Gaza, 60 days of Israeli embargo. NGOs: ‘starvation tactic’

Today's news: Vietnam celebrates 50 years of reunification, with the historic capture of Saigon in 1975; Beijing approves a law to help private companies; list of US products exempt from tariffs created; Pakistan accuses India of imminent attack within 24-36 hours; The home of ousted South Korean president Yoon searched as part of investigation into influence peddling.

GAZA

For 60 days, food, fuel, medicine and other supplies have not entered the Gaza Strip, which is blockaded by Israel. Humanitarian organisations operating in the enclave are running out of food to distribute. Israel imposed the blockade on 2 March, then broke a two-month ceasefire by resuming military operations on 18 March, claiming that both measures are aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages. Human rights groups call the blockade a ‘starvation tactic’ that endangers the entire population and represents yet another potential war crime.

VIETNAM

Vietnam is celebrating the historic 50th anniversary of the country's reunification on 30 April 1975. North Vietnam seized Saigon, the US-backed capital of the South, renaming it Ho Chi Minh City. ‘It was a victory of faith’ and also of ‘justice over tyranny,’ said To Lam, head of Vietnam's Communist Party. The fall of Saigon, about two years after Washington withdrew its last troops, marked the end of a 20-year conflict that killed about 3 million Vietnamese and nearly 60,000 Americans.

CHINA

China passed a long-awaited law on Wednesday to help the private sector amid trade tensions with the United States. It will take effect on 20 May and includes provisions on fair competition, access to investment and financing. The new law ‘will further optimise the development environment for private enterprises and ensure fair market competition,’ said Xinhua, the state news agency. Beijing has also created a list of US-made products that would be exempt from the 125% tariffs.

INDIA - PAKISTAN

Pakistan's information minister said the country has ‘credible information’ that India intends to launch a military attack within the next 24 to 36 hours. The statements come after India accused Pakistan of supporting militants responsible for the attack in the Indian-administered Kashmir region, in which 26 tourists were killed last week. Islamabad rejects the accusations. The minister said India intends to use the attack as a ‘false pretext’ for military action.

SOUTH KOREA

South Korean prosecutors have searched the private residence of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon was removed from office on 4 April for his attempt to declare martial law at the end of last year. Prosecutors are investigating a case of influence peddling involving religious figures. They were looking for documents and material that could indicate their association with the former president and his wife.

KAZAKHSTAN

The number of ‘women-only carriages’ operated by various railway companies in Kazakhstan is increasing, now including Kazakhstan Temir Žoli, coordinated by the national company Passažirskye Perevozki. There are now 12 such carriages on various domestic routes between the main cities of Almaty, Mangistau, Šymkent and Astana, with increasing demand from women who wish to travel safely.

RUSSIA

Students at the St Petersburg Institute of Cinema and Television have sent an appeal to the Russian Ministry of Culture to investigate the reasons for the mass dismissal of teachers and directors from film departments, following a ruling that requires students and teachers to agree on the films to be studied with a special commission.

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