Latest news with #HepA
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ho Ching takes veiled swipe at Jamus Lim in FB post; Jail for van driver who tragically hit and killed his 2-year-old daughter: Singapore live news
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong's recent social media exchange with opposition MP Jamus Lim on Singapore's certificate of entitlement (COE) scheme made headlines locally. And now SM Lee's wife Ho Ching appears to have entered the debate. She did not name Lim specifically in her Facebook post on 17 July but warned her followers to "beware of Hep A virus in raw or uncooked cockles" which has been seen as a reference to Lim. A father has been jailed after the delivery van he drove – without a licence – fatally ran over his two-year-old daughter in a Woodlands carpark in March 2023. He was sentenced to 12 weeks' jail and banned from driving for three years on Wednesday (16 July). Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates: Ho Ching takes veiled swipe at Jamus Lim in FB post? Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong's wife Ho Ching has warned her Facebook followers to "beware of Hep A virus in raw or uncooked cockles" in a post which has been seen as a veiled swipe at Workers' Party MP Jamus Lim, who was not named specifically. The comment was in a FB post which was directed at a male individual who – in her words – posted "some virtue signals on social media" instead of expressing opinion in a "roomful of economists, practitioners, investors and academic leaders, as well as younger professionals and academicians." She added: "Maybe he was afraid to lose his credibility among the thinking people - academicians who test their ideas with knowledgeable peers through publications, investors and business leaders who live with the consequences of their decisions, or political leaders who have to balance the diverse needs of a population against the constraints of resources whether land or money?" The FB post follows a social media exchange between SM Lee and WP's Lim about the former Prime Minister's comments on the certificate of entitlement (COE) scheme during a dialogue at the Economic Society of Singapore's (ESS) annual dinner on 15 July. The "cockles" reference at the end of Ho's post is likely in relation to Lim's famous remarks following WP's stunning win of Sengkang GRC at GE2020 where he said the victory "warms the cockles of our hearts". Jail for van driver who tragically hit and killed his 2-year-old daughter A man who tragically hit and killed his two-year-old daughter while driving a delivery van without a licence has been jailed. He was sentenced to 12 weeks' jail and banned from driving for three years on Wednesday (16 July). On the day of the fatal accident (13 March 2023), his wife was initially driving the rented delivery van – with the man, their son and daughter in the vehicle – to the Woodlands Street 32 area to deliver parcels. After the couple made some deliveries, the man asked to drive the van to several other blocks to clear the remaining deliveries quickly so the family could have lunch. When the man drove off, the van was too close to the side of the road and it made contact with the foot of his wife as well as the stroller resulting in his daughter being run over. The couple cannot be named to protect the identity of their surviving child. The man was on the run for an unlicensed moneylending offence at the time of the accident and previously fined for unlicensed driving. You can read more of the events in court in the link. Police probe 15 people for sharing Singpass credentials used in scams Police are investigating 15 people for sharing their Singpass credentials, which were later used in scams where victims lost over $890,000 in total. Authorities alleged that some people sold their Singpass credentials – these were later used to open new bank accounts and register for new mobile phone lines. Others appeared to have given parties access to their Singpass accounts without verifying their identities. And some people also shared their Singpass information after being deceived by scammers. Among the 15 under probe, police said five men and one woman were arrested. Disclosing your Singpass credentials to facilitate an offence is a crime, and those found guilty face a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both. Fire destroys main stage at Belgium's Tomorrowland festival ahead of opening The main stage at Belgium's world-famous Tomorrowland electronic music festival has been destroyed by a huge fire. Footage of the fire showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the main stage on Wednesday (16 July). Festival organisers confirmed that no one was injured during the incident. Tomorrowland is a major dance music event with David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia and Eric Prydz among the big names scheduled to perform this year. The annual festival attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends. The event was set to open this weekend and organisers have said their DreamVille campsite will go ahead as planned on Thursday (17 July). Tomorrowland spokesperson Debby Wilmsen was quoted as saying by CNN that a lot of workers were devastated to see the main stage destroyed given that it took years to build. "We're going to make it a great festival. It will be without a main stage. But hopefully, we can do something else, but I can't say much about that yet." Less