for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. Russia abstained, while 14 members voted in favor. Biden outlined a three-phase plan, which the resolution calls on Hamas to accept. It also details the proposal, stating the ceasefire will continue if negotiations take longer than six weeks. The council had previously demanded an immediate ceasefire and hostage release by Hamas amid months of violence that has killed over 37,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza authorities.PHOTO: REUTERS

UNICEF reported that 9 out of 10 children in Gaza are suffering from severe food poverty, surviving on two or fewer food groups per day, due to the collapse of food and health systems caused by months of hostilities and restrictions on humanitarian aid. This alarming situation puts children at risk of life-threatening malnutrition and highlights the devastating impact of the conflict on children’s access to proper nutrition for healthy growth and development. Photo: Reuters

President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied weapons to strike military targets inside Russia near the border with Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, where Russia has launched an offensive. This marks a policy shift for Biden, who had previously prohibited Ukraine from using American weaponry for strikes inside Russia. The decision applies only to targets supporting the Russian offensive against Kharkiv and does not allow attacks deeper into Russia or with long-range missiles. Photo: Reuters

The Biden administration stated that the recent deadly Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, which killed dozens of Palestinians, would not prompt a withdrawal of U.S. military aid to Israel. Officials said the incidents did not constitute a major ground operation that could cause extensive damage, despite calling them tragic. The U.S. reiterated its stance of not wanting a large-scale Israeli invasion of Rafah that could endanger displaced people, but maintained that the current operations did not cross that red line. AFP

Aid trucks from Egypt started entering the Gaza Strip on Sunday through the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing. According to the state-linked Al-Qahera News, a total of 200 trucks moved from the Egyptian side of Rafah border to Kerem Shalom. While the number of trucks that crossed after inspection was not specified, four fuel trucks had already entered Gaza and were headed to hospitals in the besieged territory. Photo: AFP

The United Nations says only 906 truckloads of humanitarian aid have reached Gaza since Israel began its military operation in the Rafah area on May 7. Access remains extremely limited, with a famine looming amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas. Egypt has agreed to temporarily allow aid and fuel into Gaza via Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing after the U.S. called for reopening the border. The UN says at least 500 trucks of aid per day are needed in Gaza. PHOTO: REUTERS

The relentless killing in Gaza, with thousands of civilian casualties including women and children, is being condemned as a potential genocide though the US claims it is not. Despite excessive police force against them, thousands of students across major US universities are protesting and demanding their administrations divest from groups profiting off the conflict. These students, representing the moral compass, are exercising their rights and calling out the double standards and discrimination, refusing to be silenced despite risks to their education. Their resolut. e voices against the bloodshed are only getting louder globally. PHOTO: REUTERS

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expects Russia to intensify its offensive in northeast Ukraine after recent territorial gains. He warned Kyiv only has about 25% of the air defenses needed to hold the front line. Zelensky said Ukraine needs 120-130 advanced fighter jets from allies to achieve air parity with Russia. He acknowledged issues with staffing and morale in Ukraine’s outgunned army, and said the West wants a quick end to the war, while Ukraine is playing the long game. Photo: AFP

The death toll from heavy rains in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state has risen to 143, with 125 people still unaccounted for. Over 537,000 people have been displaced in the state. The government has announced $2.34 billion in emergency spending to deal with the crisis. More rain is expected, raising concerns about already overflowing rivers. Scientists believe the intense rainfall pattern is intensifying due to climate change in the region situated between tropical and polar atmospheres. source:bdnews24

The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to grant Palestinians additional rights and backed their bid for full UN membership, currently blocked by the US. The resolution allows Palestinians to participate in debates, propose agenda items, and have representatives elected to committees, though not to vote. Israel’s UN ambassador reacted angrily, while the Palestinian ambassador hailed it as historic amid efforts by some European nations to recognize a Palestinian state.

Israel’s UN ambassador expressed disappointment at US President Joe Biden’s threat to stop supplying certain offensive weapons to Israel if it invades the crowded Gaza city of Rafah. Biden warned that civilians have been killed by Israeli bombs in Gaza, calling it “wrong.” The ambassador said Biden’s comments give hope to Israel’s enemies and questioned how Israel can achieve its goals if restricted from entering areas like Rafah with Hamas militants. Heavy shelling was reported in Rafah on Thursday. Photo: AFP

The 2023 Pulitzer Prizes recognized journalists’ coverage of the Gaza war, including The New York Times and Reuters for their reporting on the Israel-Hamas conflict. The awards also honored jailed Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza for his columns criticizing Putin’s regime. Other winners highlighted reporting on migrant labor, racial injustice, and gun violence in the US.

