February 20, 2023

*) Türkiye gets more aid pledges as rescue effort winds down It’s been two weeks since the February 6 earthquakes struck Türkiye and left in their aftermath massive destruction and heavy death toll. Pledges of financial aid and humanitarian support as well as expressions of solidarity continue to pour into the country and neighbouring Syria. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged a further $100 million in aid after visiting the disaster-hit region. The additional aid includes $50 million in emergency refugee and migration funds and $50 million in humanitarian assistance, Blinken said. US President Joe Biden had earlier announced $85 million for Türkiye and Syria days after the earthquake hit. The United States has also sent a search and rescue team, medical supplies and equipment. *) Over 6,000 aftershocks occurred after February 6 Türkiye quakes – AFAD The number of aftershocks following the two earthquakes has reached over 6,000, an official from the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said. The number of aftershocks caused by the two earthquakes has reached 6,040. Among them, 40 had a magnitude between 5 and 6 and one at magnitude 6.6. This is according to Orhan Tatar, the general director of earthquake and risk reduction at AFAD. Tatar also warned that aftershocks “will continue for a longer period of time” and that some may have a magnitude of 5 and above. *) Russia hit by 'significant' losses in Ukraine's east – Zelenskyy Ukraine's military has been inflicting "extraordinarily significant" losses on Russian forces in the eastern Donbass region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. Meanwhile, as the fighting rolls into its 362nd day, the Russian military has hit the deployment point of UAVs in western Ukraine, according to the Russian Defence Ministry. And the United States has accused China of considering arming Russia in its war against Ukraine, increasing tensions as the conflict hits its one-year mark this week. *) North Korea confirms ballistic missile test, warns