rain, more warm days forecast for second half of July Singapore can expect less rain and more warm days the rest of July, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS). "More warm days are expected in the second half of July 2025, as compared to the first half of the month, with daily maximum temperatures reaching slightly above 34°C on some days," said MSS. While the skies will be mostly fair, MSS forecasts short-duration thundery showers in the late mornings and afternoons. Sumatra squalls may also result in gusty winds before dawn on one or two days. More on what to expect from the weather for 16-31 July, here. SM Lee, WP's Jamus Lim exchange differing views on COE Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Workers' Party (WP) MP Jamus Lim recently exchanged views on Singapore's certificate of entitlement (COE) scheme for car ownership. The hot topic of COE came up during a dialogue at the Economic Society of Singapore's (ESS) annual dinner on 15 July. ESS president Euston Quah had asked SM Lee about calls to let some groups pay less for COEs. The Senior Minister said there were many 'good arguments' for why certain groups are more deserving of a car but he felt if the government were "to design a scheme which worries about all those things, it will fail." You can read the full transcript of SM Lee's response on COE and other topics, here. Professor Lim, who was also at the ESS dinner, penned his thoughts on Lee's comments in a Facebook post the following day (16 July) saying that what is "sorely missing" in the current COE system is "how those with genuine needs may not have the purchasing power to meet those needs, even if their needs may have more merit." You can read professor Lim's full FB post on COE, here. Lee, in the comment section of Lim's post, later clarified that he had "also made the point that rather than complicate the COE scheme", the government has ensured "that everyone has access to affordable and efficient transport options, though not necessarily to own a car" and directly helped "the groups who need more help, e.g. increasing the grants to families with young children, so that if they want they can use it to help pay for a COE." "Therefore where we disagree is not over who cares more for our fellow Singaporeans, but what is the best way to meet people's needs and take care of them," wrote Lee. Lim has since responded to SM Lee's "additional elaborations" and closed his reply by saying: "I should also add that I did not mean to suggest that you do not care for Singaporeans, or that one of us somehow cares more. The disagreement, as you state, is the manner by which this is done. And that, in turn, hinges on our differing beliefs about the behaviour of people, and the efficacy of markets." You can read both of their replies in full in the comment section of Jamus Lim's original post. Trump turns on MAGA 'weaklings' for believing Epstein 'hoax' US President Donald Trump has lashed out against his own supporters for continuing to question if his administration is hiding details of crimes related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Trump, in a lengthy post on Truth Social, called his usually loyal Make America Great Again (MAGA) base gullible "weaklings" for falling for what he called a 'radical left' hoax by the opposition to discredit him. The high-profile socialite Epstein has long been associated with running a network of super-rich and privileged people rumoured to have exploited young women and girls as part of a sex-trafficking scheme. Republican voters have been pressing Trump to publicly release documents related to the case, which have become known as the 'Epstein Files'. "Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit,' hook, line, and sinker," wrote Trump. "They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years." Trump added: "Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support any more!" HSA cracks down on vaping in schools The Health Sciences Authority's (HSA) crackdown on vaping has extended to areas near schools, reveals the Straits Times. The paper reported enforcement officers had conducted checks outside five institutes of higher learning (IHL) across Singapore on 14 July. A total of 27 people were caught and fined while 31 e-vaporisers were also seized. "Another eight persons were caught for underage smoking. Those caught were aged 17 to 66 years," HSA was quoted as saying. Teachers – mentioned in the report on the condition of anonymity – said vaping has been a problem in Singapore schools. This week the HSA said more than 600 Telegram groups advertising or selling vapes and drug-laced Kpods to Singaporeans have been taken down since April 2024. Tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter named CEO of Shangri-La Asia Kuok Hui Kwong, who is the daughter of Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok, has been named the chief executive of Shangri-La Asia. Hui Kwong is the sixth of Kuok's eight children and has been the company's executive director since June 2016 and its chairman since January 2017. She will assume her new role on 1 August. Her current employment contract has a monthly base salary of HK$576,000 (S$94,300). The Shangri-La group was founded in 1971 by billionaire Robert Kuok, who retained top spot on Forbes list of Malaysia's 50 Richest in 2024. Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong's wife Ho Ching has warned her Facebook followers to "beware of Hep A virus in raw or uncooked cockles" in a post which has been seen as a veiled swipe at Workers' Party MP Jamus Lim, who was not named specifically. The comment was in a FB post which was directed at a male individual who – in her words – posted "some virtue signals on social media" instead of expressing opinion in a "roomful of economists, practitioners, investors and academic leaders, as well as younger professionals and academicians." She added: "Maybe he was afraid to lose his credibility among the thinking people - academicians who test their ideas with knowledgeable peers through publications, investors and business leaders who live with the consequences of their decisions, or political leaders who have to balance the diverse needs of a population against the constraints of resources whether land or money?" The FB post follows a social media exchange between SM Lee and WP's Lim about the former Prime Minister's comments on the certificate of entitlement (COE) scheme during a dialogue at the Economic Society of Singapore's (ESS) annual dinner on 15 July. The "cockles" reference at the end of Ho's post is likely in relation to Lim's famous remarks following WP's stunning win of Sengkang GRC at GE2020 where he said the victory "warms the cockles of our hearts". A man who tragically hit and killed his two-year-old daughter while driving a delivery van without a licence has been jailed. He was sentenced to 12 weeks' jail and banned from driving for three years on Wednesday (16 July). On the day of the fatal accident (13 March 2023), his wife was initially driving the rented delivery van – with the man, their son and daughter in the vehicle – to the Woodlands Street 32 area to deliver parcels. After the couple made some deliveries, the man asked to drive the van to several other blocks to clear the remaining deliveries quickly so the family could have lunch. When the man drove off, the van was too close to the side of the road and it made contact with the foot of his wife as well as the stroller resulting in his daughter being run over. The couple cannot be named to protect the identity of their surviving child. The man was on the run for an unlicensed moneylending offence at the time of the accident and previously fined for unlicensed driving. You can read more of the events in court in the link. Police probe 15 people for sharing Singpass credentials used in scams Police are investigating 15 people for sharing their Singpass credentials, which were later used in scams where victims lost over $890,000 in total. Authorities alleged that some people sold their Singpass credentials – these were later used to open new bank accounts and register for new mobile phone lines. Others appeared to have given parties access to their Singpass accounts without verifying their identities. And some people also shared their Singpass information after being deceived by scammers. Among the 15 under probe, police said five men and one woman were arrested. Disclosing your Singpass credentials to facilitate an offence is a crime, and those found guilty face a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both. Police are investigating 15 people for sharing their Singpass credentials, which were later used in scams where victims lost over $890,000 in total. Authorities alleged that some people sold their Singpass credentials – these were later used to open new bank accounts and register for new mobile phone lines. Others appeared to have given parties access to their Singpass accounts without verifying their identities. And some people also shared their Singpass information after being deceived by scammers. Among the 15 under probe, police said five men and one woman were arrested. Disclosing your Singpass credentials to facilitate an offence is a crime, and those found guilty face a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both. Fire destroys main stage at Belgium's Tomorrowland festival ahead of opening The main stage at Belgium's world-famous Tomorrowland electronic music festival has been destroyed by a huge fire. Footage of the fire showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the main stage on Wednesday (16 July). Festival organisers confirmed that no one was injured during the incident. Tomorrowland is a major dance music event with David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia and Eric Prydz among the big names scheduled to perform this year. The annual festival attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends. The event was set to open this weekend and organisers have said their DreamVille campsite will go ahead as planned on Thursday (17 July). Tomorrowland spokesperson Debby Wilmsen was quoted as saying by CNN that a lot of workers were devastated to see the main stage destroyed given that it took years to build. "We're going to make it a great festival. It will be without a main stage. But hopefully, we can do something else, but I can't say much about that yet." The main stage at Belgium's world-famous Tomorrowland electronic music festival has been destroyed by a huge fire. Footage of the fire showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the main stage on Wednesday (16 July). Festival organisers confirmed that no one was injured during the incident. Tomorrowland is a major dance music event with David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia and Eric Prydz among the big names scheduled to perform this year. The annual festival attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends. The event was set to open this weekend and organisers have said their DreamVille campsite will go ahead as planned on Thursday (17 July). Tomorrowland spokesperson Debby Wilmsen was quoted as saying by CNN that a lot of workers were devastated to see the main stage destroyed given that it took years to build. "We're going to make it a great festival. It will be without a main stage. But hopefully, we can do something else, but I can't say much about that yet." Less rain, more warm days forecast for second half of July Singapore can expect less rain and more warm days the rest of July, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS). "More warm days are expected in the second half of July 2025, as compared to the first half of the month, with daily maximum temperatures reaching slightly above 34°C on some days," said MSS. While the skies will be mostly fair, MSS forecasts short-duration thundery showers in the late mornings and afternoons. Sumatra squalls may also result in gusty winds before dawn on one or two days. More on what to expect from the weather for 16-31 July, here. Singapore can expect less rain and more warm days the rest of July, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS). "More warm days are expected in the second half of July 2025, as compared to the first half of the month, with daily maximum temperatures reaching slightly above 34°C on some days," said MSS. While the skies will be mostly fair, MSS forecasts short-duration thundery showers in the late mornings and afternoons. Sumatra squalls may also result in gusty winds before dawn on one or two days. More on what to expect from the weather for 16-31 July, here. SM Lee, WP's Jamus Lim exchange differing views on COE Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Workers' Party (WP) MP Jamus Lim recently exchanged views on Singapore's certificate of entitlement (COE) scheme for car ownership. The hot topic of COE came up during a dialogue at the Economic Society of Singapore's (ESS) annual dinner on 15 July. ESS president Euston Quah had asked SM Lee about calls to let some groups pay less for COEs. The Senior Minister said there were many 'good arguments' for why certain groups are more deserving of a car but he felt if the government were "to design a scheme which worries about all those things, it will fail." You can read the full transcript of SM Lee's response on COE and other topics, here. Professor Lim, who was also at the ESS dinner, penned his thoughts on Lee's comments in a Facebook post the following day (16 July) saying that what is "sorely missing" in the current COE system is "how those with genuine needs may not have the purchasing power to meet those needs, even if their needs may have more merit." You can read professor Lim's full FB post on COE, here. Lee, in the comment section of Lim's post, later clarified that he had "also made the point that rather than complicate the COE scheme", the government has ensured "that everyone has access to affordable and efficient transport options, though not necessarily to own a car" and directly helped "the groups who need more help, e.g. increasing the grants to families with young children, so that if they want they can use it to help pay for a COE." "Therefore where we disagree is not over who cares more for our fellow Singaporeans, but what is the best way to meet people's needs and take care of them," wrote Lee. Lim has since responded to SM Lee's "additional elaborations" and closed his reply by saying: "I should also add that I did not mean to suggest that you do not care for Singaporeans, or that one of us somehow cares more. The disagreement, as you state, is the manner by which this is done. And that, in turn, hinges on our differing beliefs about the behaviour of people, and the efficacy of markets." You can read both of their replies in full in the comment section of Jamus Lim's original post. Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Workers' Party (WP) MP Jamus Lim recently exchanged views on Singapore's certificate of entitlement (COE) scheme for car ownership. The hot topic of COE came up during a dialogue at the Economic Society of Singapore's (ESS) annual dinner on 15 July. ESS president Euston Quah had asked SM Lee about calls to let some groups pay less for COEs. The Senior Minister said there were many 'good arguments' for why certain groups are more deserving of a car but he felt if the government were "to design a scheme which worries about all those things, it will fail." You can read the full transcript of SM Lee's response on COE and other topics, here. Professor Lim, who was also at the ESS dinner, penned his thoughts on Lee's comments in a Facebook post the following day (16 July) saying that what is "sorely missing" in the current COE system is "how those with genuine needs may not have the purchasing power to meet those needs, even if their needs may have more merit." You can read professor Lim's full FB post on COE, here. Lee, in the comment section of Lim's post, later clarified that he had "also made the point that rather than complicate the COE scheme", the government has ensured "that everyone has access to affordable and efficient transport options, though not necessarily to own a car" and directly helped "the groups who need more help, e.g. increasing the grants to families with young children, so that if they want they can use it to help pay for