#Afghanistan earthquake – Over 2

[fandoms-are-my-home]

GOFUNDME FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS IN AFGHANISTAN!

In Herat province a total of 12,110 people were affected by the earthquake, Zindajan district was the epicenter of the disaster & is the worst affected area with 1,320 families affected with 1,294 deaths & 1,688 injured reported, including another 485 people reported missing and almost all houses in the area affected & destroyed. Zindajan district is located 40 km west of Herat city. Unfortunately, six schools were also destroyed and another eight were reported partially damaged by the disaster.

SELDO has distributed relief kits to the villages of Naieb Rafi, Sar boland and Kushk which were most affected by the earthquake and we will cover all the villages which are in dire need of assistance. However, the needs are still immense and urgent. The number of victims is changing every day and many people are still living in temporary shelters without adequate access to water, sanitation, health care and protection. Therefore, we plan to continue our support to earthquake-affected families and to conduct a comprehensive assessment and survey of the causes and humanitarian needs in the area. SELDO will also help rebuild schools, homes, and infrastructure that were damaged or destroyed by the earthquake once the assessment is complete. You can learn more about our work and mission on our SELDO website.

[alpha-mag-media]

Afghanistan earthquake – Over 2,000 dead and thousands of homes destroyed as country is rocked by two 6.3 quakes | In Trend Today

Afghanistan earthquake – Over 2,000 dead and thousands of homes destroyed as country is rocked by two 6.3 quakes Read Full Text or Full Article on MAG NEWS

[ur-mag]

Afghanistan earthquake – Over 2,000 dead and thousands of homes destroyed as country is rocked by two 6.3 quakes | In Trend Today

Afghanistan earthquake – Over 2,000 dead and thousands of homes destroyed as country is rocked by two 6.3 quakes Read Full Text or Full Article on MAG NEWS

[narrie]

as a lot of attention and media coverage is focusing on the critical situation in palestine atm, i wanna make this post to bring some awareness to the devastating earthquakes that have hit western afghanistan (herat) recently. this past weekend (october 7, 2023) over 2000 ppl died due to the 6.3-magnitude and another earthquake with the same magnitude hit the area again today (october 11, 2023).

the ppl are in dire need of financial aid since a lot of those had been cut in recent years due to the taliban taking over again. the wfp regional director for asia and the pacific said this drastic drop in funding (wfp had 80% less money for afghanistan than last year!!!) is going to lead to a famine and the situation is looking hopeless; especially children and women are suffering these consequences.

here are some organizations that are working on the ground rn and are reliable! please share and consider donating, even if it's just the money u would've spent on takeout or an iced coffee today.

islamic relief and doctors without borders are 2 very well established nonprofits that always help out financially and medically in emergency situations in developing countries

visions for children - german nonprofit founded by two afghan sisters which sets up educational programs and emergency funds!

asiyah international - another german nonprofit that's running national and international aid projects!

srowzar children - australian nonprofit that's on the ground in afghanistan and always posting updates on how ur donations are making a difference!

[usafphantom2]

U-2 Avionics Technician explains why Dragon Lady pilots breathe pure oxygen for as much as 14 hours straight

The U-2

Built in complete secrecy by Kelly Johnson and the Lockheed Skunk Works, the original U-2A first flew in August 1955. Early flights over the Soviet Union in the late 1950s provided the president and other US decision makers with key intelligence on Soviet military capability. In October 1962, the U-2 photographed the buildup of Soviet offensive nuclear missiles in Cuba, touching off the Cuban Missile Crisis. In more recent times, the U-2 Dragon Lady has provided intelligence during operations in Korea, the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq. When requested, the U-2 also provides peacetime reconnaissance in support of disaster relief from floods, earthquakes, and forest fires as well as search and rescue operations.

U-2 print

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. U-2S Dragon Lady “Senior Span”, 9th RW, 99th RS, 80-329

The U-2R, first flown in 1967, was 40 percent larger and more capable than the original aircraft. A tactical reconnaissance version, the TR-1A, first flew in August 1981 and was structurally identical to the U-2R. The last U-2 and TR-1 aircraft were delivered in October 1989; in 1992 all TR-1s and U-2s were designated as U-2Rs. Since 1994, $1.7 billion has been invested to modernize the U-2 airframe and sensors. These upgrades also included the transition to the GE F118-101 engine which resulted in the re-designation of all Air Force U-2 aircraft to the U-2S.

