Gaza hospital overwhelmed as aid site violence rises
Nasser Hospital in Gaza is overwhelmed with trauma patients, most of whom are injured near aid distribution points run by the non-UN Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the occupied Palestinian territory, said the hospital, originally a general facility, has suspended outpatient services due to rising casualties and limited supplies, effectively functioning as a trauma center, UN News reported.
The GHF, which is run by US security contractors and approved by Israel, operates only four fortified distribution facilities throughout Gaza, replacing the UN's previous 400 assistance hubs.
The UN human rights office said that at least 613 individuals were killed in attacks near relief centers since late June, 509 of them were near GHF-run locations, raising major concerns about the foundation's operations, according to UN News.
Texas flash floods kill 24, campers missing
At least 24 people died and around 25 girls remain missing after flash floods struck Texas on Independence Day. The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in 45 minutes, causing severe damage, BBC reported.
A large-scale overnight rescue operations are ongoing with helicopters, drones, and over 400 personnel. So far, 237 people have been rescued. Governor Greg Abbott confirmed federal support, and US President Donald Trump called the event “shocking” and “terrible.”
Floodwaters hit Camp Mystic in Kerr County, where communication outages have hindered contact with campers. Officials stressed that missing persons may be out of reach due to telecom disruptions, not necessarily lost.
The Hill Country and Concho Valley regions have declared states of disaster. Local officials said there was no early warning for the flood, which surpassed previous disasters, including a deadly 1987 church camp flood. Authorities urged residents to avoid flooded roads and seek higher ground, according to BBC.
Meanwhile, in New Jersey, three people died due to storm-related incidents, including falling trees during severe thunderstorms.
35 people infected with COVID-19 in a week
A total of 35 people have been found infected with COVID-19 in a week. Furthermore, in the last 24 hours, three persons were found to have been infected with the virus.
According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, COVID-19 infection has been confirmed in 31 districts of Nepal since last December to the beginning of July. So far, 249 people have been confirmed COVID-19 positive. One person has died of the virus.
Meanwhile, considering the increased risk of COVID-19 infection, the Ministry of Health and Population has made COVID-19 surveillance more effective, by setting up health screening desks at 17 border checkpoints across the country.
COVID-19 testing is carried out at health desks at all border checkpoints using the RDT method, MoHP spokesperson Dr Prakash Budathoki said.
The Ministry has also urged one and all to adopt standards such as wearing masks, washing hands with soap and water or using sanitizers, and paying attention to personal hygiene to avoid getting infected from respiratory ailments including COVID-19.
Those coming from COVID-19 affected areas and with symptoms similar to COVID-19 have also been suggested to stay in self-quarantine and isolation.
Microsoft to cut 9,000 jobs in the US amid AI shift
Microsoft is undergoing a significant reorganization that may result in the termination of up to 9,000 workers in the US, or around 4 percent of its total staff. Though specific divisions were not named, reports indicate significant cuts in its Xbox gaming unit. Game projects like Perfect Dark and Everwild have been cancelled, and The Initiative studio will be shut down. Staff at Turn 10 and ZeniMax Online Studios are also affected, according to BBC.
The layoffs come as Microsoft shifts focus to AI, with $80bn allocated for data centers. Over 800 job losses are concentrated in Redmond and Bellevue, Washington.