Mining pit collapse in Ghana kills four, twenty trapped
A mining pit collapse in Akyem Wenchi, in Ghana’s Eastern Region, left four people dead and around twenty others trapped underground on Wednesday, according to Xinhua.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with residents assisting authorities. The cause of the collapse remains unknown.
Rocket attack on bus in Pakistan’s Balochistan kills three
At least three people were killed and 11 injured after militants targeted a passenger bus with a rocket-propelled grenade in Balochistan’s Kalat district on Wednesday, officials said.
The bus was en route from Karachi to Quetta when it came under attack. Several of the injured remain in critical condition at a local hospital.
Security forces have launched a search operation, but no group has claimed responsibility. The incident comes amid a rise in militant violence across the region, Xinhua reported.
Sirens and evacuations as Taipei rehearses to counter China invasion threat
Taipei will come to a standstill Thursday as Taiwan conducts one of its largest civil defence drills amid growing tensions with China. Air raid sirens will sound across the city, with residents required to shelter indoors and traffic and businesses temporarily halted. The exercise includes mass evacuations and emergency response rehearsals, according to BBC.
This drill is part of Taiwan’s expanded Han Kuang war games, involving over 22,000 troops practicing defence on land, sea, and air, as well as urban warfare and countering misinformation.
Despite fears of a Chinese invasion, many Taiwanese remain doubtful it will happen soon but recognize the importance of preparedness. Taiwan continues to strengthen its military and civil defence capabilities in response to ongoing threats, BBC reported.
Babies made using three people's DNA are born free of hereditary disease
Eight babies have been born in the UK using a groundbreaking IVF technique that combines DNA from three people to prevent incurable mitochondrial diseases, BBC reported.
The method uses the egg and sperm from the parents along with healthy mitochondria from a female donor, stopping the mother from passing on faulty genes. Mitochondrial diseases, which affect energy production in the body, can cause severe disability or death in infancy.
Developed in Newcastle and legal in the UK for a decade, the technique is now delivering results. Families, speaking anonymously, described the births as a source of hope and healing after years of loss, according to BBC.
The Newcastle Fertility Centre expects 20 to 30 such births annually, offering new chances to families at risk.
