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At least 18 people were killed and nine others injured when a passenger bus plunged off a bridge into a streambed in El Harrach, east of Algiers, on Friday evening, Xinhua reported.

Rescue teams, backed by divers and boats, rushed to the scene as civilians initially helped pull victims from the submerged vehicle. Two of the injured remain in critical condition, and officials cautioned the toll could rise.

A 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck near Noosa, Queensland, on Saturday morning, with tremors felt from Rockhampton to New South Wales.

About 11,000 properties lost power, and Brisbane train services were briefly delayed, but no major damage or injuries were reported, according to Xinhua.

A fire at a factory in Russia’s Ryazan Region killed five people and injured 112 on Friday, according to Xinhua.

The blaze broke out in a production workshop in Lesnoy, Shilovsky District, at around 10:30 am local time. Rescue teams managed to pull two people from the rubble, while more than 350 personnel and 80 units of equipment were deployed to contain the incident.

Authorities have launched an investigation into possible violations of industrial safety regulations, Xinhua reported.

Conflict-related sexual violence rose sharply in 2024, affecting over 4,600 people—a 25 percent increase from 2023—according to the UN Secretary-General’s report. The highest cases were reported in the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Somalia, and South Sudan, according to Xinhua.

Women made up 92 percent of victims, while girls, men, and boys were also affected. Humanitarian access remained limited due to conflict restrictions.

The UN urged sustained funding, deployment of Women’s Protection Advisers, and preventive measures, including clear orders and unrestricted monitoring, in line with Security Council resolution 2467 (2019), Xinhua reported.

UN negotiations to forge a treaty tackling plastic pollution have stalled again, as countries remain divided. Over 100 nations, including the UK and EU, push to limit plastic production and improve recycling design, while oil-producing states like Saudi Arabia and Russia favor managing waste over reducing production, according to BBC.

Experts warn recycling alone cannot address the crisis, with micro plastics now widespread in ecosystems and humans. A new draft allows countries to tackle chemical risks and design issues but stops short of production caps. Talks will resume at a later date, BBC reported.

Mali’s transitional government said it had foiled a “subversive plot,” arresting several military personnel, civilians, and a French national on August 1, according to Xinhua.

Officials accused the suspects, including two generals, of attempting to undermine Mali’s reconstruction efforts, allegedly with foreign backing.

The French national, Jean Vezilier, was accused of working for French intelligence, Xinhua reported.

Authorities confirmed judicial probes are ongoing and assured the public that the situation is under control.

Pakistan’s Senate Deputy Chairman Syed Ali Khan Nasar reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), calling it crucial for national and Balochistan development.

Speaking at the “CPEC in My Eyes” event, Nasar noted that travel from Quetta to Gwadar now takes 12 hours instead of 34, reflecting CPEC’s impact on ordinary citizens. He stressed involving local communities in agriculture, education, and trade to strengthen Pakistan-China cooperation, Xinhua reported.

Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong highlighted CPEC’s role in consolidating Pakistan’s development and pledged to jointly upgrade the corridor for a shared future.

At least 60 people have died and over 200 remain missing after a cloudburst struck Chositi village in Kishtwar district, Indian-controlled Kashmir, on Thursday.

The sudden downpour triggered a landslide, destroying roads and bridges and hindering rescue efforts. Authorities described the situation as challenging, with teams working to reach those affected in the remote area, according to Xinhua.

The disaster occurred about 290 km southeast of Srinagar, the region’s summer capital.