NewsOvernight brief: US strikes Yemen, clashes in Congo escalate
Overnight brief: US strikes Yemen, clashes in Congo escalate
This happened while you were sleeping. Here is what global agencies reported overnight from Sunday to Monday.
- The Houthi rebels reported early Monday morning that the USA conducted around 10 attacks on the areas surrounding Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, controlled by them. The USA increased its airstrikes in March against the Iran-aligned Houthis, who have been attacking Israel and ships in the Red Sea for a year and a half. Recognized by the West as a terrorist organisation, the Houthis are part of the so-called axis of resistance—a network of armed organisations supported by Iran, united by their hostility towards the USA and Israel. The alliance also includes, among others, the Palestinian Hamas and the Lebanese Hezbollah.
- Rebels from M23 seized the strategic fishing town of Lunyasenge on the western shore of Lake Edward in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite peace talks ongoing in Qatar and the USA. Dozens of people died in the battle for the town, including at least seven soldiers from the Congolese army, which was confirmed by its spokesperson in a statement issued on Sunday, also admitting that Lunyasenge had fallen into M23's hands. Residents of the town reported to the Congolese portal Actualite that the rebels attacked it from both land and the lake’s waters, "with heavy casualties on both sides."
- At least nine people died and one remains missing after four tourist ferries capsized on a river near the city of Qianxi, a tributary of the Yangtze, in southwestern China, state media reported on Monday. The cause was reported to be strong winds. Rescue services brought 83 people to shore. Nine lives were not saved, and 70 were taken to hospitals. Their lives are not in danger. Four people were unharmed.
- Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro left the hospital in Brasília on Sunday, the country’s capital, after undergoing abdominal surgery on 13 April. This was his sixth and most difficult surgery since he was stabbed in the stomach during a rally in 2018. Despite a ban on holding public office until 2030, the 70-year-old politician remains active on the Brazilian political scene. In the weeks leading up to the surgery, he held meetings with supporters in several cities across the country. It was after one of these rallies that he experienced severe abdominal pain, leading to his hospitalisation.
- The Israeli government approved a plan to expand the offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and to resume humanitarian aid deliveries. These decisions are conditional and will not be implemented immediately.
- Donald Trump announced the introduction of a 100% tariff on foreign films. He stated that "the destruction of Hollywood" is an organised action threatening national security.
- The Bank of Tanzania officially banned the use of foreign currencies in the country, including the US dollar, for all local transactions and payments. Foreigners, including tourists, must exchange foreign currencies at commercial banks or currency exchange offices in Tanzania. The bank also called on Tanzanian residents to report any violations of the announced regulations to financial intelligence officials or the police.
