US officials closed schools and canceled flights, with much of the country battered by winter storms. Millions are now bracing for another harsh weekend. The extreme weather in the United States has led to scores of weather-related deaths in the past week, many of them from hypothermia or traffic accidents, officials and US media reported on Friday. Relentless storms have battered much of the US with low temperatures, heavy snow, ice storms, freezing rain and high winds. Affected regions include the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Plains, South and Northeast.   Freezing temperatures, blizzard conditions and thick ice have closed schools, knocked out power to thousands and disrupted air travel. More than 1,100 flights were canceled on Friday and another 8,000 were delayed, according to the website Flightaware.com.   Deadly winter in the US Extreme weather conditions caused at least 55 deaths across the country, according to the AP news agency. The southern state of Tennessee alone recorded 19 deaths.  They included five women returning home after a pilgrimage to Mecca who died Tuesday in a tractor-trailer crash on a Pennsylvania highway, police said. In Kentucky, in the southeast, there were five weather-related deaths, Governor Andy Beshear said in a statement on Friday. In northwestern Oregon, three people were electrocuted when a live power line fell on their parked car during an ice storm Wednesday. Deaths were also reported in Illinois, Kansas, New Hampshire, New York, Wisconsin and Washington state, where five people are believed to have succumbed to exposure, local media reported, citing Seattle officials.   Cold weekend in Midwest and South Millions of Americans are bracing for another harsh weekend as the extreme cold extends into the southern United States, a region not used to cold weather. Temperatures are expected to drop as low as -26 degrees Celsius (-15 Fahrenheit) over the weekend in much of Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky and Kansas, the National Weather Service predicted on Friday. "Another Arctic blast will bring cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills to the Plains and the Mississippi Valley to the eastern US," the service said.  

Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said, a total of 13 patients died and 2,425 were admitted to different hospitals in the the last 24 hours. The DGHS daily statement added, "579 dengue patients were hospitalised in Dhaka city while 1,846 were admitted to different hospitals outside the capital city."  "The death toll from dengue infection crossed the 1100-mark as the authorities recorded 1,122 dengue deaths between January 1 and October 11 this year." It is the highest in a year since dengue was detected in 2000." On September 20, Bangladesh witnessed 21 dengue deaths, the highest in a single day this year, and the nation also saw the same highest figure on September 2. With the new cases, the total number of patients rose to 2,31,204, the statement said, adding: "This year, some 2,21,435 patients were released from different hospitals out of the total patients." "A total of 8,647 dengue patients are undergoing treatment at different hospitals. Of them, 2,690 are in Dhaka while 5,957 are outside of the capital city," it added. The authorities have recorded the highest number of dengue positive cases outside the capital in August this year, meaning the mosquito-borne disease gripped the entire country.

Bangladesh today witnessed 21 the highest single-day dengue death for the second time this year while 3,015 were admitted to different hospitals in the country during the last 24 hours. Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said, "The death toll from dengue infection crossed the 800-mark as the authorities recorded 867 dengue deaths between January 1, 2023 and September 20."  "During the period, 857 dengue patients were hospitalised in Dhaka city while 2,158 were admitted to different hospitals outside it."  

The prevalence of dengue cases in Bangladesh has increased ten times since last year and the deaths has increased almost thrice, according to a health expert.   "Dengue positive cases have increased ten times and death three times between mid September, 2022 and mid-September, 2023," Professor Dr. Md Golam Sharower, Head, Department of Entomology, National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM) told a seminar on September 14. BSS Reports Asiatic Society of Bangladesh organized the seminar titled "Challenges in Controlling Aedes Mosquitoes to Prevent Dengue in Bangladesh." Prof. Dr. AKM Abdul Hannan Bhuiyan Chairperson of Dr RA Ghani and Mrs Hosne Ara Ghani Trust Fund, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh also addressed the seminar. While presenting the keynote paper, Sharower explained that with global warming, our country's environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity and rainfall are increasing, all of which play a key role in increasing the reproductive capacity of the Aedes mosquito. He said there are unplanned urbanization, industrialization and ancillary activities such as construction of multi-storied buildings blocking waterways, dumping old cars and turning cities into mosquito sanctuaries. "So we people of all classes and professions have become helpless today. As we are increasing the breeding area and reproductive capacity of mosquitoes, we never think about its prevention in the same way," Sharower said. The morphological, biological and behavioral changes that have occurred in Aedes mosquitoes as a result of all our unknowing activities in mosquito breeding are highly favorable for Aedes mosquitoes to transmit dengue virus, he elaborated. As a result, the entire medical system is under heavy pressure due to the unexpected increase in the attack of dengue virus all over the country, Sharower said adding it has become very important to check the density of Aedes mosquitoes and the severity of dengue through our nationwide survey. "An integrated vector management or IVM approach is needed instead of a typical single approach. Similarly, we need to work on the idea that have been successful at neighboring countries in controlling dengue and move forward to solve dengue by increasing people's participation with timely decisions," the entomologist highlighted in his presentation.   As of September 15, Bangladesh reported 1,61,964 dengue positive cases and 790 dengue related deaths, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said.   August witnessed 71,976 dengue positive cases, the highest cases in a single month since dengue outbreak began in 2000 in the country, while 342 dengue-related deaths were reported in the current month, the DGHS statement said. According to the health experts, the vector-borne disease hit Dhaka city in 2000 subsequently the dengue positive cases were detected in Dhaka city only. But the dengue disease is changing its nature and it is gradually spreading across the country, they said, adding: "All 64 districts of the country have witnessed dengue positive cases." July alone recorded 43,854 dengue positive cases with 204 deaths, the DGHS statement read. As of September 14, the authorities recorded 38,156 dengue positive cases while 197 deaths from the mosquito-borne disease during the same period. According to the DGHS, Bangladesh reported 1,01,354 dengue cases, the second highest since dengue cases were detected in 2000, in 2019, 1,405 cases in 2020, 28,429 cases in 2021 and 62,382 cases in 2022. It also added Bangladesh recorded 179 dengue related deaths in 2019, seven deaths in 2020, 105 deaths in 2021 and 281 deaths, the second highest deaths, in 2022.

