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Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan said Tuesday four of its nationals were killed and 30 others injured in an unprecedented gun attack targeting a Shi’ite Muslim minority mosque in Oman's capital, Muscat. Omani authorities said, based on initial reports, the shooting resulted in the killings of four worshipers and injuries to "several others” in the otherwise peaceful Sunni Muslim-majority sultanate. There were no immediate claims of responsibility. In a statement, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry condemned what it said was “the dastardly terrorist attack.” It added without elaborating that Islamabad was “heartened” that Oman’s authorities had “neutralized” the assailants. The ministry said that Pakistan’s embassy in Muscat was in contact with Omani authorities "for the identification and repatriation of the mortal remains" of the slain Pakistanis. It added that Pakistani Ambassador Imran Ali is also visiting local hospitals to inquire about the well-being of injured Pakistani nationals. "The Royal Oman Police have responded to a shooting incident that occurred in the vicinity of a mosque in the Al-Wadi Al-Kabir area," a Muscat police statement said. It said that "all necessary security measures and procedures have been taken to handle the situation" following the attack. "The authorities are continuing to gather evidence and conduct investigations to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident," police wrote on social media platform X. “Pakistan has offered all possible assistance to Omani authorities in the investigation and in bringing to justice those responsible for this heinous crime in this holy month of Muharram,” the Pakistani statement said. The U.S. Embassy in Muscat issued a security alert following the shooting and canceled all visa appointments on Tuesday. The embassy wrote on social media platform X, "U.S. citizens should remain vigilant, monitor local news, and heed directions of local authorities.” Video verified by the AFP news agency shows people fleeing near Imam Ali Mosque, its minaret visible, as gunshots ring out. A voice can be heard saying “Oh God" and repeating "Oh Hussein," referring to the imam who Shi’ites view as the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad. The area where the shooting occurred was reportedly still cordoned off later on Tuesday, preventing journalists from accessing the mosque. Shi’ites this week mark Ashura, an annual day of mourning that commemorates the seventh-century battlefield martyrdom of Imam Hussein. Oman officially has a population of four million, with 40% of them expatriate workers. Some of the information for the story came from AFP.

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

Paris — French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal was set to resign but stay on as head of a caretaker government Tuesday, officials said, with no replacement in sight as divided parliamentary groups succumb to infighting. President Emmanuel Macron is expected to accept Attal's resignation after Tuesday's Cabinet meeting — the first since his allies got roundly beaten in a snap National Assembly election called to "clarify" the political landscape. But he was also likely to ask the prime minister and his team to stay on as a caretaker government with restricted powers until after the Paris Olympics, which open on July 26. This would also give political parties more time to build a governing coalition after the July 7 election runoff left the National Assembly without an overall majority. A broad alliance — called New Popular Front (NFP) — of Socialists, Communists, Greens and the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) won the most seats, with 193 in the 577-strong lower chamber. Macron's allies came second with 164 seats and the far-right National Rally (RN) third at 143. The divided NFP alliance has been scrambling to come up with a consensus candidate for prime minister. But internal conflicts — notably between the LFI and the more moderate Socialists — have thwarted all efforts to find a personality able to survive a confidence vote in parliament. 'Shameful' Over the weekend, the Socialists torpedoed the hopes of Huguette Bello, 73, a former communist MP and the president of the regional council in France's overseas territory La Reunion, who had support from the other left-wing parties. The LFI, in turn, rejected Laurence Tubiana, an economist and climate specialist without political affiliation, who had the backing of the Socialists, Communists and Green party. Leftist deputy Francois Ruffin on Tuesday called the NFP's infighting "shameful," while Green deputy Sandrine Rousseau said the disagreements made her "very angry." On Saturday, Attal was voted in as leader of his party's National Assembly contingent, as he eyes his own future outside government, saying he would "contribute to the emergence of a majority concerning projects and ideas." Macron and Attal, observers say, are still hoping to find a right-of-center majority in parliament that would keep both the LFI or the far-right RN out of any new coalition. Once Attal resigns, he and other cabinet members will be able to take their seats in parliament and participate in any coalition-building. Parliament reconvenes on Thursday and will start by filling the National Assembly speaker job and other key positions. Cracks have appeared between Attal and his former mentor Macron, whom the prime minister appears to blame for the electoral defeat only six months after being appointed France's youngest ever head of government at 34. Macron still has almost three years to go as president before elections in 2027, at which far-right leader Marine Le Pen is expected to make a fresh bid for power.

