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Tuesday, 13 July 2021 2:19 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 13 July 2021 2:19 AM ]

Iraq hospital fire

Dozens of people have been killed after a fire ripped through a hospital in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah. The fire engulfed a COVID-19 isolation ward in Al-Hussain hospital. A medical source said rescue teams are struggling to reach those patients who are still believed to be trapped inside the building. Health sources say the death toll could rise as search operations are ongoing for many missing patients. Initial police reports suggested that an oxygen tank explosion inside the ward was the likely cause of the fire. In April, a fire caused by an oxygen tank explosion at a COVID-19 hospital in the capital Baghdad killed more than 80 people and injured 110 others.

West Bank protest

Palestinians have staged a demonstration outside an Israeli prison near the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, calling for an immediate release of a detainee to attend her daughter’s funeral. The protesters chanted slogans in solidarity with Khalida Jarrar, a Palestinian lawmaker serving a prison sentence at the Ofer prison. Palestinian rights organization, al-Haq, has sent an urgent appeal to the United Nations calling for her release. Palestinian activists and rights groups have also put up an online petition, but the regime has so far denied the request. Jarrar was given a two-year sentence on alleged charges of inciting violence and belonging to a banned organization. Her 31-year old daughter was found dead at her home on Sunday from an apparent heart attack.

France coronavirus crisis

France has introduced mandatory COVID-19 jabs for healthcare staff while other restrictions remain in place to curb the resurgence of the virus in the country. Macron announced that citizens who opt against vaccination will be barred from several public places and services including cafes, restaurants, long-distance buses, and medical establishments. The French president also said that restrictions will be tightened further to fight a recent surge in cases. Meanwhile, other countries in Europe including Spain and Greece also introduced new restrictions amid rise in infections. Greece has made vaccinations mandatory for certain workers and announced measures to contain the spread of the virus. In Spain, Catalan and Valencia regions have also introduced new restrictions to curb the soaring infection rate.

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