Twelve people have died during a massive three-day traffic jam in Indonesia that stretched more than 20 kilometres (13 miles) and brought thousands of holidaymakers to a complete standstill, an official said Friday. 
 
The horrible traffic at a major highway junction at Brebes, a city on the main island of Java, was so bad that Indonesians dubbed the disastrous toll gate &quot;Brexit&quot;, from the words &quot;Brebes exit&quot;. 
 
Roads across the world&#39;s most populous Muslim-majority country are choked every year at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, as millions head to villages to celebrate Eid, which fell on Wednesday. 
 
But the chaos at the &quot;Brexit&quot; junction this year was particularly acute in the three days before Eid, as tens of thousands of cars crammed the arterial highway, transport ministry spokesman Hemi Pramuraharjo told AFP. 
 
&quot;In terms of this Brexit case, there has been a total of 12 victims over different days,&quot; he said. The deaths occurred between July 3 and July 5, not a single day as earlier reported, he said. 
 
Pramuraharjo said several of the victims were elderly, while others died from fatigue and other health complications. Local media reported that a one-year-old suffering from fume poisoning was also among the deceased. 
 
More than 400 motorists had died on Indonesia&#39;s roads so far this holiday season, including those in the &quot;Brexit&quot; jam, Pramuraharjo said. 
 
Accidents are not uncommon during the holiday odysseys, particularly on the potholed roads of overcrowded Java, home to more than half of Indonesia&#39;s 255 million people. 
 
Frustrated motorists vent ire on social media&nbsp; 
 
At the &quot;Brexit&quot; snarl, frustrated motorists posted pictures to social media showing cars snaked back for miles. Aerial shots captured a sea of motionless vehicles, with some drivers seeking respite on the roadside. 
 
Pramuraharjo said roadside vendors and crowded markets near the junction compounded the chaos, leading to traffic snarls &quot;more than 20 kilometres&quot; in length. 
 
&quot;There is a bottleneck there, where there&#39;s a petrol station very nearby and many people queue,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;There&#39;s no space on the road. We don&#39;t have a solution,&quot; he added saying.&nbsp; 
 
Responding to the controversy, the health ministry denied earlier reports the &quot;Brexit&quot; victims died in a single day, and urged motorists planning a long journey to rest and take all necessary precautions. 
 
The ministry&#39;s Achmad Yurianto said in a statement the heavy use of air conditioning could also lead to an increase in carbon dioxide within the cramped confines of the car. 
 
(AFP)

Those who died include the elderly, some with fatigue or health complications and even a one-year-old who succumbed to fume poisoning

Twelve people have died during a massive three-day traffic jam in Indonesia that stretched more than 20 kilometres (13 miles) and brought thousands of holidaymakers to a complete standstill, an official said Friday. The horrible traffic at a major highway junction at Brebes, a city on the main island of Java, was so bad that Indonesians dubbed the disastrous toll gate "Brexit", from the words "Brebes exit". Roads across the world's most populous Muslim-majority country are choked every year at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, as millions head to villages to celebrate Eid, which fell on Wednesday. But the chaos at the "Brexit" junction this year was particularly acute in the three days before Eid, as tens of thousands of cars crammed the arterial highway, transport ministry spokesman Hemi Pramuraharjo told AFP. "In terms of this Brexit case, there has been a total of 12 victims over different days," he said. The deaths occurred between July 3 and July 5, not a single day as earlier reported, he said. Pramuraharjo said several of the victims were elderly, while others died from fatigue and other health complications. Local media reported that a one-year-old suffering from fume poisoning was also among the deceased. More than 400 motorists had died on Indonesia's roads so far this holiday season, including those in the "Brexit" jam, Pramuraharjo said. Accidents are not uncommon during the holiday odysseys, particularly on the potholed roads of overcrowded Java, home to more than half of Indonesia's 255 million people. Frustrated motorists vent ire on social media At the "Brexit" snarl, frustrated motorists posted pictures to social media showing cars snaked back for miles. Aerial shots captured a sea of motionless vehicles, with some drivers seeking respite on the roadside. Pramuraharjo said roadside vendors and crowded markets near the junction compounded the chaos, leading to traffic snarls "more than 20 kilometres" in length. "There is a bottleneck there, where there's a petrol station very nearby and many people queue," he said. "There's no space on the road. We don't have a solution," he added saying. Responding to the controversy, the health ministry denied earlier reports the "Brexit" victims died in a single day, and urged motorists planning a long journey to rest and take all necessary precautions. The ministry's Achmad Yurianto said in a statement the heavy use of air conditioning could also lead to an increase in carbon dioxide within the cramped confines of the car. (AFP)

