Israel launched an airstrike on the Syrian port of Latakia causing large explosions and fires. This is the second such attack that the state of Israel has carried out in Syrian territory in a month.

Israel airstrikes key Syrian port of Latakia for second time this month

Fear and anxiety have gripped people from Sri Lanka, where gas leak related accidents and explosions have risen dramatically lately. A whopping 847 gas-related incidents have been reported in 2021 so far.

Sri Lanka: Fear & anxiety among people due to rising incidents of gas leak explosions

The Arab coalition said that it had carried out airstrikes in Yemen’s capital. The coalition cautioned civilians in Sanaa from approaching or gathering near the military sites. According to reports, violent explosions have rocked the northern neighborhoods.

Saudi-led coalition launches air raids, explosions rock Yemen's Sanaa

The death toll from multiple explosions outside a girls' school in Afghanistan's capital Kabul has risen to 168. A series of blasts shook the neighbourhood of Dasht-e-Barchi, home to a large community of Shi'ites from the Hazara ethnic minority on Saturday.

Death toll mounts to 68 from blasts near Afghanistan girls' school

The death toll from a series of explosions at a military barracks in Equatorial Guinea rose by dozens to at least 98 killed after more bodies were recovered, the government said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The blasts on Sunday in the Mondong Nkuantoma neighbourhood of the coastal city of Bata also wounded at least 615 people, authorities said. The government said that 316 of the injured have been discharged and 299 remain in care in various hospitals in the city.&nbsp;

More than 60 people were also rescued from under the rubble by the civil protection corps and fire service, the government said.&nbsp;

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema said the government will hold an emergency meeting to look into how victims can quickly receive aid from Equatorial Guinea before international aid arrives.&nbsp;

Investigations into the blast have begun, he said in a Tuesday statement.&nbsp;

The president initially said the explosion was due to the negligent handling of dynamite in the military barracks and the impact damaged almost all the homes and buildings in Bata.&nbsp;

The vice president, who is also charged with defence and security, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, said on Tuesday that investigations so far showed the fire may have begun when a farmer set fire to his plot to prepare it for food production and a breeze spread the flames to the nearby barracks where the high-caliber ammunition was stored.&nbsp;

Images shown on state TV showed plumes of smoke rising above the explosion site as crowds fled. Roofs of houses were ripped off.&nbsp;

Equatorial Guinea, an oil-rich West African country of 1.3 million people located south of Cameroon, was a colony of Spain until it gained its independence in 1968. Bata has roughly 175,000 inhabitants. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The death toll from a series of explosions at a military barracks in Equatorial Guinea rose by dozens to at least 98 killed after more bodies were recovered, the government said on Tuesday.

The death toll from a series of explosions at a military barracks in Equatorial Guinea rose by dozens to at least 98 killed after more bodies were recovered, the government said on Tuesday. The blasts on Sunday in the Mondong Nkuantoma neighbourhood of the coastal city of Bata also wounded at least 615 people, authorities said. The government said that 316 of the injured have been discharged and 299 remain in care in various hospitals in the city. More than 60 people were also rescued from under the rubble by the civil protection corps and fire service, the government said. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema said the government will hold an emergency meeting to look into how victims can quickly receive aid from Equatorial Guinea before international aid arrives. Investigations into the blast have begun, he said in a Tuesday statement. The president initially said the explosion was due to the negligent handling of dynamite in the military barracks and the impact damaged almost all the homes and buildings in Bata. The vice president, who is also charged with defence and security, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, said on Tuesday that investigations so far showed the fire may have begun when a farmer set fire to his plot to prepare it for food production and a breeze spread the flames to the nearby barracks where the high-caliber ammunition was stored. Images shown on state TV showed plumes of smoke rising above the explosion site as crowds fled. Roofs of houses were ripped off. Equatorial Guinea, an oil-rich West African country of 1.3 million people located south of Cameroon, was a colony of Spain until it gained its independence in 1968. Bata has roughly 175,000 inhabitants. (With inputs from agencies)

Death toll rises to 98 in Equatorial Guinea explosions 

Russia on Wednesday evacuated more than 1,000 people from nearby villages after a wildfire set off explosions at a munitions depot in the Ryazan region southeast of Moscow, officials said.

A fire broke out at the depot on Wednesday afternoon at 1340 (1040 GMT) sparked by a wildfire in dry grass nearby, the emergencies ministry said in a statement sent to AFP.

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"As a result, explosions took place," the ministry said, adding that it was sending a fire-fighting train and 100 firefighters to battle the blaze.

Russian media posted witness videos of columns of black smoke rising from the fire and continuous explosions.

"According to preliminary information, more than 1,600 people have been evacuated from 14 settlements," the emergencies ministry said, as its head Yevgeny Zinichev flew to the scene.

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The western military district said its troops had been evacuated after attempting unsuccessfully to fight the fire.

"The personnel and civilian staff have been evacuated. None was injured," the military district said in a statement sent to AFP.

A total of 146 children were evacuated from the nearest village of Zheltukhino, Ryazan's regional administration said.

Such accidents are relatively common in Russia due to large amounts of old munitions remaining in storage.

Russia on Wednesday evacuated more than 1,000 people from nearby villages after a wildfire set off explosions at a munitions depot in the Ryazan region southeast of Moscow, officials said.

