On the first anniversary of the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, which caused over 50,000 deaths in Turkey, affected regions are still struggling with reconstruction. Many families live in container homes, with 414 container cities housing 691,000 earthquake victims. The government has announced plans to build over 300,000 homes, with 41,000 in Hatay to be distributed via lottery. Criticism arises over the pace of reconstruction and the safety of buildings, with the Chamber of Architects and Human Rights Watch highlighting concerns about accountability and building regulations. Families continue to mourn their losses, and some are still searching for missing relatives, with 145 people, including 38 children, unaccounted for. The economic impact is severe, with many losing their jobs and businesses struggling to reopen.

The Rafah Border Crossing is crucial for Gaza as it is the only exit point to a non-Israeli controlled area and is vital for the delivery of international humanitarian aid. Despite the United States reaching an agreement with Israel and Egypt to open the crossing for American citizens to leave Gaza, it remains closed by Egypt following Israeli bombardments. The crossing, controlled by Egypt since a 2007 agreement with Israel, has been mostly open since May 2018 after years of closure but has been shut down after recent conflicts. The United Nations and other aid organizations are calling for the creation of a humanitarian corridor through Rafah, and while countries including Turkey have sent aid to Gaza, it has not yet crossed the border. Egyptian officials continue to condemn displacement policies and attempts to undermine the Palestinian cause, while President Abdülfettah es-Sisi highlighted Egypt's hosting of 9 million refugees.

In Greece's general elections, the New Democracy Party, led by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, emerged as the first party according to initial results, securing an absolute majority with 158 seats in parliament. Despite leading in the May elections, New Democracy had failed to form a government but succeeded this time. Alexis Tsipras' radical left SYRIZA party received a historically low vote share of 17.83%, winning 47 seats. The socialist PASOK party came in third, and the Greek Communist Party performed better than expected. A total of eight parties surpassed the 3% electoral threshold, including the far-right Spartiates and Hellenic Solution. The election followed a failure to form a government after the May elections, leading to a second vote where the leading party could gain additional seats if it secured over 25% of the vote.

Turkey ranked 10th in the world in the 2022 Annual Misery Index prepared by Steve Hanke, a Professor of Applied Economics at Johns Hopkins University. The index, which evaluates countries based on economic conditions, calculated Turkey's misery index at 101.601, with high inflation being the most significant contributing factor. Zimbabwe was listed as the most miserable country with a score of 414.7, while Switzerland was deemed the least miserable with a score of 8.51. The Misery Index is calculated by adding the end-of-year unemployment rate (doubled), inflation, and bank lending rates, then subtracting the annual percentage change in real GDP per capita. Data sources for the index include the Economist Intelligence Unit, IMF World Economic Outlook Report, World Bank, International Labour Organization, central banks, and statistical agencies of various countries.

A protocol signed by Millet Alliance's presidential candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Victory Party leader Ümit Özdağ includes a commitment to send back all asylum seekers and illegal migrants, primarily Syrians, within a year. The European Union, which signed an agreement with Turkey in 2016 to prevent mass migration of Syrians to Europe, is currently adopting a 'wait and see' policy regarding the Turkish elections. Dr. Demir Murat Seyrek from VUB and Brussels School of Governance notes that there is no panic in Europe about a potential refugee crisis and that a dialogue based on democratic values and the rule of law could be possible with Kılıçdaroğlu if elected. However, there are questions about the feasibility of the repatriation plan within the framework of international law and human rights.

Turkey is counting down to critical presidential and parliamentary elections set for Sunday, with millions of voters expected at the polls. The outcome of the May 14 elections could either extend President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's tenure into a third decade or set the country on a new course in the centennial year of the Republic. Following last year's changes to the electoral system, political parties have conducted months of negotiations to determine their supported candidates and alliance structures. A 20-question quiz is provided to test knowledge on presidential candidates, alliances, and the electoral system.

Following the destructive earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey, questions about the failures in building inspection processes have resurfaced. Mehmet Emin Çelik, Vice President of the Istanbul Branch of the Building Inspection Organizations Union and a civil and geological engineer, argues for the removal of political power and municipalities from the building inspection processes, criticizing decisions like 'zoning peace' for undermining the system. He emphasizes the need for thorough ground surveys to prevent future collapses, especially in anticipation of a potential Istanbul earthquake. Çelik also discusses the evolution of Turkey's building inspection system since 1999, the current practices, and the risks posed by political interference and inadequate ground studies.

The European Political Community, proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron, aims to include non-EU countries in political decision-making processes. Its first meeting, scheduled for October 6 in Prague, will include EU countries, the UK, and Turkey. The project seeks to address the EU's operational challenges with a larger number of states and is seen by some as an alternative to Turkey's EU membership. The inaugural meeting will discuss security, stability, energy, climate, transportation, and economic issues, with a focus on Russia's attack on Ukraine, the energy crisis, and the economic situation.

As COVID-19 cases rise globally, many countries are discussing a seventh wave dominated by new Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. The World Health Organization reported a significant increase in infections across Southeast Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. These subvariants are more transmissible and can evade immunity from vaccines and past infections more easily. Symptoms of BA.4 and BA.5 may last longer, and while hospitalizations have slightly increased, death rates have not significantly changed. Current vaccines continue to protect against severe illness and death, and companies like Pfizer and BioNTech are working to enhance vaccine efficacy against these subvariants. Experts advise continued caution with mask-wearing and social distancing, especially for high-risk individuals.

In Europe, abandoned pets are often taken care of by animal shelters run by associations rather than municipalities, with strict oversight of conditions. France, like many Western European countries, issues identification for pets, which can be a tattoo or a microchip. Abandoning pets on the streets is considered a serious offense, with penalties including fines up to 30,000 euros or imprisonment. The European Union's Lisbon Treaty recognizes animals as sentient beings, but there is no common European law against animal abuse. Penalties for animal abuse vary across countries, with some imposing fines and imprisonment. Activists are calling for EU-wide legislation to better protect animals.