Massive BLAST rocks Paris building as firefighters struggle with monster blaze (VIDEOS)

A powerful explosion was caught on camera during a major blaze which ravaged a multi-story building in the French capital’s 19th arrondissement. The cause is unclear and authorities have yet to establish if there were any victims.

The blaze, which erupted somewhere between the first and fifth floors of the eight-story building at the intersection of Macdonald Boulevard and Pierre Mollaret, began around 9pm local time. Witnesses heard at least one violent explosion, which was recorded and has been widely shared on social media.

Around 100 firefighters and multiple firetrucks and ambulances were immediately dispatched to scene in an effort to contain the blaze, which, a fire department spokesman said, spread quickly and engulfed several floors.

https://www.rt.com/news/455754-paris-blaze-blast-fire/

'Prepare For Suicide Missions': Duterte Warns China Not To Invade Island In Philippines

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has warned China that his soldiers occupying the island of Thitu in the South China Sea, which is currently surrounded by some 275 Chinese fishing militia and Coast Guard vessels.

Since January, at least 275 Chinese boats functioning as part of a maritime militia have gathered for varying lengths of time near Thitu Island, according to the Philippines’ military. Their tactics raise concerns about their “role in support of coercive objectives,” the country’s foreign ministry said Thursday. -WSJ

Laying down his 'kamikaze' threat, Duterte told Beijing during a speech to public officials: "Let us be friends, but do not touch Pag-asa Island and the rest," adding "I will not plead or beg, but I am just telling you that lay off the Pag-asa because I have soldiers there. If you touch that, that’s a different story. I can tell my soldiers ‘prepare for suicide missions’"

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-04-06/prepare-suicide-missions-duterte-warns-china-not-invade-island-philippines