Russia on Wednesday evacuated more than 1,000 people from nearby villages after a wildfire set off explosions at a munitions depot in the Ryazan region southeast of Moscow, officials said. A fire broke out at the depot on Wednesday afternoon at 1340 (1040 GMT) sparked by a wildfire in dry grass nearby, the emergencies ministry said in a statement sent to AFP. Also read| Russia tests hypersonic cruise missile on Putin's birthday "As a result, explosions took place," the ministry said, adding that it was sending a fire-fighting train and 100 firefighters to battle the blaze. Russian media posted witness videos of columns of black smoke rising from the fire and continuous explosions. "According to preliminary information, more than 1,600 people have been evacuated from 14 settlements," the emergencies ministry said, as its head Yevgeny Zinichev flew to the scene. Also read| 'Targeted sanctions unavoidable': Germany warns Russia over Navalny poisoning The western military district said its troops had been evacuated after attempting unsuccessfully to fight the fire. "The personnel and civilian staff have been evacuated. None was injured," the military district said in a statement sent to AFP. A total of 146 children were evacuated from the nearest village of Zheltukhino, Ryazan's regional administration said. Such accidents are relatively common in Russia due to large amounts of old munitions remaining in storage.

Russia evacuates villages after munition depot explosions

Twin explosions killed at least ten people and wounded dozens of&nbsp;soldiers in a town on a restive island in the southern Philippines on Monday.

One blast took place around noon and another followed about an hour later in Jolo, the main town on Jolo island, a militarised stonghold of the Abu Sayyaf, a militant group that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

An initial military report said one of the blasts was cased by a homemade bomb on a motorcycle, said an army source, who could not be named because he was not authorised to speak to media.

Regional military spokesman Capt. Rex Payot and police said the blast damaged a food store, a computer shop and two army trucks at noon in Jolo town in Sulu province. An initial report said the first bomb was attached to a parked motorcycle.

The military has been waging a months-long offensive against the Abu Sayyaf, a small but violent group aligned with the Islamic State group and blacklisted by the United States and the Philippines for past bombings, ransom kidnappings and beheadings.

The number of its armed fighters have dwindled to a few hundreds in recent years due to battle setbacks and surrenders, including a key commander, Abduljihad Susukan, who gave up to authorities two weeks ago after being wounded in battle.

Susukan has been blamed for kidnappings and beheadings of hostages, including foreign tourists, and surrenders through a Muslim rebel chief, which has signed a peace deal and was cooperating with the government. He is now in police custody and faces multiple murder charges.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

(with inputs from agencies)

Twin explosions killed at least ten people and wounded dozens of soldiers in a town on a restive island in the southern Philippines on Monday. One blast took place around noon and another followed about an hour later in Jolo, the main town on Jolo island, a militarised stonghold of the Abu Sayyaf, a militant group that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

Twin explosions killed at least ten people and wounded dozens of soldiers in a town on a restive island in the southern Philippines on Monday. One blast took place around noon and another followed about an hour later in Jolo, the main town on Jolo island, a militarised stonghold of the Abu Sayyaf, a militant group that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State. An initial military report said one of the blasts was cased by a homemade bomb on a motorcycle, said an army source, who could not be named because he was not authorised to speak to media. Regional military spokesman Capt. Rex Payot and police said the blast damaged a food store, a computer shop and two army trucks at noon in Jolo town in Sulu province. An initial report said the first bomb was attached to a parked motorcycle. The military has been waging a months-long offensive against the Abu Sayyaf, a small but violent group aligned with the Islamic State group and blacklisted by the United States and the Philippines for past bombings, ransom kidnappings and beheadings. The number of its armed fighters have dwindled to a few hundreds in recent years due to battle setbacks and surrenders, including a key commander, Abduljihad Susukan, who gave up to authorities two weeks ago after being wounded in battle. Susukan has been blamed for kidnappings and beheadings of hostages, including foreign tourists, and surrenders through a Muslim rebel chief, which has signed a peace deal and was cooperating with the government. He is now in police custody and faces multiple murder charges. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. (with inputs from agencies)

Twin explosions kill at least ten people, wound soldiers in Philippines

A group of scientists working at the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Pune, have recently discovered tiny flashes of radio light from all over the Sun.

This work was led by Surajit Mondal, a PhD student working under the supervision of Professor Divya Oberoi, a faculty member at NCRA, along with Dr. Atul Mohan, his former student at NCRA, now at the Rosseland Centre for Solar Physics, Norway.

They have identified smoking guns for these small magnetic explosions and hence the first-ever evidence for their existence in explaining the long-pending coronal heating problem.

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In their journey to unravel this mystery, scientists have already figured out that the extra energy heating up the corona must be coming from the magnetic fields of the Sun; but the methodology is not known yet.

The strength of the magnetic fields vary a lot from one place on the surface of the Sun to another, by more than a factor of 1,000, but the corona is hot everywhere.

So, this heating process has to work all over the corona, even in regions of weak magnetic fields. Until now the process of how this magnetic energy is deposited in the corona had remained a mystery.

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"What made this breakthrough possible is the availability of data from a new technology instrument, the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), and the work which we have been doing for the past few years at NCRA to build the techniques and tools to make the most sensitive solar radio images from this data. The very weak radio flashes we have discovered are about 100 times weaker than the weakest bursts reported till now," said Professor Oberoi.

Surajit Mondal, the lead author of this work said, "What makes this really exciting is that these flashes are present everywhere on the Sun and at all times, including in the regions of weak magnetic fields, the so-called `quiet Sun` regions."

