CAIRO (Reuters) - Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack on a casino in the Philippine capital Manila that killed at least 36 people on Friday, the group’s Amaq news agency said, after officials said there was no evidence of militant involvement.

A gunman burst into the Resorts World Manila entertainment complex on Friday, firing shots, setting gaming tables alight and killing at least 36 people, all suffocating in thick smoke, in what officials have believed was a botched robbery.

“Islamic State fighters carried out the Manila attack in the Philippines,” the news agency said.</s>Home minister says India has arrested more than 90 of ISIL sympathisers to ward off challenges posed by the group.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as ISIS, has failed to establish a foothold in India despite it being home to the world's second-largest Muslim population, the country's home minister has said.

Rajnath Singh said on Saturday that the government had successfully warded off challenges posed by the group, arresting more than 90 of ISIL sympathisers.

"India is the second-largest country as far as Muslim population in the world is concerned," Singh told reporters in New Delhi.

"I can say with full responsibility that despite such a large population, [ISIL] has not been able to set foot in India."

Five members of Indian Mujahideen, a proscribed organisation, had been sentenced to death, underlining the government's successful efforts to check "terrorism", Singh added.

His remarks come amid fears from the ruling BJP party that ISIL is trying to establish a presence in Asia as it comes under pressure in its heartland in Syria.

In neighbouring Bangladesh, ISIL has claimed responsibility for a wave of killings since 2015 including a major attack on a Dhaka cafe last year in which 22 people, including 18 foreign hostages, were killed.

The government has consistently ruled out the presence of such groups, blaming domestic attackers instead.

Analysts say they pose a growing danger in conservative Bangladesh, which has been roiled by political turmoil and instability for years.</s>A DIDIM youngster, touched by last Monday’s terror attack, wore his Manchester United football kit to school last week as a show of pride for the city where he was born.

Eight-year-old Loran Köseoğlu donned his favourite football side’s kit last Thursday as the UK came together to hold a minute’s silence for those left devastated by the attack at the Manchester Arena.

The bombing at the Ariana Grande concert left 22 dead and 119 injured. Those named among the dead include eight-year-old Saffie Roussos from Leyland and teenagers Olivia Campbell, 15, from Bury and Georgina Callander from Chorley.

Salman Abedi was identified as the suicide bomber who carried out the attack. He is believed to have travelled to Syria and had links with Islamic State.

The devastating attack received worldwide condemnation, but has also touched the lives of Loran’s mum Gemma, who hails from Altrincham, a short distance from Manchester.

She said: “The news has filtered through to Loran’s classmates at Cumhurrieyt School and they have been asking him about it. Loran was born in Manchester, but has lived all his life in Turkey.

“I had chosen not to tell him about the awful news about the Manchester Arena. But the following day it was mentioned to him on a few occasions at school. So I sat him down and explained what had happened and how the city had come together to help.

“On Thursday, he turned round and said he wanted to wear his Manchester United strip with pride to show his compassion for his birthplace. His father Nazim and I, as well as our family and all his classmates, were very proud of him.

“Loran is a very compassionate boy, and he often sees something sad on TV and thinks about it for weeks.”

Gemma, who also has three other children, Leyla, aged 10, Civan aged four and Lidya, two, added: “I was completely shocked when I heard the news of the attack as it was so close to home, but it seems that it is bringing people together and communities closer.

“Our hearts go out to all the victims and their families. Rather than trying to tear communities apart, the attack is bringing people closer together.”
ISIL claims responsibility for the attack; however, authorities contend it is not terror related.