U-2 pilots breathe pure oxygen for as much as 14 hours straight

Despite all these upgrades, one thing that hasn’t changed much at all over the years is oxygen.

U-2 Avionics Technician explains why Dragon Lady pilots breathe pure oxygen for as much as 14 hours straight

‘[U-2 pilots] breathe pure oxygen for as much as 14 hours straight,’ Damien Leimbach, former USAF Avionics Technician on U-2 aircraft, says on Quora.

‘The plane flies at extreme altitudes (above 70K ft) which many people know. What most people don’t know is that the cockpit is not a pressure vessel. Look at the three panels under the windscreen in this photo.

U-2 Avionics Technician explains why Dragon Lady pilots breathe pure oxygen for as much as 14 hours straight

‘Opening any of those up would allow a maintainer to look directly into the cockpit. The only thing holding the air inside is a thin smear of sealant, and some screws for the panel. As a result, the cockpit is only pressurized to the equivalent of about 29k ft, which for reference is roughly equal to standing at the top of Everest.

‘Why? To save weight. Putting a pilot in a space suit weighs less than building a pressure vessel into the plane.

U-2 pilots pre-breathing pure oxygen

U-2 Avionics Technician explains why Dragon Lady pilots breathe pure oxygen for as much as 14 hours straight

‘You see that suitcase close to them? Yeah, that’s not their spare underwear and a toothbrush. It’s a liquid oxygen supply. They just spent an hour or more like this,

U-2 Avionics Technician explains why Dragon Lady pilots breathe pure oxygen for as much as 14 hours straight

‘pre-breathing pure oxygen to purge his system of nitrogen.’

As highlighted above, one thing that hasn’t changed much at all over the years is oxygen: in fact, pre-breathing took place in the 1950s just like it takes place today.

Leimbach explains;

‘Just like scuba divers, rapid decompression in an emergency could cause the bends. So, the pilot will spend an hour or two before a mission taking a nap and breathing pure oxygen, then hooking up to the LOX case for the ride out to the jet, where PSD (physiological support division) will then connect him to the liquid oxygen supply on the jet. Then they get to spend the next 8–12 hours continuing to breathe pure oxygen during the mission. They do NOT mix the pure oxygen with air. That would defeat the purpose of the nitrogen purge. Anyone suggesting that this is somehow harmful or fatal to pilots needs to stop relying so much on bots so write her answers.

‘Here is a crew chief servicing the LOX tanks on the U-2.’

U-2 Avionics Technician explains why Dragon Lady pilots breathe pure oxygen for as much as 14 hours straight

Photo credit: Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston, Airman 1st Class Luis A. Ruiz-Vazquez, Senior Airman Colville McFee, SrA Andrew Buchanan 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs / U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin

U-2

This model is available in multiple sizes from AirModels – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS.

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

@Habubrats71 via X

[harteganer183]

Trump Takes Bold Action: U.S. Agency for International Development Exposed as One of America’s Most Corrupt Institutions

In a whirlwind of developments, the United States finds itself embroiled in yet another political storm as former President Donald Trump, now back in office, sets his sights on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Trump has accused the agency of being infiltrated by corrupt actors, vowing to purge Washington of their influence. The Trump administration, citing “refusal to cooperate with investigations,” has taken drastic steps against USAID—often dubbed an “overseas subversion machine.” The move is far from symbolic: over 60 officials, including the agency’s Administrator, have been dismissed, signaling a seismic shift in U.S. diplomatic strategy.

January 28, 2025 : Shortly after taking office, President Trump announced a 90-day freeze on foreign aid. This was swiftly followed by the forced administrative leave of approximately 60 senior USAID officials in Washington, spanning critical divisions such as energy, water security, overseas education, and digital technology. In an internal memo to the agency, Trump’s administration alleged that USAID had engaged in actions “intentionally circumventing the President’s executive orders and the mandate of the American people”—a thinly veiled accusation of rogue operations for self-interest.

