News

2 Died in Light Plane Crash in KazakhstanAstana, 18 Aug (ONA) --- A light plane crashed in the Tselinograd district of Kazakhstan's Akmola region, resulting in death of two people, said the country's transport ministry. According to the Ministry of Transport, the Aerostar R40F UP-LA229 light plane crashed on Aug. 17 during a general aviation flight. The aircraft did not catch a fire, (Kazinform) news agency reported. "As per the Rules for the Investigation of Aviation Accidents, a commission has been set up. Employees of the Department for the Investigation of Accidents of the Ministry ...

20 Died, 134 Injured in Blast at Factory in Russia's Ryazan RegionMoscow, 18 Aug (ONA) --- Twenty people died and 134 others were injured in an accident that occurred at a factory in the Shilovsky district of Russia's Ryazan region, according to the regional operations headquarters. According to Russia's (TASS) news agency, 31 patients are in hospitals, while 103 patients are undergoing outpatient treatment. The relevant authorities reported that search and rescue operations are still ongoing. Russia's Ryazan region is home to a number of large industrial facilities, including ...

3 Injured in Commercial Building Fire in OsakaTokyo, 18 Aug (ONA) --- Three people were injured after a fire broke out in a building in the Dotombori area, one of the busiest shopping districts in Osaka, Japan. The Japanese news agency (Kyodo) quoted the fire department as saying that the fire broke out on the first floor of the building, requiring a woman to be taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, and two firefighters also sent for treatment. --- ...

29 Injured as Earthquake Strikes Indonesia's SulawesiJakarta, 17 Aug (ONA) — A 6.0-magnitude earthquake rocked central Sulawesi today, injuring 29 people, according to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency.The quake, which struck at a depth of 10 kilometers near Poso Regency, was felt across neighboring areas.The National Disaster Management Agency confirmed in a statement that two of the injured are in critical condition, though no fatalities have been reported. — Ends/AH ...

At Least 8 Dead in Flooding Across Northern China Beijing, 17 Aug (ONA) — At least eight people have died due to severe flooding in northern China, while rescue teams continue searching for four others reported missing. The state-run Xinhua News Agency reported today that the flash floods struck northern Inner Mongolia, sweeping away 13 people. One individual has been rescued so far. China’s National Meteorological Center renewed a blue rainstorm alert, warning of heavy rainfall in multiple regions across the country. — Ends/AH ...

Three Die Due to Heavy Rain in Seoul Seoul, 14 Aug (ONA) --- Heavy rainfall in Seoul caused the death of three people, prompting the Republic of Korea's Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to raise its emergency response to Level 2. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, heavy rains are expected to hit parts of central South Korea for the second consecutive day. The administration noted that Seoul, its suburbs, and inland areas will witness heavy rain in the morning, ranging from 10-40mm per hour, along with strong winds and lightning. While the rain is ...

5.6-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Tonga IslandsNuku'alofa, 14 Aug (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale struck today the Tonga Islands located in the South Pacific Ocean. The earthquake occurred 156 km from the Neiafu area, at a depth of 10 km, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported. Tonga is an archipelago of 176 islands scattered in the South Pacific Ocean, of which only 52 are inhabited, located northwest of New Zealand and Australia. ...

Explosion at US Steel Plant in Pennsylvania Leaves 2 Dead, 10 InjuredWashington, 12 Aug (ONA) --- An explosion at a US Steel plant near Pittsburgh in the US State of Pennsylvania left two dead and at least 10 others injured late Monday, officials said. The blast, followed by several smaller explosions, was felt in surrounding communities and prompted county officials to urge residents to avoid the area to allow emergency crews to respond. Five of the injured remain in critical but stable condition, while the others have been discharged from hospital. No workers are reported missing. The ...

UN Humanitarian Organizations Call for Urgent Action to Meet Food Needs in GazaNew York, 12 Aug (ONA) --- United Nations (UN) humanitarian organizations called for urgent action after medical sources in the Gaza Strip reported the deaths of more than 100 children from malnutrition since the start of the war in October 2023. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) described on its official website the surpassing of the 100-child death toll as a "devastating milestone that shames the world and demands long overdue urgent action." The World Food Programme (WFP) ...

Mount Merapi Erupts in Indonesia, Spewing Ash 1,600 Meters HighJakarta, 12 Aug (ONA) --- Mount Merapi volcano in Indonesia erupted today, spewing an ash column 1,600 meters above its summit. In a statement, an officer from the Mount Merapi Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PGA) said that the eruption was detected on a seismometer and had a maximum amplitude of 30.4 mm, and that the eruption lasted approximately 34 seconds. The Indonesian Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center indicated that the alert level for Mount Merapi, located on the border between ...

