Friday, July 30 2021

TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Friday, July 30th: *) Syrian regime continues attack on Daraa Syrian regime forces are attacking Daraa in the south, trying to regain control of some areas from opposition groups. They're targeting populated areas with rockets and artillery fire, killing at least 15 Syrian civilians as regime soldiers reportedly defect during the fighting. Activists have warned Daraa is facing a medical crisis after the regime destroyed the area's only medical centre on Wednesday. *) Afghan forces repel Taliban attack on outskirts of Herat city Afghan forces repelled a Taliban attack on the outskirts of Afghanistan's western city of Herat, officials have said. The Taliban recently seized several districts around the city as well as two border crossings in the province along the frontiers with Iran and Turkmenistan. The insurgents launched their assault in early May, soon after the US-led foreign forces began their final withdrawal which is now almost complete. *) Biden orders tough vaccination rules for federal workers US President Joe Biden has announced new pandemic requirements to boost Covid-19 vaccination rates for millions of federal workers and contractors. Federal workers will have to sign forms attesting they’ve been vaccinated or comply with new rules on mandatory masking, weekly testing, and distancing. US citizens will be given up to 100 dollars if they get jabbed, with Biden also urging the public to go back to wearing masks while indoors, even if vaccinated. *) Turkey battles forest fires in country's south Scorching heat and strong winds have fanned forest fires in southern Turkey, killing at least four people and hospitalising 58. Nearly 2,000 firefighters battled the flames of 20 fires that erupted across six Turkish provinces in the last two days. Dozens of houses have been damaged or destroyed in Antalya with farming lands also scorched. And finally ... *) Scarlett Johansson sues Disney over ‘Black Widow’ release Scarlett Johansson is suing Disney for