April 23, 2024

Daily News Brief

*) Israel's claims against UNRWA lack evidence: UN review Israel has yet to provide any proof of its allegation that some UN agency staff are members of Palestine's resistance groups. This is according to an independent review of the neutrality of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). The review was led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna to respond to Israeli allegations that some UNRWA staff took part in Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. *) Pro-Palestine protests spread across US universities Meanwhile, classes at Columbia University have been shifted online as protests over Israel’s carnage in besieged Gaza heightened tensions across US campuses. A large group of demonstrators had established a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" on lawns at Columbia. Protests also spread to other campuses, including MIT, New York University and Yale, where at least 47 people had been arrested after refusing requests to disperse. *) Outrage as India's Modi, in quest for votes, calls Muslims 'infiltrators' India's main opposition party has filed a complaint against Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "blatantly targeting" minority Muslims in a campaign speech calling them “infiltrators”. The complaint, filed to the country's Election Commission, said Modi’s comments were "divisive,” “malicious" and targeted Muslims in India. The comments were "far worse than any ever made by a sitting Prime Minister in the history of India", it said. *) UK Parliament passes Rwanda deportation plan for asylum-seekers The UK government’s plan to deport migrants and asylum seekers to Rwanda has been cleared by Parliament after a marathon tussle. Members of the upper house repeatedly sent back the plans with amendments to MPs in the lower chamber but eventually agreed to make no further changes, ensuring the bill would now become law. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed to begin sending asylum seekers to Rwanda within 10 to 12 weeks. *) Militants take 110 civilians hostage in central Mali Suspected militants in central Mali are holding more than 110 civilians they abducted six days ago. Three buses carrying the civilians were stopped by "militants", who forced the vehicles and the passengers to head towards a forest. Mali has since 2012 been ravaged by different factions affiliated with Al Qaeda and Daesh, as well as by self-declared, self-defence forces and bandits.