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Hope Fading As Deaths In Turkey, Syria Quake Pass 11,000

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GAZIANTEP, Turkey — Rescue teams in Turkey and Syria looked for signs of life in the rubble of thousands of buildings destroyed by the world’s deadliest earthquake in more than a decade on Wednesday, when the chances of finding survivors were getting slimmer. The confirmed death toll has surpassed 11,000 people.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid a visit to the particularly hard-hit Hatay province, where over 3,300 people were killed, and entire neighborhoods were destroyed. Residents have criticized the government’s response, claiming that rescuers arrived too slowly.

Erdogan, who faces a tough reelection battle in May, acknowledged “shortcomings” in responding to Monday’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake but blamed it on winter weather. The earthquake damaged the runway at Hatay Airport, further complicating the response.

“Preparing for such a disaster is impossible,” Erdogan said. “We will not abandon any of our citizens.” He also slammed critics, calling them “dishonorable people” who spread “lies and slander” about the government’s response.

Turkish authorities claim to be combating disinformation, and an internet monitoring group reported that access to Twitter was restricted, despite survivors using it to alert rescuers.

In Syria and Turkey, search teams from more than a dozen countries have joined thousands of local first responders. However, the scale of destruction caused by the earthquake and its powerful aftershocks was so massive and spread over such a large area — including a region isolated by Syria’s ongoing civil war — that many people were still waiting for help.

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People Rush To Save The Turkey People

Experts said that people who were stuck under the rubble or couldn’t get what they needed were running out of time to stay alive. At the same time, they stated that it was too soon to give up hope.

“The first 72 hours are critical,” according to Steven Godby, a natural hazards expert at Nottingham Trent University in England. “The average survival ratio within 24 hours is 74%, 22% after 72 hours, and 6% by the fifth day.”

Rescuers occasionally used excavators or picked carefully through debris. With thousands of buildings destroyed, it was unclear how many people were still trapped beneath the rubble.

According to Ozel Pikal, who saw eight bodies pulled from the ruins of a building in the Turkish city of Malatya, bodies were placed side by side on the ground and covered in blankets while rescuers waited for vehicles to pick them up.

Pikal, who assisted in the rescue efforts, believes at least some of the victims died as temperatures dropped to minus 6 degrees Celsius (21 Fahrenheit).

“There is no hope left in Malatya as of today,” Pikal said over the phone. “No one is emerging from the rubble alive.”

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A Horrible Hit For The ALready Impacted Syrian People

Road closures and damage in the area made it difficult to reach all areas needing assistance, he said, and there needed to be more rescuers where he was. Meanwhile, the cold weather hampered those who were present, including volunteers.

“Because of the cold, our hands can’t pick up anything,” Pikal explained. “Working machines are required.”

Syria’s civil war had already lasted more than a decade in the region. Millions of Syrians have been displaced, and millions have sought refuge in Turkey.

Turkey’s president announced that the country’s death toll had surpassed 9,000. According to the Syrian Health Ministry, the death toll in government-held areas has surpassed 1,200. According to the volunteer first responders known as the White Helmets, at least 1,400 people have died in the rebel-held northwest.

This brought the total to 11,600. Thousands more have been injured.

Rescue stories continued to give hope that some of those still trapped might be found alive. A crying newborn still connected to her deceased mother by the umbilical cord was rescued in Syria on Monday. Rescuers pulled a 3-year-old boy from the rubble in Turkey’s Kahramanmaras.

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The Actual Death Toll In Turkey Could Take Weeks

However, David Alexander, a professor of emergency planning and management at University College London, said that data from previous earthquakes indicated that the chances of survival were now slim, particularly for those who suffered serious injuries.

“Statistically, today is when we’ll stop finding people,” he predicted. “That doesn’t mean we should give up looking.”

Because of the sheer volume of rubble, Alexander warned that the final death toll could take weeks to determine.

The last earthquake that killed so many people was in 2015 when a magnitude 7.8 quake struck Nepal. A tsunami was triggered by an earthquake in Japan in 2011, killing nearly 20,000 people.

Many who survived the earthquake lost their homes and were forced to sleep in cars, in government shelters, or outside in some areas due to rain and snowfall.

“We don’t have a tent, a heating stove, or anything else. “Our children are in bad shape,” said Aysan Kurt, 27. “We did not die of hunger or the earthquake, but we will die of cold.”

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People Arrested For Looting

The disaster comes at a critical juncture for Erdogan, who is dealing with an economic downturn and high inflation. Perceptions that his administration mishandled the crisis could harm his standing. He stated that the government would give affected families 10,000 Turkish lire ($532) each.

The leader of Turkey’s main opposition party, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, blamed the devastation on Erdogan’s two-decade rule, saying he had not prepared the country for a disaster and accusing him of misusing funds.

Police said they had detained 18 people and identified more than 200 social media accounts suspected of “spreading fear and panic” in their efforts to combat disinformation related to the earthquake response.

