Smoke from Canadian wildfires chokes US Midwest
Wildfire smoke from Canada has triggered air quality alerts across parts of the US Midwest, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, and nearby states.
Minneapolis reported some of the world’s worst air pollution, with the air quality reaching unhealthy levels. The smoke is expected to linger through the weekend, posing health risks for vulnerable groups, Reuters reported.
Canada is battling over 700 active wildfires, with several burning out of control. Authorities warn poor air quality may persist into Sunday.
India discovers world's rarest blood group 'CRIB' in Bengaluru woman
A new blood group was discovered in India on a 38-year-old woman during surgery. The blood group is named CRIB standing for Cromer i.e. CH India Bengaluru as it was found near Bengaluru. It is one of the 47 blood groups.
“The woman’s blood group did not match any other blood group. We mixed it with other blood groups and tested it but it reacted every time,” Dr Ankit Mathur, medical director of the Rotary-TTK Blood Centre in Bengaluru told the BBC. He was the main contact person for the doctors at the RL Jalappa Hospital in Kolar. The woman was advised to undergo surgery at this hospital due to a heart problem.
It was sent to the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBRGL) in Bristol, UK for study and after 10 months they approved the name ‘CRIB’. It was officially announced at the 35th ISBT conference held in Milan, Italy in June this year.
Four workers die in Japan manhole accident
Four workers in their 50s died after falling into a manhole during a sewage inspection in Gyoda, north of Tokyo, Al Jazeera reported.
One worker reportedly slipped into the 10-metre-deep shaft, and three others fell while trying to rescue him.
Emergency crews detected toxic hydrogen sulfide gas at the scene. All four were retrieved and later pronounced dead in hospital, according to Al Jazeera.
Authorities say the cause is still under investigation.
China, Russia hold joint naval drills in Sea of Japan
China and Russia have launched joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan, aiming to boost military ties and counterbalance US influence. The three-day “Joint Sea-2025” exercises near Vladivostok include anti-submarine, air defense, and maritime combat operations, according to Al Jazeera.
Four Chinese warships are participating alongside Russian vessels, with joint patrols planned in the Pacific afterward. While both sides say the drills are defensive, Japan has voiced concerns over their growing military cooperation amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
