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Gas Explosion at Taiwan Department Store Kills at Least Four

Gas Explosion at Taiwan Department Store Kills at Least FourTaipei, 13 Feb (ONA) —- A gas explosion at a department store in central Taichung City in Taiwan today claimed at least four lives, fire authorities said. At least 24 other individuals were injured in the incident, according to the National Fire Agency (NFA). The agency said the gas explosion occurred on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung, which was under temporary closure for construction. The cause remains under investigation. The explosion was captured by several vehicle dashcams, ...

Six Missing in Fishing Boat Fire in South Korea

Six Missing in Fishing Boat Fire in South KoreaSeoul, 13 Feb (ONA) —- Six people are missing after a fishing boat caught fire in waters off southwestern South Korea. A 34-ton fishing boat caught fire in waters off the coast of Buan County, about 200 kilometers southwest of the capital Seoul, the Korean Coast Guard announced this morning. Six people missing after a fishing boat with 11 people on board caught fire in waters off the southwestern coast today, the Coast Guard said. Five people were rescued. Among the victims were 11 people on board the ...

US Military Plane Crashes into San Diego Bay

US Military Plane Crashes into San Diego BayWashington, 13 Feb (ONA) —- The US Navy announced that an EA-18G Growler military aircraft crashed into the waters of San Diego Bay in California, after its two-pilot crew ejected safely. The US Navy said in a statement that the plane belonged to the VAQ-135 electronic attack squadron, and crashed while trying to land. They confirmed that its crew had been rescued without injuries. The statement added that the Naval Base Coronado launched the Emergency Operations Center to follow up on the repercussions of the accident, ...

Snowfall Causes Heavy Traffic, Accidents across Istanbul

Snowfall Causes Heavy Traffic, Accidents across Istanbul Istanbul, 11 Feb (ONA) --- Sporadic snowfall has continued in Istanbul since this morning, causing heavy traffic and accidents in several areas. On the Anatolian side, snowfall started in the early hours, covering roads and green territories. The European side couldn't avoid snow too, as it turned roadsides and parked vehicles white. Some means of transport struggled to climb hills due to the fallout where vehicles couldn't incline upward and slide back down Istanbul's steep hills. However, municipal ...

At Least 51 Dead in Road Accident in Guatemala

At Least 51 Dead in Road Accident in GuatemalaGuatemala City, 11 Feb (ONA) —- 51 people died in a road accident in Guatemala. The Guatemala City Fire Department reported that a passenger bus veered off a highway it was traveling on and fell into a ravine in the city, killing at least 51 people, noting that there are still survivors trapped. It added that the bodies of 36 men and 15 women were recovered and sent to a morgue in the city while 10 seriously injured were transferred to the hospital. —- ...

Three Dead, 6 Missing after Fishing Trawler Sinks off Korean Southern Coast

Three Dead, 6 Missing after Fishing Trawler Sinks off Korean Southern CoastSeoul, 9 Feb (ONA) --- A fishing trawler sank off the southern coast of South Korea early today, leaving four people dead and six missing, local officials said. The 139-ton vessel, carrying 14 crew members on board was reported missing in waters about 17 km east of the island of Habaek, According to Yonhap news agency. Coast Guard vessels and other fishing boats have rescued four foreigners, while three South Korean crew members, including the vessel's 66-year old captain, were found ...

WHO Welcomes Evacuation of 104 Patients from Gaza

WHO Welcomes Evacuation of 104 Patients from Gaza Geneva, 5 Feb (ONA) --- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of World Health Organization (WHO) welcomed the evacuation of 104 patients, mostly children, from the Gaza Strip, but called for the pace to be accelerated as thousands wait to be evacuated."Since Saturday, WHO has supported the medical evacuation of 104 patients - large majority of them children - out of Gaza via the Rafah crossing to receive specialized care in Egypt. 172 companions traveled with the patients," he pointed out.WHO Director-General said around ...

4.5-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Aegean Sea

4.5-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Aegean SeaAnkara, 5 Feb (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale struck the Aegean Sea in western Turkiye today.A statement by the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that the 4.5-magnitude earthquake occurred at a depth of 7 km.Two earthquakes measuring 4.7 magnitude on the Richter scale hit the Aegean ...

1 Killed, 5 Injured in Ohio Shooting

1 Killed, 5 Injured in Ohio ShootingWashington, 5 Feb (ONA) --- One person was killed and five others were injured in a shooting incident at a building in the US state of Ohio.The US news network CNN reported, citing security sources, that about 100 people were evacuated from the building. Yet, the suspect is not believed to be in the area.Six people were taken to local hospitals, including one who was killed, Police Chief Greg Jones said in a press conference.Police said that the suspect has not been arrested yet, adding that a firearm was found at the scene. ...

2 Dead, Hundreds Displaced as Devastating Floods Hit Australia's Queensland

2 Dead, Hundreds Displaced as Devastating Floods Hit Australia's QueenslandCanberra, 5 Feb (ONA) --- Two people have died and hundreds have been displaced from their homes as floods hit the Australian state of Queensland.Seasonal rains caused flooding that lasted a week, destroying small rural towns on the state's north coast, sweeping away a major bridge and cutting off drinking water supplies.Thousands of residents in low-lying coastal suburbs and towns are under immediate evacuation orders, while hundreds remain in evacuation centers as flooding recedes. The number of homes which ...

