Monday night saw a powerful earthquake strike Turkey, leading to concerns about the possibility of a tsunami affecting various regions in the Mediterranean, including the Balearics. However, the situation has since changed and all tsunami alerts have been lifted by Italy and other regions.

Manuel Regueiro, the President of the Illustrious Association of Geologists (ICOG), initially warned of the potential for a tsunami in the wake of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake. The quake released energy similar to the explosion of 1.2 million tonnes of trinitrotoluene (TNT) and took place on the southern edge of the Anatolian Plate, a tectonic subplate of the Eurasian Plate.

According to Regueiro, the Eurasian Plate has two major sets of transform faults, with the latest quake being aligned with Cyprus. However, after thorough assessments, it has been concluded that a tsunami in Turkey is unlikely. The earthquake was recorded at a depth of about 7 km by Turkish seismographic services and slightly deeper, about 10 km, by US teams, located about 600 km east of Ankara.

While the recent earthquake in Turkey was indeed powerful, there is no longer any cause for concern regarding a potential tsunami. This is due to the swift actions of various authorities and organizations, who were able to assess the situation and provide accurate updates to the public.

Aftershocks in Turkey

However, aftershocks will continue to shake the area as local faults adjust to such a huge tremor, and scientists say that aftershocks could continue for days, months and even years to come. There is even a possibility, albeit small that an aftershock could be bigger than the original quake itself. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that occur after a main shock and are a result of the Earth’s crust adjusting to the changes brought on by the main shock. Although the exact time frame and magnitude of aftershocks cannot be predicted, they are generally considered to be a normal part of the earthquake cycle. Scientists study aftershocks to better understand the behaviour of earthquakes and to help prepare for future earthquakes.

This past Friday, Interior Ministry Spokesman Saad Maan reported on Twitter the death of 22-year-old Tiba al-Ali, who was killed by her father on the 31st of January in the Diwaniya province of the south.

Maan reported that the police had tried to conciliate between al-Ali (who resided in Turkey and was currently in Iraq) and her kin to “come up with a long-term solution to the family conflict”.

Tapes that were not verified seemed to reveal that al-Ali’s father was not pleased with her choice to reside independently in Turkey.

Maan reported that the family’s interaction with law enforcement had been amicable, yet “they were stunned the following day when her father confessed to having taken her life”.

No additional information was provided about what the disagreement entailed.

Al-Ali had cultivated a fanbase on YouTube through her posts, which usually included video clips of her day-to-day activities and her fiancé.

An anonymous source from the police force disclosed to AFP that the “family dispute” was from as far back as 2015.

In 2017, Al-Ali visited Turkey with her family, yet upon their return, she chose not to accompany them, electing to remain in the country instead. According to the police source, she has been living there ever since.

No ‘honor’ can be found in so-called honor killings. Whoever attempts to legitimize the murderer of Tiba is as guilty as the killer, and whoever dishonors Tiba’s life lacks honor.

As of present, no legislation in Iraq has been passed to penalize domestic violence.

In 2014, a legislative proposal on domestic violence was first presented to parliament, though it has seen little advancement since then. Legislators who are against the bill have expressed that it could “deteriorate Iraq’s social makeup”.

The demise of Al-Ali has caused an uproar in Iraq on social networks, prompting mass demonstrations in Baghdad on Sunday to call for justice in the wake of her death.

According to Ala Talabani – a veteran politician – in our societies, women are subject to outdated customs because of the lack of legal consequences and governmental steps – which are not adequate for the magnitude of domestic violence incidents, as she pointed out in a tweet.

Hanaa Edwar, an advocate for human rights, informed AFP that, based on audio files believed to be from the young female, “she had departed her family … because she was sexually assaulted by her brother”.

Amnesty International spoke out against the “terrible” murder, affirming that “the Iraqi penal code continues to be too lenient towards ‘honor crimes’ like physical assault and murder”.

Aya Majzoub, Amnesty’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, commented that, as long as the Iraqi authorities do not pass strong legislation that safeguards women and girls, there will be an ongoing occurrence of ghastly killings.

