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Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/7/19/israels-war-on-gaza-live-israel-bombs-un-run-school-refugee-camp-in-gaza

Sixteen people were killed after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in southwest China on Wednesday, according to Chinese state media. Dramatic images showed a huge column of black smoke billowing from the 14-story building in the city of Zigong, Sichuan province. Several people were also seen gathered on a balcony. About 30 people were rescued from the blaze after nearly 300 emergency workers and dozens of vehicles were dispatched from the local fire department to the scene, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by construction work, CCTV said, citing local authorities. Rescuers work at the site of the fire in China’s Zigong city on July 17, 2024. Visual China Group/Getty Images In a statement Thursday, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management urged rescue workers and provincial officials to determine the cause of the fire as soon as possible, and to learn lessons to ensure greater security in the future. Such incidents are not uncommon in China, where enforcement of safety standards is often lax. In January, a fire at a mixed-use building in southeast China killed at least 39 people just days after another blaze at a boarding school in central Henan province killed 13 children. Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/17/china/china-shopping-mall-deadly-fire-intl/index.html

After a deadly terrorist attack on Bannu Cantonment two days ago, Pakistan has issued a “strong demarche” to Afghanistan and demanded the Afghan Taliban-led interim government to take “immediate action” against the perpetrators of the terror incident. At least eight Pakistan Army soldiers had embraced martyrdom as security forces effectively thwarted a terrorist attack at Bannu Cantonment killing all 10 militants two days ago, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Tuesday. The terrorists attacked the Bannu Cantonment in the early hours of July 15 but their attempt to enter the facility was effectively thwarted by the security forces personnel, resultantly the militants rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of the cantonment, the military’s media wing had said. In a statement today, the Foreign Office said the deputy head of mission of the embassy of Afghanistan in Islamabad was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today to deliver Pakistan’s strong demarche over the deadly terrorist attack on Bannu Cantonment. The FO said the terrorist attack was carried out by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group based in Afghanistan. The militant group along with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of civilians and law enforcement officials in multiple terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, the statement added. Islamabad urged Kabul to “fully investigate and take immediate, robust and effective action against the perpetrators of the Bannu attack and to prevent the recurrence of such attacks against Pakistan using the territory of Afghanistan”. Pakistan reiterated its serious concerns over the presence of terror outfits inside Afghanistan that continue to threaten Pakistan’s security. “Such incidents also go against the spirit of bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries,” it read. The FO spokesperson added that the “Bannu Cantonment attack is yet another reminder of the serious threat posed by terrorism to regional peace and security”. Reiterating the call for decisive action against terrorism, the statement said Pakistan “remains steadfast in its commitment to combat this menace and to uphold its security against all threats”. ‘Major catastrophe prevented’ The ISPR had said that the Bannu suicide blast led to the collapse of a portion of the wall and damaged the adjoining infrastructure, resulting in the martyrdom of eight brave sons of soil. “This timely and effective response by the security forces prevented a major catastrophe, saving precious innocent lives. The gallant and selfless action of the security forces is a testament to their unrelenting resolve in the fight against terrorism,” read the statement. The attack, as per the ISPR, was carried out by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group operating from Afghanistan and has used the neighbouring country’s territory to carry out terrorist attacks inside Pakistan in the past as well. It is to be noted that Pakistan, back in November 2023, had summoned the head of the Afghan diplomatic mission in Islamabad and demanded the extradition of terrorist Gul Bahadur — the leader of a faction of the outlawed TTP. Bannu Cantt attack comes as Islamabad time again called on the Afghan Taliban administration in Kabul to prevent its soil from being used by various banned outfits responsible for terrorist attacks against Pakistan. Last month, the government approved the launching of operation “Azm-e-Istehkam”, a renewed national anti-terror drive, in light of the surge in terrorist attacks in the country in recent months. The country, during the second quarter of 2024 witnessed 380 violence-linked fatalities and 220 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and outlaws, resulting from as many as 240 incidents of terror attacks and counter-terror operations, said a Security Studies (CRSS) Annual Security report. This includes 236 fatalities among civilians and security forces personnel, the report said. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces – both bordering Afghanistan, were the epicentres of violence, accounting for nearly 92% of all fatalities and 87% of attacks (including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations) during this period. Individually, the former suffered 67% and the latter 25% of all fatalities in Q2, 2024. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1210697-islamabad-urges-kabul-to-take-immediate-action-against-terrorists-involved-in-bannu-attack

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/7/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-all-rules-of-war-broken-as-gaza-schools-bombed

Students were evacuated from Karachi University’s Mass Communication Department after a fire erupted in its audio-visual room on Monday. Two fire tenders took part in the rescue operation and doused the fire which broke out at around 10am in the morning. Talking to Geo.tv, Mass Communication Department Chairperson Professor Dr Asmat Ara confirmed that an air conditioner in the audio-visual room caught fire when a class was being conducted there. fire brigadePauseUnmute The chairperson said that the students were evacuated immediately after the fire erupted. However, she noted that the strength of the students was comparatively less than normal. “The AC was completely burnt and later the fire spread into the room and damaged chairs and tables [as well],” she said. Initially, Dr Ara added, the department’s staff made efforts to douse the fire, who were later joined by the university’s fire rescue and campus security personnel. “The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) fire department was also called in which controlled the blaze,” the official shared, adding that the KU’s electrical engineering department has surveyed the institute. Noting that “everything was under control”, the chairperson said that morning and evening classes in the department will continue as per the timetable. Source: https://thenews.com.pk/latest/1209973-blaze-erupts-in-kus-mass-communication-department

