need2know-afternoon-edition-020623

Let's get right into today's need to know headlines. A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked parts of Turkey and Syria overnight. More than 3400 people are dead, thousands more are injured. This was the strongest quake in the region in more than a century, authorities are saying as rescue workers searched through the rubble, they are likely to find even more victims. The earthquake hit just after four a.m. Local time, so a lot of people were sleeping and it toppled entire buildings on both sides of the border. Multiple strong aftershocks were felt in the hours after the first quake, including one almost as strong as the first. Both Syria and Turkey declared states of emergency, officials are ordering people in East Palestine Ohio to evacuate a train derailed their and authorities worry there could be an explosion cruise this afternoon started a controlled release of hazardous chemicals from the train cars. The worst case scenario here is that there's an explosion that could release toxic gas and shoot deadly shrapnel up to a mile away. They were To reduce the risk of that happening. Investigators say a mechanical issue caused this fiery derailment on Friday night. The images are just remarkable, officials are urging anyone within a one mile radius of the crash site to leave immediately and a lot of people follow these orders and they got out of danger. But as of last night, about 500 are just not moving in a big turn of events. The jury in Alex murders, double murder trial will hear evidence of his alleged financial crimes. A judge overseeing the case decided to allow the evidence into the trial, prosecutors say that the scope of this disc South Carolina lawyers, financial fraud was about to come to light in 2021. They argue that's why he allegedly killed his wife and son separate from the murder case. Bergdahl already faces 99 charges related to his alleged crimes. He is pleading not guilty to not only the murder charges but also most of the other counts against him. And in a sign of how far we've come, New york city is dropping its covid vaccine requirement for city workers. Mayor eric Adams says he's lifting the mandate for current and prospective city workers starting friday. He confirmed at this point the overwhelming city of city workers and new Yorkers are vaccinated and he says the requirement well it served its purpose as the pandemic enters its fourth year. In the U. S. Officials are changing the way they approach the virus. New york city is following a string of other states and companies who are lifting vaccine mandates more than one third of species and ecosystems in the U. S. Could disappear if lawmakers don't act soon. That's according to analysis by the nonprofit nature serve this organization reviewed 50 years of research data collected by more than 1000 scientists. They say the most at risk regions of California texas and South East us. This report says 34% of plants and 40% of animals are at risk of extinction. While 41% of ecosystems, they're facing collapse. The president of the organization is calling these results just terrifying. And he wants lawmakers to pass legislation to protect biodiversity in the most vulnerable areas. And Super Bowl sunday night is almost here for some kids. That means a two hour school delay on monday morning to school districts in pennsylvania and one in New Jersey decided to let their students sleep in the day after the Big Game class is going to start two hours later on february 13th in honor of the eagles Super Bowl appearance and in case you forgot the philadelphia eagles will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 57. This coming sunday, we don't know if other school districts are also doing the same, but for now at least some kids will get a little bit more sleep after enjoying the big Game