Image Credit: HAIDAR HAMDANI

Iraq has undergone significant political, economic, and social changes over the past few decades. From the oppressive regime of Saddam Hussein to the U.S. invasion and the rise of ISIS, Iraq has faced numerous challenges. In recent years, there has been some progress in rebuilding the country and establishing a more stable government, but there are still many challenges ahead.

One major concern is the ongoing conflict with ISIS. just this week ISIS claimed a bomb attack on Iraqi police near Kirkuk  While the group has lost much of its territory and influence, it continues to carry out attacks in Iraq, particularly in the northern and western regions. This violence has displaced thousands of people and has hindered the country’s efforts to rebuild and stabilize.

In addition to the ISIS threat, Iraq faces several other challenges. The country has been plagued by corruption and mismanagement, which has led to poor economic conditions and limited infrastructure development. The government has struggled to provide basic services such as electricity, clean water, and healthcare, which has hurt the overall quality of life for many Iraqis.

There have also been issues with the political system in Iraq. The country has been divided along sectarian lines, with various factions competing for power and influence. This has led to a lack of unity and has made it difficult to implement effective policies and make progress on key issues.

Despite these challenges, there have been some positive developments in Iraq. The government has made efforts to improve security and rebuild infrastructure, and there have been efforts to promote economic development and diversify the economy. The country has also made progress in establishing a more democratic system, with free and fair elections being held in recent years.

One area that has seen significant progress is the oil industry. Iraq has some of the world’s largest oil reserves, and the sector is a major contributor to the country’s economy. The government has made efforts to modernize the industry and improve production, and this has led to increased exports and revenue. However, the reliance on oil has also made Iraq vulnerable to fluctuations in the global market, and there has been a push to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil.

Another area of concern is the issue of regional tensions. Iraq is located in a volatile region, and it has faced tensions with its neighbors, particularly Iran and Turkey. These tensions have hurt Iraq’s security and stability, and there have been efforts to improve relations and promote regional cooperation.

Looking forward, it is uncertain where Iraq is heading. The country faces several challenges, but there have also been some positive developments. The government needs to address these issues and work towards building a more stable and prosperous country. This will require a strong and united government, as well as cooperation with international partners. With the right policies and leadership, Iraq has the potential to overcome its challenges and build a brighter future.

 

 

Image credit:  AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recently approved a $3bn support package for Egypt, aimed at helping the country’s struggling economy. This comes as a relief to the Egyptian government, which has been struggling to address a number of economic challenges in recent years.

One of the main issues facing Egypt is a high level of public debt, which currently stands at around 100% of GDP. The IMF support package is expected to help reduce this debt by providing financial assistance to the government, which will be used to pay off existing debts and provide much-needed breathing space for the country’s finances.

In addition to the financial support, the IMF has also called for a number of structural reforms in the country, including measures to improve the business environment and reduce corruption. The organization has urged the government to implement these reforms in order to create a more favorable environment for growth and development.

While the IMF support package has been welcomed by the Egyptian government and many other stakeholders, there are also concerns that it could come with strings attached. Some critics have argued that the IMF’s demands for structural reforms could lead to further austerity measures, which could have a negative impact on the lives of ordinary Egyptians.

Despite these concerns, there is no denying that the IMF support package will be a welcome boost for Egypt’s struggling economy. The country has been hit hard by a number of economic challenges in recent years, including a decline in tourism, high levels of inflation, and a weak currency. The financial support provided by the IMF will help the government to address these challenges and put the country back on a path to growth and stability.

Overall, the IMF’s approval of the $3bn support package for Egypt is a positive development for the country, but it is important that the government carefully considers the potential consequences of the reforms required by the organization. If implemented correctly, these reforms could help to improve the business environment and boost growth, but if not, they could have negative consequences for the people of Egypt

Libyan oil production stands at about 1.2 million barrels per day, according to Mohamed Oun, Libya’s oil minister.

Within two or three years, we hope to reach the 2010 level of 1.6 million BPD, he said.

Libya’s decision to lift force majeure on oil and gas exploration, which was announced last week, to encourage foreign oil companies to return to the country, he said.

Image Credit: Maria Lupan/Unpslash