Briefly

GENEVA

Nearly 100 die in Mediterranean sea

Nearly 100 people have died in international waters after setting off from Libya in an overcrowded boat, international organizations said. A commercial tanker, Alegria 1, rescued four people from a life raft in the Mediterranean early on Saturday morning, said the charity Doctors Without Borders. According to a transcript of exchanges with the tanker as seen by Agence France-Presse, the tanker said "around 96 people died in the water". Reacting to the news on Sunday, UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi tweeted: "Europe has proven its ability to host 4 million refugees from Ukraine generously and effectively. It must now urgently consider how to apply this to other refugees."

COSTA RICA

Figueres concedes defeat to Chaves

Costa Rica's former president Jose Maria Figueres of the National Liberation Party conceded defeat to former finance minister Rodrigo Chaves of the Social Democratic Progress Party in the second round of presidential elections on Sunday. According to the country's Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Chaves is the winner of the election by garnering 52.86 percent of the vote, followed by Figueres with 47.14 percent of the vote, with 95.93 percent of polling stations reported. In his victory speech, Chaves called for unity to address problems like unemployment and a soaring budget deficit.

MIDDLE EAST

Palestinians clash with Israeli police: sources

Palestinians clashed with Israeli police outside the Old City in East Jerusalem late on Sunday, leaving a dozen people wounded and 10 arrested, police and medical sources said. An AFP photographer said objects were thrown at officers, who responded with tear gas and stun grenades in front of Damascus Gate, as Palestinians congregated there after night prayers of the second night of the holy month of Ramadan. Israeli police said they arrested 10 people for "rioting and attacking officers", noting one police officer was wounded by a bottle thrown at his face. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said 11 people were wounded in the clashes.

Agencies - Xinhua