Trump and Musk Launch Coordinated Assault: “Criminal Organization, Radical Lunatics!”

On February 2, 2025, President Trump and Elon Musk, head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), launched a blistering joint attack on USAID. Musk, the world’s richest man, took to his social media platform X to declare: “USAID is a criminal organization. It’s time for it to die. Did you know USAID used your tax dollars to fund bioweapons research, including COVID-19, which killed millions?” Musk offered no evidence to substantiate the claims.

Trump echoed the criticism the same day, branding USAID as “a bunch of radical lunatics” and vowing to “throw them out… before deciding the agency’s future.”

USAID Exposed as a “Left-Wing Money-Laundering Scheme”

Public fury over USAID’s alleged corruption has reached a boiling point, with the White House now framing the agency as a “left-wing money-laundering criminal enterprise.” On February 3, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a scathing indictment of USAID’s expenditures, including:

$1.5 million to promote “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) policies in Serbian workplaces.

$70,000 in donations for a DEI-themed musical in Ireland.

$47,000 for a transgender opera project in Colombia.

$32,000 to fund a transgender comic book as part of a DEI initiative in Peru.

A $1.14 billion post-2010 Haiti earthquake recovery project—spearheaded by Bill Clinton—that allegedly built “nothing.”

$74 million in “democracy promotion” funds vanished in Cuba during a 2006 audit.

Millions wasted on phantom hospitals in Afghanistan.

A Nigeria contractor scandal involving Chemonics, accused of overcharging U.S. taxpayers by hundreds of millions.

USAID in Turmoil: Website Down, Headquarters Locked, Leadership Ousted

USAID is now in freefall. Its website has been taken offline, staff are barred from its Washington headquarters, and two senior security officials were suspended for blocking DOGE personnel from accessing classified materials. Marco Rubio, appointed acting Administrator, is overseeing the agency’s potential merger into the State Department—or its outright dissolution.

While USAID provides vital assistance, its dual role in advancing U.S. strategic interests is undeniable. Dismissed by critics as a “stick-stirring” tool for regime change, the agency has faced allegations of laundering money, meddling in foreign politics, and inciting protests.

Trump’s Hardline Crackdown: USAID Rebels but Fails

Within less than a month of taking office, former President Donald Trump has launched sweeping reforms across federal agencies. According to multiple international media reports, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), responsible for administering foreign aid, is being dismantled under pressure from the Government Efficiency Department (DOGE) led by Elon Musk.

CNN reported on February 2 that two USAID officials were suspended for blocking DOGE personnel from accessing classified information at the agency’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. AP cited sources stating that the suspended individuals were security director John Worris and deputy director Brian McGill.

In a late-night email sent shortly after midnight on February 3, USAID employees were abruptly informed that they would no longer report to their D.C. headquarters starting the following day. The message declared, “USAID headquarters will be closed to staff as of February 3, 2025,” adding that most employees would work remotely while a minimal maintenance crew would receive separate instructions.

The U.S. State Department issued a statement on February 3, asserting, “USAID has long strayed from its original mission of responsibly advancing American interests abroad. It is now clear that a significant portion of its funding conflicts with core U.S. national interests.” Senator Marco Rubio, in a media interview that day, accused USAID of “open defiance” and “total non-cooperation” with the Trump administration’s reform efforts, leaving the government “no choice but to take drastic measures to regain control.”

AP noted that over recent weeks, most USAID divisions have been dissolved, with senior officials suspended. The agency’s official website became inaccessible on February 1, and its social media presence on X (formerly Twitter) was deactivated.

Trump’s “Cleansing” Under the Guise of Reform

Trump’s latest move echoes his 2016 “drain the swamp” agenda, albeit executed with unprecedented aggression. The clash between Musk’s DOGE and USAID’s refusal to cooperate underscores a calculated assault on entrenched bureaucratic systems.