"Our preliminary estimates suggest that these tiny magnetic explosions should collectively have enough energy to heat the corona, which is exactly what is needed for solving the coronal heating problem," Dr. Mohan added.

"With this work, we have the strongest evidence till date that these tiny explosions, originally referred to as nanoflares in Professor Parker`s theory in 1988, can indeed be heating up the corona. It is just that they have turned out to be more than 1,000 times weaker than his prediction and it took us a long time to find them. This is an excellent example of how progress in technology enables progress in science," concluded Professor Oberoi.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-nisarga-turns-into-depression-over-vidarbha-to-weaken-further-303192">Also read:&nbsp;Cyclone Nisarga turns into depression over Vidarbha, to weaken further</a>

The Sun is the brightest object in the sky and has been studied for hundreds of years. But it continues to hide some secrets which scientists from across the world are working hard to unlock. We all know that the visible Sun is extremely hot, at a temperature of about 5,500 degrees Celsius.

Surprisingly, on top of this sits a layer of gas which is at a temperature of almost two million degrees, over 300 times hotter than the surface of the Sun! We can get a glimpse of this layer of the gas during a total solar eclipse, called the corona because it looks like a crown.

What heats up the corona to two million degrees is one of the most challenging puzzles about the Sun and a reasonable answer has not been found till date.It is a fact that as we get closer to a source of heat, it becomes hotter. On the Sun, the source of heat is deep inside it. So, how is it that on top of the very hot surface of the Sun, there is a layer which is 300 times hotter? One efficient way of extracting this energy from the magnetic fields involves numerous tiny explosions taking place all over the Sun, all the time.

Individually these explosions are too weak, but collectively they have sufficient energy to heat the entire corona due to sheer numbers. Many attempts have been made to look for X-rays and ultraviolet light emitted by these explosions but none have been successful.It was concluded that if they exist, these tiny explosions were too weak to be detected by even the best instruments available today. These explosions are also expected to give rise to tiny flashes of radio lights, but till now there were no telescopes sensitive enough to detect them.&nbsp;

A group of scientists working at the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Pune, have recently discovered tiny flashes of radio light from all over the Sun.

A group of scientists working at the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Pune, have recently discovered tiny flashes of radio light from all over the Sun. This work was led by Surajit Mondal, a PhD student working under the supervision of Professor Divya Oberoi, a faculty member at NCRA, along with Dr. Atul Mohan, his former student at NCRA, now at the Rosseland Centre for Solar Physics, Norway. They have identified smoking guns for these small magnetic explosions and hence the first-ever evidence for their existence in explaining the long-pending coronal heating problem. Also read: Mumbai braces for Cyclone Nisarga; 1,00,000 people, including coronavirus patients, moved to safety In their journey to unravel this mystery, scientists have already figured out that the extra energy heating up the corona must be coming from the magnetic fields of the Sun; but the methodology is not known yet. The strength of the magnetic fields vary a lot from one place on the surface of the Sun to another, by more than a factor of 1,000, but the corona is hot everywhere. So, this heating process has to work all over the corona, even in regions of weak magnetic fields. Until now the process of how this magnetic energy is deposited in the corona had remained a mystery. Also read: Maharashtra COVID-19 cases up by 2,560 to 74,860; 122 die in one day "What made this breakthrough possible is the availability of data from a new technology instrument, the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), and the work which we have been doing for the past few years at NCRA to build the techniques and tools to make the most sensitive solar radio images from this data. The very weak radio flashes we have discovered are about 100 times weaker than the weakest bursts reported till now," said Professor Oberoi. Surajit Mondal, the lead author of this work said, "What makes this really exciting is that these flashes are present everywhere on the Sun and at all times, including in the regions of weak magnetic fields, the so-called `quiet Sun` regions." "Our preliminary estimates suggest that these tiny magnetic explosions should collectively have enough energy to heat the corona, which is exactly what is needed for solving the coronal heating problem," Dr. Mohan added. "With this work, we have the strongest evidence till date that these tiny explosions, originally referred to as nanoflares in Professor Parker`s theory in 1988, can indeed be heating up the corona. It is just that they have turned out to be more than 1,000 times weaker than his prediction and it took us a long time to find them. This is an excellent example of how progress in technology enables progress in science," concluded Professor Oberoi. Also read: Cyclone Nisarga turns into depression over Vidarbha, to weaken further The Sun is the brightest object in the sky and has been studied for hundreds of years. But it continues to hide some secrets which scientists from across the world are working hard to unlock. We all know that the visible Sun is extremely hot, at a temperature of about 5,500 degrees Celsius. Surprisingly, on top of this sits a layer of gas which is at a temperature of almost two million degrees, over 300 times hotter than the surface of the Sun! We can get a glimpse of this layer of the gas during a total solar eclipse, called the corona because it looks like a crown. What heats up the corona to two million degrees is one of the most challenging puzzles about the Sun and a reasonable answer has not been found till date.It is a fact that as we get closer to a source of heat, it becomes hotter. On the Sun, the source of heat is deep inside it. So, how is it that on top of the very hot surface of the Sun, there is a layer which is 300 times hotter? One efficient way of extracting this energy from the magnetic fields involves numerous tiny explosions taking place all over the Sun, all the time. Individually these explosions are too weak, but collectively they have sufficient energy to heat the entire corona due to sheer numbers. Many attempts have been made to look for X-rays and ultraviolet light emitted by these explosions but none have been successful.It was concluded that if they exist, these tiny explosions were too weak to be detected by even the best instruments available today. These explosions are also expected to give rise to tiny flashes of radio lights, but till now there were no telescopes sensitive enough to detect them.

