Bombing in Pakistan

At least 44 people were killed and almost 200 others injured after a bomb exploded during a political rally in northwest Pakistan yesterday. The violence comes ahead of general elections in the country, scheduled for November.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of this writing, which appeared to target supporters of Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl. The religious-political faction is a part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's governing coalition and espouses hardline Islamist views—though is perceived as not strict enough by some jihadist groups. The region was also the stronghold for the Taliban affiliate Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan until it was forced out by the country's military in recent years.

The attack came hours before Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng arrived in the country's capital of Islamabad to celebrate economic ties between the two countries. See footage of the aftermath here.