Briefly

UNITED STATES

Senate passes $70 billion fund for ICE

The US Senate on Friday approved $70 billion in funding for US immigration control after months of fighting over deportations and border enforcement. The Senate voted 52-47 to approve the legislation, with no support from Democrats. One Republican voted against the bill. The bill, which would fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol through the rest of US President Donald Trump's term, now heads to the House of Representatives.

UNITED NATIONS

1.5 million displaced in Haiti: migration agency

Some 1.47 million people are displaced in Haiti, the United Nations' migration agency said on Friday, warning that its ability to help could dry up within months. Haiti, a country with a population of 12 million, has for years been plagued by gangs. The UN's International Organization for Migration said its updated count reflected the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Caribbean country. The IOM said armed attacks were no longer confined to regular hotspots and were now increasingly affecting areas that had previously served as places of refuge, leaving vulnerable people with few safe options.

INDIA

13 foreign nationals died in Delhi hotel fire

A total of 13 foreign nationals died in the fire that broke out at a hotel in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday, a spokesman of India's Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday. "We are in touch with all these embassies and trying to help in the manner they want," the spokesman said. A total of 21 people died in the fire incident. Sources said that under the license granted, the hotel was only allowed to have six rooms, whereas it was reportedly operating 25 rooms at the time of the incident.

PAKISTAN

6 terrorists killed in security operation

Pakistani security forces killed six terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in the country's southwestern Balochistan Province, the military said on Friday. The operation was conducted in Panjgur district on the night between Wednesday and Thursday following reports about the presence of militants in the area, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The statement said security forces engaged multiple militant hideouts during the operation, triggering intense exchanges of fire that resulted in the killing of six militants.

XINHUA-AGENCIES