Blast at ministry compound in Kabul kills 1
Kabul, Feb 13: A blast at a government ministry compound in Kabul killed one person and injured three, a spokesman said Thursday. Mohammad Kamal Afghan, a spokesperson for the Urban Development and Housing Ministry, said a man had attempted to carry out an attack inside the compound but was killed by guards before he reached his target. There was an explosion due to the incident, leading to casualties, according to the spokesperson. He did not clarify the source of the blast and provided no further details. Nobody immediately claimed responsibility for the attempted assault. (AP)
Gas explosion at Taiwan food court kills 4
Taipei, Feb 13: A gas explosion at a department store in Taiwan on Thursday killed four people and injured 26, fire authorities said. The blast occurred at the food court on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung city, the Taichung Fire Bureau said. Among the dead were two people visiting from Macau, Macao’s Tourism Office confirmed Thursday. Local media reported that they were part of a family of seven who were there for tourism. The other five were also injured are now being treated at local hospitals in Taichung. Dozens of firefighters were deployed to the scene at about 11:30 a.m. Parts of the building’s exterior were damaged and scattered fragments were strewn on the streets. (AP)
Several injured after driver hits group of people
Berlin, Feb 13: A driver drove a vehicle into a group of people in Munich on Thursday, injuring at least 20 people, authorities said. Authorities didn’t provide details about the incident near downtown Munich which took place around 10:30 am, including whether the people were hit deliberately. Police said on social platform X that the driver was “secured” at the scene and no longer poses any danger. A damaged Mini could be seen at the scene. The fire service said at least 20 people were injured, some of them seriously, German news agency dpa reported. (AP)
Soldier to face military trial in suspected death of pregnant wife
Honolulu, Feb 13: A Hawaii-based soldier faces charges in military court in connection with the suspected killing of his pregnant wife, the Army said Wednesday. His wife’s body has not been found. The charges against Pfc. Dewayne Arthur Johnson II stem from the disappearance of his wife, Mischa Johnson, last year, US Army Garrison Hawaii said in a news release. The 19-year-old was last seen on July 31 at her home on Schofield Barracks, an Army installation on Oahu, when she was six months pregnant. She is presumed dead, the Army said. (AP)