April 8, 2024

Daily News Brief

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Monday, April 8th. *) ICJ to hear against Germany for ‘facilitating’ Israel’s genocide in Gaza Germany faces charges from Nicaragua at the top UN court that it is “facilitating” acts of genocide and breaches of international law in Israel’s war on Gaza. In a 43-page submission to the International Court of Justice, Nicaragua argues that Germany is in breach of the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, set up in the wake of the Holocaust. Nicaragua is demanding the judges impose emergency measures to stop Berlin providing Israel with weapons and other assistance. The Central American country will set out its case on Monday, with Germany due to respond the following day. *) Hamas ‘determined’ in Gaza truce, hostage swap deal with Israel Palestinian resistance group Hamas has reiterated its commitment to securing a deal that brings a cessation of hostilities. A delegation from Hamas arrived in Cairo and met with Abbas Kamel, head of the General Intelligence Directorate of Egypt, the movement said in a statement. The statement emphasised Hamas’ demands for an agreement that ensures the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the repatriation of hostages. In addition, Egyptian media noted that truce discussions would extend for the next 48 hours. *) Diplomatic staff leaves Ecuador after embassy raid — Mexico Mexico’s diplomatic personnel have begun leaving Ecuador after the two countries severed ties. On Friday, Quito’s security forces stormed the Mexican embassy in a bid to arrest former Ecuadorian vice president Jorge Glas, who was sheltering at the embassy. A day after the raid, Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said that diplomatic personnel and their families would leave Ecuador. *) Ferry sinks, 90 people killed off Mozambique coast More than 90 people have died when an overcrowded makeshift ferry sank off the north coast of Mozambique, local authorities say. According to the officials, the converted fishing boat, carrying about 130 people, ran into trouble as it tried to reach an island off Nampula province. Many children were among the victims, he added. Rescuers had found five survivors and were searching for more, but sea conditions were making the operation difficult. And finally… *) Green onion outcry: humble vegetable scandal shakes up South Korea vote Used widely in South Korean cooking, green onions are dominating discussions ahead of the April 10 vote after an apparent gaff by the president sparked online outcry. President Yoon Suk Yeol visited a grocery store in the capital Seoul and said green onions were at a “reasonable price”. But local media reported that the store he visited had specially discounted the vegetable ahead of the president’s visit. His comments sparked an avalanche of online memes, with the opposition claiming the politician was out of touch and people brandishing green onions at campaign rallies. And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World. For more, head to trtworld.com