12 in Indonesia die in 20 km-long, three-day traffic jam

The beloved American children&#39;s book character Curious George is breaking fast for Ramadan this year, with chocolate-covered bananas, of course. 
 
The just-released children&#39;s book It&#39;s Ramadan, Curious George celebrates the Muslim holiday, teaching kids about the sacred month. 
 
It comes amid rising tensions fueled by worries about Islamist extremism and a heated Presidential campaign during which Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump has called for a ban on all Muslims entering the United States. 
 
US author Hena Khan &quot;wanted to focus on the celebratory aspects&quot; of Ramadan, so George attends family gatherings and accompanies his friend Kareem to a mosque to put together charity baskets, she said. 
 
A writer of Pakistani origin from Rockville, Maryland, Khan has already written two children&#39;s books about Islam, &quot;but there&#39;s something different about having Curious George, a mainstream, well-known, iconic character recognise your tradition and make you feel included&quot;. 
 
The story assumes the humorous tone of other volumes in the series, which has sold more than 75 million books since it debuted 1941 and went on to become an animated television series and 2006 feature film. 
 
At one point in the story, the playful monkey - who has also celebrated Christmas and Hanukkah - falls over while trying to put together a charity package, failing to control his hunger. 
 
Khan said the publisher granted her freedom to shape the project, and that she focused on making the holiday approachable. 
 
&quot;It was really a reflection of the way Americans that I know celebrate and observe Ramadan, in a very simple way that&#39;s understandable for children,&quot; the mother of two said. 
 
The book&#39;s release coincides with a particular rise in anti-Islamic rhetoric, she noted. 
 
&quot;There&#39;s a very dangerous narrative being spread about Muslims and inaccurate things being said,&quot; the author said. The book &quot;comes at the right time in terms of trying to promote understanding and tolerance&quot;. 
 
(AFP)

It is an attempt to teach kids about the sacred month and promote tolerance, even as Trump amps up Islamophobia

The beloved American children's book character Curious George is breaking fast for Ramadan this year, with chocolate-covered bananas, of course. The just-released children's book It's Ramadan, Curious George celebrates the Muslim holiday, teaching kids about the sacred month. It comes amid rising tensions fueled by worries about Islamist extremism and a heated Presidential campaign during which Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump has called for a ban on all Muslims entering the United States. US author Hena Khan "wanted to focus on the celebratory aspects" of Ramadan, so George attends family gatherings and accompanies his friend Kareem to a mosque to put together charity baskets, she said. A writer of Pakistani origin from Rockville, Maryland, Khan has already written two children's books about Islam, "but there's something different about having Curious George, a mainstream, well-known, iconic character recognise your tradition and make you feel included". The story assumes the humorous tone of other volumes in the series, which has sold more than 75 million books since it debuted 1941 and went on to become an animated television series and 2006 feature film. At one point in the story, the playful monkey - who has also celebrated Christmas and Hanukkah - falls over while trying to put together a charity package, failing to control his hunger. Khan said the publisher granted her freedom to shape the project, and that she focused on making the holiday approachable. "It was really a reflection of the way Americans that I know celebrate and observe Ramadan, in a very simple way that's understandable for children," the mother of two said. The book's release coincides with a particular rise in anti-Islamic rhetoric, she noted. "There's a very dangerous narrative being spread about Muslims and inaccurate things being said," the author said. The book "comes at the right time in terms of trying to promote understanding and tolerance". (AFP)

This Ramzan, US children's book character Curious George breaks fast

In Jammu and Kashmir, Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated today with traditional religious gaiety and fervour, as lakhs of Muslims will be attending congregational Eid prayers in Eidgahs, Masjids and shrines across the Indian state.&nbsp; 
 
Eid-ul-Fitr, is the festival of thanksgiving and celebrated after the culmination of holy month of Ramadan.With the sighting of Shawaal Crescent late last evening, the Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated today across Jammu and Kashmir. 
 
