5.6-magnitude earthquake strikes near east coast of Australia
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.
5 killed, 112 injured after factory fire in western Russia
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.
UN reports rise in conflict-related sexual violence
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.
Global plastic talks collapse as countries remain deeply divided
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.