Johannesburg     — Rotondwa Mbadaliga is a self-professed "shopping addict." The 25-year-old South African fashion influencer says she is a huge fan of Chinese-linked e-commerce companies Shein and Temu because she can get the latest trends at the cheapest prices delivered straight to her door. Mbadaliga has more than 200,000 followers on TikTok where she mostly talks about fashion, sometimes posting videos of herself excitedly opening her newly arrived purchases from China. "The variety is the main thing I really like and enjoy with shopping on Temu or Shein," she says, adding that South African brands and shops aren’t as trendy. "I don’t think you can beat the prices," she adds. But the prices of clothing on these e-commerce sites are expected to soon get more expensive. South Africa’s tax authority plans to start imposing a 45% tariff and a value-added tax, or VAT, an indirect tax on the consumption of goods and services on orders of imported clothing that cost under 500 rand, or $27. Some consumers are pushing back with an online petition protesting the higher import duties. Chinese e-commerce in South Africa Shein, which has been available in South Africa since 2020, and Temu, which entered the market in January, have had huge success in the country, which has a growing middle class, tech-savvy youth and widespread internet access. For women’s clothing purchases online, Shein is the top retailer with a 35% market share, according to data from Marketing Research Foundation, a nonprofit South Africa-based marketing survey group. For its part, Temu is the most-downloaded app among iOS and Android users in South Africa. Mbadaliga acknowledges that quality can sometimes be an issue. "With shopping from China, you need to be OK with making a loss in some way," she says, adding that she has a box of clothes bought on the platforms that didn’t fit or work out. Her aunts in their 30s, who earn more, prefer to buy from foreign brands with brick-and-mortar stores in South Africa such as Zara because they believe the quality of clothing is better, Mbadaliga notes. But she says longevity and quality don’t matter so much to her because she will only wear a garment while it is in style. Industry pushback South African retailers and local e-commerce platforms have been left reeling by the success of Chinese e-commerce and fearing their inability to compete. Some South African companies and industry groups have lobbied the government to close an import tax loophole, a so-called de minimis rule, for small parcels of clothing. The loophole was introduced decades ago for items such as gifts before the advent of online shopping. Under that system, small parcels pay a low 20% import duty. However, local clothing retailers, who order in bulk, pay a 45% tariff plus a VAT rate. "We don’t mind competition … but what we find unpalatable, quite frankly, is an opportunity which is being taken advantage of where we believe we actually have an unfair and non-level playing field," Michael Lawrence, executive director the National Clothing Retail Federation of South Africa, told VOA. "We’re seeing 100,000 parcels a day, I’m told by some players, coming in. So, we’re not talking about an occasional occurrence. We’re talking about a significant commercial activity," he says. When South Africa’s tax authorities implement the higher tax rate for imported clothing under 500 rand, those shippers will be paying the same rate of 45% plus a VAT as the bulk shipments incur. Contacted for comment, a Temu spokesperson told VOA: "Temu operates a direct-from-factory online marketplace that connects consumers with cost-efficient manufacturers. By reducing the number of intermediaries between consumers and producers, we can eliminate extra costs and pass those savings on to consumers through lower prices." "We compete fairly and transparently, adhering to the rules and regulations of each market we serve. Our growth does not rely on the de minimis policy. We support policy changes that benefit consumers and believe that as long as rules are applied fairly, they will not affect the competitive landscape," the spokesperson added. Shein did not respond to a request for comment. Local alternatives South Africa is not without its own e-commerce sites. E-commerce company Takealot has accused the Chinese online shopping giants of exploiting tax loopholes. "These platforms contribute to a market imbalance by flooding the market with inexpensive imports," the company said last month in a statement. "Such trends pose significant challenges to the development and sustainability of domestic industries." "This form of commerce extracts value from South African consumers without contributing to local communities, ultimately harming small businesses, local manufacturers and the limited job opportunities available," it