A Bangladeshi military jet crashed into a school in Dhaka, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and 171 injuries, according to officials. The military attributed the incident to a mechanical error.
The crash took place at Milestone School and College, located north of Dhaka’s international airport and a military air base. The school serves students from elementary to high school levels. An aide to the interim government leader reported that most of the injured were children, with 25 in critical condition.
The aircraft took off from an air base and struck the second floor of the school, where third and fourth graders were present. Initial reports indicated that the pilot, who died in the crash, attempted to steer the plane away from populated areas.
Eyewitness Emon Islam, a high school student nearby, described the scene: “I saw the windows of the aircraft shattered, and it was burning up in flames, with black smoke rising into the sky.”
In a separate development, experts are warning that Gaza is at risk of descending into anarchy due to a power vacuum, as evidenced by two incidents over the weekend where Israeli soldiers fired on Palestinians at aid sites. The first incident occurred at an Israel-backed aid site, while the second involved Palestinians attempting to seize aid from a U.N. convoy.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resisted establishing a transitional governance system, including preventing the return of the Palestinian Authority, contributing to chaos in Gaza. This failure to address governance has led to Israel facing increasing diplomatic isolation, with 25 countries, including Britain, France, and Japan, condemning Israel's actions and calling for an immediate end to the conflict.
Additionally, the U.N. reported that Israel refused to renew the visa of a senior official overseeing humanitarian efforts in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Meanwhile, Russia has intensified its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, marking the first significant assaults since recent military aid promises from the United States. The Ukrainian military noted that the Shahed drone model, originally developed in Iran, poses a significant threat due to the high volume of attacks.
As Ukraine shifts its focus from requesting weapons to seeking financial support for domestic arms production, the rate of successful strikes by Shahed drones has increased, with 11 percent hitting targets this year compared to 7 percent last year.
In other news, the North Coast 500 in Scotland, aimed at boosting local tourism, has faced criticism for overwhelming the region with visitors and resulting in environmental issues. Local business owners express mixed feelings about the impact on their livelihoods.
In cultural highlights, a recent wine conference in New Zealand integrated Indigenous Māori culture, emphasizing the connection between land and identity. Māori winemakers advocate for sustainable practices tied to their cultural heritage.
For those interested in culinary suggestions, a recipe for simmering black beans in coconut milk with fresh ginger is recommended, along with various entertainment options, including a new comic novel and a docuseries on emergency medicine.
Feedback and suggestions are welcomed via email.