Scientists in Pune discover long-sought tiny explosions on the Sun

Explosions hit two police checkpoints in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, killing three officers and wounding several other Palestinians, the Hamas-run interior ministry said, declaring a state of emergency after the blasts.

Such attacks on Hamas, which has the most powerful armed apparatus in the enclave, were rare.

Interior ministry spokesman, Eyad Al-Bozom, said security forces were making progress in their pursuit of those behind the explosions, but he did not disclose further details.

"The sinful hands that carried out this crime will not escape punishment," said Bozom.

A spokesman for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-aircraft-strikes-gaza-after-palestinian-mortar-fire-246069">Israeli military</a> said he knew of no involvement by Israel in the back-to-back incidents in Gaza city at a time of simmering cross-border confrontations with Hamas, the Palestinian enclave's ruling Islamists.

The first blast destroyed a motorcycle as it passed a police checkpoint, witnesses said. Two police officers were killed and a third Palestinian wounded. It was not immediately clear if the riders were among the casualties.

The second explosion, less than an hour later, killed one officer and wounded several people at a police checkpoint elsewhere in the city, the interior ministry said. The ministry declared a state of emergency throughout Gaza, putting security forces on alert.

Hamas, which took over Gaza in a 2007 civil war with the forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, has at times faced internal opposition from more stringent Islamist militants aligned with al Qaeda or Islamic State.

Explosions hit two police checkpoints in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, killing three officers and wounding several other Palestinians, the Hamas-run interior ministry said, declaring a state of emergency after the blasts.

Explosions hit two police checkpoints in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, killing three officers and wounding several other Palestinians, the Hamas-run interior ministry said, declaring a state of emergency after the blasts. Such attacks on Hamas, which has the most powerful armed apparatus in the enclave, were rare. Interior ministry spokesman, Eyad Al-Bozom, said security forces were making progress in their pursuit of those behind the explosions, but he did not disclose further details. "The sinful hands that carried out this crime will not escape punishment," said Bozom. A spokesman for the Israeli military said he knew of no involvement by Israel in the back-to-back incidents in Gaza city at a time of simmering cross-border confrontations with Hamas, the Palestinian enclave's ruling Islamists. The first blast destroyed a motorcycle as it passed a police checkpoint, witnesses said. Two police officers were killed and a third Palestinian wounded. It was not immediately clear if the riders were among the casualties. The second explosion, less than an hour later, killed one officer and wounded several people at a police checkpoint elsewhere in the city, the interior ministry said. The ministry declared a state of emergency throughout Gaza, putting security forces on alert. Hamas, which took over Gaza in a 2007 civil war with the forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, has at times faced internal opposition from more stringent Islamist militants aligned with al Qaeda or Islamic State.

Explosions hit Gaza police checkpoints, three dead: Officials

At least three people were killed and five others were injured in two separate gas cylinder explosions in the Nepal capital, Kathmandu on Sunday.

The first incident happened in Sukedhara area of the national capital where a gas cylinder exploded, killing two persons and injuring seven others.

Another person was killed in a separate gas cylinder explosion in city's Anamnagar area, police said.

The injured were shifted to hospital where they are undergoing treatment.&nbsp;

At least three people were killed and five others were injured in two separate gas cylinder explosions in the Nepal capital, Kathmandu on Sunday. The first incident happened in Sukedhara area of the national capital where a gas cylinder exploded, killing two persons and injuring seven others.

At least three people were killed and five others were injured in two separate gas cylinder explosions in the Nepal capital, Kathmandu on Sunday. The first incident happened in Sukedhara area of the national capital where a gas cylinder exploded, killing two persons and injuring seven others. Another person was killed in a separate gas cylinder explosion in city's Anamnagar area, police said. The injured were shifted to hospital where they are undergoing treatment.

Nepal: At least three dead in two explosions in Kathmandu

Two explosions rocked the majority Muslim area of the southern Philippines on Monday, a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-votes-in-polls-expected-to-strengthen-dutertes-grip-on-power-218221">few hours before elections began in the country</a>.

No casualties were reported in the incidents.

The first blast took place around 1 am on Monday in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao province, according to local media reports.

Another blast was reported some 500 meters away from a polling centre - an hour and a half before voting was to begin - at around 4.30 am.

Armed Forces spokesperson, Noel Detoyato, said that fragments of the explosives are being investigated to determine the type used and added that tanks have been deployed in the area to reinforce security during election day.

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The national police chief, Oscar Albayalde, said that the motive behind blast was to create fear among the voters but not to cause victims.

According to witnesses, a little before the second explosion occurred, a group of men in t-shirts that read MNLF - Moro National Liberation Front, an Islamic separatist organization - entered the voting centre and caused minor damage.

Two explosions also occurred in the nearby city of Cortabato on Sunday, in which no casualties were reported.

These blasts have not yet been reported to be linked to the elections as the investigations are ongoing.

Violence during election process in the country is common where dozens of candidates and supporters are killed in every election as political corruption in a country with deep pockets of poverty becomes a source of income.

According to the Election Commission, during the pre-campaign and campaign, 43 violent incidents related to elections were recorded which left 20 dead and 24 injured.

Some 200 people have been detained for attempting to buy votes - at a price of around $19 but in some cases for as low as 20 pesos, the Commission reported.

