NA committee summons Lahore metropolitan officer o…

Spain and Morocco have strengthened security along the border of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after an unprecedented surge saw around 49,000 migrants cross by land and sea within a single day, triggering a humanitarian and political crisis. Authorities from both countries reinforced border fences and increased security deployments on Friday, effectively halting further mass crossings. Moroccan security forces used water cannons to disperse crowds attempting to reach the enclave, while damaged vehicles and signs of violent clashes were visible near the border. Spanish officials confirmed that at least 19 bodies were recovered from the waters during the chaotic crossings, raising concerns over the growing human cost of irregular migration. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation and oversee the government’s response. Ceuta, a Spanish territory on Morocco’s northern coast, represents one of the European Union’s only land borders with Africa. While the enclave has experienced migration waves in the past, officials described the latest influx as the largest recorded in recent years. Spain’s government said migrants who entered the enclave illegally would be returned in accordance with Spanish law while respecting recent court rulings and international human rights obligations. Officials believe the sudden increase in crossings may have been influenced by a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling that placed new limits on the immediate return of migrants intercepted while attempting to reach Ceuta and the nearby enclave of Melilla. On the Moroccan side, thousands of migrants gathered near the border town of Fnideq despite heavy security. Many searched for alternative routes after official crossing points were sealed, while others attempted to reach Ceuta by swimming along the coastline. The crowds included men, women, and children from Morocco as well as several Sub-Saharan African countries. The crisis has sparked political tensions across Europe. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned that Italy could consider extraordinary measures, including suspending participation in the Schengen border-free travel system with Spain, if migration pressures continue to escalate. Italy also criticized Spain’s immigration policies, arguing that recent measures to regularize the status of hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants could encourage further irregular migration. Spain rejected the criticism, insisting that migration requires a coordinated European response based on solidarity rather than political rhetoric. Spanish officials stressed that migrants contribute to the country’s economy while reaffirming their commitment to tackling illegal border crossings.

A major industrial fire near London has forced the closure of the M25 in both directions, triggering widespread traffic disruption and fears of possible explosions. The blaze broke out at a commercial premises in Ventura Park, near St Albans, shortly after 9.20am on Tuesday. Huge plumes of thick smoke could be seen rising over the motorway as firefighters rushed to contain the fire. The M25 has been closed between Junction 21A and Junction 22, with motorists warned to avoid the area and use alternative routes. Emergency services took the decision to close the motorway amid concerns over smoke, falling debris and the potential for secondary explosions from the industrial site. Multiple fire appliances have been deployed to tackle the blaze, while police officers are also at the scene managing the emergency and surrounding traffic. National Highways has warned motorists to expect significant delays and congestion, urging drivers to allow extra time for their journeys or avoid the affected area altogether. The incident has caused major disruption on one of London’s key orbital routes, with congestion building on surrounding roads as traffic is diverted away from the closed section. Residents close to the fire have been advised to keep windows and doors closed because of the heavy smoke. The fire is also close to a railway line, with Network Rail representatives liaising with firefighters as emergency services assess the situation. The cause of the fire has not yet been established. Emergency crews remain at the scene and the M25 will stay closed while firefighters work to bring the blaze under control and authorities determine when it is safe to reopen the motorway. Motorists are being urged not to travel towards the affected section and to follow official traffic and emergency-service instructions. The incident remains ongoing.

Data from the Ministry of Health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reveals that the ongoing Ebola outbreak declared on 15 May has killed over 1,000 people in just over two months. This marks the fastest-spreading outbreak of the virus on record, reaching 1,000 fatalities nearly three times quicker than the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic. As of Tuesday, the country has recorded 2,536 confirmed cases and 1,033 deaths, with the case fatality rate standing at 40 per cent. Unlike the 2014–2016 epidemic driven by the more common Ebola virus, the current surge is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which there are no approved vaccines or targeted therapeutic treatments. The outbreak remains largely concentrated across five eastern provinces near the Ugandan border. Health officials warn that the peak may still lie ahead due to late patient presentations, initial delays in identifying the strain, and a high proportion of new cases emerging outside monitored contact lists.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called for a thorough investigation into the death of a man during a police operation in Bologna, while strongly condemning violent protests that left dozens of police officers injured. The incident occurred in the Pilastro area of Bologna, where police were called to respond to reports of an aggressive man damaging a vehicle. The man, identified as Moroccan-born Abderrahim Fakir, died following the confrontation with police. Meloni said all facts surrounding the incident must be established through a transparent investigation. She stressed that the truth should be determined without bias and that responsibility should be identified based on evidence. The situation later escalated when protesters gathered in Bologna and clashes broke out with police. Demonstrators threw firecrackers, bottles and chairs at law enforcement personnel, prompting police to use tear gas and water cannons to control the crowd. Police officials said 56 officers were injured during the violent demonstrations. Meloni condemned the attacks on security personnel, saying violence could not be justified under any circumstances. Authorities have launched an investigation into the man’s death. Bologna police said body-camera footage from the officers involved would be handed over to investigators as part of the inquiry. According to initial reports, officers attempted to calm Fakir before using pepper spray and restraining him while trying to place him under arrest after he allegedly became aggressive. The incident has triggered political debate across Italy, with opposition parties demanding accountability and government supporters defending the actions of police officers. Meloni accused some protesters of using the incident as an excuse to create unrest rather than seeking justice. She said those responsible for attacking police and damaging public property were pursuing confrontation instead of the truth.