UN centre hit in Israeli ground offensive in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza

Today's headlines: Yet another journalist killed in the Philippines; Children most affected by pollution in Indonesia; Pakistani Islamist militants turn to drones; New “technical” talks between Russia and Ukraine are planned; Protests over water shortages in Tajikistan.

ISRAEL – GAZA

Yesterday, Israel also launched a ground incursion into the town of Deir al-Balah in the centre of the Gaza Strip. Several residents fled towards the Mediterranean Sea to the west and towards Khan Younis to the south. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that two UN guesthouses in the city were “hit, despite the parties having been informed of the location of the UN premises, which are inviolable”, regardless of the evacuation orders issued by the Israeli army. Some WHO members were also arrested and later released, while at least 65 people were killed in the bombings.

PHILIPPINES

Another journalist was killed yesterday in Bislig, Philippines: Erwin Labitad Segovia, 63, was a presenter on Radio WOW and host of a programme focusing on social issues and local government. According to the police, “Boy Pana”, as he was known, was shot dead by an unidentified gunman as he was returning home shortly after finishing his morning broadcast. He is the fifth journalist to be killed since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. came to power.

INDONESIA

According to a study published this month by the University of Indonesia, in the capital, Jakarta, a city with a population of over 10 million, one in 20 children under the age of five has been diagnosed with pneumonia. According to the World Health Organisation, the infection, which is exacerbated by high levels of pollution, is responsible for 14% of all deaths among young children worldwide. Tambora, a densely populated district in the western part of the metropolis, had the highest prevalence, with nearly three cases of pneumonia for every 20 children.

PAKISTAN

According to Pakistani police, Islamist militants in the countryare also using drones purchased for commercial purposes to target security forces, especially in the north-western regions. In early July, terrorists attacked a police station, injuring a woman and three children in the district of Bannu, while in other attacks, security forces reported that they had managed to neutralise the drones before they could drop their payloads.

SOUTH KOREA

This morning, President Lee Jae Myung asked the National Assembly to send a confirmation report on the candidate for Minister for Gender Equality, Kang Sun-woo, despite growing criticism from part of South Korean society. The People Power Party, the main opposition party, refused to ratify the confirmation, citing allegations of workplace abuse against Kang. With the deadline passed, the president could proceed with the appointment unilaterally.

RUSSIA - UKRAINE

The new round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine could take place in the coming days in Istanbul, according to diplomatic sources, possibly on 23-24 July, and would be of a “technical nature” on limited issues, from humanitarian aid to prisoner exchanges, civil infrastructure security and border security measures.

TAJIKISTAN

Protests and calls for help are rising in many areas of Tajikistan due to the severe shortage of drinking water, especially in the city of Kuljaba, one of the most populous in the country, where residents are forced to pay huge sums for water or travel kilometres, and many roam around on donkeys with carts in search of a source or a loan of water.