Tuesday, July 13 2021

*) South Africa deploys army to quell riots South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed the army to quell ongoing riots, which he says could lead to medicine and food shortages. At least 10 people are dead, and nearly 500 people have been arrested for looting malls and setting buildings and trucks on fire in Durban and Johannesburg. The riots are in support of former president Jacob Zuma, who's serving a 15-month jail sentence for contempt of court. *) Scores killed in Covid ward fire in Iraq At least 60 people have been killed and dozens injured after a fire at Al Hussein hospital in Iraq's Al Nasiriya city. The fire was reportedly caused by an oxygen tank explosion in the coronavirus isolation ward. Hospital, health and civil defence managers were all suspended and arrested pending an investigation. *) Aung San Suu Kyi facing more charges Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi is facing four additional criminal charges. Her legal team says they have little detail about the new charges. She's currently on trial facing a number of charges brought on by the junta, who toppled her from power in a coup in February. *) Cuba holds its largest anti-govt protests in decades In a rare display of public anger, thousands of Cubans took to the streets for nationwide protests against shortages of food and other basic essentials. The protests marked some of the biggest displays of anti-government sentiment in the country in decades. Cuba is going through its worst economic crisis in decades, as it suffers the consequences of US sanctions imposed by the Trump administration. And finally ... *) Deep Dive Dubai opens to public The world's deepest swimming pool for divers has opened in Dubai. Divers can descend 60 metres to a sunken city-themed landscape and even play arcade games. The pool has been verified by Guinness World Records as the world's deepest swimming pool for diving.