The Global News Desk 115

July 15 - (The Global News Desk 115) — Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced during a meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington that US forces will depart from Iraq by September 30. "We don't think we need the military there at all," Trump said in the White House. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali further said, "American forces are scheduled to depart on September 30th, after which American companies will arrive." We will not allow any group outside the state's authority to possess weapons following September 30. PM Zaidi indicated that Al-Ḥashd ash-Shaʿbī, a paramilitary organization combating ISIS since 2014, will be disarmed after the departure of US forces.

July 15 - (The Global News Desk 115) — At least six people were reported dead and two injured following a fire on Tuesday at an under-construction building in the center of Brussels.  Authorities confirmed that the bodies were located in an elevator at the site. The elevator in the building ceased to function after a fire destroyed lift cables. The bodies were retrieved from an elevator that was trapped in a shaft at the Oxy tower located in the city center, during an operation that lasted for several hours. Firefighters discovered that the blaze had spread to the elevator shafts, where two elevators were halted, despite the fire being put out immediately. Philippe Close, the mayor of Brussels, hailed the emergency services for their "remarkable efforts" during "especially tough circumstances." Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Belgian King Philippe arrived at the scene in the afternoon, according to the media in Belgium.

July 14 - (The Global News Desk 115) — The Disaster Management and Relief Ministry reported yesterday that floods and landslides affecting seven districts have led to at least 54 deaths and 39 injuries. Cox's Bazar had the most deaths, with 31, followed by Chittagong, 13; Bandarban, 6; Rangamati, 3; and Moulvibazar, 1. As relief and emergency response efforts continue in flood-affected areas, 38,422 people have taken refuge in 1,049 shelters. Officials said that specialized healthcare services are now accessible in 11 districts affected by flooding, which include Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Comilla, and Brahmanbaria.

July 14 - (The Global News Desk 115) — Turkish state media announced that Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Turkey on Monday for a two-day official visit.  It is anticipated that he will engage with Turkish military and political officials while there. Conversations with influential people in these sectors are also scheduled. According to PTV, which cited security sources, Field Marshal Munir received a warm reception upon his arrival. Before this visit, General Metin Tokel, who leads the Turkish Land Forces, met Field Marshal Munir in Pakistan a few weeks earlier. Both sides discussed the importance of regional security and discussed ways to improve bilateral defense cooperation, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations. General Tokel also met the air force and naval leaders of Pakistan on the same tour. This month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made a trip to Turkiye, concentrating on enhancing trade and economic connections between the two nations.

July 13 - (The Global News Desk 115) — Multiple vehicles collided with a pickup truck on a busy highway in Indonesia, transporting wedding attendees.  A collision occurred on the key island of Java, killing 13 people and wounding five others, authorities reported on Monday. The incident took place on Sunday afternoon on the northern coastal highway near the village of Kiajaran Kulonm, while wedding attendees were heading back from a wedding in the adjacent village of Parean. Authorities said the victims were in an open-air truck that slowed and stalled near a median lane opening to make a U-turn on the highway.  A wing-box truck moving in the same direction hit the truck from behind. The intense collision sent more than 12 people flying from the pickup truck onto the roadway, police said in a preliminary statement. No other information regarding the deceased was immediately released by the authorities. Dead bodies were taken to a hospital for identification.  

July 13 - (The Global News Desk 115) —  At least 29 people lost their lives, and several others were injured in a terrible fire that broke out in a Bangkok pub late on Sunday night. Several black bags to carry dead bodies were found on the ground outside the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao restaurant and bar early on Monday, according to representatives from international media agencies.  A large number of emergency service personnel were also present at the scene. The fire quickly engulfed the bar, extending to the ceiling. Smoke was probably the main reason for the 29 fatalities and 60  injuries. As soon as authorities learned of the bar fire, numerous firefighters, law enforcement, and rescue teams were dispatched to the scene.  The Prime Minister of Thailand reportedly informed reporters on the scene that 27 people had passed away and scores were shifted to the hospital, according to local media sources.  Due to serious burns, two of the injured later ...