World

Wildfire in southwest Turkey rages on, dashing hopes it was contained

"They'll blame the wind and not themselves".

Published

1 week ago

Jun 23, 2022 03:53 PM

WebDesk

Wildfire in southwest Turkey rages on, dashing hopes it was contained

GNN Media: Representational Photo

Firefighters battled a wildfire in southwestern Turkey from land and air on Thursday, as hopes that the blazes were contained fizzled after they spread again due to high temperatures and windy conditions a day earlier.

Scenes of burning woodland near the Aegean coastal resort of Marmaris sparked fears of a repeat of last year's fires that devastated tens of thousands of hectares (acres) across the region.

The media footage showed smoke billowing from hills and police water cannon vehicles helping firefighters as the blaze spread through the woodlands in the sparsely populated area.

President Tayyip Erdogan's government was criticized for being unprepared to fight the fires last year, especially due to a lack of planes and helicopters. It responded by saying the wildfires were the worst in Turkey's history.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, head of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), said on Wednesday the government was "incompetent" and had not prepared for the fires since last year.

"The whole world knows how sensitive an area the Mediterranean basin is on this issue due to climate change," Kilicdaroglu said, speaking near Marmaris.

"They'll blame the wind and not themselves," he said.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said the government had planned to receive night-vision helicopters by July but would now bring that date forward.

SOURCE: REUTERS

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Pakistan

Three terrorists killed in North Waziristan IBO: ISPR

The military’s press wing said the killed terrorists remained actively involved in activities against security forces.

Published

15 hours ago

Jul 02, 2022 01:16 PM

WebDesk

Three terrorists killed in North Waziristan IBO: ISPR

Rawalpindi: Three terrorists have been killed after security forces conducted an operation in North Wazirstan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, army’s media wing reported Saturday.

According to Inter-Service Public Relations, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Ghulam Khan Kalle area on the reported presence of terrorists.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from their possession, said ISPR.

The military’s press wing said the killed terrorists remained actively involved in activities against security forces.

Regional

Eid al-Adha: Pakistan railways to run three special trains

Pakistan Railways announced on Saturday that three special train services would be run on the occasion of Eid ul Azha.

Published

14 hours ago

Jul 02, 2022 02:44 PM

WebDesk

Eid al-Adha: Pakistan railways to run three special trains

Lahore: In a bid to facilitate the passengers, Pakistan Railways has announced to run three special trains on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha on multiple routes.

The spokesperson of Pakistan railways said that the first Eid special train will leave from Quetta to Peshawar on Friday at 10 am.

The second special train will leave Karachi for Lahore on Friday, while the third Eid special train from Lahore to Karachi on July 13.

Regional

Unidentified people manhandle senior journalist Ayaz Amir in Lahore

Amir was leaving the office of a private TV channel located at Lahore’s Abbott Road

Published

1 day ago

Jul 01, 2022 11:55 PM

WebDesk

Unidentified people manhandle senior journalist Ayaz Amir in Lahore

Lahore: Senior journalist and analyst Ayaz Amir was attacked by unidentified men in Lahore on Thursday.

Amir was leaving the office of a private TV channel located at Lahore’s Abbott Road when unidentified men attacked him. The assailants also snatched his wallet and mobile phone.

As soon as the incident was reported, a Punjab Police spokesperson said that the inspector-general has summoned a report of the incident from the capital city police officer.

The IG directed the CCPO to utilise the safe city cameras to identify the culprits and ensure their arrest.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the incident and ordered Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz to hold a high-level investigation.

“Suspects should be brought before the law as soon as possible. Journalism and protection of journalists should be ensured,” said PM Shehbaz.

-- Punjab CM condemns --

Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shahbaz took a notice of the torture incident on the senior Journalist and columnist Ayaz Amir and sought a report from Inspector General of Police.

The CM ordered to arrest the accused at the earliest who are found involved in the torture incident on Ayaz Amir.

Hamza directed to bring the accused into the stern grip of law and further action be taken against them. CM condemned the attack on Ayaz Amir and directed to fulfill all the requirements of justice.