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Hundreds Died During This Year’s Hajj Pilgrimage In Saudi Arabia Amid Intense Heat, Officials Say

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Hajj Pilgrimage | AP News Image

Mecca, Saudi Arabia – Hundreds of people perished during this year’s Hajj trip in Saudi Arabia due to extreme heat at Islamic holy sites in the desert nation, officials said Wednesday, as people attempted to claim their loved ones’ bodies.

Saudi Arabia has not commented on the death toll during the trip, which is compulsory for every able Muslim once in their lives, or provided any explanations for those who died. However, hundreds of people had gathered at the Emergency Complex in Mecca’s Al-Muaisem neighborhood, hoping to find out what had happened to their lost loved ones.

One internet list claimed that at least 550 individuals died during the five-day Hajj. A physician who talked to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss information not made public by the authorities said the identities mentioned appeared authentic. That physician and another officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said they estimated there were at least 600 bodies at the facility.

hajj

Hajj Pilgrimage | AP News iMage

Hundreds Died During This Year’s Hajj Pilgrimage In Saudi Arabia Amid Intense Heat, Officials Say

Deaths are not unusual during the Hajj, which has at times brought more than 2 million people to Saudi Arabia. There have been stampedes and epidemics during the pilgrimage’s history.

Each year, the Hajj attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from low-income countries, “many of whom have had little, if any, pre-Hajj health care,” according to a study in the April issue of the Journal of Infection and Public Health. Communicable illnesses can spread among the crowd, many of whom have saved their entire lives for their journeys and maybe elderly with prior health concerns, according to the article.

However, this year’s high mortality toll shows that something triggered the increase. Several nations, like Jordan and Tunisia, have already reported that some of their pilgrims died as a result of the heat that swept across Mecca’s sacred sites.

On Tuesday, the Saudi National Centre for Meteorology said that temperatures in Mecca and its hallowed sites hit 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit). Onlookers witnessed some people fainting while attempting to perform the symbolic stoning of the demon.

According to authorities, temperatures at Mecca’s Grand Mosque reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday despite the fact that pilgrims had already gone to Mina.

hajj

Hajj Pilgrimage | AP News Image

Hundreds Died During This Year’s Hajj Pilgrimage In Saudi Arabia Amid Intense Heat, Officials Say

Others, especially many Egyptians, became separated from their loved ones because of the heat and overcrowding. According to Saudi Hajj authorities, more than 1.83 million Muslims will undertake the Hajj in 2024, including over 1.6 million pilgrims from 22 countries and over 222,000 Saudi nationals and residents.

On Wednesday, at the Mecca medical complex, an Egyptian man slumped to the ground when he heard his mother’s name among the dead. He grieved for a while before grabbing his phone and calling a travel agent, shouting, “He left her to die!” The audience attempted to appease the man.

Security appeared tight at the compound, with an official reading out the names of the deceased and their nationalities, which included Algerians, Egyptians, and Indians. Those who claimed to be deceased relatives were permitted inside to identify them.

The kingdom’s ruling Al Saud family wields significant power in the Muslim world due to its oil wealth and control over Islam’s holy sites. King Salman, like previous Saudi rulers, has assumed the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, alluding to the Grand Mosque in Mecca, which houses the cube-shaped Kaaba that Muslims pray to five times a day, and the Prophet’s Mosque in the adjacent city of Medina.

hajj

Hajj Pilgrimage | AP News Image

Hundreds Died During This Year’s Hajj Pilgrimage In Saudi Arabia Amid Intense Heat, Officials Say

Saudi Arabia has spent billions of dollars on crowd control and safety precautions for those making the annual five-day pilgrimage, but the sheer number of people makes assuring their safety difficult.

Climate change could amplify the risk. According to a 2019 study conducted by specialists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, even if the world succeeds in reducing the worst consequences of climate change, the Hajj will be hosted in temperatures above an “extreme danger threshold” from 2047 to 2052 and 2079 to 2086.

Because Islam follows the lunar calendar, the Hajj occurs 11 days earlier each year. It will take place in April 2030, and in the following years, it will be held in the winter when temperatures are milder.

According to an Associated Press count, a 2015 stampede in Mina during the Hajj killed almost 2,400 pilgrims, making it the deadliest event to ever hit the pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia has never acknowledged the full scale of the catastrophe. A separate crane fall at Mecca’s Grand Mosque, which occurred before the Mina disaster, killed 111 people.

The second-deadliest occurrence at the Hajj was a 1990 stampede that killed 1,426 people.

SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics.