Some, 61.8 million Filipinos are eligible to vote in the local and legislative elections to decide between 43,000 candidates for 18,000 posts, including mayors, councillors, provincial governors and some 300 congress members.

Cotabato city and Maguindanao province - where the explosions too place - are part of Bangsamoro, a new autonomous Muslim region which is widely supported by the population and which seeks to end decades of separatist conflict in the southern Philippines. Some radical groups remain opposed to this solution.

Two explosions rocked the majority Muslim area of the southern Philippines on Monday, a few hours before elections began in the country. No casualties were reported in the incidents.

Two explosions rocked the majority Muslim area of the southern Philippines on Monday, a few hours before elections began in the country. No casualties were reported in the incidents. The first blast took place around 1 am on Monday in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao province, according to local media reports. Another blast was reported some 500 meters away from a polling centre - an hour and a half before voting was to begin - at around 4.30 am. Armed Forces spokesperson, Noel Detoyato, said that fragments of the explosives are being investigated to determine the type used and added that tanks have been deployed in the area to reinforce security during election day. The national police chief, Oscar Albayalde, said that the motive behind blast was to create fear among the voters but not to cause victims. According to witnesses, a little before the second explosion occurred, a group of men in t-shirts that read MNLF - Moro National Liberation Front, an Islamic separatist organization - entered the voting centre and caused minor damage. Two explosions also occurred in the nearby city of Cortabato on Sunday, in which no casualties were reported. These blasts have not yet been reported to be linked to the elections as the investigations are ongoing. Violence during election process in the country is common where dozens of candidates and supporters are killed in every election as political corruption in a country with deep pockets of poverty becomes a source of income. According to the Election Commission, during the pre-campaign and campaign, 43 violent incidents related to elections were recorded which left 20 dead and 24 injured. Some 200 people have been detained for attempting to buy votes - at a price of around $19 but in some cases for as low as 20 pesos, the Commission reported. Some, 61.8 million Filipinos are eligible to vote in the local and legislative elections to decide between 43,000 candidates for 18,000 posts, including mayors, councillors, provincial governors and some 300 congress members. Cotabato city and Maguindanao province - where the explosions too place - are part of Bangsamoro, a new autonomous Muslim region which is widely supported by the population and which seeks to end decades of separatist conflict in the southern Philippines. Some radical groups remain opposed to this solution.

Two explosions rock southern Philippines ahead of election

Two explosions rocked the majority Muslim area of the southern Philippines on Monday, few hours before elections were to begin in the country. No casualty was reported in the incident.

Two explosions rock southern Philippines ahead of election day

Two explosions went off at a celebration in a stadium in the Afghan city of Lashkar Gah on Saturday, killing four people and wounding 31, government officials said.

The blasts came during a Farmers Day celebration in the southern city that was attended by nearly 1,000 people.

The governor of Helmand province, Mohammad Yasin Khan, was knocked over by the blasts, but suffered only superficial injuries, a spokesman said.

The blasts appeared to have been caused by planted explosives. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The attack is one of several to occur during Afghanistan's multi-day celebrations to mark its traditional new year, beginning with explosions in the capital of Kabul on Thursday.

Those attacks killed six people and wounded 23 and were claimed by Islamic State.

The traditional new year is widely celebrated in Afghanistan but some hardline Islamists oppose the festivities, saying they are un-Islamic.

Helmand, a source of much of Afghanistan's opium, is one of several Afghan provinces in which insurgents have the greatest control and influence. Lashkar Gah is the provincial capital.

Saturday's attack came exactly one year after a car bomb killed at least 14 people who had gathered to watch a wrestling match in Lashkar Gah.

Fighting has been relentless in Afghanistan amid recurring peace talks between US&nbsp;and Taliban negotiators. The latest negotiating round wrapped up this month with both sides saying there was progress toward ending the 17-year war.

The US&nbsp;Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction estimated in January that the government controlled or influenced just over half the country, covering nearly two-thirds of the population.

Two explosions went off at a celebration in a stadium in the Afghan city of Lashkar Gah on Saturday, killing four people and wounding 31, government officials said.

Two explosions went off at a celebration in a stadium in the Afghan city of Lashkar Gah on Saturday, killing four people and wounding 31, government officials said. The blasts came during a Farmers Day celebration in the southern city that was attended by nearly 1,000 people. The governor of Helmand province, Mohammad Yasin Khan, was knocked over by the blasts, but suffered only superficial injuries, a spokesman said. The blasts appeared to have been caused by planted explosives. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The attack is one of several to occur during Afghanistan's multi-day celebrations to mark its traditional new year, beginning with explosions in the capital of Kabul on Thursday. Those attacks killed six people and wounded 23 and were claimed by Islamic State. The traditional new year is widely celebrated in Afghanistan but some hardline Islamists oppose the festivities, saying they are un-Islamic. Helmand, a source of much of Afghanistan's opium, is one of several Afghan provinces in which insurgents have the greatest control and influence. Lashkar Gah is the provincial capital. Saturday's attack came exactly one year after a car bomb killed at least 14 people who had gathered to watch a wrestling match in Lashkar Gah. Fighting has been relentless in Afghanistan amid recurring peace talks between US and Taliban negotiators. The latest negotiating round wrapped up this month with both sides saying there was progress toward ending the 17-year war. The US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction estimated in January that the government controlled or influenced just over half the country, covering nearly two-thirds of the population.