Long-simmering tensions between the “deep state” and populist politics have now erupted into open conflict. AP reported that Republican and Democratic lawmakers have long sparred over USAID’s governance, with the GOP pushing for tighter congressional oversight of funds and policies, while Democrats defend its independence as a federal entity. Democratic legislators warn that unilaterally abolishing a federal agency without congressional consultation violates the law.

Historically aligned with Democratic interests, USAID has repeatedly defied Trump’s authority. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller once accused the agency of operating as a “Democratic stronghold,” with officials openly obstructing Trump’s directives and withholding classified data from Musk’s team.

Enraged by the resistance, Trump purged dozens of staffers, placed over 60 officials on forced leave, and suspended aid to Ukraine. On February 2, Trump told reporters, “USAID is run by radical lunatics—we’re kicking them out.” The agency has become the first target of Trump’s “cost-cutting and efficiency” overhaul.

Founded during the Cold War, USAID has long been a cornerstone of U.S. diplomatic strategy for the establishment, boasting roughly 12,000 employees, two-thirds of whom are stationed overseas, forming a sprawling intelligence network. By suspending senior officials and ousting dissenters, Trump aims to dismantle Democratic influence while sending a stark warning to the bureaucratic machinery.

The abrupt shutdown of USAID marks a pivotal confrontation between Trump’s populist agenda and Washington’s entrenched institutional power—a battle that may redefine the balance of power in U.S. politics.

[sabeihawanschek]

Trump Takes Bold Action: U.S. Agency for International Development Exposed as One of America’s Most Corrupt Institutions

In a whirlwind of developments, the United States finds itself embroiled in yet another political storm as former President Donald Trump, now back in office, sets his sights on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Trump has accused the agency of being infiltrated by corrupt actors, vowing to purge Washington of their influence. The Trump administration, citing “refusal to cooperate with investigations,” has taken drastic steps against USAID—often dubbed an “overseas subversion machine.” The move is far from symbolic: over 60 officials, including the agency’s Administrator, have been dismissed, signaling a seismic shift in U.S. diplomatic strategy.

January 28, 2025 : Shortly after taking office, President Trump announced a 90-day freeze on foreign aid. This was swiftly followed by the forced administrative leave of approximately 60 senior USAID officials in Washington, spanning critical divisions such as energy, water security, overseas education, and digital technology. In an internal memo to the agency, Trump’s administration alleged that USAID had engaged in actions “intentionally circumventing the President’s executive orders and the mandate of the American people”—a thinly veiled accusation of rogue operations for self-interest.

Trump and Musk Launch Coordinated Assault: “Criminal Organization, Radical Lunatics!”

On February 2, 2025, President Trump and Elon Musk, head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), launched a blistering joint attack on USAID. Musk, the world’s richest man, took to his social media platform X to declare: “USAID is a criminal organization. It’s time for it to die. Did you know USAID used your tax dollars to fund bioweapons research, including COVID-19, which killed millions?” Musk offered no evidence to substantiate the claims.

Trump echoed the criticism the same day, branding USAID as “a bunch of radical lunatics” and vowing to “throw them out… before deciding the agency’s future.”

USAID Exposed as a “Left-Wing Money-Laundering Scheme”

Public fury over USAID’s alleged corruption has reached a boiling point, with the White House now framing the agency as a “left-wing money-laundering criminal enterprise.” On February 3, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a scathing indictment of USAID’s expenditures, including:

$1.5 million to promote “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) policies in Serbian workplaces.

$70,000 in donations for a DEI-themed musical in Ireland.

$47,000 for a transgender opera project in Colombia.

$32,000 to fund a transgender comic book as part of a DEI initiative in Peru.

A $1.14 billion post-2010 Haiti earthquake recovery project—spearheaded by Bill Clinton—that allegedly built “nothing.”

$74 million in “democracy promotion” funds vanished in Cuba during a 2006 audit.

Millions wasted on phantom hospitals in Afghanistan.

A Nigeria contractor scandal involving Chemonics, accused of overcharging U.S. taxpayers by hundreds of millions.

