More than a hundred people killed, scores wounded in a new Israeli raid at a Gaza school
Today's headlines: Japan’s prime minister cancels trip to Central Asia, as fears of a “megaquake” increase among the Japanese. Myanmar’s military regime is preventing young people from emigrating for work. Seven die in attack by militants against army posts in northwestern Pakistan. Panipak Wongpattanakit is the first Thai sportswoman to win two gold medals at the Olympics.
ISRAEL – PALESTINE
More than 100 people were killed (and scores wounded) in today's Israeli attack against the al-Tabaìeen school in Gaza City. According to Palestinian authorities, the building was being used as a shelter for civilians and the raid struck during morning prayers. Israel’s military acknowledged the operation, saying however that it hit a structure used as a hiding place by Hamas terrorists, a claim the Palestinian group rejects.
JAPAN
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida cancelled a four-day trip to Central Asia after the country's seismologists warned of a potential "mega quake". The warning by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) follows a powerful 7.1 quake on Thursday in the southern part of the country, which left 14 people injured, causing slowdowns in rail traffic, and forcing nuclear power plants to double-check their preparedness plans. A new 6.8 quake was reported today in the north.
VATICAN - CHINA
Francis sends a message of hope to the Chinese people. In an interview with the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus, the pontiff affirmed that China is "a great people" that "must not waste its heritage" and "must carry it forward with patience". The pope also confirmed his desire to visit the country and pray at the Sheshan shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians.
MYANMAR
Myanmar’s ruling junta is preventing young people who want to get a job abroad from leaving the country, intercepting them at Yangon International Airport. The new measure is one of the methods used by the regime to control the number of citizens seeking to flee civil war, economic recession, and military conscription. Men between the ages of 18 and 35 and women between the ages of 18 and 27 must serve a minimum of two years in the military.
PAKISTAN
Militants attacked three army posts in northwestern Pakistan, on the border with Afghanistan, triggering firefights that left three soldiers and four insurgents dead. The attacks took place in the Tirah Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where an anti-terrorist operation was underway. The Gul Bahadur group, a separatist faction of the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attacks.
THAILAND
Panipak Wongpattanakit made history at the Paris Olympics, becoming the first Thai athlete to win two gold medals, retaining the title she had won in Tokyo in the taekwondo women's flyweight division, beating China's Guo Qing in the final. At a press conference after the medal ceremony, Panipak confirmed reports that she was retiring.
RUSSIA – ISLAM
In St Petersburg, a 22-year-old woman was arrested for insulting the religious feelings of believers, by spray painting graffiti citing the Qurʾān on the walls of the Orthodox Church of the Blessed Xenia of St Petersburg. In particular, the graffiti included the inscription "Ajat 9:52”, a reference to the fight against unbelievers in the "forbidden months” to force them into the true faith.
TURKMENISTAN
After years of complaints and protests, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has finally banned the use of child labour in the cotton harvest. The order was registered with the Ministry of Justice, and provides for monitoring by social welfare agencies. It is hoped that it will be effective immediately.
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