Ethiopia-Yemen, Gaza, India-Philippines

Today's three stories you should know.

Ethiopia-Yemen

You won’t see this leading the headlines but it should. More than 140 Ethiopians are presumed dead after a boat capsized off the coast of Yemen, according to the UN migration agency (IOM). Just twelve people were rescued from 154 passengers as Yemeni authorities announced a massive search and rescue operation. Tens of thousands of people, mainly Ethiopians, risk the treacherous passage from the Horn of Africa to Yemen every year in the hope of transiting to wealthy Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia to find work. The IOM says 186 people went missing on their way to Yemen in March and that 550 drowned in 2024.

More from Africa News here.

Gaza

Today, I’d like to highlight one small story, just one small incident that says so much, from Gaza. Photographer and filmmaker Mohammed Al-Yaqoubi recorded a young boy using what used to be his schoolbag to carry leftover flour he was scooping up from the ground. “A child collects the remaining flour on the ground and puts it in his school bag, which was supposed to contain his school books and enable him to learn like the rest of the children of the world,” Al-Yaqoubi wrote.

Al Jazeera has verified the footage and you can view it here.

Reminder: For the top news on Gaza, as it breaks, I recommend using the Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye live blogs. Jazeera is here. MEE here.

India-Philippines

One to watch. India and the Philippines have sailed together in the South China Sea for the first time in a move sure to irritate China. In what was in effect a military drill, an Indian guided missile destroyer, the INS Delhi, took part as did two Filipino frigates. The two-day joint passage took place as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos set off for a five-day state visit to India. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including areas within the maritime zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Beijing said in a statement that any territorial or maritime disputes should be resolved directly by the countries involved and that no third parties should intervene.

More from the Defense Post here.