Briefly

UNITED STATES

Gene Hackman, wife and dog found dead

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home on Wednesday, authorities said. Foul play is not suspected; however, authorities did not release any details about the circumstances of their deaths and said an investigation is ongoing. Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Denise Avila said deputies responded to a request for a welfare check at the home on Wednesday around 1:45 pm local time and found Hackman, 95, his wife, 63, and a dog dead.

JAPAN

Evacuation as forest fire burns buildings

A wildfire in northern Japan has damaged over 80 buildings and forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents, with military helicopters mobilized to help put it out, authorities said on Thursday. Aerial footage from public broadcaster NHK showed the bright blaze reducing several houses to charred frames in the forested areas of Ofunato in the region of Iwate. Nearly 600 nearby residents have been evacuated, according to the local municipality, with no injuries confirmed so far.

GERMANY

4 hurt as shots fired near a courthouse

Four people were injured when shots were fired near a courthouse in western Germany on Wednesday, police said. Two suspects were detained. Several shots were fired on a street near the state court in the city of Bielefeld in the early afternoon, according to police. The four were taken to a hospital, but investigators didn't give information on the severity of their injuries. A police statement said they couldn't rule out a connection with a trial taking place at the court.

Agencies Via Xinhua