Four killed, 31 injured in explosion at Afghan celebration, governor wounded

Explosions in several Shiite-majority districts in Iraq's capital late Sunday killed six people, most of them civilians, and wounded several others, police and medical sources said.

In northern Baghdad's Aden roundabout area, two civilians were killed and another six wounded by a blast near a bus stop, the sources told AFP.&nbsp;

A bomb in the nearby Tarmiyah neighbourhood targeted an military convoy, killing a soldier and wounding two others.

A government employee was killed in the southwestern area of Al-Sahha when explosives attached under his car were detonated, according to a police officer and medical source.&nbsp;

In the eastern district of Sadr City, two people were killed and four wounded in two explosions in the conservative Shiite neighbourhood.&nbsp;

And two other blasts went off on busses in other parts of Baghdad's northeast, wounding seven.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for any of the explosions.

Sadr City is the former bastion of the Mahdi Army, which fought US troops and was blamed for the killings of thousands of Sunni Muslims.

The militia was led by Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, whose political alliance triumphed in this year's parliamentary elections.

Violence peaked in Iraq during 2006 and 2007, when sectarian tensions were at their highest.&nbsp;

But it has fallen across Iraq and particularly Baghdad since the government declared victory over the Islamic State group&nbsp;in December.

Clandestine jihadist cells remain across the country and have waged guerrilla-type attacks against government posts.

Explosions in several Shiite-majority districts in Iraq's capital late Sunday killed six people, most of them civilians, and wounded several others, police and medical sources said.

Explosions in several Shiite-majority districts in Iraq's capital late Sunday killed six people, most of them civilians, and wounded several others, police and medical sources said. In northern Baghdad's Aden roundabout area, two civilians were killed and another six wounded by a blast near a bus stop, the sources told AFP. A bomb in the nearby Tarmiyah neighbourhood targeted an military convoy, killing a soldier and wounding two others. A government employee was killed in the southwestern area of Al-Sahha when explosives attached under his car were detonated, according to a police officer and medical source. In the eastern district of Sadr City, two people were killed and four wounded in two explosions in the conservative Shiite neighbourhood. And two other blasts went off on busses in other parts of Baghdad's northeast, wounding seven. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for any of the explosions. Sadr City is the former bastion of the Mahdi Army, which fought US troops and was blamed for the killings of thousands of Sunni Muslims. The militia was led by Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, whose political alliance triumphed in this year's parliamentary elections. Violence peaked in Iraq during 2006 and 2007, when sectarian tensions were at their highest. But it has fallen across Iraq and particularly Baghdad since the government declared victory over the Islamic State group in December. Clandestine jihadist cells remain across the country and have waged guerrilla-type attacks against government posts.

Blasts across Baghdad kill six people: Sources

Around 12,000 people were evacuated after a fire and explosions at a rate of two to three a second hit a Ukrainian Defence Ministry ammunition depot early on Tuesday morning, officials said.

No casualties were reported.

Ukraine's state security service said it was investigating possible sabotage, and the defence ministry's spokesman said the fact that explosions were set off in different parts of the depot pointed to sabotage.

The depot is located in the Chernihiv region, 176 km (109 miles) east of the capital, Kiev. A woman who lived 50 km away told the TV channel 112 she could hear the explosions.

"There are no victims, wounded, injured or killed among military personnel, personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the local population," a Defence Ministry statement said. "As of 7 a.m. (0400 GMT), the intensity of explosions is two to three explosions per second."

The airspace in a 30 km radius was closed and road and rail transport suspended. The emergency services reported gas and electricity supplies to the area have been disrupted.

Hundreds of people and equipment were deployed to the site, a statement by the emergency services said, joined by Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and the head of Ukraine's armed forces Viktor Muzhenko. The president has called for a report.

Several large fires have hit ammunition and weapons depots in recent years, an additional drain on Ukraine's military. Fighting between Ukrainian troops and Moscow-backed separatist rebels has killed more than 10,000 people since 2014.

Last year, massive explosions at a military depot in the Vynnytsya region, 270 km west of Kiev, forced the authorities to evacuate 24,000 people.

Following that, a parliamentary defence committee inspected other depots. It warned that there were significant shortcomings in how the depot in the Chernihiv region was managed, according to a lawmaker who was on the committee.

A "number of shortcomings, including significant ones, were identified," Dmitry Tymchuk wrote on Facebook,.

"As a result of this trip, I sent an address to the heads of the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff of the Armed Forces, which listed the shortcomings identified with a request to intervene in the situation and solve existing problems."

The defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters.

Around 12,000 people were evacuated after a fire and explosions at a rate of two to three a second hit a Ukrainian Defence Ministry ammunition depot early on Tuesday morning, officials said.