a COE." "Therefore where we disagree is not over who cares more for our fellow Singaporeans, but what is the best way to meet people's needs and take care of them," wrote Lee. Lim has since responded to SM Lee's "additional elaborations" and closed his reply by saying: "I should also add that I did not mean to suggest that you do not care for Singaporeans, or that one of us somehow cares more. The disagreement, as you state, is the manner by which this is done. And that, in turn, hinges on our differing beliefs about the behaviour of people, and the efficacy of markets." You can read both of their replies in full in the comment section of Jamus Lim's original post. Trump turns on MAGA 'weaklings' for believing Epstein 'hoax' US President Donald Trump has lashed out against his own supporters for continuing to question if his administration is hiding details of crimes related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Trump, in a lengthy post on Truth Social, called his usually loyal Make America Great Again (MAGA) base gullible "weaklings" for falling for what he called a 'radical left' hoax by the opposition to discredit him. The high-profile socialite Epstein has long been associated with running a network of super-rich and privileged people rumoured to have exploited young women and girls as part of a sex-trafficking scheme. Republican voters have been pressing Trump to publicly release documents related to the case, which have become known as the 'Epstein Files'. "Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit,' hook, line, and sinker," wrote Trump. "They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years." Trump added: "Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support any more!" US President Donald Trump has lashed out against his own supporters for continuing to question if his administration is hiding details of crimes related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Trump, in a lengthy post on Truth Social, called his usually loyal Make America Great Again (MAGA) base gullible "weaklings" for falling for what he called a 'radical left' hoax by the opposition to discredit him. The high-profile socialite Epstein has long been associated with running a network of super-rich and privileged people rumoured to have exploited young women and girls as part of a sex-trafficking scheme. Republican voters have been pressing Trump to publicly release documents related to the case, which have become known as the 'Epstein Files'. "Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit,' hook, line, and sinker," wrote Trump. "They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years." Trump added: "Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support any more!" HSA cracks down on vaping in schools The Health Sciences Authority's (HSA) crackdown on vaping has extended to areas near schools, reveals the Straits Times. The paper reported enforcement officers had conducted checks outside five institutes of higher learning (IHL) across Singapore on 14 July. A total of 27 people were caught and fined while 31 e-vaporisers were also seized. "Another eight persons were caught for underage smoking. Those caught were aged 17 to 66 years," HSA was quoted as saying. Teachers – mentioned in the report on the condition of anonymity – said vaping has been a problem in Singapore schools. This week the HSA said more than 600 Telegram groups advertising or selling vapes and drug-laced Kpods to Singaporeans have been taken down since April 2024. The Health Sciences Authority's (HSA) crackdown on vaping has extended to areas near schools, reveals the Straits Times. The paper reported enforcement officers had conducted checks outside five institutes of higher learning (IHL) across Singapore on 14 July. A total of 27 people were caught and fined while 31 e-vaporisers were also seized. "Another eight persons were caught for underage smoking. Those caught were aged 17 to 66 years," HSA was quoted as saying. Teachers – mentioned in the report on the condition of anonymity – said vaping has been a problem in Singapore schools. This week the HSA said more than 600 Telegram groups advertising or selling vapes and drug-laced Kpods to Singaporeans have been taken down since April 2024. Tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter named CEO of Shangri-La Asia Kuok Hui Kwong, who is the daughter of Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok, has been named the chief executive of Shangri-La Asia. Hui Kwong is the sixth of Kuok's eight children and has been the company's executive director since June 2016 and its chairman since January 2017. She will assume her new role on 1 August. Her current employment contract has a monthly base salary of HK$576,000 (S$94,300). The Shangri-La group was founded in 1971 by billionaire Robert Kuok, who retained top spot on Forbes list of Malaysia's 50 Richest in 2024. Kuok Hui Kwong, who is the daughter of Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok, has been named the chief executive of Shangri-La Asia. Hui Kwong is the sixth of Kuok's eight children and has been the company's executive director since June 2016 and its chairman since January 2017. She will assume her new role on 1 August. Her current employment contract has a monthly base salary of HK$576,000 (S$94,300). The Shangri-La group was founded in 1971 by billionaire Robert Kuok, who retained top spot on Forbes list of Malaysia's 50 Richest in 2024.
