UNITED NATIONS -- More than 1,300 civilians have been killed and 9,669 civilian sites destroyed in Iran in the military strikes launched by the United States and Israel since Feb. 28, Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, said Tuesday.
The civilian sites included 7,943 residential homes, 1,617 commercial and service centers, 32 medical and pharmaceutical facilities, 65 schools and educational institutions, 13 Red Crescent buildings, and several energy supply facilities, Iravani told the press in a statement. (UN-Iran-Civilians)
- - - -
GENEVA -- Recent disruptions to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz have raised concerns about potential ripple effects on energy markets, maritime transport and global supply chains, the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said on Tuesday.
In an analysis report, UNCTAD said military escalation in the region has disrupted shipping flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage that carries about one-quarter of global seaborne oil trade, along with significant volumes of liquefied natural gas and fertilizers. (Hormuz-Shipping-UNCTAD)
- - - -
OTTAWA -- Toronto police said Tuesday they are investigating a shooting at the U.S. consulate and searching for two suspects linked to the incident in Canada's largest city.
Police said in a news release that they responded to reports of gunfire directed at the consulate at 5:29 a.m. local time on Tuesday and that the shooting itself is believed to have happened at 4:29 a.m. (Canada-Shooting-US Consulate)
- - - -
GENEVA -- At least six people were killed and five others injured after a fire broke out on a postal bus on Tuesday evening in Kerzers, in the canton of Fribourg in western Switzerland, cantonal police said at a press conference.
Among the injured, including one rescuer, three were reported to be in serious condition.
Police said no other vehicle was involved in the incident and added that a human cause was likely. "A deliberate act could be the cause," the police said. (Switzerland-Bus-Fire) ■
