Fire at shopping mall in China kills 16 people
Beijing, July 18: At least 16 people were killed after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening at the 14-story building, in the city of Zigong, Sichuan province. Dramatic images and videos showed a huge column of black smoke billowing from the building. Several people were also seen gathered on a balcony. The rescue operation was completed on Thursday. Around 75 people who were trapped inside the building were evacuated. , the local fire department said. A total of 16 people have been killed, and the rest were evacuated from the building. (AP)
S Korea court recognises some rights for same-sex couples
Seoul, July 18: South Korea’s top court ruled Thursday that same-sex couples are eligible to receive the same health insurance benefits as heterosexual couples, a landmark verdict hailed by human rights groups. The Supreme Court said it ruled that the state health insurance agency’s refusal to provide spousal insurance coverage for gay couples was an act of discrimination that violates the constitutional principle of equality. Thursday’s ruling is final and cannot be appealed. “Today’s ruling is a historic victory for equality and human rights in South Korea,” Amnesty International said. (AP)
Pak targets more social media platforms
Lahore, July 18: After successfully blocking X for over six months, the Pakistan government has targeted more social media platforms — Facebook and Instagram — and restricted their access to the people, a step seen as a plan to impose a complete ban on social media. Since Wednesday, Facebook and Instagram have been restricted in Pakistan, causing users to experience difficulties accessing the social media platforms across various internet service providers. Some users are also experiencing issues with other Meta-owned apps, such as WhatsApp. There has been no official word so far from the Pakistani government regarding restrictions placed on access to FB and Instagram. (AP)
North Korea launches trash balloons toward South
Seoul, July 18: North Korea resumed flying balloons likely carrying trash toward South Korea on Thursday, the South’s military said, days after it vowed to respond to what it called repeated South Korean civilian leafleting campaigns in the North. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the balloons were flying north of Seoul, which is about an hour’s drive from the border, on Thursday afternoon. It warned the South Korea public to be cautious of falling objects and report to authorities if they spot balloons on the ground. Beginning in late May, North Korea has floated numerous balloons carrying wastepaper, scraps of cloth, cigarette butts and even manure toward South Korea, saying they were in response to South Korean activists sending political leaflets to the North via their own balloons. No hazardous materials were found. (AP)