Scoop
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Gaza's Taps Running Dry: Fuel Crisis Deepens Daily Struggle For Families
UNICEF Spokesperson James Elder at press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva AMMAN/GENEVA, June 2025 – 'In a war already defined by its brutality, Gaza now teeters at its deadliest edge. Currently just 40 per cent of drinking water production facilities remain functional in Gaza (87 out of 217). Without fuel, every one of these will stop operating within weeks. 'Since all the electricity to Gaza was cut after the horrific attacks of 7 Oct 2023, fuel became essential to produce, treat and distribute water to more than two million Palestinians. 'If the current more than 100-day blockade on fuel coming into Gaza does not end, children will begin to die of thirst. Diseases are already advancing, and chaos is tightening its grip. 'Whilst alarm bells rightly ring on the nutrition situation in Gaza – just [last week] UNICEF reported a 50 per cent increase in children (6months to 5yrs) admitted for treatment of acute malnutrition from April to May – water cannot be sidelined. 'And so in the most relatable terms: Gaza is facing what would amount to a man-made drought. Water systems are collapsing. 'However, because this is man-made, it can be stopped. None of these problems are logistical or technical. They are political. Denial has become policy. If there is political will, the water crisis will be eased overnight – fuel would mean that water flows from hundreds of groundwater wells and restores supply within a day. But time is running out. 'To help paint the picture: without fuel, desalination plants that already operate on reduced capacity will cease completely, and critical membranes in the machinery will close, doing immense damage. Without fuel, trucking the millions of litres of water to people will stop. At major production points, large numbers of donkeys are starting to replace trucks. This is the last gasp of a collapsing system. A donkey cart can barely carry 500 litres. A truck, 15,000. And even the donkeys are slowing – there's barely enough food to keep them moving. 'Fuel is also the thread holding Gaza's devastated healthcare system together. Without it, hospital generators stop, oxygen production stops, and life-support machines fail. Ambulances can't move. Incubators go dark. Denying fuel doesn't just cut off supply – it cuts off survival. 'Or sanitation: The sewerage systems are broken. Sewage now flows into makeshift shelters and tents. There are already suspected cases of HepA and HepE, which are highly infectious. 'Or nutrition: Just as the water crisis is manmade, so too is the malnutrition it drives. In Gaza, these two crises feed off each other, creating a deadly cycle. On average, more than 110 children (6months to 5yrs) have been admitted for treatment for malnutrition every day since the beginning of 2025. 'At the start of this month a friend in Gaza said to me: 'we have learnt to live without so much. Without our homes; without safety; without loved ones…but we cannot live without food'. 'This week he clarified that: 'we have learnt to live without so much. Without our homes; without safety; without loved ones…we have even learnt we can live without food for a week, or more…but we cannot survive days without water'. 'UNICEF is very clear. This is Gaza's most critical moment since this war on children began – a woeful bar to sink below. A virtual blockade is in place; humanitarian aid is being sidelined; the daily killing of girls and boys in Gaza does not register; and now a deliberate fuel crisis is severing Palestinians most essential element for survival: water.'
