News

UNDP: Human Development Progress Slows to 35-Year LowGeneva, 6 May (ONA) --- Human development progress is experiencing an unprecedented slowdown according to a new report released today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Instead of seeing sustained recovery following the period of exceptional crises of 2020-2021, the report reveals unexpectedly weak progress. Excluding those crisis years, the meager rise in global human development projected in this year’s report is the smallest increase since 1990. The 2025 Human Development Report -"A matter of choice: people and ...

Death Toll of Capsized Boats in Southwest China Rises to 10Beijing, 5 May (ONA) —- The death toll after four boats capsized on a river in Qianxi City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, rose to ten. Xinhua News Agency said that four boats capsized in sudden strong winds, plunging 84 individuals into the water, adding that 10 people died and 70 are being treated and are in non-life-threatening condition. Chinese authorities deployed around 500 emergency response personnel to coordinate rescue efforts. Response operations are still ongoing to deal with the aftermath of the ...

Arctic Plant Shifts Signal Early Climate Warning: Study Ottawa, 1 May (ONA) --- The Arctic tundra, long considered one of the planet’s most fragile ecosystems, is experiencing rapid and unexpected changes due to climate warming, according to a new study published in Nature. Over 40 years, 54 scientists tracked more than 2,000 plant communities across 45 sites from Canada to Scandinavia. Contrary to expectations, there were no clear winners or losers—some areas saw an increase in shrubs and grasses, while flowering plants declined. The shifts are driven by ...

Death Toll from Blast at Iran's Bandar Abbas Port Rises to 28 Bandar Abbas, 27 Apr (ONA) --- The death toll from a powerful explosion at Iran's biggest port of Bandar Abbas has risen to at least 28, with more than 700 people injured, state media reported today, as firefighters worked to fully extinguish the fire. Saturday's blast took place in the Shahid Rajaee section of the port, Iran's biggest container hub, shattering windows for several kilometres around, tearing metal strips off shipping containers and badly damaging goods inside, state media said. Chemicals at the ...

Four Dead, 13 Injured in Landslide in Northwestern Algeria Algiers, 27 Apr (ONA) --- Four people were killed, and 13 others injured in a landslide in the city of Oran, northwest Algeria. A local source said that the accident, which occurred after midnight, resulted in the collapse of five houses, killing four people between five and 43 years old, including two women, Algeria Press Service reported. --- Ends/Khalid ...

Aftershocks Hit Istanbul Following 6.2-Magnitude Earthquake Ankara, 24 Apr (ONA) ---- Istanbul experienced a series of aftershocks today following a powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake that struck the Marmara Sea the day before. Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that more than 185 aftershocks have occurred since the initial quake, including one measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale. The main earthquake, which struck off the coast of Istanbul in the Marmara Sea, caused widespread alarm and minor damage. The aftershocks ranged in magnitude from ...

Powerful 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Istanbul Istanbul, 23 Apr (ONA) --- A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 shook Istanbul today, the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said, one of the strongest quakes to strike the city of 16 million in recent years. There were no immediate reports of damage, but people evacuated buildings as the quake hit and shook the city, located on the European and Asian shores of the Bosporus. The epicenter of the quake, which struck at 12:49 p.m. (9:49 a.m. GMT), was in the area of Silivri, some 80 kilometers (50 ...

Russian Citizens Express Admiration for Oman Muscat, 20 Apr (ONA) —— Beauty, diversity in its landscapes, a blend of history and progress, and the preservation of its cultural heritage, identity, reputation, security, and justice—these are the qualities that have drawn visitors from various world countries to the Sultanate of Oman for many purposes, such as tourism, education, residence, and investment. In this context, some Russian citizens have highlighted these reasons for visiting Oman, a country located in the southeastern Arabian Peninsula with its warm waters ...

Wildfires Threaten Millions in Southwestern USWashington, 17 Apr (ONA) --- US authorities have issued a red alert for more than 4.5 million people due to the weather conditions, including high temperatures, strong winds, and low relative humidity, which will continue through the weekend in the southwestern United States. New Mexico is facing an extreme risk, the highest level of warning issued by the National Weather Service, due to wind gusts that could reach 60 mph today, with relative humidity between 5 and 10 percent. This extreme warning means a threat ...

5 Died, 9 Injured in China Coal Mine AccidentBeijing, 14 Apr (ONA) ---- Five workers died and nine others injured in a carbon dioxide outburst accident at a coal mine in Lanzhou, northwest China.The accident took place while the workers were on an excavation platform in the coal mine, and the injured are currently receiving emergency medical treatment, China's Xinhua News Agency reported ...

