Monday, April 29
At least two individuals, including a child, lost their lives in tornadoes that swept through Oklahoma, Officials mentioned on Sunday as emergency teams were evaluating the extensive destruction to residences and establishments caused by the strong winds, hail, and flooding. A tornado tore through Holdenville in Oklahoma, a town with approximately 5,000 residents, on late Saturday.
22 deaths in Balochistan due to heavy rains causing flash floods, traffic jams, and a tanker accident. Bolan and Nari Gaj-Mula Rivers flooded. Ziarat experienced temperature drop. Urban flooding in Quetta with more rains forecasted by meteorological department.
US university campus protests demand ceasefire in Israel-Hamas conflict, facing police action, calls for amnesty, and divestment from universities.
Pope Francis on Sunday visited a prison for women in Venice ahead of a mass in the watery city representing the 87-year-old pontiff's first trip outside Rome for seven months. The one-day trip to Venice will be closely watched amid concerns over the fragile health of Francis, who has toured the world extensively in his 11 years as pope but has not travelled since visiting the French city of Marseille in September.
A group of protesters, calling for an end to civilian casualties in Gaza, draped a huge Palestinian flag over the side of the venue, even as they directed slogans at the dinner guests and the motorcade of US President Joe Biden as he arrived at the venue, according to The New York Post. A few among the group of protesters even stormed the red carpet at the event, the report noted.
The governor of Ukraine's Mykolaiv region reported significant damage to a hotel from a Russian drone attack, although no casualties were reported. Ukraine's Air Force destroyed a drone over Mykolaiv, and four others were downed in different regions. Russia's RIA news agency claimed the hotel housed English-speaking mercenaries. Damage to nearby buildings and infrastructure was also reported.
Human rights groups and diplomats criticized a law that was quietly passed by the Iraqi parliament over the weekend that would impose heavy prison sentences on gay and transgender people. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that the law passed Saturday “threatens those most at risk in Iraqi society” and “can be used to hamper free-speech and expression.” He warned that the legislation could drive away foreign investment.
