Briefly

UNITED STATES

NYC declares crisis over monkeypox

New York City declared a public health emergency due to the spread of the monkeypox virus on Saturday, calling the city "the epicenter" of the outbreak. The announcement by Mayor Eric Adams and Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan said as many as 150,000 city residents could be at risk of infection. The declaration allowed officials to issue emergency orders under the city health code and amend code provisions to implement measures to help slow the spread. The announcement came one day after New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency over the outbreak. New York state had recorded 1,345 cases by Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

GERMANY

Firefighters battle to contain blaze

Hundreds of firefighters were locked in an intense battle with a wildfire in eastern Germany on Saturday, which is still burning in the wake of a punishing heat wave. Thirteen water-bombing helicopters joined about 350 firefighters spread across 150 hectares in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, and firefighters had sustained minor injuries, district authorities said. The fire broke out on July 24 in the neighboring Czech Republic before spreading to Germany. Scientists say climate change is making heat waves around the world more frequent and more intense, increasing the risk of fires.

EGYPT

Ancient mud-brick building uncovered

An Italian-Polish archaeological mission has uncovered remains of a mud-brick building believed to be one of the lost "sun temples "dating back to the Fifth Dynasty of ancient Egypt (2465 to 2323 BC). The building was found under the temple of King Nyuserre in Abusir region, south of Cairo, according to a statement issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on Saturday. Part of the building was demolished by the king to build his temple, the statement said, adding that several pots and beer glasses were found inside the building. Some muddy stamps bearing the names of kings from the Fifth Dynasty were also unearthed.

Xinhua - Agencies