Medics and first responders in Gaza reported that 16 Palestinians were killed in Israeli air strikes in the southern city of Rafah on Sunday. The casualties included seven people from one family and nine from another. This came hours after Hamas rockets had killed three Israeli soldiers earlier in the day. Medical sources confirmed two separate strikes took place in different locations around Rafah. Photo: Reuters

The Biden administration paused a shipment of US-made ammunition to Israel last week amid Israel’s ongoing attack on Gaza, though reasons were unclear. This marks the first time since Hamas’s October 7 attack that the US has stopped weapons shipment to Israel. While Israeli officials expressed concerns, the US stated it has provided billions in security aid to Israel and will continue ensuring Israel can defend itself, amid mounting pressure over support for Israel’s campaign against Palestinians in Gaza. Reuters file photo

A Hamas delegation arrived in Egypt on Saturday for talks on a proposed truce and hostage release in Gaza. Egyptian state-linked media Al-Qahera News reported, citing an unnamed source, that “significant progress” has been made in the negotiations between the Palestinian militant group and Israel. The Egyptian mediators have reportedly “reached an agreed-upon formula on most points of contention,” indicating progress towards a potential agreement. REUTERS/

Police forcibly removed pro-Palestinian protesters and encampments from several colleges, including UCLA, on Thursday. At UCLA, 210 arrests were made as police used flash bangs and riot gear to dismantle the tent city. Protests erupted at universities across the U.S. over Israel’s offensive on Gaza, with demonstrators demanding divestment from companies supporting Israel. President Biden condemned the protests, saying “destroying property is not a peaceful protest.” The crackdown followed clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups at UCLA. Photo: Reuters

Turkey has stopped all exports and imports to and from Israel, citing the “worsening humanitarian tragedy” in Palestinian territories. The Turkish trade ministry stated, “Export and import transactions related to Israel have been stopped, covering all products.” This move comes after Turkey previously imposed trade restrictions on Israel over its offensive on Gaza. The two countries had a trade volume of $6.8 billion in 2023. Israel’s foreign minister accused Turkish President Erdogan of disregarding trade agreements and Turkish interests, vowing to find alternatives to trade with Turkey. Photo: Reuters

Israeli PM Netanyahu vowed to fight against any potential U.S. sanctions on Israeli military units over alleged human rights violations in the occupied West Bank. Media reports suggested Washington was planning sanctions on the Netzah Yehuda battalion. The U.S. recently imposed sanctions linked to Israeli settlers, drawing Israeli criticism. Netanyahu said he would resist sanctioning Israeli forces “with all my strength,” while Defense Minister Gantz urged the U.S. to reconsider, arguing Israel’s military upholds international law. The reports highlight tensions between the allies over Israel’s policies in the Palestinian territories. Photo: Reuters

At least 58 people died after an overloaded wooden river boat capsized in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, while heading to a village chief’s funeral. The boat was carrying over 300 people when it sank on the Mpoko river on Friday. Rescue efforts managed to retrieve 58 bodies, but the total number of victims is unknown. The government has announced an investigation and support for victims’ families. The tragedy highlights the unrest and poverty plaguing the conflict-ridden Central African Republic, one of the world’s least developed countries.

The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for Palestine to be admitted as a full UN member state, despite growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza from Israel’s military offensive. Twelve countries voted in favor, but the U.S. veto blocked the resolution’s passage, maintaining its stance that Palestinian statehood must result from direct peace negotiations with Israel. The Palestinian UN ambassador vowed persistent efforts for statehood, calling it “inevitable” amid tears over the veto. (photo/reuters)

India’s general election, the world’s largest, began on April 7th with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP seeking an unprecedented third term. The opposition alliance INDIA promises welfare programs and accuses Modi of undermining democracy. Voting is held in seven phases until June 1st due to the massive electorate. While BJP is favored, economic issues like unemployment and inflation plague voters. A fragmented opposition struggles against Modi’s popularity and Hindu nationalist agenda. The high-stakes election will shape India’s future trajectory. (photo/afp)