This is for the first time in the past many decades that Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated on the same day in Arab countries, Pakistan and JK. 
 
The biggest Eid prayer gatherings will be held at historical Eid Gah Ground, Hazratbal Shrine, Polo Ground and other places in summer capital Srinagar. Similar gatherings will be held in Jammu city and district headquarters in all the three regions of the state, including Kargil and Leh districts. 
 
Men, women and children across state were seen walking towards Eid Gah grounds, mosques and other religious places to offer Eid congregational prayers.The state administration has made adequate arrangements for the facilitation of the devotees and security arrangements have also been made to maintain law and order.&nbsp; 
 
(ANI)&nbsp;

This is for the first time in the past many decades that Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated on the same day in Arab countries, Pakistan and JK

In Jammu and Kashmir, Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated today with traditional religious gaiety and fervour, as lakhs of Muslims will be attending congregational Eid prayers in Eidgahs, Masjids and shrines across the Indian state. Eid-ul-Fitr, is the festival of thanksgiving and celebrated after the culmination of holy month of Ramadan.With the sighting of Shawaal Crescent late last evening, the Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated today across Jammu and Kashmir. This is for the first time in the past many decades that Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated on the same day in Arab countries, Pakistan and JK. The biggest Eid prayer gatherings will be held at historical Eid Gah Ground, Hazratbal Shrine, Polo Ground and other places in summer capital Srinagar. Similar gatherings will be held in Jammu city and district headquarters in all the three regions of the state, including Kargil and Leh districts. Men, women and children across state were seen walking towards Eid Gah grounds, mosques and other religious places to offer Eid congregational prayers.The state administration has made adequate arrangements for the facilitation of the devotees and security arrangements have also been made to maintain law and order. (ANI)

Amid traditional religious gaiety, Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations begin in J&K

The Syrian army today said it was observing a 72-hour ceasefire across the country coinciding with the festival marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. 
 
&quot;A &#39;regime of silence&#39; is applied across all territory of the Syrian Arab Republic for 72 hours from 1:00 am on July 6 to midnight on July 8,&quot; the army said in a statement republished by official media. 
 
The statement did not specify whether the ceasefire extended to military action against jihadists such as the Islamic State (IS) group or the al Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front. 
 
A ceasefire between regime forces and non-jihadist rebel groups was announced by Russia and the United States in late February but has mostly collapsed amid repeated violations. 
 
There was no immediate indication whether rebel forces opposing President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s regime would abide by the new truce. 
 
The ceasefire coincides with the three-day Eid ul-Fitr festival marking the end of Ramadan, when devout Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. 
 
Assad joined Eid prayers at a mosque in third city Homs today in a rare public appearance outside the capital Damascus. 
 
State television broadcast footage of the president joining worshippers at the Al-Safa mosque in Homs, which is mainly under government control except for a besieged rebel-held neighbourhood on the city&#39;s outskirts. 
 
Previous attempts to implement ceasefires in Syria have repeatedly failed, as have diplomatic efforts to end a five-year civil war that has killed more than 280,000 people and forced millions from their homes. 
 
Shelling reported in Aleppo 
 
Several temporary truces have been announced in recent months for second city Aleppo, scene of some of the heaviest fighting in the war, but have fallen apart. 
 
Aleppo, which was Syria&#39;s commercial and manufacturing hub before the civil war erupted, is divided between a rebel-held east and regime-controlled west. 
 
Eastern districts have faced heavy bombardment including air strikes from regime forces, while rebels regularly fire rockets into the west. 
 
Despite the ceasefire announcement, Aleppo&#39;s eastern areas came under fire today morning, according to residents and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group. 
 
In the eastern Al-Mashad district a civilian was killed and several wounded when artillery fire fell near a mosque hosting Eid prayers, the Observatory said. 
 
&quot;Shells have been falling on the neighbourhood since early this morning,&quot; resident Ahmad Nassif told AFP. 
 
