Anadolu Agency’s Morning Briefing – Feb. 8, 2023

WASHINGTON 

Anadolu Agency is here with a rundown of the latest developments around the world.

At least 5,894 people were killed and 34,810 others injured in 10 provinces of Türkiye due to two strong earthquakes that jolted the southern part of the country, according to authorities.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a state of emergency for three months in 10 southern provinces hit by Monday’s massive earthquakes.

Four deaths have been confirmed so far after a boat carrying at least 41 migrants sank near the Greek island of Lesbos (Midilli), local media reported.

Under the EU’s emergency response mechanism, 27 rescue teams with over 1,150 personnel have been sent to Türkiye in the wake of Monday’s powerful quakes, the EU commissioner for crisis management said.

The Turkish army targeted YPG/PKK terrorists in retaliation for rockets fired into the Türkiye-Syria border area, the National Defense Ministry said.

China doubled down on its claim over a downed balloon after Washington expressed “no intention” to return the alleged spy article.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his military to increase its combat exercises amid ongoing tensions in the region, state-run media reported.

Turkish Airlines has carried over 11,000 volunteers to southern Türkiye after the region was hit by powerful earthquakes, the national flag carrier said.

French magazine Charlie Hebdo has sparked outrage with a cartoon it published mocking Türkiye after the country was hit by two deadly earthquakes Monday.

Workers and students are taking part in a massive 48-hour walkout in France against the government’s controversial pension reform plans, local media reported.

The White Helmets civil defense agency called on humanitarian organizations for aid to help in rescue and relief efforts in northern Syria after two major earthquakes in the region.

Qatar said it will send 10,000 mobile homes to Türkiye and Syria after the violent earthquakes that struck the two countries.

The European Union will create a new center fighting “Russian disinformation,” the EU foreign policy chief announced.

Russia called “hysterical” the US reaction over a Chinese balloon that was shot down by the US military after it intruded into the country’s airspace.

At least 55 Palestinians were killed in the two powerful earthquakes that struck Türkiye and Syria, according to a Palestinian diplomat.

The embassies and foreign missions of many countries in the Turkish capital Ankara lowered their flags to half-staff and shared messages of solidarity following Monday’s powerful earthquakes in southern Türkiye.

Ukraine’s parliament confirmed the appointment of Ihor Klymenko as the country’s new interior minister.

Monday’s powerful earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria could affect up to 23 million people, including 1.4 million children, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) estimate.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman compared a ban on Russian media in the EU with restrictions that were in place during the Nazi era in Germany.

More than 40 people have been killed and dozens wounded in fighting between Somaliland forces and anti-government groups, according to medics.

A lawmaker from Türkiye’s Justice and Development (AK) party, Yakup Tas, was killed in an earthquake that hit the southern part of the country, officials said.

NATO member states lowered their flags to half-staff at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels to show solidarity with Ankara following Monday’s powerful earthquakes in southern Türkiye.

At least 25 people, including women and children, were killed when a passenger van rolled over into a ravine after a head-on collision with a car in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday, police and local media reported.

Armenia is ready to provide assistance and send rescue teams to Türkiye after Monday’s devastating earthquakes, the country’s top diplomat said.

Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh is set to visit Egypt on Wednesday for talks on developments in the Palestinian territories, according to a group member.

Two young women who were beaten by police in France were placed in custody.

Turkish jets have extinguished a major fire that broke out at the international Iskenderun Port in the southern province of Hatay, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said.

Zoom Video Communications announced that it will lay off 15% of its workforce, or around 1,300 employees.

The US charged a Russian associate of a sanctioned oligarch with money laundering and sanctions evasion, according to an unsealed indictment.

The Biden administration approved a prospective $10 billion sale of the US’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to Poland as NATO continues to push back against Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.