Around 12,000 people were evacuated after a fire and explosions at a rate of two to three a second hit a Ukrainian Defence Ministry ammunition depot early on Tuesday morning, officials said. No casualties were reported. Ukraine's state security service said it was investigating possible sabotage, and the defence ministry's spokesman said the fact that explosions were set off in different parts of the depot pointed to sabotage. The depot is located in the Chernihiv region, 176 km (109 miles) east of the capital, Kiev. A woman who lived 50 km away told the TV channel 112 she could hear the explosions. "There are no victims, wounded, injured or killed among military personnel, personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the local population," a Defence Ministry statement said. "As of 7 a.m. (0400 GMT), the intensity of explosions is two to three explosions per second." The airspace in a 30 km radius was closed and road and rail transport suspended. The emergency services reported gas and electricity supplies to the area have been disrupted. Hundreds of people and equipment were deployed to the site, a statement by the emergency services said, joined by Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and the head of Ukraine's armed forces Viktor Muzhenko. The president has called for a report. Several large fires have hit ammunition and weapons depots in recent years, an additional drain on Ukraine's military. Fighting between Ukrainian troops and Moscow-backed separatist rebels has killed more than 10,000 people since 2014. Last year, massive explosions at a military depot in the Vynnytsya region, 270 km west of Kiev, forced the authorities to evacuate 24,000 people. Following that, a parliamentary defence committee inspected other depots. It warned that there were significant shortcomings in how the depot in the Chernihiv region was managed, according to a lawmaker who was on the committee. A "number of shortcomings, including significant ones, were identified," Dmitry Tymchuk wrote on Facebook,. "As a result of this trip, I sent an address to the heads of the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff of the Armed Forces, which listed the shortcomings identified with a request to intervene in the situation and solve existing problems." The defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters.

Watch: Thousands evacuated after explosions at Ukrainian ammunition depot

According to reports, explosions were heard on Friday in and around Syria's‬ Hama airport. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the series of explosions occurred near Hama's military airport and had been heard in Hama city.

Syrian media has not reported on the cause of the blasts. At least 11 pro-government troops have been killed while dozens were missing from the Syrian government and allied forces.

"Five blasts at least were heard inside Hama military airport ... targeting ammunition and fuel depots," the Observatory added.

It wasn't clear whether the blasts had been caused by technical failure inside the depots or were an attack, the war monitor noted.

Meanwhile, the remaining fighters started to withdraw from the last rebel-held enclave in central Syria on Wednesday. The move sealed the government's control over the area, opening a major stretch of the country's most important highway.

It further cemented President Bashar al-Assad's dominant position over the most populated parts of Syria after years of fighting, however, any new military campaign might risk direct conflict with foreign powers.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

It wasn't clear whether the blasts had been caused by technical failure inside the depots or were an attack

According to reports, explosions were heard on Friday in and around Syria's‬ Hama airport. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the series of explosions occurred near Hama's military airport and had been heard in Hama city. Syrian media has not reported on the cause of the blasts. At least 11 pro-government troops have been killed while dozens were missing from the Syrian government and allied forces. "Five blasts at least were heard inside Hama military airport ... targeting ammunition and fuel depots," the Observatory added. It wasn't clear whether the blasts had been caused by technical failure inside the depots or were an attack, the war monitor noted. Meanwhile, the remaining fighters started to withdraw from the last rebel-held enclave in central Syria on Wednesday. The move sealed the government's control over the area, opening a major stretch of the country's most important highway. It further cemented President Bashar al-Assad's dominant position over the most populated parts of Syria after years of fighting, however, any new military campaign might risk direct conflict with foreign powers. (With inputs from Reuters)

Syria: Explosions heard near airport in Hama city

Explosions and heavy gunfire rocked Kabul&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel as Afghan Special Forces moved through each floor fighting surviving gunmen who attacked the hotel a day earlier, killing at least five people.

Security personnel waved Afghan flags on the rooftop of the hotel to signal they had cleared and secured the building, ending the siege which started on Saturday (January 20) night and lasted 13 hours.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack which saw more than 150 guests flee. The raid came just days after a U.S. embassy warning of possible attacks on hotels in Kabul.

Witnesses said the gunmen were dressed in army uniforms, but it was unclear how many were involved. The government said three gunmen were killed while witnesses said four were involved and the Taliban said five.

The Intercontinental Hotel, an imposing 1960s structure set on a hilltop and heavily protected like most public buildings in Kabul, was previously attacked by Taliban fighters in 2011. While it shares the same name, the hotel in Kabul is not part of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), which issued a statement in 2011 saying that &quot;the hotel Inter-continental in Kabul is not part of IHG and has not been since 1980&quot;.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack which saw more than 150 guests flee.

Explosions and heavy gunfire rocked Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel as Afghan Special Forces moved through each floor fighting surviving gunmen who attacked the hotel a day earlier, killing at least five people. Security personnel waved Afghan flags on the rooftop of the hotel to signal they had cleared and secured the building, ending the siege which started on Saturday (January 20) night and lasted 13 hours. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack which saw more than 150 guests flee. The raid came just days after a U.S. embassy warning of possible attacks on hotels in Kabul. Witnesses said the gunmen were dressed in army uniforms, but it was unclear how many were involved. The government said three gunmen were killed while witnesses said four were involved and the Taliban said five. The Intercontinental Hotel, an imposing 1960s structure set on a hilltop and heavily protected like most public buildings in Kabul, was previously attacked by Taliban fighters in 2011. While it shares the same name, the hotel in Kabul is not part of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), which issued a statement in 2011 saying that "the hotel Inter-continental in Kabul is not part of IHG and has not been since 1980".

Gunfire and explosions rock Kabul hotel as siege draws to an end

At least four militants attacked an army outpost near one of Afghanistan&rsquo;s main military academies on Monday, a defence ministry official said.

The attack in the western outskirts of the capital, Kabul, came two days after an ambulance bomb in the centre of the city killed more than 100 people and just over a week after another attack on the Hotel Intercontinental killed more than 20.