According to NetBlocks, access to Twitter is restricted to multiple internet providers in Turkey. Trapped survivors used Twitter to alert rescuers and loved ones, while others used it to criticize the government’s response.

There has been no official response to the restrictions. The government has periodically restricted access to social media during national emergencies and terror attacks, citing national security.

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UN Has Sent Help To Turkey

Aid efforts in Syria have been hampered by the ongoing conflict and the isolation of the rebel-held border region, surrounded by Russia-backed government forces. Syria is an international pariah due to Western sanctions related to the war.

The European Union announced on Wednesday that Syria had requested humanitarian assistance to assist earthquake victims. An E.U. representative insisted that the bloc’s sanctions against the Syrian government had no bearing on its ability to assist.

Muhannad Hadi, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Syria, said Wednesday that due to damaged roads, there still needs to be access to the Bab al-Hawa border crossing into rebel-held Syria, the only terminal where U.N. aid can be delivered.

Using other crossings or sending aid across conflict lines from Damascus necessitates “multiple levels of coordination between different parties, security, humanitarian, and non-governmental organizations,” he said. “This is not a simple operation.”

Critics have accused the Syrian government of deliberately slowing the process to cut off support to rebel-held areas.

Turkey is situated on major fault lines and is frequently jolted by earthquakes. In 1999, similar powerful earthquakes struck northwest Turkey, killing 18,000 people.

SOURCE – (AP)

 

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Dozens In Italy Give A Fascist Salute On The Anniversary Of Mussolini’s Execution

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AP - VOR News Image

ROME — During the celebrations on Sunday to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the execution of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, numerous individuals performed the fascist salute and vocalized a fascist chant.

Clad in black attire, the adherents of neo-fascism paraded around places in northern Italy where Mussolini was apprehended and put to death after World War II. They also marched at Predappio, the birthplace and burial site of Mussolini.

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AP – VOR News Image

Dozens In Italy Give A Fascist Salute On The Anniversary Of Mussolini’s Execution

Mussolini was apprehended by anti-fascist partisans in Dongo, located on the shores of Lake Como, on April 27, 1945, while attempting to flee with his lover, Clara Petacci, after the Allied forces liberated Italy.

According to footage captured by the LaPresse news agency, a gathering of neo-fascists paraded through Dongo on Sunday, where they solemnly deposited 15 roses into the lake as a tribute to the deceased ministers and executives of the Mussolini government.

The partisans killed Mussolini and Petacci on the next day in the neighboring lakeside town of Mezzegra-Giulino. Commemorations were also conducted there on Sunday. Following a performance of Taps, the person in charge of the commemorations loudly exclaimed, “Comrade Benito Mussolini,” prompting the crowd to respond with a rigid-armed fascist salute and a chant of “present.”

A contingent of police trucks formed a barrier between the protestors in Dongo and the large crowd of protesters singing the renowned partisan anthem “Bella Ciao” during the ceremony.

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AP – VOR News Image

Dozens In Italy Give A Fascist Salute On The Anniversary Of Mussolini’s Execution

Premier Giorgia Meloni coincidentally led her far-right Brothers of Italy party in an election rally in the city of Pescara on the anniversary of Mussolini’s execution. A high-ranking official in Mussolini’s final cabinet founded the Italian Social Movement in 1946, which is where Brothers of Italy gets its name. Following Mussolini’s downfall, the party attracted individuals who sympathized with fascism and former government officials.

Meloni, who became a member of the MSI’s youth branch during her teenage years, has made efforts to separate her party from its neo-fascist origins. She has criticized fascism’s suppression of democracy and emphasized that the Italian right-wing movement relinquished fascism to history several decades ago. On Sunday, Meloni asserted that the left poses a greater threat of totalitarianism to Italy.

She saw that Communist Party members had lodged a formal protest against the tents constructed on the Pescara seafront to host the Brothers of Italy demonstration.

fascist

AP – VOR News Image

Dozens In Italy Give A Fascist Salute On The Anniversary Of Mussolini’s Execution

During this rally, Meloni declared her intention to lead the party’s campaign for the upcoming European Parliament elections in June.

“I observe that the Communist Party continues to exist, and I mention this fact to highlight the current presence of those who long for totalitarianism in Italy,” she stated.

SOURCE – (AP)

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Briton’s Sunak Hints of July 2024 Election

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Briton's Sunak Hints of July 2024 Election

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has not ruled out holding a general election in July, despite widespread uncertainty about the scheduling of the national poll. Sunak has often stated that his “working assumption” is that the election will take place in the second half of this year.

While many observers have projected an autumn referendum, Sky News’ Trevor Phillips suggested to Mr Sunak that it may be as early as July.

“Well, look, when it comes to a general election, I’ve been very clear about that multiple times,” the prime minister was quoted as saying.

Trevor Phillips pressed Mr Sunak five times during his interview, which will air in full on Sunday at 8.30am, on whether he would rule out a general election in July, but the Conservative leader refused to confirm or deny whether it may take place at that time.

