News
Car Bomb Kills Somalis Watching Euro Final at a Café
Several people were killed after a car bomb exploded outside a popular café in Mogadishu, Somalia, where football fans were gathered to watch the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England. The bomb detonated on Sunday night at 22:28 local time, striking Top Coffee café, which was crowded with patrons.
Initial police reports confirmed at least five fatalities and 20 injuries. However, security sources later updated the death toll to nine. The jihadist group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Witnesses described the chaos following the explosion, Mohamed Muse, a survivor, “We heard a loud, horrifying explosion during the first half of the game that we were watching. Everyone had to figure out how to save themselves. I saw people in danger, injured people screaming for help, and others confused – it was terrifying.”
The blast not only took lives but also caused significant property damage, destroying several cars and damaging nearby buildings.
Al-Shabab, affiliated with al-Qaeda, stated that the target was a location frequented by security and government personnel at night. The café is situated close to Villa Somalia, the official presidential residence.
This bombing is part of a long history of attacks by al-Shabab in Mogadishu and other regions of Somalia over the past 17 years. Despite a recent lull in such incidents, largely due to an ongoing offensive by Somali security forces against the group, al-Shabab continues to control significant portions of the country and remains a persistent threat.
In a devastating incident in eastern India, at least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, have drowned while celebrating the Hindu Jivitputrika festival. The fatalities, which occurred across 15 districts within the past 24 hours, resulted from victims ritually bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding.
The three-day festival, which honors children’s wellbeing, is traditionally marked by mothers fasting and families participating in ritual baths. This year, the swollen water bodies, exacerbated by recent floods, have turned the celebratory ritual into a deadly disaster.
Local disaster management officials have expressed fears that the death toll could rise further. State authorities have promised compensation for the families and relatives of the victims.
Fatal accidents during religious festivals are not uncommon in India, where large gatherings often take place with insufficient safety measures. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such gatherings, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted airstrikes in Beirut, reportedly killing Mohammad Hussein Surur, a senior Hezbollah air unit leader. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed two deaths and 15 injuries from the attack. The strikes come amid escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire throughout the night and into the morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the IDF would continue to fight “with full force” against Hezbollah, aiming to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group. This marks a significant intensification of hostilities between the two sides, which have been exchanging rockets and airstrikes for days. The Lebanese health ministry also reported that 28 people were killed today by Israeli airstrikes.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched 80 missiles targeting northern Israeli cities, including Safed. Israeli authorities have reported no casualties but noted significant property damage in Safed and Rosh Pina.
Amid the intensifying conflict, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed calls for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., along with 11 other allied nations, has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
Ferry travel between the Isle of Man and Lancashire continues to face disruption due to strong winds over the Irish Sea. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has cancelled Thursday’s 08:45 BST sailing of the Manxman to Heysham and its scheduled 14:15 return journey. This follows the cancellation of the vessel’s return trip from the Lancashire port on Wednesday evening.
The disruptions have affected postal services, with the Isle of Man Post Office reporting delays in deliveries from the UK. While local deliveries within the island remain unaffected, items posted on Wednesday for UK delivery may not reach Royal Mail’s network in time for Friday delivery.
Additionally, the ferry cancellations have caused a delay in newspaper deliveries, with no papers available on the island on Thursday, as confirmed by the island’s wholesale distributor.
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