Notre-Dame nears re-opening five years after fire
Paris, France Reuters Five years after a devastating fire, the restoration of Notre-Dame cathedral is nearing completion as the world’s eyes turn to Paris for the Olympic Games. On the evening of 15th April, 2019, the cathedral’s roof burst into flames. Soon, it had engulfed the spire and almost toppled the main bell towers. Around […]
“We need to restore everything”: Ukraine starts to rebuild towns and cities even as the war rages on
DAN PELESCHUK, of Reuters, reports on efforts to rebuild in Ukraine – even as the missiles still fly…
France’s President visits Notre Dame a year before the fire-damaged cathedral’s planned reopening
Paris AP French President Emmanuel Macron visited Notre Dame Cathedral on Friday, one year before its scheduled reopening in 2024. After a blaze burned through the roof and spire on 15th April, 2019, Macron’s visits have become a tradition, with Friday marking his sixth to highlight the rebuilding progress. Huge oak beams have been hoisted skyward so the […]
Ukraine targets initial $US40 billion for ‘Green Marshall Plan’
London, UKReuters War-torn Ukraine is seeking up to $US40 billion to fund the first part of a “Green Marshall Plan” to rebuild its economy, a senior Ukrainian government official told Reuters ahead of a summit this week. Politicians and financiers will discuss the country’s short-term funding issues as well as look at long-term reconstruction efforts […]
Ukraine plans for ‘complete transformation’ of six war-hit towns
Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters Ukraine will seek the “complete transformation” of six towns that have been badly damaged in Russia’s full-scale invasion under a reconstruction programme announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Tuesday. Kyiv’s Western partners are preparing to pour billions of dollars into Ukraine to support reconstruction efforts after 14 months of war. A […]
Turkey faces challenge “beyond comprehension” to clear earthquake rubble
Antakya, Turkey Reuters After the deadliest earthquake in its modern history, Turkey faces the daunting task of disposing of hundreds of millions of tonnes of rubble, some of it potentially harmful. The 6th February earthquake and aftershocks left at least 156,000 buildings either completely collapsed or damaged to the point where they require demolition, Turkish […]
Turkey begins to rebuild for 1.5 million left homeless by earthquakes as toll tops 50,000
Antakya/Ankara, TurkeyReuters Turkey has begun work to rebuild homes following this month’s devastating earthquakes, a government official said on Friday, as the combined death toll in Turkey and Syria surpassed 50,000. More than 160,000 buildings containing 520,000 apartments collapsed or were severely damaged in the 6th February earthquakes that killed tens of thousands in Turkey […]
Turkey steps up rebuilding plans as quake toll nears 50,000
Antakya, TurkeyReuters Turkey has stepped up plans to house victims of the devastating earthquake which struck its border region with Syria, the interior minister said, as the combined death toll in the two countries crept towards 50,000. Suleyman Soylu said 313,000 tents had been erected, with 100,000 container homes to be installed in the disaster […]
Life and death in shattered Mariupol – a survivor’s tale of war in Ukraine
Mariupol, Russian-controlled Ukraine Reuters Shells were exploding nearby but Tatiana Bushlanova didn’t flinch when she spoke to Reuters in front of the shattered remains of her home in Mariupol last May. Fighting in the port city has long since ended but the pensioner is still struggling to take in the enormity of what has happened. […]
Earthquake response: How a hasty rebuild could leave Turkey at risk of another quake disaster
CEYDA CAGLAYAN and CAN SEZER, of Reuters, reports on calls for careful planning before rebuilding takes place in the aftermath of the earthquake which devastated large parts of the country…