Ankara: Governor Henry McMaster has declared a State of Emergency as a series of wildfires continue to spread across South Carolina, prompting mass evacuations in several areas. Firefighters are actively engaged in efforts to contain the blazes that have engulfed multiple counties, including Horry, Spartanburg, Union, Oconee, and Pickens, affecting a total of 4,200 acres.
According to Anadolu Agency, a video shared on social media showed an orange sky as a wildfire blazed through the Carolina Forest in the Myrtle Beach area. Another video depicted smoke and debris filling the air from a fire burning in a backyard in the Red Hill area. Governor McMaster emphasized that more than 175 wildfires are currently burning across the state, and the declaration ensures that first responders have the necessary resources to protect communities from these wildfires.
In other developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed readiness to sign a minerals deal with the United States. He stated that Ukraine is prepared to finalize the agreement, contingent on the relevant minister's signature. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had noted earlier that such a deal could not proceed without a peace agreement with Russia. Zelenskyy, speaking at London's Stansted Airport, stressed the importance of a strong Ukrainian army as the country's primary security guarantee.
The directors of the documentary "No Other Land," which won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, have called on the global community to take action against the injustice faced by Palestinians. Co-director Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist, urged for serious actions to stop ethnic cleansing. Yuval Abraham, an Israeli investigative journalist and co-director, emphasized the unity between Palestinians and Israelis in making the film, highlighting the ongoing destruction in Gaza.
Meanwhile, NBA news saw the Sacramento Kings defeat the Houston Rockets, with a standout performance by Alperen Sengun, who scored 30 points. The Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards was fined $35,000 for failing to leave the court promptly after an ejection and throwing the game ball into the stands.