One Fatality Reported as China is Hit by Severe Snowfall

BEIJING — Northern and central China have been engulfed by heavy snowfall, causing widespread disruption to travel and prompting schools to shut their doors.

Tragically, one individual lost their life on Wednesday following a roof collapse at a supermarket in Hebei province, according to reports from state broadcaster CCTV.

Flights and intercity train services, vital for the daily commute of many Chinese citizens, experienced delays and cancellations. In response to the adverse weather conditions, authorities across several provinces issued severe weather warnings.

To combat the heavy snow, tens of thousands of workers armed with brooms and shovels were mobilised, with snowplows deployed in the worst-affected regions.

Approximately 2 inches of snow fell overnight in Beijing, the host city of the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The inclement weather initially struck western China over the weekend, with snowstorms and sandstorms leading to road closures and stranding drivers, many of whom were returning home following the conclusion of the Lunar New Year holiday.

Meanwhile, in Mongolia, over 650,000 livestock have perished due to the extreme winter weather, as reported by China’s Xinhua News Agency earlier this week, citing the Mongolian emergency management agency.

Russian Authorities Detain Dual Citizen on Charges of Treason

Russia’s main security agency announced on Tuesday the arrest of a dual citizen of Russia and the United States on allegations of committing state treason by raising funds for Ukraine.

The Federal Security Service, known as the FSB, identified the detained individual as a 33-year-old woman residing in Los Angeles. The FSB claimed that she had solicited donations for a Ukrainian organisation that procured weapons and other equipment for the country’s military.

Perviy Otdel, a group of Russian legal experts specialising in cases involving treason and other politically sensitive charges, stated that the woman had been accused of treason for sending slightly over $50 to Razom for Ukraine, a nonprofit organisation based in New York that provides aid to Ukraine.

The FSB disclosed that she was apprehended in Yekaterinburg, a city in central Russia. RIA Novosti, a Russian state news agency, released a video allegedly showing the woman, her eyes obscured by a white hat, being handcuffed and escorted by masked security service personnel.

If convicted, she could potentially face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

A Russian media outlet, Media Zona, identified the detainee as Ksenia Karelina, whereas Perviy Otdel referred to her as Ksenia (Karelina) Khavana, with Karelina likely being her maiden name. According to Perviy Otdel, she was arrested at the end of January and charged with treason on February 7.

Per her profile on VK, a Russian social networking site, she obtained US citizenship in 2021. The profile, which identified her as a student at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, indicated that she graduated from Urals Federal University in Yekaterinburg in 2014.

Protester Fatality in India as Farmers Resume March to Capital

SHAMBHU, India — A protester lost their life on Wednesday as thousands of Indian farmers recommenced their march to the capital following unsuccessful discussions with the government to resolve an impasse over their demands for guaranteed crop prices.

Last week, the farmers embarked on their protest march but were halted approximately 125 miles from New Delhi when law enforcement officers deployed tear gas rounds.

The deceased, a 21-year-old farmer identified as Subhkaran Singh, succumbed to a head injury, as confirmed by medical superintendent H.S. Rekhi at Rajindra Hospital in Punjab state, speaking to the Press Trust of India news agency. Two other individuals sustained injuries but were reported to be in stable condition. Singh’s death occurred amidst clashes between security forces and farmers in Khanauri, a town in Punjab, as per PTI reports.

The borders of Punjab with the state of Haryana have become focal points of the farmers’ protests as they attempt to reach New Delhi, with the majority of the demonstrators hailing from these two states.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Haryana police stated that 12 officers sustained injuries after protesters assaulted them with sticks and hurled stones. The post added that protesters ignited stubble using chili powder, causing difficulty for the officers to breathe.

Tragedy Strikes in the Netherlands as Bridge Collapse Claims Lives

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A fatal incident occurred on Wednesday as part of a bridge under construction over a canal in eastern Netherlands collapsed, resulting in the loss of two lives and injuring two others, according to emergency services.

The accident unfolded in Lochem, situated 80 miles east of Amsterdam, during efforts to hoist a large metal arch into position.

Nieke Hoitink, a journalist with regional newspaper De Stentor, recounted that the arch was suspended from a crane when “suddenly there was a huge bang. The entire arch began to sway. Then the whole thing fell down. We saw two construction workers fall.”

The regional security organisation overseeing emergency responses conveyed via a message on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the incident “resulted in two fatalities, with two individuals sustaining injuries. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims.”

An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the tragic accident.