&quot;I had planned to visit family and friends, to bring my children out to play, but we decided to stay inside the house in case the shelling resumes,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;I hope things will calm down a bit during Eid, not for me but for my children.&quot; 
 
Syria&#39;s conflict began five years ago with the brutal repression of anti-government demonstrations and has evolved into a complex multi-front war. 
 
IS emerged from the chaos of the war, seizing control of large parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq, committing widespread atrocities in areas under its control, and organising and inspiring jihadist attacks across the Middle East and in Western cities. 
 
Washington has backed rebel forces in Syria and Moscow is supporting Assad, but the rise of IS has seen efforts focus on defeating the jihadists. 
 
Russia and the United States launched a major attempt last year to bring about peace talks between Assad and rebel forces, but the negotiations faltered as the partial truce announced in February fell apart. 
 
(AFP)

The truce coincides with the three-day Eid ul-Fitr festival marking the end of Ramzan

The Syrian army today said it was observing a 72-hour ceasefire across the country coinciding with the festival marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. "A 'regime of silence' is applied across all territory of the Syrian Arab Republic for 72 hours from 1:00 am on July 6 to midnight on July 8," the army said in a statement republished by official media. The statement did not specify whether the ceasefire extended to military action against jihadists such as the Islamic State (IS) group or the al Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front. A ceasefire between regime forces and non-jihadist rebel groups was announced by Russia and the United States in late February but has mostly collapsed amid repeated violations. There was no immediate indication whether rebel forces opposing President Bashar al-Assad's regime would abide by the new truce. The ceasefire coincides with the three-day Eid ul-Fitr festival marking the end of Ramadan, when devout Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. Assad joined Eid prayers at a mosque in third city Homs today in a rare public appearance outside the capital Damascus. State television broadcast footage of the president joining worshippers at the Al-Safa mosque in Homs, which is mainly under government control except for a besieged rebel-held neighbourhood on the city's outskirts. Previous attempts to implement ceasefires in Syria have repeatedly failed, as have diplomatic efforts to end a five-year civil war that has killed more than 280,000 people and forced millions from their homes. Shelling reported in Aleppo Several temporary truces have been announced in recent months for second city Aleppo, scene of some of the heaviest fighting in the war, but have fallen apart. Aleppo, which was Syria's commercial and manufacturing hub before the civil war erupted, is divided between a rebel-held east and regime-controlled west. Eastern districts have faced heavy bombardment including air strikes from regime forces, while rebels regularly fire rockets into the west. Despite the ceasefire announcement, Aleppo's eastern areas came under fire today morning, according to residents and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group. In the eastern Al-Mashad district a civilian was killed and several wounded when artillery fire fell near a mosque hosting Eid prayers, the Observatory said. "Shells have been falling on the neighbourhood since early this morning," resident Ahmad Nassif told AFP. "I had planned to visit family and friends, to bring my children out to play, but we decided to stay inside the house in case the shelling resumes," he said. "I hope things will calm down a bit during Eid, not for me but for my children." Syria's conflict began five years ago with the brutal repression of anti-government demonstrations and has evolved into a complex multi-front war. IS emerged from the chaos of the war, seizing control of large parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq, committing widespread atrocities in areas under its control, and organising and inspiring jihadist attacks across the Middle East and in Western cities. Washington has backed rebel forces in Syria and Moscow is supporting Assad, but the rise of IS has seen efforts focus on defeating the jihadists. Russia and the United States launched a major attempt last year to bring about peace talks between Assad and rebel forces, but the negotiations faltered as the partial truce announced in February fell apart. (AFP)

Syrian army declares 72-hour nationwide ceasefire

A car bomb exploded at a major checkpoint in Thailand&#39;s insurgency-torn south on Tuesday wounding two officers, police said, the latest in a spate of attacks across the Muslim-majority region. 
 
The border area has languished under more than a decade of violence between the Buddhist-majority state and shadowy Muslim rebels seeking greater autonomy for the culturally distinct provinces. 
 
Near-daily shootings and roadside bombs have left more than 6,500 dead since 2004, most of them civilians. 
 
Tuesday&#39;s car bomb, a less frequent form of attack, was the second to strike the region in less than two weeks. 
 