“You’re going to try and draw whatever conclusion you want from what I say,” he told the audience. “I will always strive to say the same thing. You should just listen to what I said, which has been the same for the past year.

But the point is, there is an option in the general election. And look, over the last week or so… the country has a very clear idea of what that change will look like.”

Mr Sunak outlined his recent commitments to overhauling the welfare system, cutting taxes, and increasing defense spending, as well as finally getting his Rwanda bill through parliament to address small boat crossings, saying: “That is the substance of what this government is about and what it will do in the future.

“And when the election comes, there will be a clear choice, because the Labour Party has attempted to stymie our Rwanda law, because they do not believe in stopping the boats, and their economic strategy would raise people’s taxes.

“They haven’t said that they will invest more in our defence and they certainly don’t agree with reforming our welfare system to support people into work.”

Labour has stated that it intends to equal the increase in defence spending when budgetary conditions allow, and has committed to repeal the Rwanda bill if elected.

This week, the party’s pre-election focus has been on railways, threatening to renationalize train operators and “sweep away” the current “broken” model if it wins the election.

Sunak Investigated In UK Over Possible Undeclared Interest

Sunak Investigated In UK Over Possible Undeclared Interest

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King Charles III Resumes Public Duties After Cancer Treatment

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King Charles III Resumes Public Duties
King Charles III: Image Buckinham Palace

King Charles III is returning to royal duties next week after a three-month hiatus to focus on his treatment and recovery after being diagnosed with an unidentified type of cancer, Buckingham Palace announced Friday.

Charles will commemorate the occasion by visiting a cancer treatment center on Tuesday, the first of several public appearances planned for the coming weeks, according to the palace. One of his first significant obligations will be to welcome a state visit by Japan’s emperor and empress in June.

The palace stated that the king’s doctors are “very encouraged” by his improvement, but it is too early to determine how long his therapy will endure. It did not specify what type of treatment he is undergoing.

Charles will continue to do all of his official obligations, including examining government documents and meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, as he has since his diagnosis on February 5, according to the palace.

“As the one-year anniversary of the coronation approaches, their majesties remain deeply grateful for the many kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world throughout the joys and challenges of the past year,” the palace said in a statement.

King Charles Slimming Down the Monarchy

Charles’ homecoming will relieve pressure on other members of the royal family, since the king’s absence, combined with that of the Princess of Wales, who was also ill, underlined the issues faced by a slimmed-down monarchy.

With the king’s commitment to cut costs and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex — more commonly known as Prince Harry and Meghan — deciding to step down from royal duties, there are simply fewer family members available to carry out the never-ending round of ribbon cuttings, awards ceremonies, and state events that comprise a modern royal’s life.

Charles has remained largely out of the public eye since undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate in January. His later cancer diagnosis occurred as one of the most popular royals, the Princess of Wales, underwent stomach surgery and later revealed that she, too, had cancer. Prince William took time off to support his wife and their small children.

That left Queen Camilla, the king’s sister Princess Anne, and his younger brother, Prince Edward, to bear the burden.

Camilla, who was formerly despised by the public for her participation in the dissolution of Charles’ marriage to Princess Diana, took on an especially prominent role during the king’s absence, filling in for her husband at significant events such as the traditional Royal Maundy ceremony on the Thursday before Easter.

Modernizing the Monarchy

King Charles homecoming will provide an opportunity for him to revive his reign, which began in September 2022 with expectations that he would modernize the monarchy while reaching out to young people and minority groups to consolidate the royal family’s status in the twenty-first century.

Charles’ challenges include developing ties with the Commonwealth and the 14 independent countries outside the United Kingdom where the British monarch remains head of state, which some see as an unpleasant reminder of Britain’s colonial past.

The king’s return is essential because it will help to settle rumors about his health, according to royal historian George Gross, who cited Queen Elizabeth II’s maxim that the monarch must be seen to be believed.

“I think there is that feeling that it’s very difficult to have a functioning monarchy with the head of state away for any significant length of time,” said Gross, who founded the British Coronations Project at King’s College London. “And this felt like a long time.”

The palace stated that Charles’ obligations in the next months will be adjusted as needed to reduce any risks to his rehabilitation. He will not have a full summer program, and his attendance will be chosen closer to each event and in consultation with his doctors.

The summer months are typically a busy time for the royals, with significant events like the monarch’s birthday parade, known as Trooping the Colour, and the horse races at Royal Ascot.

The majority of these showcase events take place outside, which reduces the danger of infection for a cancer patient whose immune system may be compromised.

The public will gladly welcome Charles’ comeback, thanks in part to his decision to publicize his initial prostate ailment and subsequently his cancer diagnosis, which prompted many people to consult with their doctors, according to Gross.

“The monarch has seen that he can do good by discussing health and raising awareness of cancer,” he told The Associated Press. “I believe that’s at the top of this. And it is truly remarkable when a head of state can do good. That’s enormous.”

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