continued. To boost local industry, Takealot recently signed a multimillion-dollar deal with the government in South Africa’s Gauteng province, which includes the capital, Pretoria, and economic powerhouse Johannesburg. Called the Takealot Township Economy Initiative, it is focused on creating jobs and supporting small, Black-owned businesses. Local online fashion retailer Zando launched its international e-commerce platform Zando Global earlier this year. "With the rise of Shein and Temu, South African consumers have often found themselves hesitant to order internationally due to concerns about product quality, delivery reliability, and returns processes. Zando Global steps in as the local hero, offering a trustworthy alternative for those seeking international products without the uncertainties of ordering from abroad," the company said in an April press statement. When asked whether the market is already saturated by Shein and Temu, Zando Global’s CEO Morgane Imbert told VOA she believed the company could compete. "We genuinely believe there is room for a player like Zando, because we think that we can offer a different experience, focusing on the quality of the product, the customer service and curated local and global fashion trends," she says. "We’re definitely supporting local brands and companies through the marketplace," Imbert added. US behemoth Zando and Takealot must also compete with U.S. e-commerce company Amazon, which entered the South African market in May, its first foray into sub-Saharan Africa. Reports suggest Amazon had a slow start, but that could change. On its website, Amazon says it is providing South African consumers with a "new online shopping experience." It added, the site will include products from independent South African sellers and small and medium-size enterprises "to connect customers with businesses throughout the country." Still, like "shopping addict" Mbadaliga, many South Africans will not be easily weaned off Shein and Temu. The on-line petition to the South African government aimed at stopping the import duty has garnered more than 21,000 signatures since June, hoping to change the minds of government authorities who have yet to implement the new tax rules originally set for July 1.

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has confirmed the deaths of at least eight soldiers in a militant assault on a northwestern army compound Monday, saying security forces killed all 10 assailants in the ensuing hours-long gunfight. The military’s Inter-Services Public Relations, or ISPR, released details Tuesday of the deadly pre-dawn raid in the garrison city of Bannu, stating that it was orchestrated by “terrorists” based in neighboring Afghanistan.  “The attempt to enter the cantonment was effectively thwarted by security forces personnel, which forced the terrorists to ram an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of the cantonment,” the ISPR said.  It added that the vehicle-born suicide bombing destroyed a portion of the wall and damaged adjoining infrastructure, resulting in the deaths of the eight soldiers.  Militants allied with the globally designated terrorist group, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, took responsibility for the assault shortly after it started. Multiple security sources in the area reported that the attack had also injured dozens of soldiers. Local police and witnesses said that the intensity of the blast shattered nearby homes, injuring several civilians.  In its statement on Tuesday, the military denounced the attack as “a heinous act of terrorism.” It noted that Islamabad “has consistently raised its concerns” with and asked Afghanistan’s Taliban government “to deny persistent use of Afghan soil by the terrorists.” It warned, without elaborating, that Pakistan “will take all necessary measures as deemed appropriate against these threats emanating from Afghanistan.”  Earlier this year, Pakistani fighter planes bombed suspected TTP targets in Afghan border areas following a dramatic surge in attacks in Pakistan. Bannu and adjoining districts in the border province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have particularly witnessed almost daily TTP attacks, targeting military and police forces since the Taliban reclaimed power in Afghanistan three years ago.  Pakistan maintains TTP leaders and fighters are being increasingly facilitated by the de facto rulers of Afghanistan. The Taliban government dismisses the charges, saying TTP is an internal problem for Pakistan to deal with. UN findings TTP is known to have publicly pledged allegiance to the Afghan Taliban. It provided shelter on Pakistani soil and recruits for their Afghan ideological allies to help them wage insurgent attacks against the U.S.