Flights to Istanbul cancelled as country struggles with earthquake

Feb 8 2023

A quick search on the Malta International Airport’s Arrivals & Departures page indicates that two flights from Malta to Istanbul, Turkey have been cancelled.

Flight 6E 4054, scheduled for 09:25 and Flight TK 1370 scheduled for the same time were cancelled, most likely due to the country declaring a state of emergency following the massive earthquakes which hit the country and neighbouring Syria.

It seems as though other flights scheduled for later on to Istanbul, flights 6E 4071 and TK 1372, are still listed as ‘on time’. However, given the ongoing crisis, passengers are urged to keep up to date or contact the respective airport authorities for more information.

The arrivals section also indicates that flights 6E 4023 and TK 1369 heading to Malta from Istanbul have been cancelled as well.

According to latest reports, the earthquake death toll has risen to at least 8,000. However, this is expected to significantly rise as rescuers work tirelessly to help those requiring aid.

This is a developing story.

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Youth trapped under earthquake rubble reports through TikTok

Feb 8 2023

A video uploaded by a Syrian refugee trapped under rubble caused by the earthquake which hit both Turkey and Syria shows the ongoing crisis many are facing as they await rescue.

In the video, uploaded to TikTok page Janoob, the young man says that the experience is one that only those who have done through it can speak about.

Surrounded by rubble and sitting on what seems to have once been his bed, the screams for help of other people trapped under debris could be heard as the young man explains what he’s been through.

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Despite the video ending with the young man still trapped, the comments shared allege that he was in fact later rescued and transported hospital.

If you wish to contribute to all those undergoing this horrific situation, one can either donate to the Turkish embassy in Valletta or by donating to the Gozo Ministry which is also collecting supplies to donate. There are other various groups helping the victims, the details of whom you can find on our page.

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Google reveals its planned rival to Chat GPT called BARD

Feb 7 2023

Google is launching a conversational chatbot called Bard, setting the stage for an AI competition with Microsoft.

Microsoft invested billions in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, the popular language app that mimics human writing. ChatGPT has caused concern for its ability to write code, essays, and poems in seconds, leading to fears of cheating and job obsolescence.

Last month, Microsoft announced its backing of OpenAI and plans to integrate ChatGPT into its Teams platform and possibly its Office suite and Bing search engine.

This raised speculation that Google’s dominant search engine could face competition from an AI-powered rival. Google’s response to ChatGPT was considered a “code red” threat, leading to the return of founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page to develop a response.

The pressure was heightened by Google-parent Alphabet’s poor earnings and the company’s recent announcement of laying off 12,000 employees to focus on AI projects. Google’s announcement coincided with Microsoft’s AI launch event, further indicating a competition between the tech giants over generative AI.

Tech analyst Rob Enderle warns that generative AI could change the search and information landscape, potentially making Google obsolete. Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that Bard will be tested and made widely available soon. Bard is based on LaMDA, Google’s Language Model for Dialogue Applications system, and has been in development for years.

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Turkish Embassy in Valletta gathering supplies for earthquake survivors

Feb 7 2023

The Turkish Embassy has released a statement with a list of items needed by earthquake survivors in Turkiye.

The-in-kind donations, properly packaged with a list of contents, may be delivered to the Turkish Embassy at 35, Sir Luigi Preziosi Square, Floriana, Malta.

‘If possible’ the statement read, ‘new and unused items suitable for winter conditions are reported to be more useful for earthquake survivors.’

Among the items being requested are raincoats, boots, sweaters, trousers, gloves, socks, underwear and other clothing.

The embassy is also asking for tents, beds, mattresses, blankets, sleeping bags, thermos bottles, flashlights, power banks, generators, etc.

Food boxes with shelf stable or canned foods are also being asked for, along with baby formula, diapers and hygiene products.

Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri also released an appeal for aid along with Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg and Turkish Ambassador Erdeniz Şen. The Gozo Ministry will be welcoming donations of everything from food, clothes and other necessities.

Anyone who wishes to donate can do so at the Gozo Ministry starting today, Tuesday 7th February until the 9th of February between 8am to 8pm.

Here are some other means of helping the victims:

AFAD: Turkey’s official disaster and emergency management authority.
afad.gov.tr/depremkampanyasi2

AKUT: voluntary NGO searching for, assisting and rescuing victims.

akut.org.tr/en/donation

Union of Medical Care and Relief Organisations: issued an urgent call to the international community to release emergency funds.

uossm.org/donate_now

AHBAP: another local voluntary network currently active in the affected regions.

bagis.ahbap.org

OXFAM: a global organisation fighting inequality, poverty and injustice.

oxfam.org.uk

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