100% of GCC Households Have Access to Safe Drinking Water and Electricity Muscat, 10 Aug (ONA) --- The percentage of households in the GCC countries with access to safe drinking water and electricity has reached 100 percent, a figure significantly higher than the global average of 91 percent. Data released by the GCC Statistical Centre (GCC-Stat) indicates that the percentage of primary schools suitable for students with disabilities is 100 percent, compared to a global rate of 50 percent. Meanwhile, health coverage stands at 72 percent in the GCC, surpassing the global rate ...

New York, 4 Aug (ONA) --- The UNICEF said that the lives of more than 640,000 children under five are at heightened risk of violence, disease and hunger. Recent assessments show that the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition in North Darfur has doubled in the past year. More than 1,180 cholera cases including an estimated 300 cases in children and at least 20 deaths have been reported in Tawila in the State since the first case was detected on 21 June 2025. This represents a rapid surge in cases in the town which has absorbed over 500,000 internally displaced people ...

Death Toll from Flooding in Beijing Rises to at Least 60Beijing, 31 Jul (ONA) --- The death toll from flooding caused by heavy rains in and around Beijing has climbed to at least 60, authorities said today. In the Chinese capital, the number of dead rose from 30 to 44, while at least eight people were reported to have been killed in neighbouring Chengde city, as rescue efforts to locate those still missing continue. A home for the elderly on the outskirts of Beijing was particularly hard-hit, with the facility suddenly submerged by water on Monday morning. Most of the residents were ...

Massive Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Waves in Russia and Japan; Warnings Issued Across Pacific Capitals, 30 Jul (ONA) --- A powerful 8.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering tsunami waves that impacted coastal areas of Russia and Japan, authorities reported. The quake, initially measured at 8.0, was later revised upward by the Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences, marking it as the strongest seismic event in the region since 1952. Sergei Lebedev, Kamchatka’s emergency minister, confirmed tsunami waves ...

Natural Disasters Cause $131 Billion in Global Losses in First Half of 2025 Munich, 29 Jul (ONA) --- Natural disasters, including wildfires, storms, and earthquakes, have resulted in estimated global economic losses of $131 billion during the first half of 2025, marking the second-highest recorded losses since 1980, according to an analysis by German Reinsurance company Munich Re. The United States (US) suffered the most significant damage, with losses totaling $92 billion due to storms and hurricanes—accounting for approximately 70% of global losses. The wildfires ...

Five Killed in Manhattan Shooting, Including Police OfficerWashington, 29 Jul (ONA) --- At least five people, including a New York City police officer, were killed in a shooting incident in Manhattan, according to US media reports. A security official told CNN that four victims, including the officer, were fatally shot before the suspected gunman died by suicide. The New York Post reported that the total number of fatalities reached five. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch earlier confirmed that the "lone gunman" responsible for the shooting in Midtown Manhattan had been ...

Pakistan Braces for More Monsoon Rains as Flood Death Toll Nears 300Islamabad, 28 Jul (ONA) --- Pakistani rescue and disaster agencies were finalizing plans today to evacuate thousands of people amid warnings for more monsoon rains as the death toll from weeks of flooding rose to nearly 300, officials said. At least 279 people, nearly half of them children, have died in incidents related to heavy rains and flooding since late last month, the national disaster agency said. A fresh spell of rains was expected to hit the country that would trigger more flash floods and inundation in the ...

Landslide in North China Leaves 4 Dead, 8 MissingBeijing, 28 Jul (ONA) --- Four people were killed and eight others remain missing after a landslide struck a village in North China’s Hebei province early today, according to local authorities. The landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, hit a village in Luanping County, Chengde City. Rescue operations are currently underway. Earlier, Chinese authorities announced the evacuation of more than 4,400 people as torrential rains intensified around the capital, Beijing, and neighboring northern provinces, heightening the risk of natural ...

Firefighting Efforts Ongoing to Contain Forest Fire in Türkiye's Bursa Ankara, 27 Jul (ONA) --- Firefighting operations are ongoing to contain a forest fire that broke out between the districts of Gursu and Kestel in Bursa, northwestern Türkiye, with strong winds accelerating the spread of the flames. According to Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), efforts are continuing without interruption in the forested area where the blaze first ignited. Authorities have evacuated the rural neighborhood of Karadere as a precaution, while residents of the nearby Igdir neighborhood were also ...

Authorities Say No One Survived Plane Crash in Russia's Far EastMoscow, 24 Jul (ONA) —- All passengers and crew aboard a Russian Antonov An-24 died when the plane crashed in the country's Far East today, the authorities said. "The civil defence ground crew is investigating the crash site of the An-24 aircraft and continuing the search operation," the authorities said in a statement. According to preliminary information, there are no survivors, they said. The plane was flying from Khabarovsk via Blagoveshchensk to the small town of Tynda in the Amur region. It vanished from radar at ...

Five Deaths in Italy as Heatwave Paralyses Parts of Southern EuropeAthens/Rome/Istanbul, 23 Jul (ONA) --- Five deaths have been reported in Italy as extreme heat continues to affect parts of southern Europe. By 10 am (0800 GMT) today, temperatures had already exceeded 30 degrees Celsius in Sicily. Türkiye and Greece were also experiencing high temperatures, with the Turkish city of Istanbul reaching 36 degrees Celsius and the Greek island of Lesbos 38 degrees Celsius by the same time. In Athens, the Acropolis and other popular ancient sites were to be closed during the midday hours. ...