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The Goal Of Donald Trump’s Transition Team Is To Withdraw The US From WHO “On Day One.”

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

(VOR News) – The transition team led by Donald Trump is reportedly planning to remove the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the first day of the next government, according to experts.

This would have a “catastrophic” impact on people’s health all throughout the world, these experts warn.

On January 20, the day the president-elect becomes office, these individuals want to announce their desire to depart the global health agency, Donald Trump’s team members informed analysts.

If the World Health Organization were to depart, it would lose its most significant source of funding, which would hinder its ability to respond to public health emergencies such as the Coronavirus pandemic.

Donald Trump’s leadership and funding for global health are noteworthy.

The United States of America is most likely to leave a significant void. According to Georgetown Law professor of global health Lawrence Gostin, “I see no one that is going to fill the breach.” He went on to say that the withdrawal “on day one” will have “catastrophic” effects on people’s health all around the world.

Trump’s nomination of several allies, including vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy, for important health positions in the incoming government has led to a disagreement over US relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). Nevertheless, Gostin expressed doubt that Donald Trump would prioritize a prompt withdrawal as much as some of his colleagues.

The United States of America was the largest single donor to the World Health Organization (WHO), accounting for almost 16 percent of its funding in fiscal years 2022–2023.

In 2020, President Donald Trump began the process of disbanding the World Health Organization (WHO) after accusing it of being under Chinese control.

However, the process has never been completed, and his vice presidential replacement, Joe Biden, resumed relations with the agency on the first day of his administration in 2021.

Experts have seen that after initiating the process immediately, some Donald Trump administration officials are keen to proceed much more quickly this time.

Ashish Jha, a former White House Covid response coordinator for Biden and the director of Brown University’s school of public health, stated that the transition team wanted Donald Trump to withdraw on the first day because to the “symbolism” of reversing Biden’s own inauguration-day decision.

He remarked, “Many individuals within the administration’s inner circle lack trust in the WHO and wish to symbolically demonstrate their disassociation from it on the first day.”

“If you do not actively participate in these Donald Trump institutions.

You will not be able to respond quickly when the next outbreak happens,” he stated. Gostin predicted “very lean years for the WHO,” which would mean the organization would have to substantially cut back on its scientific workforce and struggle to respond to health emergencies.

If the United States withdrew, he said, European countries would likely not increase their contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO), and China might try to strengthen its influence. He claimed that since leaving would give China more authority, it would not be a smart move.

Questions concerning the possible withdrawal were not immediately answered by the Donald Trump transition team. “Is this the same WHO we left in place for the initial administration?” a person familiar with the arrangements told the Financial Times. Right now, we don’t appear to care all that much about what they have to say.

There was no response from the World Health Organization. The group’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called it a “unique organization” earlier this month and said it aimed to collaborate with U.S. officials.

He continued, “From our end, we are prepared to collaborate with one another.” “I believe that the leaders of the United States of America are aware of the fact that the United States cannot be safe unless the rest of the world is safe.

SOURCE: FT

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Do Microplastics in the Atmosphere Endanger Your Fertility?

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HealthDay

(VOR News) – It is quite possible that the presence of small microplastic particles in the air may be a contributing factor to a wide variety of health problems, including malignancies of the lungs and colon.

This is something that needs additional research to be determined. There is one more item to take into consideration, and that is the potential that this is the exact circumstance.

A recent study found that tires and debris that are decomposing shed minute fragments of plastic that go airborne, so creating a form of air pollution that is not particularly widely known. This type of pollution is caused by the degradation of plastic. An example of this type of pollution is that which is discharged into the atmosphere.

The industry refers to microplastic as “air pollution.”

According to the findings of a researcher named Tracey Woodruff, who is a professor of obstetrics, gynaecology, and reproductive sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, “These microplastics are basically particulate matter from air pollution,” and it is common knowledge that this particular type of air pollution is particularly hazardous.

The researchers who supplied background notes stated that the size of microplastics is less than 5 millimetres, which is smaller than a grain of rice.

This information was provided, according to researchers. These details were supplied by the researchers who conducted the study. These particulars were provided by researchers who were responsible for carrying out the study.

The amount of plastic that is created on a yearly basis by enterprises all over the world is roughly 460 million tonnes, as indicated by the data that were provided by academics all over the world. The forecasts indicate that by the year 2050, this quantity is anticipated to have increased to 1.1 billion tonnes.

Driving is a substantial contributor to the amount of plastic that is floating around in the atmosphere, according to the conclusions of the experts who conducted the study about the phenomenon. When tires are worn down to the point where they scrape against the surface of the road, they allow microplastics to be released into the environment.

