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Top 5 most devastating earthquakes: From Sichuan to Haiti, latest in Turkey and Syria

Earthquakes, as one of the most powerful forces of nature, have the ability to bring about extensive destruction and loss of life.
Throughout history, many formidable earthquakes have resulted in untold casualties and devastated communities.
From massive quakes in China and India to devastating tsunamis in Indonesia and Japan, these events have left a lasting impact on the world and serve as a sobering reminder of nature’s wrath.
For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
The latest earthquake hit Turkey and Syria early Monday morning with tremors felt across the region in Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and Greece.
Here are the top 5 most devastating earthquakes of all time:
1. The Great Sichuan Earthquake, 2008

Rescuers search for victims at a collapsed school building after an earthquake in Dujiangyan, Sichuan province May 12, 2008. (Reuters)

This disaster struck the Sichuan province in China on May 12, 2008, resulting in a magnitude 8.0 quake tha..


Earthquakes, as one of the most powerful forces of nature, have the ability to bring about extensive destruction and loss of life.

Throughout history, many formidable earthquakes have resulted in untold casualties and devastated communities.

From massive quakes in China and India to devastating tsunamis in Indonesia and Japan, these events have left a lasting impact on the world and serve as a sobering reminder of nature’s wrath.

For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

The latest earthquake hit Turkey and Syria early Monday morning with tremors felt across the region in Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and Greece.
Here are the top 5 most devastating earthquakes of all time:

1. The Great Sichuan Earthquake, 2008

Rescuers search for victims at a collapsed school building after an earthquake in Dujiangyan, Sichuan province May 12, 2008. (Reuters)

Rescuers search for victims at a collapsed school building after an earthquake in Dujiangyan, Sichuan province May 12, 2008. (Reuters)

This disaster struck the Sichuan province in China on May 12, 2008, resulting in a magnitude 8.0 quake that caused widespread destruction and loss of life.

With over 800,000 fatalities and 375,000 injuries, many buildings, including schools and hospitals, were damaged or completely destroyed, leaving tens of thousands homeless. The earthquake also triggered landslides and cut off road and communication networks, which posed major challenges for rescue and relief efforts.

2. Haiti Earthquake, 2010

A woman reacts near destroyed buildings after an earthquake in Port-au-Prince January 13, 2010. (Reuters)

A woman reacts near destroyed buildings after an earthquake in Port-au-Prince January 13, 2010. (Reuters)

This catastrophic event happened in Haiti on January 12, 2010, with a magnitude of 7.0. The quake caused widespread devastation in the capital city of Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, resulting in over 220,000 deaths and 300,000 injuries.

Many buildings, including homes, schools, and hospitals, were destroyed or severely damaged, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. The quake also caused widespread panic and chaos as people struggled to find food, water, and medical care in the aftermath.

3. Sumatra earthquake and tsunami, 2004

A man inspects what is left of his home after a massive tsunami wave swept across coastal Sri Lanka on December 26, 2004. (Reuters)

A man inspects what is left of his home after a massive tsunami wave swept across coastal Sri Lanka on December 26, 2004. (Reuters)

This massive natural disaster struck the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, on December 26, 2004, resulting in a 9.1-magnitude earthquake which triggered a massive tsunami that affected several countries in the Indian Ocean region.

With over 230,000 fatalities in 14 countries, it remains one of the deadliest tsunamis in recorded history. The tsunami caused widespread destruction along the coast, wiping out entire villages and damaging critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and communication networks.

4. Iran Bam earthquake, 2003

An ariel view shows the extent of earthquake damage in Bam, Iran, December 27, 2003. (Reuters)

An ariel view shows the extent of earthquake damage in Bam, Iran, December 27, 2003. (Reuters)

With a magnitude of 6.6, this natural disaster struck the city of Bam in Iran on December 26, 2003.

The earthquake resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life, with over 26,000 fatalities and 30,000 injuries.

The quake caused widespread damage to the city, destroying or severely damaging many buildings, including homes and historical structures. The aftermath also saw widespread panic and chaos as people struggled to find food, water, and medical care.

5. India-Nepal earthquake, 2015

People carry the body of a victim on a stretcher, which was trapped in the debris after an earthquake hit, in Kathmandu, Nepal April 25, 2015. (Reuters)

People carry the body of a victim on a stretcher, which was trapped in the debris after an earthquake hit, in Kathmandu, Nepal April 25, 2015. (Reuters)

This catastrophic natural disaster struck Nepal on April 25, 2015, with a magnitude of 7.8.

The earthquake caused widespread destruction and loss of life, with over 9,000 fatalities and 22,000 injuries in Nepal and over 200 deaths in India.

The India-Nepal earthquake of 2015 remains one of the deadliest earthquakes in recent history and its impact is still felt in Nepal today.

Latest Turkey-Syria earthquake 2023

People search through rubble following an earthquake in Diyarbakir, Turkey February 6, 2023. (Reuters)

People search through rubble following an earthquake in Diyarbakir, Turkey February 6, 2023. (Reuters)

A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey and northern Syria early Monday, toppling buildings and killing at least 360 people.

With hundreds injured, the toll was expected to rise as rescue workers searched the rubble in cities and towns across the area.

Felt as far away as Cairo, the quake struck a region that has been shaped by more than a decade of civil war in Syria.

The earthquake was centered about 90 kilometers from the Syrian border outside the city of Gaziantep, a major Turkish provincial capital.

At least 20 aftershocks followed, some hours later during daylight, the strongest measuring 6.6, Turkish authorities said.

The earthquake was also felt in Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and Cyprus, according to several news reports.

Watch: An injured child is rescued from earthquake rubble in #Syria's Azaz. A total of at least 500 people in #Turkey and Syria were killed in the devastating #earthquake that hit both countries. https://t.co/n2YxrBjhdu pic.twitter.com/SSWlmTPU85

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) February 6, 2023

Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and is frequently shaken by earthquakes. Around 18,000 were killed in powerful earthquakes that hit northwest Turkey in 1999.

Read more:

Earthquake leaves at least 230 dead in Syria

Major earthquake in Turkey kills at least 284, over 2,000 injured: Official

Turkey, Syria earthquake felt in Lebanon, Jordan, Israel

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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