&quot;The bomb was hidden inside a pick-up truck. The suspects drove and parked the truck at the checkpoint before fleeing,&quot; said Lieutenant Colonel Sompong Rongyang, a police officer at the scene in Nong Chik, a district in Pattani province. 
 
&quot;Two policemen sustained injuries and were sent to the hospital,&quot; he said of the attack, which left the vehicle engulfed in flames and sent plumes of smoke streaming into the sky. 
 
Deep South Watch, a Thai NGO that monitors the conflict, said there has been an uptick in violence during the final weeks of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan this year, though the toll is lower than in 2015. 
 
Twenty-two people were killed and 47 injured over the past month, compared to 49 killed and 90 wounded during last year&#39;s Ramadan, according to the watchdog. 
 
Thailand&#39;s military, which seized control of the country in a 2014 coup, has touted efforts to jump-start peace talks with the rebels. 
 
But there has been little progress. 
 
Critics have cast doubt on the junta&#39;s peace bid, pointing to a history of rights violations in the region that have bred a deep mistrust of the military among locals. 
 
Details on the inner workings of the insurgents are scant, as groups in the loose network rarely make public statements or claim responsibility for attacks. 
 
(AFP)

Twenty-two people were killed and 47 injured over the past month. Shootings and roadside bombs have left more than 6,500 dead since 2004, most of them civilians

A car bomb exploded at a major checkpoint in Thailand's insurgency-torn south on Tuesday wounding two officers, police said, the latest in a spate of attacks across the Muslim-majority region. The border area has languished under more than a decade of violence between the Buddhist-majority state and shadowy Muslim rebels seeking greater autonomy for the culturally distinct provinces. Near-daily shootings and roadside bombs have left more than 6,500 dead since 2004, most of them civilians. Tuesday's car bomb, a less frequent form of attack, was the second to strike the region in less than two weeks. "The bomb was hidden inside a pick-up truck. The suspects drove and parked the truck at the checkpoint before fleeing," said Lieutenant Colonel Sompong Rongyang, a police officer at the scene in Nong Chik, a district in Pattani province. "Two policemen sustained injuries and were sent to the hospital," he said of the attack, which left the vehicle engulfed in flames and sent plumes of smoke streaming into the sky. Deep South Watch, a Thai NGO that monitors the conflict, said there has been an uptick in violence during the final weeks of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan this year, though the toll is lower than in 2015. Twenty-two people were killed and 47 injured over the past month, compared to 49 killed and 90 wounded during last year's Ramadan, according to the watchdog. Thailand's military, which seized control of the country in a 2014 coup, has touted efforts to jump-start peace talks with the rebels. But there has been little progress. Critics have cast doubt on the junta's peace bid, pointing to a history of rights violations in the region that have bred a deep mistrust of the military among locals. Details on the inner workings of the insurgents are scant, as groups in the loose network rarely make public statements or claim responsibility for attacks. (AFP)

Car bomb hits checkpoint in rebellious Thai south, two cops hurt

Israeli troops locked down the occupied West Bank&#39;s most populous city Hebron and surrounding villages on Saturday after two Israelis were killed in Palestinian attacks nearby. 
 
The crackdown comes amid a flare-up in nine months of deadly violence as the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan looms, and after the major diplomatic players called for urgent steps by both sides to revive the moribund peace process. 
 
Troops closed all exit roads from Hebron except for the main northern one through the town of Halhul towards Jerusalem, an AFP correspondent reported. 
 
The army announced on Friday that it would close off the flashpoint city and deploy two additional battalions to the area. 
 
The measures were described as the &quot;most substantial steps on the ground&quot; since 2014, when Israeli forces carried out a huge search operation in the southern West Bank for three young hitchhikers abducted and later found murdered by Palestinian militants. 
 
Hebron has been one of the main focuses of the wave of deadly unrest that has rocked Israel and the Palestinian territories since last October. 
 
At least 214 Palestinians, 34 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese have been killed. 
 
