Hundreds Killed As Deadly Earthquake Hits Turkey, Syria

Hundreds of people died as they slept in Turkey and Syria after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit in the early hours of Monday morning, in one of the most powerful quakes in the region in at least a century. Thousands more were injured even as the quake wiped out entire sections of major cities in a region packed with millions of people who have fled the civil war in Syria and other conflicts. The death toll had been put at 237 in government-controlled parts of Syria, 147 in rebel-held northern Syria and 284 in Turkey. The toll was expected to rise as rescue workers and residents searched frantically for survivors under the rubble of crushed buildings in cities on both sides of the border.

Nine Palestinians Reportedly Killed By Israeli Forces In Jenin

Palestinian officials have revealed that nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman, have reportedly been killed in an Israeli military raid in the occupied West bank. According to Palestinian health ministry 16 others were injured with live ammunition in the raid on Jenin refugee camp. The ministry also warned that the situation was “critical” in Jenin, with many other people injured and ambulances unable to get to get. Israeli forces launched a large-scale raid and besieged the camp in the early hours with undercover forces, dozens of armoured vehicles and snipers. Armed confrontation with Palestinian resistance fighters soon broke out.

Saudi Arabia Lifts Pandemic Restrictions On Hajj Pilgrimage

Saudi Arabia is lifting restrictions imposed on the Muslim Hajj Pilgrimage following the coronavirus pandemic forced a downsizing of the annual event for three years. The minister in charge of the Hajj, Tawfiq bin Fawzan al-Rabiah, said that the numbers of pilgrims would return to pre-pandemic figures with restrictions, including age limits, being lifted according to the official Saudi Press Agency.

Pakistani Taliban Claim Responsibility For Deadly Mosque Explosion That Killed 48 Worshippers

The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for a deadly blast in a mosque in Peshawar on Monday, the latest attack on the city northwest Pakistan. The powerful explosion killed at least 48 people and left about 157 injured. The blast, caused by a suicide bomber who blew himself inside the fully packed mosque devastated that high-security zone. Many of the worshippers included police, army and bomb disposal squad who were offering the Zuhr (afternoon) prayers. The impact of the explosion collapsed the roof and one wall of the mosque and injured many people, said Zafar Khan, a local police officer. Witnesses said the blast took place in the main hall just as afternoon prayers were about to begin and worshippers were packed tightly inside. According to officials, the bomber had been standing in the front row.

China Health Experts Concerned Of Covid Surge As Travel Rush For Holidays Begin

Passengers in China’s megacities on Monday flocked to rail stations and airports to head to their hometowns for the Lunar Year holidays, a move that has raised concern among health experts which they say could intensify raging Covid-19 outbreak in areas less equipped to handle it.

Court Grants Retrial of Iran’s Protester On Death Row

Iran's top court has ordered the retrial of a third death row inmate sentenced over the nationwide protests that started more than 100 days ago. The Islamic Republic has been rocked by demonstrations since the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, after her arrest in Tehran for an alleged breach of the country's strict dress code for women.