April 22, 2024

*) Scores of bodies found in two mass graves at hospital in Gaza’s Khan Younis

Palestinians have exhumed scores of bodies from two mass graves at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis city in southern Gaza, according to officials.

The director-general of Gaza’s government media office said “some 150 bodies have been found in the two graves.”

He said around 700 people are still unaccounted for since the Israeli withdrawal from Khan Younis on April 7th following a four-month ground offensive.

*) Baby in Gaza saved from womb of mother killed in Israeli strike

A baby girl has been delivered from the womb of a Palestinian killed along with her husband and daughter by an Israeli attack in the Gaza city of Rafah.

The baby was delivered in an emergency C-section. Her mother, Sabreen Al Sakani, had been 30 weeks pregnant.

At least 19 people were killed in the overnight Israeli strikes, including 13 children from one family, Palestinian health officials said.

*) US House passes aid to Ukraine, Israel and other allies

The US House of Representatives has passed a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other US allies overseas.

House Speaker Mike Johnson had unveiled a plan to hold votes on four separate foreign aid bills and later combine them into a package, a move that angered some far-right House Republicans.

In addition, the House voted in favour of a bill to effectively ban TikTok in the US – if it is not bought by a US company – with a vote of 360-58.

*) Pro-China leader's party wins Maldives vote

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's party has won control of parliament in an election landslide, results showed.

Muizzu's People's National Congress (PNC) secured more than two thirds in the 93-member parliament, according to provisional results from election officials.

The win indicates voters backed his tilt towards China and away from regional powerhouse and traditional benefactor India.

*) Ecuadorians vote in favour of referendum to extradite mafia bosses

A solid majority of Ecuadorian voters have approved a referendum paving the way for the extradition of organised crime bosses.

Some 65 percent of valid votes were marked "yes" on the matter of extradition, and 35 percent marked "no," according to electoral authorities.

President Daniel Noboa hailed the result as Ecuador continues to grapple with a shocking rise in violence, flaring up due to a rise in narcotics trafficking.