Kidnap Victims Escape, Cyclone Kills, and Wildfires Rage

Here's a news article synthesizing the provided information:

China Bans Hidden Car Door Handles Over Safety Concerns

China has become the first country to ban hidden car door handles on electric vehicles (EVs) due to safety concerns, according to reports from BBC Technology and BBC Business. The new regulations mandate that all cars sold in China must have a mechanical release both on the inside and outside of their doors.

The decision follows increased scrutiny of EV safety worldwide, prompted by several deadly incidents. Notably, two fatal crashes in China involving Xiaomi EVs raised concerns that power failures prevented doors from being opened, BBC Technology reported. Hidden door handles, popularized by Tesla, have become widespread in China's new energy vehicle market.

The regulations aim to ensure that occupants can exit a vehicle even in the event of a power failure. The specific standards require a mechanical release mechanism accessible from both inside and outside the vehicle.

Other News in Brief:

Kaduna Kidnap Victims Return: Eighty people who were kidnapped in Nigeria's northern Kaduna state last month have returned home after escaping their captors, BBC World reported. The individuals were among 177 people seized from three churches in Kurmin Wali. According to state police spokesman Mansur Hassan, the escapees hid in neighboring villages for two weeks "due to fear of being captured again." Authorities are continuing efforts to secure the release of the remaining 86 hostages. The chairs strewn across the floor of one of the churches raided last month hints at the panic the attack caused.

Cyclone Fytia Hits Madagascar: Tropical Cyclone Fytia has caused widespread flooding in Madagascar, resulting in at least three deaths and affecting nearly 30,000 people, The Guardian reported. The storm, the first tropical storm of the season for the island nation, formed to the north-west of Madagascar. It is estimated that more than 40,000 homes could be flooded over the next few days.

Pantanal Wildfires Documented: A major exhibition in London will showcase the work of documentary photographer Lalo de Almeida, documenting the devastating wildfires in the Pantanal region of South America, according to The Guardian. De Almeida's photo essay, "Pantanal Ablaze," won first place in the environment stories category at the World Press Photo contest in 2021. His work highlights the unprecedented threat facing the South American wetland.