*) Fears grow for untold numbers buried by Türkiye earthquake

Rescuers are racing against time in Türkiye and war-ravaged Syria two days after two massive 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes struck southern Türkiye, killing close to 10,000 in both countries.

According to Türkiye’s disaster agency AFAD, at least 6,957 people have been killed in several of the country’s southern provinces.

More than 2,500 people have been reported dead in northern Syria according to figures from the regime’s Health Ministry and the White Helmets volunteer organisation.

A newborn baby was found alive and pulled from the rubble of a home in northern Syria on Tuesday. In Türkiye, several stories have also emerged of survivors pulled out from the wreckage more than two days after the disaster.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared a state of emergency that will last for three months in 10 provinces affected by the quake.

*) Netherlands, Denmark and Germany buy 100 Leopard 1 Tanks for Ukraine

The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany are buying 100 Leopard-1A5 battle tanks for Ukraine, the Dutch government has said.
The Dutch defense ministry said in a statement the tanks would be purchased "directly from German industry".

In an interview on Dutch national broadcaster NOS, Netherlands Defense Minister Kasja Ollongen said the tanks, a slightly older model, are "definitely still useable" for fighting in Ukraine.

*) US President Biden's makes annual State of the Union speech to Congress

US President Joe Biden sought to rally supporters and challenge his political adversaries in his second State of the Union Address, telling Republicans to join with him as he seeks to unite the country to meet its most pressing challenges.

He was quick to spar with the opposition party amid an ongoing impasse with House Republicans over raising the national debt ceiling, accusing the GOP of attempting to hold the nation hostage in order to claim wins on their priorities.

Biden also said that Washington would continue to stand behind Kiev in its efforts to push Russia out of its territory.

*) Investigators may name more suspects in downing of Flight MH17

International investigators probing the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine are set to present new findings, including possibly naming additional suspects.

In November, a Dutch court convicted two former Russian intelligence agents and a Ukrainian separatist leader of murder for helping arrange the Russian missile system that was used to shoot the plane down, killing 298 passengers and crew.

The three men, who were tried in absentia, remain at large. Russia has denied any responsibility for downing MH17.

*) Nine-year-old Turkish boy donates his pocket money to earthquake victims

Back in Türkiye, a 9-year-old boy who survived an earthquake last year, has donated his pocket money to help relief efforts in the wake of Monday’s devastating earthquakes.

Alparslan Efe Demir and his mother visited the Duzce branch of the Turkish Red Crescent and handed over money from his piggy bank for authorities to deliver to those in need.

The young boy moved the Red Crescent employees to tears with a letter he wrote for the earthquake survivors.