Bangladesh recorded 21 dengue-related deaths, the highest number in a single day this year while it recorded 2,352 dengue positive cases in the last 24 hours. Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said it in a press release, "The death toll from dengue infection crossed 600-mark as the authorities recorded 618 dengue deaths between January 1, 2023 and September 2."   "During the period, 982 dengue patients were hospitalised in Dhaka city while 1,370 were admitted to different hospitals outside Dhaka," the DGHS daily statement added. "This year, 618 deaths, the highest in a year since dengue was detected in 2000, were reported from dengue disease while 281 died last year," the daily statement of the DGHS said.   With the new cases, the total number of patients rose to 1,27,694 the statement said, adding, "Some 1,18,444 patients were released from different hospitals this year out of the total patients."   "A total of 8,632 dengue patients are undergoing treatment at different hospitals. Of them, 3,903 are in Dhaka while 4,729 are outside of the capital city," it added. According to the DGHS statement, among the total dengue positive cases, 48,500 are female and 79,194 are male. Of the total deaths, 362 are female and 256 male.   The authorities have recorded the highest number of dengue positive cases outside Dhaka in August this year meaning the mosquito disease gripped the entire country. August witnessed 71,976 dengue positive cases, the highest cases in a single month since dengue outbreak began in 2,000 in the country while 342 dengue-related deaths were reported in the current month, the DGHS statement said. According to health experts, the vector-borne disease hit Dhaka city in 2000 subsequently the dengue positive cases were detected in Dhaka city only. But the dengue disease is changing its nature and it is gradually spreading across the country, they said, adding all 64 districts of the country have witnessed dengue positive cases. July alone recorded 43,854 dengue positive cases with 204 deaths, the DGHS statement read.

Bangladesh today exceeded 400 dengue deaths as 18 new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours till 8:00am monday while 2,480 were admitted to different hospitals during same period. a press release of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said, "During the period, 919 dengue patients were hospitalised in Dhaka city while 1,561 were admitted to different hospitals outside Dhaka." "This year, 416 deaths, the highest in a year since dengue was detected in 2000, were reported from dengue disease while 281 died last year," the daily statement of the DGHS said. With the new cases, the total number of patients rose to 87,891, the statement said, adding: "Some 78,044 patients were released from different hospitals this year of the total patients."  "A total of 9,431 dengue patients are undergoing treatment at different hospitals. Of them, 4,140 are in Dhaka while 5,291 are outside the capital city," it added. According the DGHS statement, among the total dengue positive cases, 3,2798 are female and 55,093 male while 238 deaths from dengue are female and 178 male. Health experts warned the dengue situation may deteriorate this month and in the next month, asking authorities concerned to launch a massive campaign against all types of mosquitoes.   Analysing the amount of rainfall, temperature and humidity in Bangladesh, they described August and September months as the most suitable period for breeding of Aedes mosquitoes. Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Outbreaks of the disease are usually seasonal, peaking during and after the rainy season. 