Heatwave Puts Greece and Türkiye on High AlertAthens/Istanbul, 22 Jul (ONA) --- Greece and Türkiye are grappling with a severe heatwave as temperatures soar above 30 degrees Celsius in the mornings, climb past 40 degrees during the day and remain uncomfortably high overnight. Authorities have warned that conditions will worsen, with Thursday and Friday expected to be even hotter. In Greece, a ban on all outdoor work during midday hours has been implemented to protect vulnerable workers, including those in construction, agriculture and delivery services. Only delivery drivers ...

Death Toll Rises to 31 after Plane Crashes into Dhaka School Dhaka, 22 Jul (ONA) --- The death toll from the crash of a Bangladesh Air Force training jet into a school in Dhaka has risen to 31, most of whom are pupils, officials said today. The F-7BGI fighter jet crashed into the two-storey Milestone School and College in the north of the capital on Monday. The armed forces said in the afternoon that the death toll had risen to 31, without giving details. Twenty deaths and some 171 wounded were reported on Monday. Seven more people died of their injuries overnight. The crash occurred ...

19 Dead as Aircraft Crashes into Dhaka School BuildingDhaka, 21 Jul (ONA) --- The death toll from the crash of a Bangladesh Air Force training jet onto a school in Dhaka has risen to 19, mostly children, officials said today. Many others who suffered severe burn injuries were receiving treatment in hospital. The Chinese-made F-7BGI fighter jet crashed into the two-storey Milestone School and College in the north of the capital. At the time of the crash, many children were present at the school, which teaches children from elementary up to 12th grade. The crash occurred minutes after ...

Heavy Rains Flood Streets, Pedestrian Tunnels in Moscow, Its SuburbsMoscow, 21 Jul (ONA) --- Moscow and its suburbs have been hit by heavy rains since the early morning hours today, flooding some streets and pedestrian tunnels. Meteorologists indicated that the effects of the heavy rains and thunderstorms may continue in Moscow and its suburbs until this afternoon, with the possibility of renewed heavy rainfall in the city tomorrow (Tuesday). The water level reached about 30 cm, disrupting traffic in several areas. The effects of the heavy rains extended to underground pedestrian ...

Death Toll from Heavy Rains Rises to 10, 9 Still Missing in South Korea Seoul, 20 Jul (ONA) --- Ten people have been killed and nine have gone missing in the heavy rains and landslides that began across the Republic of Korea four days ago, the South Korean government said today. The data from the Interior Ministry and the National Fire Agency also showed that a large portion of the toll - six dead and seven missing - occurred in the southern county of Sancheong. The other deaths occurred in Osan, Gyeonggi Province; Seosan, South Chungcheong Province; and Dangjin, South Chungcheong. Two of ...

28 Dead Due to Deadly Monsoon Rains in PakistanIslamabad, 16 Jul (ONA) --- At least 28 people died due to heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan's biggest province, amid warnings of more rough weather ahead for the South Asian nation. The deaths were caused by collapsing roofs particularly in rural areas of the Punjab. Punjab is Pakistan's biggest province where millions of people are associated with agriculture and live in villages. The rains are considered blessings during the season but they also cause mud houses to collapse. The death toll due to this year's monsoon rains has crossed ...

New Jersey and New York City Hit by Heavy Rains and Flash FloodingWashington, 15 Jul (ONA) --- Flash flooding hit New York City and New Jersey overnight as heavy rains battered the region. Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania were also affected, with meteorologists recording unprecedented amounts of rainfall, causing widespread disruption to transportation and conducting numerous rescue operations. New Jersey Gov. declared a state of emergency due to flash flooding and heavy rainfall, advising people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. In New York, John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, ...

Wildfires Break Out Across Greece Athens, 10 Jul (ONA) – Greece is battling widespread wildfires as at least 55 blazes broke out over the past 24 hours across forests and some other areas, according to national authorities. Firefighters managed to contain a major blaze near the town of Oropos, about 60 km north of Athens, after overnight efforts. However, emergency services remain on high alert as strong winds and dry conditions continue to fuel fire risks. Additional fires were reported on the island of Thasos, where thick smoke forced the evacuation of a hotel and ...

Two Dead in Guatemala Quakes Guatemala City, 9 July (ONA) – At least two people have died in Guatemala following a series of earthquakes that also caused material damage. The first quake measured 4.8 on the Richter scale, followed by a stronger tremor of magnitude 5.6 centered approximately 20 kilometers south of the capital, Guatemala City, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. A third quake, also registering 4.8, later struck the capital. More than 35 smaller aftershocks have been recorded, according to Guatemala’s National Institute of Seismology. --- ...