Four international news
KATHMANDU: A series of devastating fires across Japan on Saturday claimed eight lives, local media reported.
In Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, a blaze engulfed a two-story house in the early hours, leaving two dead. Authorities believe the victims are a 92-year-old man and his 89-year-old wife, Kyodo News stated.
In a separate incident in the same city, a fire in a two-story apartment claimed the life of a 68-year-old woman.
Elsewhere, a fire in Noshiro, Akita Prefecture, in northeastern Japan, killed three people and injured a 17-year-old girl. The girl, a high school student, was living with her parents and grandmother, police reported.
Meanwhile, a house fire in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, resulted in two fatalities. Police revealed that three other residents managed to escape, though two sustained injuries. Investigations into the causes of these fires are ongoing.
Bus Driver Killed, 13 Injured in Southeast Australia Crash
A tragic bus accident between Sydney and Melbourne left the driver dead and 13 passengers injured early Saturday morning.
The crash occurred near Kyeamba, New South Wales, at around 3:35 a.m. local time, when the bus collided with a heavy vehicle on the Hume Highway. Emergency responders attempted to save the male bus driver, but he died at the scene, NSW Police confirmed.
Thirteen passengers were treated for various injuries, including lacerations and a suspected broken leg, though none are considered life-threatening, according to police.
The heavy vehicle driver was unharmed but underwent mandatory testing at a nearby hospital. Authorities have established a crime scene and launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.
Melbourne Shooting Leaves One Dead, Two Injured
A shooting incident in Melbourne on Friday night resulted in one death and injuries to two others.
Victoria Police responded to reports of a shooting at a property in Campbellfield, located 15 km north of Melbourne’s city center, around 10:10 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found a 60-year-old man with life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his wounds.
Two men, aged 22 and 20, later came to the attention of police after arriving at a hospital with injuries. They are under police guard and will be questioned in connection with the shooting.
Preliminary investigations suggest the incident was targeted, with those involved known to one another. Homicide detectives have established a crime scene at the property.
Mysterious Illness in DR Congo May Be Linked to Influenza
A deadly outbreak of an unknown disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) may have ties to influenza, according to government officials.
Patrick Muyaya, the DRC government spokesperson, announced on Friday that influenza had been identified as a potential cause. The statement followed a Council of Ministers meeting chaired by President Felix Tshisekedi.
Public Health Minister Roger Kamba revealed that the disease, which has affected over 590 people in Kwango province, tested positive for influenza in 28% of cases. Additional tests detected human rhinovirus and SARS-CoV-2.
Africa CDC officials have proposed two possible explanations: a combination of severe malaria, viral infections, and malnutrition, or a viral outbreak with similar contributing factors. The disease has so far claimed 81 lives, primarily among children under five.
The DRC declared a “high alert” earlier this month in response to the crisis. Further investigations are underway, with samples being analyzed in Kinshasa for more conclusive results.