An Israeli missile strike near Damascus early Monday morning killed four soldiers and caused unspecified "material damage," Syria's state news agency SANA reported citing an unnamed military source. According to the report, some of the missiles were intercepted and shot down by Syrian air defenses.  The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor linked with Syria's opposition, said the strikes Monday targeted weapons and munitions warehouses and positions of Iran-backed militias around Damascus, the Associated Press reported.  Several strikes already this year Israel has previously targeted what it describes as Iran-linked forces, along with Hezbollah fighters and Syrian army positions. The strikes are often reported hitting ports and airports.  While Israel usually refrains from commenting on air strikes in Syria , it has repeatedly said that it will not allow Iran to expand its footprint in Syria. Iran's influence in Syria has grown since Tehran began supporting Syrian leader Bashar Assad in a civil war that started in 2011. Syria has reported several Israeli missile strikes this year.  A missile attack on July 19 near Damascus killed three pro-government fighters and wounded four others, according to SANA. The Syrian Foreign Ministry had condemned the attack "in the strongest terms" and called on the UN to "take immediate action." Earlier in July, Israel carried out strikes near the government-held city of Homs. On June 14, missiles landed near Damascus and wounded a soldier, reported SANA. Both Aleppo and Damascus airports have previously been put out of service due to Israeli strikes.

Rescuers recovered three bodies from the Buriganga River, where a waterbus carrying around 50 passengers sank after being hit by a sand-laden bulkhead on Sunday. The Deceased are Md Alif (14) from south Keraniganj, Md Fahim from Dohar, another one's identity could not be known yet. Assuming that, he or she is about 50. Eight people were rescued alive from the river and admitted to the hospital, with three of them undergoing treatment in unconscious condition while the rest were released after receiving treatment. 20 to 25 people are still missing. Sub-Inspector (SI) of Naval Police, Sadarghat Police Station Mehdi Hasan Maruf  said that now the bulkhead is in police custody. Fire Service, Coast Guard and diver team are working together, said Commodore Arif Ahmed Mostafa, chairman of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).

  United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said civilian deaths were "unacceptable." He also condemned the indiscriminate launching of rockets from Gaza into Israel. Israeli forces killed a top commander of the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad in an airstrike on a building in southern Gaza, the Israeli military and Islamic Jihad said on Thursday. The Israeli military said it targeted the head of Islamic Jihad's rocket-launching unit, Ali Ghali, and two other militants in an apartment in a residential complex in Khan Younis. The military added Ghali instructed and took part in rocket attacks against Israel in recent months. Israeli officials said Palestinian militants on Wednesday fired over 400 rockets at Israel. While most of the rockets were intercepted or fell in open areas, four homes were damaged by rocket strikes in southern Israel. UN chief urges restraint Palestinian health officials in Gaza said more than 20 people, including militants and civilians, had been killed amid the recent outbreak of fighting. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the civilian deaths as "unacceptable" and appealed for them to "stop immediately." He also called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, said Farhan Haq, a UN deputy spokesperson. Guterres also condemned the indiscriminate launching of rockets from Gaza into Israel, which violates international law. "The Secretary-General urges all parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint and to work to stop hostilities immediately," Haq said. Islamic Jihad spokesman Dawoud Shehab said Egypt had begun brokering a cease-fire. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told Israel's public broadcaster KAN they were examining Egypt's proposals. The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Jordan and Egypt called for an end to the violence between Israel and Gaza militants. "The bloodletting must end now," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said after talks in Berlin with her counterparts. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi added that the "negative developments must end, peace must be revived." Near daily airstrikes and rocket fire The Israeli military said it hit more than 100 targets, including rocket-launching sites, since Tuesday, when it began fresh airstrikes on Gaza that killed three Islamic Jihad commanders. The airstrikes came at a time of already high tension between Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip, which increased again last week after a senior member of Islamic Jihad died while on hunger strike in Israeli custody. Following his death, militants fired several salvos of rockets toward southern Israel, and Israel responded with airstrikes. In a television address on Wednesday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Islamic Jihad had been hit with a serious blow but cautioned the campaign "is not over yet." "We say to the terrorists and those who send them: We see you everywhere. You can't hide, and we choose the place and time to strike you," he said. Islamic Jihad much smaller than Hamas Islamic Jihad — an Iranian-backed militant group that is smaller than the Hamas militant group that dominates the Gaza Strip — said it would continue firing rockets. The European Union, the United States and several other nations list Islamic Jihad and Hamas as terrorist organizations.

At least 35 people were killed after the floor at a Hindu temple in India's Indore city caved in. A search for survivors is still underway. The death toll after a temple's floor collapsed in the central Indian city of Indore has risen to 35, officials said on Friday as rescue operations continue. The accident took place on Thursday as devotees gathered at the Hindu temple in the state of Madhya Pradesh to celebrate the festival of Ram Navami. The floor of the temple caved in and over 30 people fell into an old well underneath, according to local media reports. "We have rescued 18 people, 35 have been found dead and 16 are injured," Ilayaraja T, a top local government official, told the Reuters news agency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the families of the victims. Modi also announced an aid of Rs. 200,000 (€2230 approx.) for the next of kin of each deceased in the accident.  The injured would be given Rs. 50,000 (€558), the Prime Minister's office said in a statement on Twitter.