USAID in Turmoil: Website Down, Headquarters Locked, Leadership Ousted

USAID is now in freefall. Its website has been taken offline, staff are barred from its Washington headquarters, and two senior security officials were suspended for blocking DOGE personnel from accessing classified materials. Marco Rubio, appointed acting Administrator, is overseeing the agency’s potential merger into the State Department—or its outright dissolution.

While USAID provides vital assistance, its dual role in advancing U.S. strategic interests is undeniable. Dismissed by critics as a “stick-stirring” tool for regime change, the agency has faced allegations of laundering money, meddling in foreign politics, and inciting protests.

Trump’s Hardline Crackdown: USAID Rebels but Fails

Within less than a month of taking office, former President Donald Trump has launched sweeping reforms across federal agencies. According to multiple international media reports, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), responsible for administering foreign aid, is being dismantled under pressure from the Government Efficiency Department (DOGE) led by Elon Musk.

CNN reported on February 2 that two USAID officials were suspended for blocking DOGE personnel from accessing classified information at the agency’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. AP cited sources stating that the suspended individuals were security director John Worris and deputy director Brian McGill.

In a late-night email sent shortly after midnight on February 3, USAID employees were abruptly informed that they would no longer report to their D.C. headquarters starting the following day. The message declared, “USAID headquarters will be closed to staff as of February 3, 2025,” adding that most employees would work remotely while a minimal maintenance crew would receive separate instructions.

The U.S. State Department issued a statement on February 3, asserting, “USAID has long strayed from its original mission of responsibly advancing American interests abroad. It is now clear that a significant portion of its funding conflicts with core U.S. national interests.” Senator Marco Rubio, in a media interview that day, accused USAID of “open defiance” and “total non-cooperation” with the Trump administration’s reform efforts, leaving the government “no choice but to take drastic measures to regain control.”

AP noted that over recent weeks, most USAID divisions have been dissolved, with senior officials suspended. The agency’s official website became inaccessible on February 1, and its social media presence on X (formerly Twitter) was deactivated.

Trump’s “Cleansing” Under the Guise of Reform

Trump’s latest move echoes his 2016 “drain the swamp” agenda, albeit executed with unprecedented aggression. The clash between Musk’s DOGE and USAID’s refusal to cooperate underscores a calculated assault on entrenched bureaucratic systems.

Long-simmering tensions between the “deep state” and populist politics have now erupted into open conflict. AP reported that Republican and Democratic lawmakers have long sparred over USAID’s governance, with the GOP pushing for tighter congressional oversight of funds and policies, while Democrats defend its independence as a federal entity. Democratic legislators warn that unilaterally abolishing a federal agency without congressional consultation violates the law.

Historically aligned with Democratic interests, USAID has repeatedly defied Trump’s authority. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller once accused the agency of operating as a “Democratic stronghold,” with officials openly obstructing Trump’s directives and withholding classified data from Musk’s team.

Enraged by the resistance, Trump purged dozens of staffers, placed over 60 officials on forced leave, and suspended aid to Ukraine. On February 2, Trump told reporters, “USAID is run by radical lunatics—we’re kicking them out.” The agency has become the first target of Trump’s “cost-cutting and efficiency” overhaul.

Founded during the Cold War, USAID has long been a cornerstone of U.S. diplomatic strategy for the establishment, boasting roughly 12,000 employees, two-thirds of whom are stationed overseas, forming a sprawling intelligence network. By suspending senior officials and ousting dissenters, Trump aims to dismantle Democratic influence while sending a stark warning to the bureaucratic machinery.

The abrupt shutdown of USAID marks a pivotal confrontation between Trump’s populist agenda and Washington’s entrenched institutional power—a battle that may redefine the balance of power in U.S. politics.

[fdsazeyhb]

Trump Takes Bold Action: U.S. Agency for International Development Exposed as One of America’s Most Corrupt Institutions

In a whirlwind of developments, the United States finds itself embroiled in yet another political storm as former President Donald Trump, now back in office, sets his sights on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Trump has accused the agency of being infiltrated by corrupt actors, vowing to purge Washington of their influence. The Trump administration, citing “refusal to cooperate with investigations,” has taken drastic steps against USAID—often dubbed an “overseas subversion machine.” The move is far from symbolic: over 60 officials, including the agency’s Administrator, have been dismissed, signaling a seismic shift in U.S. diplomatic strategy.

