Afternoon Briefing Monday 6th February

The devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria just hours after another earthquake of 7.8 magnitude has caused widespread destruction and tragedy, leaving thousands dead and injured, and thousands more homeless. The situation is particularly dire in areas already dealing with a long-standing humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, in the UK, nurses and ambulance workers are striking, demanding better pay from the government, which has yet to engage in negotiations. The disruption caused by this coordinated action is intended to bring attention to the urgent need for a resolution. Despite these challenges, it's essential to remember that businesses, like BT, continue to provide essential services, such as reliable connectivity, to help businesses and individuals navigate through difficult times.

The search for the missing woman, Nicola Bully, in England is being aided by a private underwater rescue team, Specialist Group International (SGI), who are offering their services for free. SGI's lead forensic expert, Peter Folding, explained to Times Radio that their team has a high-frequency side scan sonar which can locate people quickly, and they usually find and recover drowning victims within an hour. Meanwhile, Pat Cullen, RCN general secretary, expressed her concern about the government's treatment of nurses in England and stated that their support for striking nurses will not wane. In other news, Mother's Day is coming up, and 1 800 Flowers and Quince are offering discounts on gifts to celebrate the special day. 1 800 Flowers is providing up to 40% off Mother's Day bestsellers, while Quince is offering high-end goods at 50-80% off, and both companies prioritize ethical and responsible manufacturing. Finally, Quince encourages everyone to treat themselves and their loved ones to nice things, even when on a budget.