Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, April 28

TRIPOLI — A group of 21 illegal migrants was arrested off the coast of Garrabulli, some 55 km east of Libya’s capital Tripoli, the Libyan government said on Thursday.

“After searches and investigations, the patrols managed to thwart an illegal immigration operation and arrested 21 illegal immigrants inside a house used for illegal immigration work in Garrabulli,” the Libyan Interior Ministry’s Special Operation Department said in a statement on Facebook. (Libya-Migrants-Arrests)

– – – –

TEHRAN — Iran and Syria on Thursday signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding (MoU) on enhancing cooperation in various sectors, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

The MoU was signed by Iranian Roads and Urban Development Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash and Syrian Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Mohammad Samer al-Khalil, as the co-chairs of the two countries’ joint economic commission, at a ceremony in the Syrian capital Damascus, the report said. (Iran-Syria-Economic ties)

– – – –

ROME — Consumer confidence in Italy reached its highest level in more than a year in April, the government’s main statistical entity (ISTAT) reported Thursday.

ISTAT said its consumer confidence index rose for the third consecutive month in April, climbing to 105.5 from 105.1 a month earlier. This is the highest level since March 2022. (Italy-Consumer confidence)

– – – –

WASHINGTON — Giant panda Ya Ya, who arrived in Shanghai on Thursday, will “be sorely missed,” the Memphis Zoo said.

Ya Ya, a female, began her journey back to China on Wednesday, accompanied by the Memphis Zoo’s senior veterinarian and chief zoological officer. (US-Memphis Zoo-Giant Panda)

– – – –

JAKARTA — The number of casualties of an overloaded passenger-speed boat that capsized in the waters off Indonesia’s western province of Riau on Thursday increased to eight, with several others missing, an official said.

Kukuh Widodo, press officer at the provincial search and rescue office, told Xinhua by phone that a total of 58 people have been rescued by the joint-rescue team, comprised of the search and rescue office, soldiers, policemen and volunteers. (Indonesia-Boat-Death)