Hong Kong records hottest day in more than 140 years 

Armed gunmen launched a hours-long night-time raid on the village of Lajinge in northwestern Nigeria’s Sokoto state, killing at least 12 people and abducting several women and children. The assailants set fire to homes during the assault, causing six members of a single family to burn to death inside their residence. Local residents reported that four additional individuals sustained injuries while the attackers also rustled significant amounts of livestock. Sokoto state police forces confirmed an ongoing investigation into the assault, which follows a similar attack that left 24 farmers dead in neighbouring Zamfara state just a week prior.

North Korea has issued a fresh warning to Japan, saying it could adopt new military measures in response to Tokyo’s growing defence capabilities. The statement came after Japan conducted a test of a US-made Tomahawk cruise missile, a move Pyongyang described as a serious security threat. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accused Japan of abandoning its traditional defensive military posture and moving toward offensive capabilities. In a statement released through North Korea’s state media, she claimed Tokyo is developing the ability to carry out pre-emptive strikes and military operations beyond its borders. She pointed to Japan’s recent Tomahawk missile launch from the Aegis destroyer Chokai in the Pacific Ocean, along with other missile tests and its participation in joint military exercises led by the United States in the Philippines earlier this year. Kim warned that North Korea would take additional military steps if Japan continued strengthening its armed forces. Although she did not specify what actions Pyongyang might take, she said Japan would face greater security risks as a consequence of its military expansion. The North Korean official also blamed the United States for supporting Japan’s military modernisation. She accused Washington of supplying Tomahawk missiles, upgrading Japanese naval vessels to operate the weapons, and backing missile tests, arguing that the US is encouraging policies that increase tensions in the region. According to Kim, Japan’s acquisition of long-range strike capabilities places North Korea and other neighbouring countries within potential missile range, raising concerns over regional stability. The latest remarks are part of a broader campaign by Pyongyang against growing security cooperation between the United States, Japan and South Korea. North Korean state media has repeatedly criticised joint military exercises and defence partnerships, describing them as provocative and a threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula. Regional analysts believe the statement is aimed at portraying Japan’s military modernisation as justification for North Korea’s continued weapons development. Experts also suggest the rhetoric could signal preparations for future military demonstrations, including missile launches or other strategic weapons tests, as Pyongyang seeks to reinforce its deterrence strategy amid rising regional tensions.

Todd Blanche, a former personal attorney to US President Donald Trump, has been confirmed as the country’s attorney general after a closely contested Senate vote. Blanche secured confirmation by 50 votes to 49, with Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joining Democrats in opposing his nomination. Senator Bill Cassidy provided the crucial Republican vote in Blanche’s favour after saying he believed Blanche was the strongest candidate Trump was likely to nominate. The vote ended a prolonged dispute between the Trump administration and Senate Republicans over Blanche’s appointment. He had been serving as acting attorney general since April, after Pam Bondi was removed from the position. All Senate Democrats voted against Blanche’s confirmation. Several Republican lawmakers had questioned Blanche’s record and raised concerns about his involvement in a number of controversial matters. Among them was his handling of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his role in developing Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. The proposed fund was intended to compensate people who claimed they had been politically targeted or persecuted by the government. However, critics, including Murkowski, warned that the scheme could potentially benefit people prosecuted for their involvement in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. During his confirmation process, Blanche promised to abandon the proposed fund following opposition from Republican senators. Questions remain over whether that commitment would prevent the administration from introducing a similar programme under a different structure in the future. Murkowski said she opposed Blanche because she lacked confidence that he would be willing to challenge what she described as the administration’s worst impulses. She also expressed concern about the increasing politicisation of the Justice Department. Collins raised separate concerns over Blanche’s involvement in Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. Despite those reservations, she ultimately did not support his confirmation. Cassidy, meanwhile, said he trusted Blanche to provide Trump with independent and candid legal advice. He acknowledged that the president ultimately determines the direction of the Justice Department but argued that Senate confirmation would give Blanche greater authority to advise the administration and push back when necessary. Cassidy also said he did not want political disagreements to prevent the Justice Department from carrying out its responsibilities, particularly in combating violent crime. Blanche’s confirmation marks a significant development for the Trump administration, given his previous role as Trump’s personal lawyer. He was serving as deputy attorney general when he assumed the department’s temporary leadership in April.

A powerful earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, leaving at least 26 people dead and causing widespread damage across several cities. The United States Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at magnitude 7.4. It struck at around 7:34am local time, with its epicentre near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region at a depth of about 107 kilometres. The tremor was felt across much of Colombia and in neighbouring Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. Authorities warned residents to remain alert as aftershocks were recorded following the main earthquake. Local officials reported deaths in several parts of the country. Three children were among those killed in Calima El Darién after a wall collapsed. Other fatalities were reported in Zarzal, Buenaventura, Manizales and Pereira. Pereira officials reported 18 deaths, while authorities in Manizales confirmed additional fatalities. Rescue teams continued assessing the situation as reports of casualties and damage were updated. Cali was among the worst-affected cities. Mayor Alejandro Eder said at least 20 buildings had collapsed, with people reportedly trapped under the rubble. He requested additional rescue personnel from Bogotá and Medellín to assist emergency teams. Residents were urged to leave buildings if they noticed major cracks or believed the structures were unsafe. Serious damage was also reported in Quibdó, the capital of Chocó. Regional authorities said several people were injured and buildings were damaged. Rescue workers were deployed to assess affected areas and search for people who may be trapped. Manizales also suffered significant structural damage. Images and videos showed part of the Cathedral Basilica’s clocktower leaning dangerously. A five-storey building was also seen collapsing as people evacuated nearby areas. The earthquake caused panic in Bogotá, where residents rushed out of homes and workplaces. Emergency sirens sounded across parts of the capital. People gathered in streets as buildings and traffic lights shook during the tremor. Bogotá authorities initially reported cracks in some structures but said there was no immediate indication of major infrastructure damage. The earthquake also disrupted air travel. Colombia’s civil aviation authority suspended operations at several airports after damage was reported at facilities in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura. Operations at Popayán airport were also suspended because of volcanic ash. Officials said the Colombian Geological Service recorded two aftershocks, measuring 2.8 and 4.8. The stronger aftershock was widely felt. Colombian authorities described the earthquake as the strongest recorded in the country in roughly a decade. Emergency agencies continued damage assessments while rescue operations remained underway. President Abelardo De La Espriella said he had taken direct charge of the emergency response. He ordered the creation of a unified command centre to coordinate rescue and relief efforts and said he would travel to Pereira to monitor the situation. The disaster comes less than two months after powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24. Those quakes killed more than 6,100 people and caused extensive destruction.