April 24, 2024

Daily News Brief

*) UN raises 'war crime' alert as 300+ bodies are found in Gaza mass graves Reports of mass graves found in Gaza over the weekend at Nasser Hospital and Al Shifa Hospital have prompted renewed concerns about possible war crimes by Israel. Some of the Palestinian victims were found stripped naked with their hands tied, according to the UN. UN rights chief Volker Turk said "the intentional killing of civilians, detainees, and others who are hors de combat is a war crime.” *) US Senate overwhelmingly passes $26.6B military aid for Israel Meanwhile, the US Senate has passed a $26.6 billion military package for Israel, the American ally accused of carrying out genocide in Gaza using US weapons. US President Joe Biden pledged to quickly sign the $61 billion bill — which also includes aid packages for Ukraine and Taiwan — after Congress gave its final approval. Israel's war on Gaza, now in its 201st day, has killed at least 34,183 Palestinians — 70 percent of them children and women. *) Malaysian navy helicopters collide, killing all crew aboard Two Malaysian navy helicopters have collided in mid-air during a rehearsal for a naval parade, killing all 10 crew members aboard. The incident occurred at the Lumut naval base in the western state of Perak on Tuesday morning, the navy said. All victims were confirmed dead at the scene and sent to the military hospital for identification, the navy said. *) North Korea officials embark on rare public visit to Iran A North Korean delegation is visiting Iran, the North's official media has said in a rare public report of an exchange between the two countries believed to have secret military ties. The minister for external economic relations, Yun Jong-ho, left Pyongyang on Tuesday by air leading a ministry delegation to visit Iran, the North's KCNA news agency said. It gave no other detail. *) Human rights groups slam UK Rwanda plan after Parliament approves bill The UK’s plans to send some asylum-seekers to Rwanda has been swiftly condemned by international humanitarian organisations. This comes after Parliament approved legislation allowing the deportation flights to begin later this year. Both the UN refugee agency and the Council of Europe called for the UK to rethink its plans because of concerns that the legislation undermines human rights protections.