The Irish Sun
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Urgent warning over alarming spike in virus that ‘can cause serious illness and death' in 4 European holiday hotspots
FOUR Brit-favourite holiday hotspots have seen spikes in a fatal and fast-spreading 'dirty hands disease'. Hundreds have fallen ill, and some have died, as 5 Hep A can cause jaundice, making the skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow Credit: Alamy 5 The virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly Credit: Getty 5 In the Czech Republic, 600 cases of hep A have been confirmed in 2025, including six deaths Credit: Getty The potentially deadly virus is spread via the poo of infected people, which is why Czech health chiefs nicknamed it 'dirty hands disease' in a It inflames and damages the liver, stopping it from working properly. This means it can't clear a substance called bilirubin from the body. When bilirubin builds up, it causes It can also lead to dark urine and cause itchy skin. Read more on hep A But in some cases, people show no symptoms at all - making it even easier for the virus to spread unnoticed among crowds. While many recover without serious issues, in severe cases, the liver damage can become life-threatening, leading to According to a Slovakia, which has been experiencing an ongoing outbreak since late 2022, has reported 880 cases reported in 2025 alone. Most read in Health This year, Austria has recorded 87 confirmed cases, including three deaths, already exceeding its 2024 total. In Czechia, 600 cases have been confirmed in 2025, including six deaths, with young children being the most affected group. Hungary has reported 530 cases this year, mainly among adults. Germany, while not officially affected, has detected three cases genetically linked to outbreaks in Hungary and Austria, suggesting the outbreak might be gaining traction in Western Europe. The increase in hep A cases is mainly hitting unvaccinated adults who are homeless, use or inject drugs, or live in poor sanitary conditions without much access to healthcare. There have also been cases reported in Roma communities in Czechia and Slovakia. Czech have previously officials urged anyone planning to visit the country to check their vaccine records and get jabbed before travelling. "In the current epidemiological situation, we recommend getting vaccinated before the start of holidays and vacations," Dr Barbora Macková, chief hygienist and director of the SZÚ said in a statement. 5 Austria has recorded 87 confirmed cases, including three deaths Credit: Getty 5 Slovakia has been experiencing an ongoing outbreak since late 2022 Credit: Getty Hep A vaccines are not routinely given out in the UK due to the low risk of getting the infection. But the NHS does advise the jab for travellers heading to places where the virus is more common. These include parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America. You should also get vaccinated if you've recently been close to someone with hep A. If you have long-term liver disease or a blood clotting disorder like Men who have sex with men and people with jobs that expose them to the virus, like healthcare or sewage workers, should also be vaccinated. Speak to your GP if you think you need a hep A vaccine. What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A? Symptoms can include: Feeling tired and generally unwell Joint and muscle pain A high temperature (fever) Loss of appetite Feeling or being sick Pain in the upper-right part of your tummy Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) Dark urine and pale stools Itchy skin Source:
Scottish Sun
19-06-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Urgent warning over alarming spike in virus that ‘can cause serious illness and death' in 4 European holiday hotspots
The potentially lethal virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly STOP THE SPREAD Urgent warning over alarming spike in virus that 'can cause serious illness and death' in 4 European holiday hotspots FOUR Brit-favourite holiday hotspots have seen spikes in fatal and fast-spreading 'dirty hands disease'. Hundreds have fallen ill, and some have died, as hepatitis A sweeps through parts of Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia this year. 5 Hep A can cause jaundice, making the skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow Credit: Alamy 5 The virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly Credit: Getty 5 In the Czech Republic, 600 cases of hep A have been confirmed in 2025, including six deaths Credit: Getty The potentially deadly virus is spread via the poo of infected people, which is why Czech health chiefs nicknamed it 'dirty hands disease' in a statement last month. The virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly. This means it can't clear a substance called bilirubin from the body. When bilirubin builds up, it causes jaundice, making the skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow. It can also lead to dark urine and cause itchy skin. But in some cases, people show no symptoms at all - making it even easier for the virus to spread unnoticed among crowds. According to a risk assessment published yesterday by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), four countries have