Briefly

AUSTRIA

President to have spinal surgery

Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen, who is overseeing coalition talks following the country's recent election, will undergo spinal surgery, his office said on Saturday. The 80-year-old, who has been the head of state since 2017, has been struggling with intervertebral disc problems since the beginning of the year. "Recently, the situation has deteriorated," his office said. "He will therefore undergo a routine operation on his intervertebral discs in Vienna in the next few days." For the duration of his treatment and recovery he will be represented by Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Van der Bellen's office said.

INDONESIA

Fire in cooking oil factory kills 9

As many as nine people were killed and four others injured following a large fire at a cooking oil factory near Jakarta, Indonesia's largest city, an official said on Saturday. According to Idham Kholid, head of the reconstruction and rehabilitation unit at Bekasi's disaster management and mitigation agency, the fire occurred on Friday at an industrial complex in the town of Bekasi and all flames have now been extinguished. Agung Priambodo, head of the Jakarta Search and Rescue Office, said the injured individuals were receiving treatment.

SUDAN

Medical aid sent to war-torn regions

The Sudanese Ministry of Health announced on Saturday that it has dispatched urgent medical supplies to regions affected by the ongoing armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The 250-ton shipment includes essential medicines, solutions, antibiotics, and emergency medical equipment. The conflict has severely impacted the healthcare system in Sudan, particularly in war-torn areas. The outbreak of diseases like cholera, malaria, measles, and dengue fever has further exacerbated the health crisis.

Xinhua - Agencies