Melting Antarctic Ice May Weaken World's Strongest Ocean Current: StudyWashington, 8 Apr (ONA)--- The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), the strongest ocean current on Earth, undertakes a crucial role in circulating water between the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, helping regulate the global climate.However, a new study warns that this once-stable current could slow down by up to 20% by 2050 due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions.Meltwater from Antarctica’s ice shelves is expected to dilute ocean salinity, disrupting the ACC’s flow.This could have severe ...

4.7-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Solomon Islands in Pacific OceanHoniara, 8 Apr (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale struck the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean today.The US Geological Survey reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was located 96 kilometers from the Lata area of the islands, at a depth of 56 kilometers.So far, there have been no reports of damage or casualties from the earthquake.The Solomon Islands are located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates meet and cause frequent volcanic and seismic activity. ...

Three Killed in Ambulance Helicopter Crash Southwestern Japan Tokyo, 7 Apr (ONA) --- An ambulance helicopter crashed southwestern Japan today, killing three people, the country's coast guard said. The patient and two other people lost their lives when the medical transport aircraft fell into the sea. The pilot and two other people were found in the waters clinging to lifesavers. The authorities said an investigation into the causes of the accident is currently underway. --- ...

US Flood Death Toll Rises to 20Washington, 7 Apr (ONA) --- The floods and heavy rainfall that struck the western and southern regions of the United States have left 20 people dead. Police in the state of Georgia reported that a man and his son were killed overnight after a tree fell on them at a golf course due to severe storms, with the US media outlets reporting that 18 other storm-related fatalities have been recorded since Wednesday across the states of Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi, noting that Tennessee alone accounted for 10 ...

UK Hails Successful Test of New Hypersonic Missiles London, 6 Apr (ONA) --- The United Kingdom today announced the successful test of a new hypersonic missile engine, developed in collaboration with the United States. The UK Minister of Defense stated in a press release that the in-depth test, which lasted six weeks, involved real-time data analysis aimed at refining design elements and enhancing compelling performance. The ...

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 3,471, Thailand 24 Kuala Lumpur, 6 Apr (ONA) --- Authorities in Myanmar today announced that the victims of the earthquake that hit the country recently rose to 3,471 dead and 4,671 injured. Similarly in Thailand, the death toll rose to 24, with 17 dead in a skyscraper in Bangkok, while 77 people remain missing. Myanmar's state media said that 214 people were still missing, adding that the earthquake that recorded 7.7 on the Richter scale on 28 March 2025 caused widespread devastation ...

South Korea's Forest Fires Kill 26, Destroy Nearly 36,000 HectaresSeoul, 27 Mar (ONA) —- Forest fires in South Korea have killed 26 people, bringing the total death toll to 56. According to data released by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), the fires have caused 26 deaths so far, in addition to eight serious injuries and 22 minor injuries. The fires have also displaced 37,185 people, of whom 20,485 have returned to their homes, while 16,700 remain unable to return. Extinguishing efforts are ongoing in 10 locations, with ...

Death Toll Rises to at Least 22 as Wildfires Rage in South KoreaSeoul, 26 Mar (ONA) —- The death toll from the wildfires sweeping through south-eastern South Korea has risen to at least 22, with authorities fearing the numbers could continue to climb. The official news agency Yonhap reported today that 16 people had died in the south-east of the country since this afternoon alone, bringing the total toll to at least 22. Over the weekend, four first responders had lost their lives while battling the fires. According to Yonhap, around 5,000 firefighters and more than 140 helicopters ...

Uncontrollable Wildfires in South Korea Consumes About 15,000 HectaresSeoul, 25 Mar (ONA) —- South Korean government officials today announced that a wildfire in the southeastern town of Uiseong appears to be out of control due to unexpectedly strong winds and extremely dry weather, and noted a gradual decline in the containment rate of fires in the area. The Korean government reported that wildfires swept through the southeast of the country over the past few days have destroyed 14,694 hectares, injured 15 people, including four deaths, and displaced more than 3,300 from ...

Swiss Nuclear Reactor Shut Down after Grid FailureGeneva, 24 Mar (ONA) —- A Swiss nuclear power plant near the German border was automatically shut down late yesterday. According to the operator Axpo today, the shutdown at the Beznau plant was linked to a failure of the electricity grid connection. Axpo said that the plant was in a safe condition at all times. The plant is located in Döttingen, about 7 kilometres from Germany's south-western border. "The shutdown caused non-radioactive water vapour to be released" via the roof of a part of the plant not involved in the ...

Thousands Evacuated as Wildfires Continue to Spread in Western JapanTokyo, 24 Mar (ONA) —- Firefighters in western Japan are continuing their efforts to extinguish forest fires that broke out in Okayama and Ehime prefectures, forcing around 2,800 people to evacuate their homes, amid growing fears that the flames could spread to other residential areas. Aerial footage showed Ground Self-Defense Force helicopters participating in the firefighting efforts, according to Kyodo News. The fires, which broke out on Sunday, burned about 250 hectares of land in the ...