Security forces have killed three terrorists and arrested one so far. The battle continues against what appears to be one remaining attacker. Afghanistan&#39;s Ministry of Defence has said 10 personnel of the Afghan National Army have been injured in the attack.

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Security forces in the area around Marshal Fahim Military University in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kabul</a> after gunfire and explosions were heard there, one of the terrorists arrested by security forces. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/d7hjhgMmek">pic.twitter.com/d7hjhgMmek</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/957832684750819329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Both of those attacks were claimed by the Taliban.

Ministry of Defence officials said the militants attacked the outpost near the well-defended Marshal Fahim military academy just before dawn.

One of the attackers blew himself up, one had been killed and two were still fighting. One soldier had been killed and three were wounded, said one official, who declined to be identified.

Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said three soldiers had been wounded and the clash was still going on.

Earlier, resident Mohammad Ehsan said he heard a series of explosions coming from the area beginning at around 5 a.m. (0030 GMT) and lasting for at least an hour.

Smaller blasts could still be heard at less frequent intervals.

In October, a suicide attacker rammed a car full of explosives into a bus carrying cadets from the defence university, which is home to one of Afghanistan&rsquo;s main officer training schools, killing 15 of them.

Ministry of Defence officials said the militants attacked the outpost near the well-defended Marshal Fahim military academy just before dawn

At least four militants attacked an army outpost near one of Afghanistan’s main military academies on Monday, a defence ministry official said. The attack in the western outskirts of the capital, Kabul, came two days after an ambulance bomb in the centre of the city killed more than 100 people and just over a week after another attack on the Hotel Intercontinental killed more than 20. Security forces have killed three terrorists and arrested one so far. The battle continues against what appears to be one remaining attacker. Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence has said 10 personnel of the Afghan National Army have been injured in the attack. Security forces in the area around Marshal Fahim Military University in #Kabul after gunfire and explosions were heard there, one of the terrorists arrested by security forces. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/d7hjhgMmek — ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2018 × Both of those attacks were claimed by the Taliban. Ministry of Defence officials said the militants attacked the outpost near the well-defended Marshal Fahim military academy just before dawn. One of the attackers blew himself up, one had been killed and two were still fighting. One soldier had been killed and three were wounded, said one official, who declined to be identified. Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said three soldiers had been wounded and the clash was still going on. Earlier, resident Mohammad Ehsan said he heard a series of explosions coming from the area beginning at around 5 a.m. (0030 GMT) and lasting for at least an hour. Smaller blasts could still be heard at less frequent intervals. In October, a suicide attacker rammed a car full of explosives into a bus carrying cadets from the defence university, which is home to one of Afghanistan’s main officer training schools, killing 15 of them.

Attack on military university in Kabul: 3 terrorists killed, 1 arrested

The Marshal Fahim Military University in the Afghan capital of Kabul has come under attack on Monday morning with a series of explosions and heavy gunfire heard at the compound, according to local media.

Law enforcement agencies responded to multiple reports of loud explosions at Marshal Fahim Military University.

Marshal Fahim Military University is located in Charrahe Qmbar and is the main educational institution for army cadets in Afghanistan.

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Security forces in the area around Marshal Fahim Military University in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kabul</a> after gunfire and explosions were heard there, one of the terrorists arrested by security forces. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/d7hjhgMmek">pic.twitter.com/d7hjhgMmek</a>
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Marshal Fahim National Defence University houses three important military educational and training facilities - National Military Academy of Afghanistan (NMAA), the Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA), and the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Academy.

The attack was launched at about 5 am, TOLO News reports.

According to a source inside the camp explosions and gunfire can be heard coming from the direction of the entrance.&nbsp;

Afghan security forces responding to the incident have reportedly blocked off all roads in the area. There are so far no official reports of fatalities or injuries.

Marshal Fahim Military Academy was the target of an attack last October when a suicide bombing killed 15 Afghan Army cadets as they were leaving the academy.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.&nbsp;

It comes days after the deadliest bombing for months hit Kabul when an ambulance packed with explosives killed at least 100 people.

The capital city with a population of nearly 5 million has been hit by series of terror attacks in the past years.

Reports emerging of a rocket attack on Marshal Fahim military academy

The Marshal Fahim Military University in the Afghan capital of Kabul has come under attack on Monday morning with a series of explosions and heavy gunfire heard at the compound, according to local media. Law enforcement agencies responded to multiple reports of loud explosions at Marshal Fahim Military University. Marshal Fahim Military University is located in Charrahe Qmbar and is the main educational institution for army cadets in Afghanistan. Security forces in the area around Marshal Fahim Military University in #Kabul after gunfire and explosions were heard there, one of the terrorists arrested by security forces. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/d7hjhgMmek — ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2018 × Marshal Fahim National Defence University houses three important military educational and training facilities - National Military Academy of Afghanistan (NMAA), the Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA), and the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Academy. The attack was launched at about 5 am, TOLO News reports. According to a source inside the camp explosions and gunfire can be heard coming from the direction of the entrance. Afghan security forces responding to the incident have reportedly blocked off all roads in the area. There are so far no official reports of fatalities or injuries. Marshal Fahim Military Academy was the target of an attack last October when a suicide bombing killed 15 Afghan Army cadets as they were leaving the academy. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. It comes days after the deadliest bombing for months hit Kabul when an ambulance packed with explosives killed at least 100 people. The capital city with a population of nearly 5 million has been hit by series of terror attacks in the past years.

Terrorists attack Kabul military academy; gunbattle underway

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