5.0-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Northwest China

5.0-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Northwest ChinaBeijing, 5 Feb (ONA) --- A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region today.China Earthquake Networks Center said in a statement that the quake was located at 41.23 degrees north latitude and 83.74 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers.No casualties or material losses have been reported.--- Ends/AH ...

6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Eastern Indonesia

6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Eastern IndonesiaJakarta, 4 Feb (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 6.2 magnitude on the Richter scale struck today Doi Island in Maluku, eastern Indonesia.The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) said that the epicenter of the quake occurred 68 km northeast of Doi Island, at a depth of 105 km.There have been no reports of causalities or material damage.Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. --- Ends/AH ...

Student Stabbed to Death at School in UK

Student Stabbed to Death at School in UKLondon, 4 Feb (ONA) --- British police announced today that a student died after being stabbed at a high school in Sheffield, northern England.The 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death inside his school, as emergency services were unable to revive him, police explained.A 15-year-old boy had been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody, local police deputy chief Lindsey Butterfield said in a press conference."My government is absolutely committed to tackling knife crime so young people are safe on our streets and in our ...

Korea Experiences Drop in Temperatures Below -20 C

Korea Experiences Drop in Temperatures Below -20 CSeoul, 4 Feb (ONA) --- Parts of the Republic of Korea experienced their lowest temperatures of the season this morning amid a nationwide cold snap.According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, temperatures dipped to around minus 20 degrees Celsius in the mountainous areas of Gangwon Province and minus 13 degrees in Seoul today, with cold wave alerts issued nationwide.The mercury is expected to stay below the freezing point in the afternoon in most parts of the nation, ranging from minus seven degrees Celsius to two ...

5.2-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Alaska

5.2-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes AlaskaWashington, 3 Feb (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring five on the Richter scale struck the US State of Alaska today.The earthquake occurred 33 km southwest of the city of Diomede, the US Geological Survey said.There have been no reports of material damage or human losses due to the earthquake so far.Alaska is prone to earthquakes due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. ...

More than 350 UNICEF Aid Trucks Enter Gaza

More than 350 UNICEF Aid Trucks Enter Gaza New York, 28 Jan (ONA) --- As many as 350 UNICEF aid trucks have entered the Gaza Strip in ongoing efforts to meet the needs of about 1 million children after 15 months of bombardment.The trucks, filled with water, hygiene kits, malnutrition treatments and other critical humanitarian aid, have been entering from crossing points at both the north and south of the Gaza Strip and being distributed with partners to families in need, UNICEF said in a statement."Our teams are working around the clock to scale up desperately needed humanitarian ...

5.0-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Peru

5.0-Magnitude Earthquake Hits PeruLima, 28 Jan (ONA) --- A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck the coastal region of Ica in central Peru.The earthquake occurred at a depth of 18 km, and 74 km southwest of the city of Ica, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). --- ...

Five Killed, 25 Injured in Gas Tanker Explosion in Pakistan

Five Killed, 25 Injured in Gas Tanker Explosion in PakistanIslamabad, 27 Jan (ONA) --- Five people were killed and 25 others were injured in a gas tanker truck explosion near Hamidpur Chowk in Fahad town in Pakistan.The incident occurred as a result of a gas leak from the truck, which triggered a powerful explosion and a large fire. The incident caused extensive damage to nearby warehouses and houses.Rescue officials stated that efforts to put out the fire lasted for many hours.The authorities are still investigating the causes of the incident.--- Ends/AH ...

4.7-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Fiji Islands in South Pacific

4.7-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Fiji Islands in South PacificSuva, 22 Jan (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale struck the Fiji Islands in the South Pacific today.The US Geological Survey said in a statement that the epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 545 kilometers.So far, there have been no reports of human or material damage as a result of the earthquake.The Fiji Islands are located in an area called the Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean, which is exposed from time to time to many aftershocks and earthquakes that may be strong. ...

Death Toll from Turkish Ski Resort Fire Rises to 76

Death Toll from Turkish Ski Resort Fire Rises to 76Ankara, 22 (ONA) --- Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that the death toll from a fire that broke out in a ski resort in Bolu has risen to 76 people.The minister said in a statement to reporters last night that the cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.He also confirmed the completion of the search and survey work at the scene of the accident, without mentioning the number of injured. --- ...

WHO Expresses Regret over US Withdrawal Announcement

WHO Expresses Regret over US Withdrawal AnnouncementGeneva, 21 Jan (ONA) ---- The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed its disappointment following the US announcement that it intends to withdraw from the agency.The WHO spokesperson, Tarik Jasarevic, addressed the media in Geneva today, saying, "We deeply regret the U.S. decision to exit the WHO. We hope the United States will reconsider and engage in constructive dialogue that benefits not just Americans, but people around the world." The announcement came shortly after US President Donald Trump signed a series ...