As a result of the tires wearing down, this occurs. This impact is brought about as a consequence of the inevitable amount of wear and tear that tires are subjected to.

A study that was published on December 18 in the journal Environmental Science & Technology was the result of researchers conducting an examination of data collected from over 3,000 previous investigations.

The paper was published as a consequence of this procedure. The review was constructed with the help of this analysis that was carried out.

Microplastic used this analysis to put together the review.

A number of diseases, such as cancer, lung problems, and infertility, may be influenced by the presence of microplastics in the air, according to the data, which led to the conclusion that this may be the case.

Despite the fact that the vast majority of the studies that were incorporated into the study were carried out on animals, the researchers claimed that it is very certainly plausible that the findings can also be applied to people. The fact that the majority of investigations were conducted on animals does not change the reality that this is the case.

“We urge regulatory agencies and policy leaders to consider the growing evidence of health harms from microplastics, including colon and lung cancer,” stated Nicholas Chartres, the principal investigator and senior research fellow at the University of Sydney.

The organisation reported this comment. The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) issued a press release on behalf of the organisation that contained this statement. The news release was disseminated to the public. We are convinced that state officials will act quickly to make sure that no leaks of this kind occur, which is of the highest importance.

SOURCE: USN

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Russian Oil Ships In The Kerch Strait Are Undergoing Rescue Operations.

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AP

(VOR News) – Following Sunday’s powerful storm, a Russian oil tanker carrying hundreds of tonnes of oil products ultimately broke apart, causing an oil spill into the Kerch Strait below. Additionally, Russian officials reported that the damage was causing problems for another vessel.

Sunday, Russian authorities announced an emergency rescue operation.

According to the Russian state news agency TASS, which claimed the Emergency Situations Ministry as its source, the Volgoneft-212 tanker, carrying fuel oil and carrying thirteen crew members, ran aground and suffered damage to its bow. A shipment of fuel oil was being transported by the tanker.

Authorities have told the public that the damage was brought on by the extreme weather conditions that are currently occurring.

A second tanker, the Volgoneft-239, was damaged during the storm and is currently stranded in the same area with 14 crew members on board, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The tanker was discovered abandoned and alone in the same spot.

Additional tankers also suffered damage. The 132-meter-long cruiser, which was constructed in 1973, hangs the Russian flag around its neck.

The footage posted by state media showed the 136-meter Volgoneft-212 tanker, which was cut in two with its bow underwater, and waves crashing over its deck. At least one person lost his life as a result of this tragedy. This led to the opening of two distinct criminal investigations by the Russian authorities to look into potential violations of certain safety regulations.

Having flown the Russian flag since 1969, the yacht was finished.

Rosmorrechflot, the Russian government agency in charge of water transportation, reported a petroleum product spill.

It is believed that the cargo capacity of each tanker is around 4,200 tonnes of oil products.

The magnitude of the leak and the cause of the substantial damage one of the tankers received were not specified in the official remarks. This is in accordance with the official remarks.

Several news sites cited Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying that President Vladimir Putin directed the formation of a working committee to handle the rescue effort and lessen the effects of the oil disaster.

Peskov recommended that the government appoint the working committee’s members. This comment was made public right after Putin met with the ministries responsible for ecology and disaster management.

The Russian government has said that it will be sending more than fifty individuals and pieces of equipment to the area in response to the current crisis. Mi-8 helicopters and rescue tugboats are examples of these people and tools.

The news that experts are presently investigating the damage at the event site was announced by Svetlana Radionova, who is in charge of Rosprirodnadzor, Russia’s natural resources regulating entity.

Kommersant reports that Volgoneft-212 used 4,300 tonnes of fuel oil.

The footage, which showed a partially submerged ship and murky water on rough seas, was posted to Telegram without the owner’s consent.

The warships were located in the Kerch Strait, which separates Crimea from the Russian mainland, when the distress signals were sent out.

The Kerch Strait is a crucial international marine passage that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov, allowing for easier traffic between the two bodies of water. It also acts as a border between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, which is under Russian occupation. The Kerch Strait is located in the centre of the two nations.

The peninsula has remained a major source of contention between the two national governments ever since Russia annexed it from Ukraine in 2014. Russia was the one who seized the peninsula. Ukraine brought legal action against Russia before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016.

Specifically, the lawsuit claimed that Russia intended to illegally take over a location. The argument was supported by evidence pertaining to Russia’s conduct in the region. In 2021, the Russian Federation closed the strait for several consecutive months

SOURCE: VN

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