Follow the latest news on the earthquake in Turkey and Syria
Airbnb is offering temporary accommodation free of charge to people displaced by last week's earthquake in Turkey and Syria, and to relief workers, the company said on Wednesday.
It said it would use its network of non-profits to find accommodation, with a voucher system for people letting their homes to holidaymakers.
The stays will be co-ordinated by Airbnb's non-profit partners and funded by the company and donors to its website. Airbnb is an online service that allows people to offer short-term lettings to holidaymakers.
“Survivors and first responders urgently need temporary housing. Every donation will be matched up to $5 million total, doubling your impact,” the company said.
The support will also include first responders assisting with search and rescue, as well as continuing relief and recovery efforts.
The disaster, with a combined death toll in Turkey and Syria exceeding 37,000, has ravaged cities in both countries, leaving many survivors homeless in near-freezing winter temperatures.
It remains uncertain whether the buildings that are still standing are safe. On top of that, they have no water or electricity.
Millions of lives have been affected by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the region last Monday.
Rescue workers have slowed down their operations looking for survivors and are now focusing on assisting the thousands of displaced people.
On Tuesday night, a Syrian man, 65, and a young girl were rescued from the rubble of a building in the southern Turkish city of Antakya, 208 hours after the earthquake struck.
The UN said about nine million people in Syria were affected by the quake as it launched a $400 million funding appeal to help survivors.
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
UAE v Ireland
1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets
2nd ODI, January 12
3rd ODI, January 14
4th ODI, January 16
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.
The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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