A car bomb has exploded outside a cafe in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, killing at least nine and injuring several others as patrons were watching the final of the Euro 2024 football tournament on TV, the government said. The al-Qaeda-linked armed group, al-Shabab, has claimed responsibility for Sunday’s deadly attack via an affiliated radio station, saying the bombing targeted a place where security and government workers meet at night. Mohamed Yusuf, an official from the national security agency told the AFP news agency on Monday, raising the official toll of five given by the authorities late Sunday. “Nine civilians were killed and 20 others wounded in the explosion,” he said. “There were many people inside the restaurant, most of them youth who were watching the football match… but thanks to God, most of them made their way out safely after using ladders to climb up and jump over the backside perimeter wall,” Yusuf added. Images posted online showed a huge fireball and plumes of smoke billowing into the night sky as the explosion ripped through the popular restaurant in the centre of the city on Sunday.Play Video Video Duration 15 minutes 43 seconds15:43 Police officer Mohamed Salad had rushed to the scene a few minutes after the blast and told AFP that several bodies were discovered under the debris. The bomb also destroyed 10 cars and damaged several buildings nearby in a well-guarded area near the presidential palace. Despite losing large swaths of territory to government forces and their allies, al-Shabab has frequently launched raids and deadly attacks targeting the government. Al-Shabab has been fighting to topple the fragile central government in Mogadishu for more than 17 years, carrying out numerous bombings and other attacks in the capital and other parts of the country. Somalia’s federal government depends on the support of foreign troops to stay in power. The government has joined forces with local armed groups to fight the group in a campaign supported by an African Union force and US air raids. But the offensive has suffered setbacks, with al-Shabab earlier this year claiming it had taken multiple locations in the centre of the country. Somalia last month called for the African Union to slow the planned withdrawal of its forces from the troubled country. UN resolutions called for troop numbers in the AU peacekeeping mission, known as ATMIS, to be reduced to zero by December 31 with security handed over to the Somali army and police. The third and penultimate phase was to see the departure of 4,000 ATMIS soldiers – out of a total of 13,500 – by the end of June. But Somalia’s government said it wanted to see only 2,000 soldiers leave in June and the remaining 2,000 in September. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/15/deadly-car-bomb-targets-busy-cafe-in-the-somali-capital

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/7/15/israels-war-on-gaza-live-endless-massacre-in-gaza-as-israel-kills-17

 Balochistan Home Minister Meer Zia ullah Langau on Friday said the internet and cellphone services would remain suspended in Quetta on Muharram 7 and 10 from 6am to 12am midnight.  Additionally, the provincial government has imposed Section 144 in seven districts as it ramps up security measures in Muharram. Muharram began on July 8 with the sighting of the lunar month’s crescent in Pakistan. Faithful hold processions and majalis across the country in Muharram, while religious scholars address huge gatherings amid tight security, with thousands of law enforcers deployed to ensure security. During his visit to review security arrangements in various areas of the metropolis, Langov said 8,000 security personnel would be deployed in Quetta on the day of Ashura, 10th Muharram. Meanwhile, five Quick Response Force platoons of Pakistan Army would remain on standby. Whereas, the home minister said that the cellphone services would be suspended in Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad and Usta Muhammad districts on Muharram 9 and 10. The provincial government has also banned pillion riding and imposed Section 144 from Muharram 1 till 10 in seven districts. It was the government’s responsibility to maintain law and order situation in the city, stated Langov, apprising media that security arrangements regarding Muharram had been completed. On the other hand, the federal government on July 8 approved the deployment of the Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces (CAF) across the country as a security measure during Muharram. According to a notification issued by the interior ministry, the government has sought the deployment of the military to maintain law and order. The notification states that the details of troop deployment, which will be enforced for an indefinite period, will be finalised with the authorities concerned. Additionally, the notification stated: “The date of de-requisitioning of said deployment will be decided subsequently after mutual consultation among all stakeholders.” Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1209264-quetta-to-suspend-internet-cellphone-services-on-muharram-7-10

At least 22 people, including students, have been confirmed dead after a two-storey school building collapsed in central Nigeria, according to the authorities, sending rescuers on a frantic search for more than 100 people trapped in the rubble. The Saint Academy building in Plateau state’s Busa Buji community collapsed on Friday shortly after students, many of whom were 15 or younger, arrived for classes, the authorities said on Saturday. A total of 154 students were initially trapped in the rubble, but police spokesman Alfred Alabo later said 132 of them had been rescued and were being treated for injuries in various hospitals. The Associated Press news agency quoted Alabo as saying that 22 students were confirmed dead. An earlier report by Nigerian media had said at least 12 people were killed. Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said in a Facebook post that 30 people remain in hospital. The rescue operation had ended and the site cleared, it said. Rescue workers had tried to reach the victims using heavy machinery, and images from the scene showed crowds gathering around a caved-in concrete building and piles of rubble.Play Video Dozens of villagers gathered near the school, some weeping and others offering to help, as excavators combed through the debris from the part of the building that had caved in. One woman was seen wailing and attempting to go closer to the rubble as others held her back. NEMA said rescue and health workers as well as security forces had been deployed at the scene immediately after the collapse, launching a search for the trapped students. “To ensure prompt medical attention, the government has instructed hospitals to prioritize treatment without documentation or payment,” Plateau state’s commissioner for information, Musa Ashoms, said in a statement. The state government of Plateau blamed the tragedy on the school’s “weak structure and location near a riverbank”. It urged schools facing similar issues to shut down. Building collapses are becoming common in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, with more than a dozen such incidents recorded in the last two years. Authorities often blame such disasters on a failure to enforce building safety regulations, the use of substandard construction materials and poor maintenance. Source: https://aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/12/several-children-killed-after-school-collapse-in-nigeria

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/7/13/israel-war-on-gaza-live-dozens-of-bodies-recovered-after-massacre