International
Mexico arrests doctor and two officials accused of spreading deadly meningitis
February 8th |
Mexican police arrested a doctor and two people implicated in the spread of a mysterious outbreak of meningitis in the northern state of Durango, which has left 35 people dead from the disease in recent months, all of them women.
Durango police early Tuesday arrested the doctor accused of using infected drugs that may have caused the disease.
Another 79 citizens have been hospitalized with symptoms of being infected, according to official data.
The doctor, who specialized in anesthesiology, was arrested and charged with illegal practices, including the reuse of medicines in the private hospitals where he worked. His full name has not been disclosed.
Later on Tuesday, the Durango prosecutor’s office confirmed the arrest of two other people, a man and a woman, officials of the commission for protection against health risks in the northern state (Coprised) for the crimes of omission of information and inappropriate activities.
Meningitis is usually associated with a painful inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, often caused by a virus or, in some cases, by bacteria or a fungal infection.
The affected patients in Durango were likely infected with fungal meningitis while undergoing procedures at the same hospitals where the doctor worked, according to Durango state prosecutor Sonia Garza.
At a press conference in the state capital, she explained that the first procedures involving the infected patients took place last August, and that many of them had been given anesthesia for obstetric procedures.
Garza said the detainee carried out procedures without any restrictions and added that he carried his own medication for the patients, including unauthorized regulated drugs.
The outbreak has raised concerns both in Mexico and among international organizations after the first death was confirmed last November.
Garza added that the detained doctor was the only one who performed procedures at the four hospitals where infections have been reported. She said he denied using his own medications at a hearing before prosecutors.
Reuters could not immediately seek comment from the doctor, nor locate his lawyer, but contacted his son who defended his father’s innocence.
“They made direct accusations to my dad without any proof,” he said, declining to provide his name.
The meningitis outbreak is limited to private hospitals in the state capital, also known as Durango, according to the Mexican Health Ministry.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
International
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
The Chinese government emphasized on Monday the importance of “creating the conditions to return to the proper path of dialogue” between Iran and Israel, which have exchanged attacks in recent days resulting in more than 20 Israeli and over 220 Iranian deaths.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed deep concern at a press conference over the Israeli attacks on Iran and the “sudden escalation” of the military conflict.
Guo called on all parties to “take immediate measures to ease tensions and prevent the region from descending into further turmoil,” stating that “force cannot bring lasting peace.”
“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify or even expand, the countries of the Middle East will be the first to suffer the consequences,” he added, while noting that China “will continue to maintain communication with the relevant parties, promoting peace and dialogue.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke last Saturday with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to condemn the Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory, which he described as a “violation of international law” with the potential to trigger “disastrous” consequences.
In both calls, Wang reiterated China’s rejection of the use of force, defended diplomacy as the only solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, and offered China’s mediation to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.
International
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Sunday the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the main suspect in the killing of Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband in a Brooklyn Park suburb on Friday night.
Boelter, who also reportedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday morning, was apprehended in Sibley County following an intensive manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers.
In a public statement, Governor Walz condemned Boelter’s “unthinkable actions,” which resulted in the death of a woman who “shaped the core of who we are as a state.”
“We cannot become numb to this. We are a deeply divided nation,” Walz said in a statement posted on his X account.
“We move forward not with hatred or violence, but with humility, grace, and civility,” he added.
Expressing solidarity with the victims’ families, Walz said the entire state of Minnesota is in mourning. He also thanked law enforcement for their bravery and professionalism: “They have saved lives,” he emphasized.
“As we heal, we will not let fear win,” Walz concluded. “We must honor Melissa by moving forward with understanding, service, and above all, humanity.”
Throughout Sunday, police and sheriff units searched a rural area in Minnesota for Vance Luther Boelter, a security company director and preacher who, according to Governor Walz, acted out of politically motivated violence.
International
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Approximately 40,000 tourists are stranded in Israel following the closure of the country’s airspace amid escalating hostilities with Iran, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism reported on Monday.
The ministry has set up a virtual office to provide information via email (virtual@goisrael.gov.il) and phone (+972-53-583-5808), as well as a Facebook page called Israel Virtual Tourist Office.
Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz is in contact with hotels and accommodations across the country to offer support to tourists in need, the ministry added.
Many stranded travelers are considering crossing overland into Jordan or Egypt to seek flights from those countries. The Israel Airports Authority reminded the public that land border crossings remain open.
Three German tourists stranded in Jerusalem told EFE today that they have not received any assistance from their country’s embassy in Israel, and their primary option currently is to cross into Jordan to catch a flight from there.
Since early Friday morning, Israel launched operations against Iran, targeting military personnel and infrastructure, including energy and nuclear facilities, as well as numerous residential areas in Tehran.
In response, Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, some of which have struck various locations across the country, leaving at least 24 dead so far, according to Israeli authorities.
Iranian health officials report at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, including at least 17 senior military officials—nine from the Revolutionary Guard—and more than a dozen nuclear scientists.
The Israeli military has warned that many more “targets” remain, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared on Monday that it will continue missile attacks against Israel until its “destruction.”
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
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