The army has said that around 80 of the attacks on Israelis have been carried out by Palestinians from the Hebron area. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp;

Troops closed all exit roads from Hebron except for the main northern one through the town of Halhul towards Jerusalem

Israeli troops locked down the occupied West Bank's most populous city Hebron and surrounding villages on Saturday after two Israelis were killed in Palestinian attacks nearby. The crackdown comes amid a flare-up in nine months of deadly violence as the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan looms, and after the major diplomatic players called for urgent steps by both sides to revive the moribund peace process. Troops closed all exit roads from Hebron except for the main northern one through the town of Halhul towards Jerusalem, an AFP correspondent reported. The army announced on Friday that it would close off the flashpoint city and deploy two additional battalions to the area. The measures were described as the "most substantial steps on the ground" since 2014, when Israeli forces carried out a huge search operation in the southern West Bank for three young hitchhikers abducted and later found murdered by Palestinian militants. Hebron has been one of the main focuses of the wave of deadly unrest that has rocked Israel and the Palestinian territories since last October. At least 214 Palestinians, 34 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese have been killed. The army has said that around 80 of the attacks on Israelis have been carried out by Palestinians from the Hebron area. (AFP)

Israel locks down West Bank city of Hebron

Eighteen pilgrims have been injured in a stampede near Islam&#39;s holiest site, Saudi media reported on Saturday, as the kingdom continues to review safety after a deadly crush during last year&#39;s hajj. 
 
The incident happened on Friday night near the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Al-Riyadh newspaper said, as Muslims gathered in large numbers to mark the Night of Destiny, one of the high points of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. 
 
All the injured were treated at the scene and none required admission to hospital, the newspaper cited a health official as saying. 
 
Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims flock to Mecca to carry out the lesser umra pilgrimage during Ramadan -- especially during its last 10 days. 
 
They include the Night of Destiny, when the angel Gabriel is believed to have given the Prophet Mohammed the verses of the Koran. 
 
The incident comes as Saudi authorities continue to unveil new safety measures for this year`s hajj in September. 
 
A crush at last year`s hajj killed more than 2,000 pilgrims in the worst disaster to ever strike the annual ritual.&nbsp;According to figures from foreign officials, at least 2,297 pilgrims died. Saudi Arabia issued a death toll of 769. 
 
Newspapers reported on Friday that, among new security measures, hajj pilgrims this year will have to wear an electronic safety bracelet to store their personal information, including address and medical records. 
 
The hajj and umra pilgrimages bring millions of Muslims to the holy places in Saudi Arabia every year. 
 
(AFP)

Every year hundreds of thousands of pilgrims flock to Mecca to carry out the lesser umra pilgrimage during Ramadan

Eighteen pilgrims have been injured in a stampede near Islam's holiest site, Saudi media reported on Saturday, as the kingdom continues to review safety after a deadly crush during last year's hajj. The incident happened on Friday night near the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Al-Riyadh newspaper said, as Muslims gathered in large numbers to mark the Night of Destiny, one of the high points of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. All the injured were treated at the scene and none required admission to hospital, the newspaper cited a health official as saying. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims flock to Mecca to carry out the lesser umra pilgrimage during Ramadan -- especially during its last 10 days. They include the Night of Destiny, when the angel Gabriel is believed to have given the Prophet Mohammed the verses of the Koran. The incident comes as Saudi authorities continue to unveil new safety measures for this year`s hajj in September. A crush at last year`s hajj killed more than 2,000 pilgrims in the worst disaster to ever strike the annual ritual. According to figures from foreign officials, at least 2,297 pilgrims died. Saudi Arabia issued a death toll of 769. Newspapers reported on Friday that, among new security measures, hajj pilgrims this year will have to wear an electronic safety bracelet to store their personal information, including address and medical records. The hajj and umra pilgrimages bring millions of Muslims to the holy places in Saudi Arabia every year. (AFP)

Eighteen injured in Mecca stampede: Saudi media

<div style="text-align: justify;">Last summer, temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celsius led to more than a thousand heat-related deaths in Karachi. This year, as it prepares for the peak of summer heat, the city has opened 179 heatstroke centres to try to hold down the death toll. 
 
Officials have also trained new ambulance drivers, and are working with utility companies to try to keep electricity and water flowing as the city&rsquo;s 24 million people battle summer heat during the month-long Islamic fast of Ramzan, when drinking water and eating is forbidden during daylight hours. 
 
