WASHINGTON: The US State Department confirmed on Friday that 24 people have suffered health effects from “attacks” in Cuba earlier this year against diplomatic personnel and that an investigation is ongoing.

“We cant rule out additional new cases as medical professionals continue to ev­­aluate members of the em­­bassy community,” spo­kes­person Heather Nauert said in a statement.

Two more government wor­kers are confirmed victims in the unexplained Cuba attacks.

But State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert says the new victims “do not reflect new attacks.” She says the additional victims were confirmed following medical evaluations of workers attacked earlier in the year. Nauert says the most recent attack is still believed to have been near the end of August.

A US official said previously that attack occurred Aug 21. The official wasn’t authorised to disclose the exact date and requested anonymity.

The State Department says it can’t rule out “additional new cases.” The attacks sta­r­ted last year and affected American diplomats, intelligence officials and their spou­­ses in Havana.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...