Morning brief: US presses Egypt, Qatar on Gaza truce; Columbia Uni suspends protesters, and more

On Monday (Apr 29), the representatives from Hamas, Qatar and Egypt met in Cairo after the proposal for a second truce in Gaza was given to Hamas along with a fresh plan for release of hostages. US President Joe Biden called on the leaders of Qatar and Egypt to make all efforts to secure the release of hostages.

In other news,Columbia University started suspending students who were found involved in the demonstrations that have marred the campus, after the deadline given to disperse was defied.

Meanwhile,Philippines said the China Coast Guard fired water cannon at two of its vessels, causing damage to one of them, during a patrol near a reef off the Southeast Asian country.

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United States President Joe Biden called on the leaders of Qatar and Egypt on Monday (April 29) to"exert all efforts"to secure the release ofhostageswho have been held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip so that the ceasefire dealis achieved, stated the White House.

Columbia University, which has been the epicentre of pro-Palestinian protests that have started at various US colleges, started suspending students who were found involved in the demonstrations which have marred the campus after the deadline given to disperse was defied and unheeded.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday (Apr 29) expressed optimism that it was "not too late" for Ukraine to win its ongoing conflict with Russia, despite the significant challenges the war-torn nation faces.

China's coast guard said on Tuesday (Apr 30) it barred a Philippine coast guard ship and another vessel from waters adjacent to the Scarborough Shoal, reported the Chinese state media.