Imams have said those whose lives&nbsp;are&nbsp;at risk due to a&nbsp;fast need not stick&nbsp;to it in extreme conditions. 
 
&ldquo;If a doctor says that your life is threatened due to the scorching heat, or you have a medical condition and it is going to get worse due to the fasting, then you can skip the daily fast,&rdquo; Muhammad Tahir Ashrafi, chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, an organisation of scholars and religious clerics, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in an interview. 
 
If any area of Pakistan is hit by extreme heat during Ramzan, which began June 7, the council will remind followers of this&nbsp;flexibility in public service media announcements, Ashrafi&nbsp;said. 
 
In Pakistan&rsquo;s southern Sindh province, temperatures have already hit 52 degree Celcius&nbsp;in Larkana, with Jacobabad and Moenjodaro just slightly cooler, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department. 
 
In the port city of Karachi, where temperatures so far remain below 40 degrees Celsius, heat relief centres are open, providing drinking water to passersby. 
 
Last summer, more than 1,270 people died in Karachi, and nearly 36,000 were hospitalised or hit by water and electricity shortages during 13 consecutive days of scorching temperatures in June and July. 
 
Officials of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority-Sindh and the health department say they are better prepared to deal with extreme heat this year, but experts warn deaths are still a risk unless new measures work. 
 
Ghulam Rasul, director general Pakistan Meteorological Department, said a new early warning centre set up in Karachi in April aims to release warnings to government bodies, media and other organisations three days in advance of expected heat waves this year. 
 
&ldquo;We have already identified the most vulnerable areas in Karachi, with help of the district administration, to convey the warnings instantly and keep the people safe from sizzling temperatures,&rdquo; he said. 
 
The Met Office is also in touch with K-Electric, the main provider of electricity to around 20 million people in Karachi, and with the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board to try to head off unscheduled water and power blackouts during heat waves. 
 
Such blackouts have already prompted near daily protests, including in slum areas, where the shortages are worst. 
 
In March and April, over 400 volunteers and ambulance drivers were trained to give first aid to heatstroke victims and get them to hospitals, said Ajay Kumar Sewani, assistant director for administration at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority-Sindh. 
 
He said that heat wave emergency first aid centres have been set up in almost all major cities of the province including Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Mirpur and Sukkur. The centres offer oral rehydration solution, some medicines and ambulance services to nearby hospitals. 
 
The provincial disaster management authority has distributed a half million brochures and 6,000 banners in cities across Sindh in an effort to raise awareness about heat risks, he said. A radio and television advertisement campaign also is planned. 
 
The materials advise people to drink as much water as possible, avoid drinking dehydrating tea and coffee, try to stay inside or under a shade from 10 am to 4 pm and cover their heads with a cap during the daytime. 
 
It also offers advice on recognising the symptoms of heatstroke and heat exhaustion, and has telephone numbers for relief centres. 
 
&ldquo;Our aim is to ensure and guarantee zero deaths during the heat wave and we are prepared for it,&rdquo; Sewani said. 
 
Local media reported two heat wave-related deaths in Karachi during the last week of April, but they have yet to be officially confirmed. 
 
Some experts, however, say Sindh&rsquo;s plans are a good start but such measures need to be carried out effectively &ndash; and used throughout Pakistan. 
 
Heat-related deaths are preventable if the Met Office releases its forecast well in advance and district administrations have a proper management plan, said Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, chief executive officer of Lead Pakistan, a non-profit organisation in Islamabad. But so far that is not the case countrywide, he said. 
 
A crucial component of an effective heat wave management plan is a comprehensive institutional communication and coordination plan. &ldquo;This is important to prevent duplication of efforts and identify the most vulnerable areas,&rdquo; Sheikh&nbsp;said. 
 
Early users of Karachi&rsquo;s heat relief centres said they are already hugely helpful to students, commuters and pedestrians who stop by to drink water, rinse their faces and just cool off when temperatures soar. 
 
