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Turkey/Syria Eartquake: Govts, Civil Societies, Jointly Coordinate Rescue Operations

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More than 7,800 people have been rescued across 10 provinces, according to Orhan Tatar, an official with Turkey’s disaster management authority as already strained medical facilities are quickly filled with injured people.

The Syrian American Medical Society, which runs hospitals in northern Syria and southern Turkey, said in a statement that its facilities were “overwhelmed with patients filling the hallways” and called urgently for “trauma supplies and a comprehensive emergency response to save lives and treat the injured”.

Governments and aid agencies have rushed to deploy personnel. However, emergency crews on the ground have remained few and far between, with their efforts impeded by frigid temperatures and close to 200 aftershocks, making the search through unstable structures perilous.

More bad weather is expected to hit the region, further hampering rescue operations. Downed buildings and destroyed roads have also made it difficult to find survivors and get crucial aid into affected areas. Several airports have also been closed after being damaged by the earthquakes.

Harrowing accounts are emerging from isolated areas, such as in Turkey’s Hatay region, where officials say as many as 1,500 buildings were destroyed and many people reported relatives being trapped under the rubble with no aid or rescue teams arriving

The European Union has mobilized search and rescue teams, and the bloc’s Copernicus satellite system has been activated to provide emergency mapping services. At least 13 member countries have offered assistance.

The United States has ruled out dealing directly with the Syrian government, but Washington is coordinating immediate assistance to NATO-member Turkey, including teams to support search and rescue efforts.

Pakistan has dispatched its first batch of rescue teams and relief goods to Turkey, while 10 units from the Russian military have already been deployed to Syria to help clear debris and search for survivors. Moscow has also offered help to Turkey, which has been accepted.

Jordan is sending emergency aid to both countries and Egypt has pledged urgent humanitarian help to Turkey. Lebanon’s cash-strapped government is also sending Red Cross and Civil Defence first responders and firefighters to Turkey to help with its rescue efforts.

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‘Only Two Genders’ – Trump Vows To Tackle Transgender Lunacy

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President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to take sweeping actions against what he described as “transgender lunacy,” signaling a push to reverse policies protecting transgender individuals in schools, sports, and the military.

Speaking at the AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Trump outlined his administration’s priorities, stating, “I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military, and out of our elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.”

READ MORE: Ex-IMF Chief, Rodrigo Rato Jailed For Money Laundering, Fraud

He also vowed to “keep men out of women’s sports” and asserted, “It will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”

The president-elect’s remarks come amid growing national debate over transgender rights, with states divided over issues such as gender-affirming medical care and the inclusion of books addressing transgender topics in schools.

The controversy escalated last week when Congress passed a defense budget provision blocking funding for certain gender-affirming care for the children of service members.

Trump’s speech drew strong reactions, with critics warning that his policies could strip essential protections from transgender individuals.

Civil rights advocates have raised concerns about the implications of these proposals on marginalized communities.

In addition to his focus on cultural issues, Trump used the event to outline his vision for the nation under his leadership.

He described his presidency as a turning point, promising to address international conflicts and restore American dominance.

“On January 20, the United States will turn the page forever on four long, horrible years of failure, incompetence, national decline, and we will inaugurate a new era of peace, prosperity, and national greatness,” Trump declared, referring to his upcoming swearing-in.

He pledged to end the war in Ukraine, stabilize the Middle East, and avert global conflict. “I will stop the chaos in the Middle East, and I will prevent, I promise, World War III,” he said.

The president-elect also reiterated his commitment to reclaiming control of the Panama Canal and combating crime linked to illegal immigration.

“I can proudly proclaim that the golden age of America is upon us,” Trump concluded.

 

 

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Ex-IMF Chief, Rodrigo Rato Jailed For Money Laundering, Fraud

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A Madrid court on Friday handed down a sentence of more than four years in prison to Rodrigo Rato, the former chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Spain’s ex-economy minister.

Rato was convicted of multiple charges, including tax crimes, money laundering, and corruption.

READ MORE: NCDMB Rewards Winners Of 2024 Edition National Undergraduate Essay Competition

The court found Rato guilty of “three offences against the treasury, one offence of money laundering, and one offence of corruption between individuals,” according to an official statement.

Details shortly………..

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South Korean President Banned From Travel Amid Martial Law Backlash

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South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol has been banned from leaving the country, the Justice Ministry confirmed Monday, following a week of political chaos triggered by his brief declaration of martial law.

The ban marks the first time a sitting president has faced such a restriction in the nation’s history.

Recall that on December 3, Yoon ordered special forces and helicopters to the National Assembly in an attempt to impose martial law.

RELATED NEWS: Martial Law: South Korea Opposition Files Impeachment Motion Against President Yoon

Lawmakers swiftly overturned the decree, forcing Yoon to rescind the order. Although he survived an impeachment motion on Saturday, public anger has continued to mount, with large protests demanding his resignation.

Authorities are now investigating Yoon and his close allies for their roles in last week’s events, including allegations of insurrection.

Among those facing travel bans are former Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun, who is in custody, and former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min.

General Park An-su, who led the martial law operation, and Defence Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung have also been barred from leaving the country.

General Park was questioned by investigators on Monday as the probe intensified.

Yoon’s impeachment failed after members of his ruling People Power Party (PPP) walked out of the National Assembly, denying the opposition the required two-thirds majority.

In exchange for their support, Yoon reportedly agreed to delegate his powers to the prime minister and the PPP chairman.

“This is an unlawful, unconstitutional act of a second insurrection and a second coup,” said Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the opposition Democratic Party.

Critics argue that Yoon’s decision to hand power to unelected officials violates the constitution.

“It seems to resemble an unconstitutional soft coup,” said Kim Hae-won, a constitutional law professor at Pusan National University.

“Their attitude of placing themselves above the constitution mirrors that of insurrectionist Yoon Suk Yeol,” added Park Chan-dae.

Despite Yoon’s apology for the “anxiety and inconvenience” caused by his martial law order, his approval rating has plummeted to 11%, according to a recent Gallup poll.

Opposition leaders have announced plans for a second impeachment vote on Saturday, with massive protests expected outside the National Assembly.

The PPP’s claim that Yoon can remain in office while delegating his powers to party officials has also been widely criticized.

“If there are issues with the president, the constitution lays out clear procedures, such as suspension or impeachment,” said Professor Kim Hae-won.

The ongoing crisis has raised concerns about South Korea’s leadership amid tensions with nuclear-armed North Korea.

The Defense Ministry confirmed Monday that Yoon remains the official commander in chief, despite questions about his authority.

“Legally, (control of military forces) currently lies with the commander in chief,” said Defense Ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-Kyou.

 

 

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