Israeli missiles reportedly struck a site in Iran on Thursday, according to US media, citing an official. This comes days after Iran launched retaliatory drone strikes on Israel. Iranian state media reported an explosion in Isfahan province, home to several nuclear sites. Iran suspended flights over multiple cities, while some airlines rerouted flights away from Iranian airspace. Tensions have escalated amid the Israel-Gaza conflict, with Iran warning Israel against further “military adventurism.” Analysts warn of risks of the Gaza war spilling over regionally as Iran-backed groups pledge support for Palestinians. The reports caused oil prices to jump. (photo/reuters)

Google, the Alphabet-owned tech giant, is laying off an unspecified number of employees as part of a broader effort to become more efficient and align resources with its top product priorities. The layoffs are not company-wide, and affected employees will be able to apply for internal roles. The move follows a series of job cuts across the tech and media industry, as companies grapple with economic uncertainty. Google’s finance chief has also announced plans to expand the company’s operations in locations like Bangalore, Mexico City, and Dublin. (photo/reuters)

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, is set to announce a $2-$3 billion investment in India during his visit to New Delhi next week to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The investment will primarily be used for building a new Tesla factory in the country, where electric vehicle (EV) adoption is still in its early stages. The move comes as Tesla faces slowing sales in major markets like the US and China, and the company has recently announced layoffs affecting 10% of its workforce. (photo/reuters)

The Ruang volcano in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province erupted violently, spewing lava, rocks, and ash up to 3 km into the sky. Authorities have shut down a nearby airport, evacuated over 800 people from the vicinity, and raised the alert status to the highest level. The eruption has caused damage to homes and forced a hospital to evacuate. Officials are concerned about the potential for further eruptions and the risk of a tsunami if parts of the mountain collapse into the ocean. (photo/reuters)

Tokyo has launched a new tourist attraction, the Tokyo Toilet Shuttle, which takes visitors on a two-hour tour of the city’s artfully designed public restrooms. The project, started in 2020 by The Nippon Foundation, has transformed 17 public toilets in the Shibuya district, with designs by renowned architects like Tadao Ando. The shuttle allows tourists to explore these modern wonders, showcasing Japan’s technological prowess in the world of toilets, which have become a source of national pride. (photo/reuters)

Myanmar’s junta has moved pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from prison to house arrest, citing heatwave concerns for vulnerable detainees. Suu Kyi, serving a 27-year sentence, has largely been hidden from view since the military’s 2021 coup. The move comes as the junta announced the release of over 3,300 prisoners as part of a New Year amnesty. Despite the apparent concession, the military continues to face widespread resistance, with over 4,800 civilians killed in the ongoing conflict since the coup. (photo/afp)

Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip has resulted in the deaths of at least 33,899 Palestinians and the injury of 76,664 others since October 7, according to the Gaza health ministry. In the past 24 hours alone, 56 Palestinians were killed and 89 were injured in the ongoing conflict. The escalating violence continues to take a heavy toll on the civilian population in the Palestinian enclave. (photo/afp)

India is set to hold the world’s largest general elections, with nearly a billion eligible voters choosing 543 members of parliament. The election will span over 44 days, with voting spread across seven phases, due to the country’s vast size and geographical diversity. Over 1 million polling stations will be set up, guarded by more than 300,000 federal security personnel to ensure free and fair elections. The results are expected to be announced on June 4, with opinion polls suggesting a victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party.

In a rare incident, a 40-centimeter snake was discovered on a bullet train in Japan, resulting in a 17-minute delay. While passengers are allowed to bring small pets on board, snakes are prohibited. The railway company is unsure how the snake ended up on the train, as they do not check passengers’ baggage. Despite this unusual occurrence, the shinkansen network is known for its remarkable safety and punctuality, with an average delay of only 0.2 minutes. (photo/afp)

Tesla is set to lay off over 10% of its global workforce, according to an internal memo. The world’s largest automaker by market value cites the need to cut costs and increase productivity amid falling sales and an intensifying price war in the electric vehicle market. The layoffs follow Tesla’s recent cancellation of a promised $25,000 model and its shift in focus to self-driving robotaxis. Analysts view this as a sign of Tesla’s maturing as a company and facing persistent demand challenges. (photo/reuters)

The international community, including the UN, EU, NATO, and countries around the world, strongly condemned Iran’s strikes on Israel, warning they could further destabilize the Middle East. Leaders called for restraint, de-escalation, and a return to diplomatic solutions. The US reiterated its “ironclad” support for Israel, but said it does not want to see the conflict escalate into a wider war with Iran. Overall, there is deep concern about the potential for a broader regional crisis arising from the attacks. (photo/afp)