Four Dead in South Korean WildfiresSeoul, 23 Mar (ONA) --- Four people were confirmed dead as wildfires raged in South Korea, with the government declaring a state of national disaster, the official news agency Yonhap reported. The measure took effect in Ulsan city, North Gyeongsang Province and South Gyeongsang Province in the south-east of the country, Yonhap cited the Ministry of the Interior and Safety as saying. Wildfires were burning through counties including Sancheong, South Gyeongsang Province, where local officers said two fire officials were found dead. In total, the toll ...

Mandatory Evacuation in North Carolina due to WildfiresWashington, 23 Mar (ONA) —- Authorities in the US state of North Carolina have issued a mandatory evacuation order in Polk County as wildfires continue to threaten the area, while emergency crew work to contain the flames in an area still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Helene. According to the State's Department of Public Safety, the mandatory evacuation has begun, with residents warned of the dangers of remaining in the area. A temporary shelter has been established in Columbus, North Carolina, ...

Hundreds Evacuated as Flash Floods Hit Southern SpainMadrid, 19 Mar (ONA) —- Flash floods unleashed by heavy rains have promoted officials to evacuate 365 homes, shut down roads and cancel schools in southern Spain. Regional officials ordered the evacuation of 365 homes in the village of Campanillas near Malaga city after a nearby river burst its banks. Nineteen rivers in Andalusia were on red alert for flooding, as rainy weather spread from Malaga on the southern coast to landlocked areas near Sevilla and Cordoba. A total of 40 highways across Andalusia as well ...

Plane Crash Kills Three in Southeastern SwitzerlandGeneva, 18 Mar (ONA) —- A small plane crashed in the Alps in southeastern Switzerland today, killing three persons. Local sources reported that the Extra EA-400 propeller plane took off from the Samedan airfield heading to Denmark, adding that it crashed two minutes after takeoff. The police said that the plane crashed on the edge of the village of La Punt Chamues-ch and burned out, noting that its three passengers had died. The identities of the victims and the possible cause of the crash are yet to be ...

6 Killed in Small Passenger Plane Crash in HondurasTegucigalpa, 18 Mar (ONA) —- At least six people died when a small passenger plane crashed after takeoff in Roatan Island in northern Honduras. Local sources reported that a passenger plane carrying 18 people veered off the runway during takeoff and crashed into the sea during a flight from the island to the mainland. Six people died, while 10 others were rescued. A Honduran civil aviation official suggested the cause of the accident was a mechanical failure in the aircraft, while authorities have ...

Ecuador Declares Environmental Emergency Due to Oil Spill Near Esmeraldas RiverQuito, 17 Mar (ONA) --- Ecuador declared an environmental emergency due to an oil spill near Esmeraldas River in the northwestern coastal province of the country. Ecuadorian authorities said that part of the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE) exploded in the El Vergel area near the Esmeraldas River, about 160 kilometers northwest of the capital, Quito. Authorities indicated that the explosion was caused by landslides in the area, which witnessed heavy rains. Petroecuador said ...

Death Toll from Storm in US Rises to 34Washington, 16 Mar (ONA) --- The death toll from the powerful storm sweeping through the central and southern United States has increased to 34. The storm, accompanied by a tornado and wind gusts reaching speeds of 130 kilometers per hour, along with large hail, caused significant damage in several states. Millions of Americans in high-risk areas remain under threat from tornadoes and strong winds. While the storm continues to move eastward, its threats persist in the Midwest and southern regions of the country. ...

Scientists Identify More Than 800 New Species in Global Ocean CensusWashington,11 Mar(ONA) --- The Ocean Census project has identified 866 new marine species, many from the deep seas, less than two years since its launch.‏The findings mark the first phase of its goal to document 100,000 new species in the Earth’s oceans.‏The ocean covers 71% of the planet, yet only around 10% of marine life has been discovered, leaving an estimated 1-2 million species undocumented,” Mitsuyuki Unno, executive director of The Nippon Foundation, which sponsors the Ocean Census initiative along ...

Scientists Discover Hidden Helium Reservoirs in Earth’s Core Tokyo, 11 Mar (ONA) --- A groundbreaking discovery by researchers from Japan and Taiwan has shown that helium, previously thought to be chemically inert, can bond with iron under extreme pressure. Using a laser-heated diamond anvil cell, the team observed this unexpected interaction, suggesting that large amounts of helium may exist in Earth's core. This challenges traditional theories about the planet’s internal structure and provides new insights into the primordial nebula from which our solar ...