&ldquo;The district administration has made much better arrangements this time and we hope no one dies this Ramadan, unlike the last year,&rdquo; said Sumera Ambreen, 21, a medical student who stopped at a centre in North Nazimabad recently. 
(Reuters)</div>

Karachi rolls-out 179 heatstroke centres and trains ambulance drivers in attempt to control death toll due to the heat wave

Last summer, temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celsius led to more than a thousand heat-related deaths in Karachi. This year, as it prepares for the peak of summer heat, the city has opened 179 heatstroke centres to try to hold down the death toll. Officials have also trained new ambulance drivers, and are working with utility companies to try to keep electricity and water flowing as the city’s 24 million people battle summer heat during the month-long Islamic fast of Ramzan, when drinking water and eating is forbidden during daylight hours. Imams have said those whose lives are at risk due to a fast need not stick to it in extreme conditions. “If a doctor says that your life is threatened due to the scorching heat, or you have a medical condition and it is going to get worse due to the fasting, then you can skip the daily fast,” Muhammad Tahir Ashrafi, chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, an organisation of scholars and religious clerics, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in an interview. If any area of Pakistan is hit by extreme heat during Ramzan, which began June 7, the council will remind followers of this flexibility in public service media announcements, Ashrafi said. In Pakistan’s southern Sindh province, temperatures have already hit 52 degree Celcius in Larkana, with Jacobabad and Moenjodaro just slightly cooler, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department. In the port city of Karachi, where temperatures so far remain below 40 degrees Celsius, heat relief centres are open, providing drinking water to passersby. Last summer, more than 1,270 people died in Karachi, and nearly 36,000 were hospitalised or hit by water and electricity shortages during 13 consecutive days of scorching temperatures in June and July. Officials of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority-Sindh and the health department say they are better prepared to deal with extreme heat this year, but experts warn deaths are still a risk unless new measures work. Ghulam Rasul, director general Pakistan Meteorological Department, said a new early warning centre set up in Karachi in April aims to release warnings to government bodies, media and other organisations three days in advance of expected heat waves this year. “We have already identified the most vulnerable areas in Karachi, with help of the district administration, to convey the warnings instantly and keep the people safe from sizzling temperatures,” he said. The Met Office is also in touch with K-Electric, the main provider of electricity to around 20 million people in Karachi, and with the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board to try to head off unscheduled water and power blackouts during heat waves. Such blackouts have already prompted near daily protests, including in slum areas, where the shortages are worst. In March and April, over 400 volunteers and ambulance drivers were trained to give first aid to heatstroke victims and get them to hospitals, said Ajay Kumar Sewani, assistant director for administration at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority-Sindh. He said that heat wave emergency first aid centres have been set up in almost all major cities of the province including Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Mirpur and Sukkur. The centres offer oral rehydration solution, some medicines and ambulance services to nearby hospitals. The provincial disaster management authority has distributed a half million brochures and 6,000 banners in cities across Sindh in an effort to raise awareness about heat risks, he said. A radio and television advertisement campaign also is planned. The materials advise people to drink as much water as possible, avoid drinking dehydrating tea and coffee, try to stay inside or under a shade from 10 am to 4 pm and cover their heads with a cap during the daytime. It also offers advice on recognising the symptoms of heatstroke and heat exhaustion, and has telephone numbers for relief centres. “Our aim is to ensure and guarantee zero deaths during the heat wave and we are prepared for it,” Sewani said. Local media reported two heat wave-related deaths in Karachi during the last week of April, but they have yet to be officially confirmed. Some experts, however, say Sindh’s plans are a good start but such measures need to be carried out effectively – and used throughout Pakistan. Heat-related deaths are preventable if the Met Office releases its forecast well in advance and district administrations have a proper management plan, said Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, chief executive officer of Lead Pakistan, a non-profit organisation in Islamabad. But so far that is not the case countrywide, he said. A crucial component of an effective heat wave management plan is a comprehensive institutional communication and coordination plan. “This is important to prevent duplication of efforts and identify the most vulnerable areas,” Sheikh said. Early users of Karachi’s heat relief centres said they are already hugely helpful to students, commuters and pedestrians who stop by to drink water, rinse their faces and just cool off when temperatures soar. “The district administration has made much better arrangements this time and we hope no one dies this Ramadan, unlike the last year,” said Sumera Ambreen, 21, a medical student who stopped at a centre in North Nazimabad recently. (Reuters)

Karachi opens heat relief centres

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