A bombing at Khadija Al-Kubra mosque on Islamabad’s outskirts killed 31 people and injured at least 169 during Friday prayers. Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with bodies and wounded lying inside the mosque as rescuers transported victims to hospitals. Pakistani authorities and leaders condemned the attack, launched investigations, and called for urgent medical assistance and blood donations.

A devastating bombing struck the Shiite mosque of Khadija Al-Kubra on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, during Friday prayers, leaving at least 31 people dead and 169 others injured, officials said. Police are investigating who wa was behind the explosion, AP reported.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos as worshippers were caught in the blast. Television footage and social media posts showed rescuers and residents rushing the wounded to nearby hospitals. Hussain Shah, who was praying in the mosque courtyard, recounted the moment of the attack. “I immediately thought that some big attack has happened,” he said. Entering the mosque, he saw bodies on the carpeted floor and people screaming for help. Shah estimated around 30 bodies inside, while many more were wounded.

Authorities have not received a claim of responsibility for the bombing, though suspicion is expected to fall on militant groups such as the Pakistani Taliban or regional affiliates of the Islamic State, which have previously targeted Shiite communities.

Militants in Pakistan often strike security forces and civilians, with recent months seeing a rise in attacks across the country. Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon updated the casualty numbers shortly after the initial reports. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and extended condolences to the victims’ families. “Targeting innocent civilians is a crime against humanity,” Zardari said. Sharif ordered a full investigation, saying, “Those who are responsible must be identified and punished.”

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi urged hospitals to provide the best possible care for the wounded. Shiite leader Raja Nasir called the attack a serious failure in protecting human life and appealed for blood donations, noting that hospitals were in urgent need. The bombing occurred near an event attended by Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Islamabad, several miles from the mosque. Islamabad has previously suffered major attacks, including a 2008 bombing at the Marriott Hotel that killed 63 people. The incident comes days after multiple attacks in Balochistan by the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army, which killed roughly 50 people and prompted security forces to eliminate more than 200 militants.

A South Korean judge handed the country’s former first lady Kim Keon Hee 20 months in jail for accepting lavish gifts from a cult-like church on Wednesday but acquitted her for alleged stock manipulation and other charges.

Controversy has long surrounded 53-year-old Kim and accusations of graft, influence peddling and even academic fraud dominated her husband Yoon Suk Yeol’s time in office. Both are now in custody — Yoon for actions taken during his disastrous declaration of martial law in December 2024 and its chaotic aftermath and Kim for corruption.

On Wednesday, Judge Woo In-sung of the Seoul Central District Court found her guilty of corruption and sentenced her to 20 months in prison. She was found to have accepted lavish bribes from the cult-like Unification Church — including a Chanel bag and a Graff necklace.

She was, however, found not guilty of stock manipulation and violations of South Korea’s campaign financing laws. Prosecutors had asked for 15 years. Judge Woo said Kim’s close proximity to the president had given her “significant influence” that she had taken advantage of.

“One’s position must never become a means of pursuing private gain,” he said. Kim, he added had “abused her position as a means of pursuing personal gain”.

SOURCE: Vanguard

At least 13 schoolchildren have died after a truck collided with a school minibus in South Africa’s Gauteng province, authorities confirmed on Monday, January 19, plunging families and communities into grief.

According to AP, preliminary reports showed that 11 children died instantly at the scene, while two others later died from injuries sustained in the crash.

The accident occurred around 7 a.m. in the southwest of Johannesburg as the private minibus was transporting pupils to different primary and secondary schools in the area.

Eyewitness accounts indicated that the minibus attempted to overtake stationary vehicles before crashing head on into an oncoming truck. Police said investigations had commenced to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the collision.

Law enforcement officials confirmed that the truck driver would be questioned as part of the inquiry. Provincial education department minister Matome Chiloane also told reporters that the driver of the school minibus would be investigated for possible reckless driving.

Emergency responders arrived swiftly at the scene to attend to the injured and secure the area. Gauteng Emergency Services said five patients were taken to Sebokeng Hospital, while two others were transported to Kopanong Hospital for additional medical care. The driver of the minibus was also injured and among those hospitalised.

Scenes of anguish unfolded as parents arrived at the crash site. Witnesses described mothers and fathers weeping uncontrollably while emergency workers collected school bags, books and scattered stationery from the road.

Authorities said psychosocial support teams would be made available to assist grieving families and affected schools in the days ahead. The scale of the tragedy has renewed concerns over the safety of vehicles used to transport schoolchildren across the country.

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed deep sorrow over the loss of young lives and pledged government support for those affected.

“Our children are the nation’s most precious assets and we must do all we can — from observing the rules of the road to the quality of service providers,” said Ramaphosa.

The minister of basic education, Siviwe Gwarube, said many school transport accidents were linked to driver error. She urged stricter oversight and called on the Department of Transport to ensure that vehicles conveying pupils are properly maintained and certified roadworthy.

Police said further updates would be provided as investigations continue, while authorities appealed to motorists to exercise caution, especially during early morning hours when school traffic is highest.