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News Brief: Feb 6 – 10

Overview

Syrian Earthquake Aid

Biden’s State of the Union Address Fact-Checked

Man shot and killed in fight at OKC Motel

International

Syrian Earthquake Aid

Thursday marks the first day supplies reached northwest Syria since  the country experienced a 7.8 earthquake on Monday. However, some local rescuers are not satisfied.

According to the UN migration agency and the International Organization for Migration, there were blankets, mattresses, tents, shelter material, solar lamps and basic relief items across the six lorries. In total, they estimate it would meet the needs of at least 5,000 people.

The White Helmets, an organization whose volunteer first responders operate in the region, said it is not enough.

“The UN aid… is the regular and periodic assistance that has been occurring since before the earthquake,” the White Helmets tweeted. “It is not special aid and equipment for the search and rescue teams and the recovery of those trapped under the rubble.”

The White Helmets say there are 418 buildings destroyed, more than 1,300 partially destroyed and 1,970 deaths, which they expect will rise as they continue their search.

“More help is on the way, but much more is needed,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said.

Click here to read more from BBC’s article.

National

Biden’s State of the Union Address Fact-Checked

U.S. President Joe Biden made several claims throughout his State of the Union Address on Tuesday which CNN has fact-checked.

“We have created a record 12.1 million new jobs, more jobs created in two years than any president has ever created in four years.” CNN found this to be true, though notes Biden took office amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Near record low unemployment for Black and Hispanic workers.” True: Black record low of 5.3% (Aug 2019), currently 5.4%. Hispanic record low of 4.0% (Sep 2019), currently 4.5%.

“Gas prices are down $1.50 a gallon since their peak.” True, though CNN notes they remain higher than when Biden took office.

“My administration cut the federal deficit by more than $1.7 trillion – the largest deficit reduction in American history.” True, though CNN questions Biden’s credit for this. The deficit spiked under former president Donald Trump in 2020 for emergency relief spending related to the pandemic and fell as expected when the spending expired as planned.

Biden made several other claims throughout the address. See the full speech and fact-check here.

Local

Man shot and killed in fight at OKC Motel

Around 3 a.m. Wednesday morning, Oklahoma City police responded to a reported shooting at a metro motel near S.W. and MacArthur Blvd.

“[They were] trying to do chest compressions to keep him alive,” Jerry Kiplinger said. Kiplinger woke up to the sound of gunshots and saw the man lying on the second floor. “Sometimes, it’s a good motel, and sometimes, it’s a bad motel.”

Responders assessed the victim as critically wounded and took him to a hospital where he died.

“There’s a litany of witnesses right now that investigators are trying to interview in order to piece together exactly what happened,” Gary Knight of the Oklahoma City Police Department said.

The police encourage anyone with information to call the Homicide Tip-line at 405 297-1200.

Click here to read more from KFOR’s story.

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