reported a total of 2,097 cases of Hepatitis A (also called Hep A) so far in 2025. Slovakia, which has been experiencing an ongoing outbreak since late 2022, has reported 880 cases reported in 2025 alone. This year, Austria has recorded 87 confirmed cases, including three deaths, already exceeding its 2024 total. In Czechia, 600 cases have been confirmed in 2025, including six deaths, with young children being the most affected group. Hungary has reported 530 cases this year, mainly among adults. Germany, while not officially affected, has detected three cases genetically linked to outbreaks in Hungary and Austria, suggesting the outbreak might be gaining traction in Western Europe. The increase in hepatitis A cases is mainly hitting unvaccinated adults who are homeless, use or inject drugs, or live in poor sanitary conditions without much access to healthcare. There have also been cases reported in Roma communities in Czechia and Slovakia. Czech have previously officials urged anyone planning to visit the country to check their vaccine records and get jabbed before travelling. "In the current epidemiological situation, we recommend getting vaccinated before the start of holidays and vacations," Dr Barbora Macková, chief hygienist and director of the SZÚ said in a statement. Hep A vaccines are not routinely given out in the UK due to the low risk of getting the infection. 5 Austria has recorded 87 confirmed cases, including three deaths Credit: Getty 5 Slovakia has been experiencing an ongoing outbreak since late 2022 Credit: Getty But the NHS does advise the jab for travellers heading to places where the virus is more common. These include parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America. You should also get vaccinated if you've recently been close to someone with hepatitis A. If you have long-term liver disease or a blood clotting disorder like haemophilia, you should get the jab. Men who have sex with men and people with jobs that expose them to the virus, like healthcare or sewage workers, should also be vaccinated. Speak to your GP if you think you need a hepatitis A vaccine.
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Warning as popular stag do hotspot hit by potentially fatal ‘yellowing disease' that's ‘spreading fast' infecting 450
BRITS jetting off to a popular stag and hen hotspot have been urged to get jabbed amid a fast-spreading outbreak of 'dirty hands disease'. Hundreds have fallen ill as 2 Prague has seen a surge in hep A cases Credit: Getty 2 The disease can leave your skin and the whites of your eyes yellow Credit: Getty The potentially deadly virus is spread via the poo of infected people, which is why Czech health chiefs have nicknamed it 'dirty hands disease'. The virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly. This means it can't clear a substance called bilirubin from the body. When bilirubin builds up, it causes It can also lead to dark urine and cause itchy skin. Read more on hep a But in some cases, people show no symptoms at all - making it even easier for the virus to spread unnoticed among crowds. As of May 5, the Czech Republic has recorded 450 confirmed cases of hepatitis A (Hep A), with six deaths reported. That's a sharp rise compared to all of 2024, which saw 636 cases and two fatalities. The hardest-hit areas so far are Central Bohemia (87 cases), Moravia-Silesia (83), and Prague (73). Most read in Health The disease is mostly spreading among young adults and the homeless who have not been vaccinated. "They are therefore more likely to become infected when in contact with an infected person or objects," Dr Barbora Macková, chief hygienist and director of the SZÚ said in a statement. Leading consultant hepatologist, Dr Patrick Kennedy explains the different types, and the complications of hepatitis "Increasing non-compliance with prescribed anti-epidemic measures and basic hygiene habits, the infection has very good conditions for "spreading", she added in the release shared on the UK's Travel Health Pros website. Brits — and anyone planning to visit the Czech Republic — are being urged to check their vaccine records and get jabbed before travelling. "In the current epidemiological situation, we recommend getting vaccinated before the start of holidays and vacations, "Dr Barbora added. Hep A vaccines are not routinely given out in the UK due to the low risk of getting the infection. But the NHS does advise the jab for travellers heading to places where the virus is more common. These include parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America. What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A? Symptoms can include: feeling tired and generally unwell joint and muscle pain a high temperature (fever) loss of appetite feeling or being sick pain in the upper-right part of your tummy yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) dark urine and pale stools itchy skin Source: You should also get vaccinated if you've recently been close to someone with hepatitis A. If you have long-term liver disease or a blood clotting disorder like Men who have sex with men and people with jobs that expose them to the virus - like healthcare or sewage workers - should also be vaccinated. Speak to your GP if you think you need a hepatitis A vaccine.
