Blaze at Iraq wedding in Christian minority area kills nearly 100
MOSUL, Iraq — As they watched the bride and groom start their slow dance, Faten Youssef imagined the future wedding of her son, seated next to her at a reception table. Within moments, however, disaster struck when an inferno erupted that would leave nearly 100 dead in the northern Iraqi wedding hall.
As the dance began, a ring of pyrotechnics machines on the floor released fountains of sparks into the air. As the music played, ceiling panels above the machines burst into flames.
The nearly 250 panicked guests in the Haitham Royal Wedding Hall in the predominantly Christian Hamdaniya area stampeded for the exits as flaming decorations and pieces of ceiling rained down on them.
Authorities on Wednesday said around 100 people were killed, with the toll expected to rise with at least 100 injured, including many critically burned.
The tragedy Tuesday night was the latest to hit Iraq’s Christian minority, which has dwindled to a fraction of its former size over the past decade in the face of militant attacks.
Kurdish television news channel Rudaw aired footage of the flames erupting Tuesday night from the ceiling over a chandelier as the spark machines jetted fireworks below.
“Flames started falling on us,” Youssef told The Associated Press. “Things were falling down and blocked the way to the exit.”
With many trapped inside, someone brought a bulldozer and knocked a hole in the wedding hall wall, survivors said.
But by that time, “most of the people inside had died,” guest Nabil Ibrahim said. Fortunately, many of the guests’ children were outside playing in a nearby playground when the fire erupted. “If they’d all been inside, they would have died,” he said.
It wasn’t immediately clear if the bride and groom were among those hurt.
US targets ebay sales:
The U.S. Justice Department filed a civil complaint against ebay, claiming the online marketplace unlawfully sold and distributed hundreds of thousands of products like pesticides and motor vehicle emission-evading devices that violate environmental laws.
On Wednesday, ebay called the government’s actions “entirely unprecedented” and said that it planned to vigorously defend itself.
The complaint claims ebay sold, offered for sale or caused the sale of more than 343,000 aftermarket devices that try to evade motor vehicle emissions controls.
It also alleges the company unlawfully distributed or sold at least 23,000 pesticides that were unregistered, misbranded or for restricted use.
In addition, the complaint claims ebay distributed more than 5,600 painting and coating removal products that include methylene chloride.
“Ebay’s sale of emission control defeat devices, pesticides, and other unsafe products poses unacceptable risks to our communities disproportionately impacted by environmental and health hazards,” U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said Wednesday. “Together with our partners, this office will vigorously enforce federal law against those whose conduct endangers public
health and the environment.”
A Montana state judge temporarily blocked enforcement of a law to ban gender-affirming medical care for minors Wednesday.
District Court Judge Jason Marks said the law is likely unconstitutional. He also said banning access to gender-affirming care would harm the mental and physical health of minors with gender dysphoria. The state argued the law was meant to protect minors from experimental treatments. The preliminary injunction would remain in effect until a full trial could be held on the issue.
The state has said it will appeal. Montana is one of at least 22 states that enacted bans on this type of care. Most face lawsuits.
Ban on trans care blocked:
President Joe Biden vetoed Republican-sponsored bills
GOP bills vetoed:
intended to undo federal protections for two endangered species that have seen their populations plummet over the years.
Biden said late Tuesday that the measure would overturn “science-based rule making” that offers important protections for the once-abundant lesser prairie chicken and northern long-eared bat. The president also says the bills would undermine the Endangered Species Act.
Environmentalists have long sought stronger federal protections for the prairie bird, which is at risk from oil and gas development, livestock grazing and farming, along with roads and power lines. The longeared bat is one of 12 bat types threatened by a fungal disease called white-nose syndrome.
Visa deal for Israel: The Biden administration has admitted Israel into a select group of countries whose
citizens are allowed to travel to the United States without getting a visa in advance.
The decision, announced Wednesday in Washington, comes despite U.S. concerns about the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinian Americans. The agreement is a major accomplishment for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has sparred frequently with the Biden administration.
Under the waiver program, as of Nov. 30, Israelis will be able to travel to the U.S. for business or leisure purposes for up to 90 days without a visa by registering with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
The Department of Homeland Security administers the program, which currently allows citizens of 40 mostly European and Asian countries to travel to the U.S. for three months without visas.
Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the agreement,
after more than a decade of work, “will enhance our two nations’ collaboration on counterterrorism, law enforcement and our other common priorities,” and make the allies more secure.
Iran satellite: Iran claimed on Wednesday that it successfully launched an imaging satellite into space The state-run IRNA news agency quoted the country’s communication minister as saying the Noor-3 satellite had been put in orbit 280 miles high.
There was no immediate acknowledgment from Western officials of the launch or of the satellite being put into orbit. Iran has had a series of failed launches in recent years.
The United States has alleged that Iran’s satellite launches defy a U.N. Security Council resolution and has called on Iran to do no activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.