News
65 Wounded As Powerful Car Bomb Rocks Kabul
Dozens of people were wounded with fatalities feared as a powerful car bomb rocked Kabul early Monday and gunmen battled special forces in an area housing military and government buildings, officials said.
The rush-hour explosion sent a plume of smoke into the air above the Puli Mahmood Khan neighbourhood of the Afghan capital and shook buildings up to two kilometres (1.2 miles) away, with an AFP reporter saying he could hear gunshots after the blast.
“At first, a car bomb took place and then several attackers took over a building. The area is cordoned off by the police special forces and (they) are bringing down the attackers,” interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said.
Health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar tweeted that 65 wounded people, including nine children, had been taken to hospital. He warned that casualties could rise.
The area was quickly blocked off by Afghan forces and ambulances, with helicopter gunships seen overhead as firing continued.
The heavily-secured neighbourhood is home to some military and government buildings, including one shared by Afghanistan’s intelligence agency and defence ministry, as well as the Afghan Football Federation and Cricket Board.
“We were sitting inside the office when the world turned upside down on us,” Zaher Usman, an employee at a branch of the culture ministry, which he said stands just 150 metres (yards) from the blast.
He said the blast appeared to have occurred near Gulbahar Tower, which contains a shopping mall and residential units and is next to a government building.
“When I opened my eyes, the office was filled with smoke and dust and everything was broken, my colleagues were screaming,” Usman told AFP by telephone.
Brief lockdown
Police said they do not yet know the target.
Shams Amini, a football federation spokesman, told AFP that the blast occurred near their HQ gates.
“Some of our colleagues are trapped inside, we have reports of some injuries. We don’t know if the attackers have entered the building,” he said.
Nearby Shamshad TV station, which was attacked in 2017, aired images of broken glass and damage to its offices but said it was not the target.
The nearby “Green Zone” diplomatic area was briefly put on lockdown, but later opened again.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but both the Taliban and the so-called Islamic State group are active in Kabul.
The explosion came two days after the Taliban and the US began their seventh round of talks in Qatar as Washington eyes a breakthrough before Afghanistan’s September presidential election.
The negotiations have so far centred on four issues — counter-terrorism, the foreign troop presence, an intra-Afghan dialogue and a permanent ceasefire.
A potential deal would see the US agree to withdraw its troops after more than 17 years in Afghanistan, igniting deep concerns among huge swathes of Afghans who fear the militants will return to some semblance of power.
In return, the Taliban would guarantee the country would never again become a safe haven for violent extremist groups, as happened with Al-Qaeda before the September 11, 2001 attacks.
AFP
China has announced a sharp increase in tariffs on US imports, raising the rate from 34 percent to 84 percent, in response to new American trade measures that came into effect on Wednesday.
The decision, confirmed by China’s finance ministry, will take effect from 12:01 p.m. on Thursday. It follows the imposition of sweeping new US tariffs under President Donald Trump, including a hefty 104 percent duty on certain Chinese goods.
“The tariff escalation against China by the United States simply piles mistakes on top of mistakes and severely infringes on China’s legitimate rights and interests,” the ministry said in a strongly worded statement, warning of “firm and forceful” countermeasures.
Beijing has long opposed the increasing use of tariffs as a tool in trade disputes, and accused Washington of undermining the multilateral rules-based global trading system.
In a related move, China’s commerce ministry also announced it would blacklist six American artificial intelligence companies, including Shield AI Inc. and Sierra Nevada Corporation. The companies were accused of either supplying arms to Taiwan or collaborating with the island on military technology.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Oyo State Governor, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, describing his death as a monumental loss to the people of Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
In a condolence message made available to the press on Sunday, in Ibadan by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker eulogised the late elder statesman as a distinguished scholar, consummate public administrator, and one of Nigeria’s most intellectually gifted leaders whose legacy would continue to inspire generations.
Dr. Olunloyo, who served as governor of Oyo State during the Second Republic, was reported dead at the age of 89. He was widely respected for his brilliance, administrative acumen, and unmatched depth in mathematics and public discourse.
Oseni noted that the late governor’s contributions to the development of Oyo State, particularly in the areas of education, governance, and intellectual engagement, are indelible footprints in the sands of time.
“We have lost a gem. Dr. Olunloyo was not just a leader, he was a father figure and a repository of wisdom. His demise is a personal loss to me and all lovers of progress and excellence in our society,” he stated.
While commiserating with the Olunloyo family, the people of Ibadan, and the entire Oyo State, he prayed for the peaceful repose of the departed soul and urged all to take solace in the rich and impactful life he lived.
Member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Chief Sulaimon Ajeniyi Ajewole and other members of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) executives on their re-election.
Chief Ajewole was returned as the President-General of the apex Ibadan socio-cultural association, alongside other members of the executive council, who were all given the mandate to continue piloting the affairs of the association for another two-year term.
In a congratulatory message issued through his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, Oseni described the re-election of the Ajewole-led team as a reflection of the trust and confidence reposed in their leadership by the Ibadan indigenes at home and in the diaspora.
He commended the CCII leadership for its unwavering commitment to the progress, unity, and cultural advancement of Ibadanland while expressing optimism that the renewed mandate would further propel the association to greater heights.
“The re-election of Chief Ajewole and his team is not only a testament to their sterling performance over the last term but also an affirmation of their capacity to continue serving the interest of Ibadan indigenes. I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes for a more impactful tenure,” he said.
The lawmaker further assured the CCII of his continued support for any initiative geared towards the development of Ibadanland and the preservation of its rich heritage.
The CCII is renowned for its pivotal role in mobilising Ibadan sons and daughters towards the socio-economic development of the65 ancient city and beyond.
