Morning news brief: US House passes bill mandating weapons to Israel; severe Texas rains, & more

The US House of Representatives passed a bill, that if becomes a law, will make it essential for the country to send weapons to Israel.In another news from US, a severe thunderstorm in Texas has resulted in the killing of four people and caused massive power outages, affecting nearly 900,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area.

In news development from the war in Gaza, the Israeli army confirmed that two of the eight Thai hostages held captive by Hamas were killed during the October 7 assault, and their bodies are currently held by the militant group.

US House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday (May 16) to mandate the country to send weapons to Israel. The move by Republicans was meant to spotlight Democratic divisions over the Israel-Hamas war.

For the second time this month, a severe thunderstorm pummeled Texas on Thursday (May 16).As per reports, the torrential rains have already claimed four people.

Two of the eight Thai hostages who were held captive by Hamas were confirmed to have been killed in the October 7 assault and their bodies are being held by the militant group, the Israel army said in a statement on Thursday (May 16).

After themeeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the United States blastedBeijing saying that the country cannot have it "both ways".