IT: Powerful earthquake hits Turkey and Syria, and... Are you worried about the Chinese surveillance balloon?

Welcome to Monday, February 6th, readers...

A powerful earthquake and aftershocks killed thousands in Turkey and Syria early Monday morning.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeastern Turkey and northern Syria. More than 2,300 people have been killed. 

Rescuers are working to find people trapped under rubble after 2,800 buildings collapsed. Hundreds of families could still be trapped. 

Donate to help recovery efforts in Turkey & Syria

Pentagon shoots down Chinese surveillance balloon above the U.S.

The U.S. shot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon hovering over the U.S. The Department of Defense shot the balloon off the coast of South Carolina.

The detection of the balloon came a few days before Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken was set to visit Beijing — a trip that has since been postponed.  

Are you concerned about the balloon?

Do you support a new bill to protect farm animals from natural disasters?

The Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Farm Animals Act was introduced on Jan. 10, a bill that will require farmers and producers to take meaningful steps to protect their animals from weather-related deaths prior to receiving tax-payer compensation.

Demand your reps take action on animal welfare.

Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy have been discussing the debt ceiling with limited success

President Biden and Speaker McCarthy discussed America's debt ceiling at the White House on Wednesday. Biden insisted that Congress needs to pass a debt-limit increase with no strings attached to avoid a financial crisis, which Republicans refuse to do without cuts in federal spending. 

Should Congress abolish the debt ceiling?

All the Memes Fit to Post

And, in the End...

Today is National Pay a Compliment Day. A small, heartfelt sentiment shared with sincerity can last a lifetime. Today, surprise someone by acknowledging them in a creative way.

—Emma Kansiz