-led NATO troops for years until U.S. and international forces withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021 and the Taliban seized power there.  A new United Nations report released earlier this month described TTP as “the largest terrorist group” operating in Afghanistan, noting that it had intensified its terrorist activities in Pakistan since the Taliban takeover.  “TTP continues to operate at a significant scale in Afghanistan and to conduct terrorist operations into Pakistan from there, often utilizing Afghans,” said the report by the U.N. sanctions monitoring team. It estimated that TTP had “6,000-6,500” fighters based in Afghan territory. “Further, the Taliban have proved unable or unwilling to manage the threat from Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan…Taliban support to TTP also appears to have increased,” the U.N. report stated. “The Taliban do not conceive of TTP as a terrorist group: the bonds are close, and the debt owed to TTP is significant,” the report added. Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid rejected the U.N. report in a statement over the weekend. He claimed that no "foreign groups” operate in the country, nor are "any individuals or entities" being allowed to threaten other countries from Afghanistan. 

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Police fired tear gas and charged with batons during violent clashes between a pro-government student body and student protesters overnight, leaving dozens injured at a public university outside Bangladesh’s capital, police and students said Tuesday. The violence spread early Tuesday at Jahangir Nagar University in Savar, outside Dhaka, where the protesters were demanding an end to a government job quota for family members of heroes who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971. The quota system also reserves government jobs for women, disabled people and ethnic minority groups. The system was suspended in 2018, which brought similar protests to a halt at the time. But in a decision last month, Bangladesh's High Court asked for the 30% quota for veterans' descendants to be restored. That triggered fresh protests, with demonstrators supporting the 6% quota for disabled people and ethnic groups but not for the descendants of the independence war heroes. The Supreme Court last week halted the High Court’s order for four weeks and the chief justice asked the protesters to return to their classes. The Supreme Court said it would decide on the issue after four weeks, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the issue is in the hands of the Supreme Court now. But the protests have continued daily, halting traffic in Dhaka. More than 50 people were treated overnight at Enam Medical College Hospital near Jahangir Nagar University as the violence continued for hours, said Ali Bin Solaiman, a medical officer of the hospital. He said at least 30 of them suffered pellet wounds. The protesters accused the Bangladesh Chhatra League, a student wing of the ruling Awami League party of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, of attacking their peaceful protests early Tuesday. The protesters had taken positions in front of the official residence of the vice chancellor of the university early Tuesday, and media reports said later violence spread while police and the ruling party-backed student wing attacked them. Abdullahil Kafi, a senior police official, told the country’s leading English-language newspaper Daily Star that they fired tear gas and “blank rounds” as the protesters attacked the police. He said up to 15 police officers were injured. The overnight violence followed Monday’s violence in Dhaka University, the country’s leading public university, as clashes gripped the campus in Dhaka. More than 100 students were injured in the clashes in Dhaka on Monday, police said. The protesters in Dhaka said they would demonstrate on Tuesday too. Hasina maintained power in an election in January that was again boycotted by the country’s main opposition party and its allies due to Hasina’s refusal to step down and hand over power to a caretaker government to oversee the election. Her party favors keeping the quota for the families of the 1971 war heroes after her Awami League party, under the leadership of her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, led the independence war with the help of India. In 1971, the Jamaat-e-Islami party, which shared power with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by Hasina’s archrival, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, openly opposed the independence war and formed groups that helped the Pakistani military fight pro-independence forces. All the major political parties in Bangladesh have student wings that are active across the South Asian nation

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.