Earthquake in Taiwan Injures 27, Causes Damage

Earthquake in Taiwan Injures 27, Causes DamageTaipei, 21 Jan (ONA) --- A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck southern Taiwan early today, leaving 27 people with minor injuries and some reported damage.The quake was centered 38 kilometers southeast of Chiayi County Hall at a depth of 10 kilometers, Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration said.There were scattered reports of minor to moderate damage around the cities of Chiayi and Tainan.Taiwan’s fire department reported 27 minor injuries, including six people rescued from a collapsed house in Tainan’s Nanxi district, among them a ...

Sixteen Dead in Central Java Landslide

Sixteen Dead in Central Java LandslideJakarta, 21 Jan (ONA) --- A landslide in Indonesia’s Central Java city of Pekalongan left 16 people dead, according to Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency. Ten others were injured, the agency confirmed today.A landslide, triggered by heavy rains in the area, has caused significant damage, according to an agency spokesperson.Authorities are currently searching for three missing individuals. The disaster also resulted in damage to two bridges.The agency has warned residents to remain vigilant as rain is expected to continue in the coming ...

Ten Dead, 32 Injured Due to Fire at Ski Resort in Turkiye

Ten Dead, 32 Injured Due to Fire at Ski Resort in Turkiye Ankara, 21 Jan (ONA) --- Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 10 people died and 32 others were injured in a fire that broke out in a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, in the Bolu province in northwestern Turkiye. The minister explained in a post on the X platform that the fire broke out at dawn today in one of the hotels in the Kartalkaya resort, noting that rescue and firefighting teams intervened quickly to control the fire.He stressed that investigations are underway to determine the causes of the fire ...

Italian Scientists Develop New Strategy to Combat Invasive Plants in Europe

Italian Scientists Develop New Strategy to Combat Invasive Plants in Europe Rome, 15 Jan (ONA) --- Italian researchers have developed a new prioritization framework to guide decision-makers in addressing invasive plants, offering a potential solution to this challenge. Invasive alien plant species threaten Europe’s biodiversity, economy, and public health, but managing these threats remains complex. The EU’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and Invasive Alien Species Regulation mandate member states to prevent, detect, and manage invasive species. ...

LA Faces Extreme Fire Danger as High Winds Forecast

LA Faces Extreme Fire Danger as High Winds Forecast Los Angeles, 15 Jan (ONA) --- Winds that have fanned wildfires in the US city of Los Angeles are again expected to kick up in the early hours of today - after a 25th death from the huge, week-long outbreak was confirmed. Forecasters have again identified an area of "extreme fire danger", emphasising the risk level in a region to the north-west of the city centre, BBC news reported. The anticipated increase in wind speeds threatens to further fan the remaining four blazes, which firefighters have made further ...

Strong Earthquake Hits Southwestern Japan, Triggering Tsunami Advisories

Strong Earthquake Hits Southwestern Japan, Triggering Tsunami Advisories Tokyo, 13 Jan (ONA)--- A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 has hit southwestern Japan, the country's Meteorological Agency said today. Tsunami advisories were issued for Miyazaki Prefecture, where the temblor was centered, in the southwestern island of Kyushu, as well as nearby Kochi Prefecture, shortly after the quake struck at 9:19 p.m. local time, according to the agency. The JMA urged the public to stay away from coastal waters. Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes because of ...

Death Toll from Raging Wildfires in Los Angeles Rises to 24

Death Toll from Raging Wildfires in Los Angeles Rises to 24Washington, 13 Jan (ONA) --- The death toll from the wildfires raging in Los Angeles, California, has risen to 24, while 16 others are still missing. Firefighters are still working to limit the spread of the fires, while meteorologists have warned of continued unsuitable weather conditions. The US National Weather Service (NWS) issued warnings of strong winds of 50 mph (80 kph) with gusts up to 70 mph (113 kph) in mountainous areas. Aircraft dropped water and fire-fighting materials, while ...

At Least Five Dead, Evacuation Orders Issued as Los Angeles Wildfires Spread to Hollywood

At Least Five Dead, Evacuation Orders Issued as Los Angeles Wildfires Spread to HollywoodWashington, 9 Jan (ONA) --- US authorities issued a mandatory evacuation orders today for residents of the historic Hollywood Hills following the outbreak of a new wildfire known as the "Sunset Fire," which dangerously approached the famous Hollywood Boulevard. The Los Angeles Fire Department said that the fire posed an "immediate threat to life" and urged residents to leave immediately. California Governor Gavin Newsom told CNN that the raging wildfires have claimed the lives of at ...

Death Toll Rises to 126 in Tibet Earthquake

Death Toll Rises to 126 in Tibet Earthquake Beijing, 8 Jan (ONA) --- At least 126 people have died, and over 3,000 buildings were damaged in a major earthquake in Tibet. More than 30,000 residents have been relocated as rescue teams continue searching for survivors amid freezing temperatures. Earthquakes are common in the region, which lies on a major geological fault line, but the last earthquake was one of China’s deadliest in recent years. A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet at a depth of 10 km, with tremors felt in Nepal and parts of India. Temperatures near ...