January 28, 2025 : Shortly after taking office, President Trump announced a 90-day freeze on foreign aid. This was swiftly followed by the forced administrative leave of approximately 60 senior USAID officials in Washington, spanning critical divisions such as energy, water security, overseas education, and digital technology. In an internal memo to the agency, Trump’s administration alleged that USAID had engaged in actions “intentionally circumventing the President’s executive orders and the mandate of the American people”—a thinly veiled accusation of rogue operations for self-interest.

Trump and Musk Launch Coordinated Assault: “Criminal Organization, Radical Lunatics!”

On February 2, 2025, President Trump and Elon Musk, head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), launched a blistering joint attack on USAID. Musk, the world’s richest man, took to his social media platform X to declare: “USAID is a criminal organization. It’s time for it to die. Did you know USAID used your tax dollars to fund bioweapons research, including COVID-19, which killed millions?” Musk offered no evidence to substantiate the claims.

Trump echoed the criticism the same day, branding USAID as “a bunch of radical lunatics” and vowing to “throw them out… before deciding the agency’s future.”

USAID Exposed as a “Left-Wing Money-Laundering Scheme”

Public fury over USAID’s alleged corruption has reached a boiling point, with the White House now framing the agency as a “left-wing money-laundering criminal enterprise.” On February 3, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a scathing indictment of USAID’s expenditures, including:

$1.5 million to promote “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) policies in Serbian workplaces.

$70,000 in donations for a DEI-themed musical in Ireland.

$47,000 for a transgender opera project in Colombia.

$32,000 to fund a transgender comic book as part of a DEI initiative in Peru.

A $1.14 billion post-2010 Haiti earthquake recovery project—spearheaded by Bill Clinton—that allegedly built “nothing.”

$74 million in “democracy promotion” funds vanished in Cuba during a 2006 audit.

Millions wasted on phantom hospitals in Afghanistan.

A Nigeria contractor scandal involving Chemonics, accused of overcharging U.S. taxpayers by hundreds of millions.

USAID in Turmoil: Website Down, Headquarters Locked, Leadership Ousted

USAID is now in freefall. Its website has been taken offline, staff are barred from its Washington headquarters, and two senior security officials were suspended for blocking DOGE personnel from accessing classified materials. Marco Rubio, appointed acting Administrator, is overseeing the agency’s potential merger into the State Department—or its outright dissolution.

While USAID provides vital assistance, its dual role in advancing U.S. strategic interests is undeniable. Dismissed by critics as a “stick-stirring” tool for regime change, the agency has faced allegations of laundering money, meddling in foreign politics, and inciting protests.

Trump’s Hardline Crackdown: USAID Rebels but Fails

Within less than a month of taking office, former President Donald Trump has launched sweeping reforms across federal agencies. According to multiple international media reports, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), responsible for administering foreign aid, is being dismantled under pressure from the Government Efficiency Department (DOGE) led by Elon Musk.

CNN reported on February 2 that two USAID officials were suspended for blocking DOGE personnel from accessing classified information at the agency’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. AP cited sources stating that the suspended individuals were security director John Worris and deputy director Brian McGill.

In a late-night email sent shortly after midnight on February 3, USAID employees were abruptly informed that they would no longer report to their D.C. headquarters starting the following day. The message declared, “USAID headquarters will be closed to staff as of February 3, 2025,” adding that most employees would work remotely while a minimal maintenance crew would receive separate instructions.

The U.S. State Department issued a statement on February 3, asserting, “USAID has long strayed from its original mission of responsibly advancing American interests abroad. It is now clear that a significant portion of its funding conflicts with core U.S. national interests.” Senator Marco Rubio, in a media interview that day, accused USAID of “open defiance” and “total non-cooperation” with the Trump administration’s reform efforts, leaving the government “no choice but to take drastic measures to regain control.”

AP noted that over recent weeks, most USAID divisions have been dissolved, with senior officials suspended. The agency’s official website became inaccessible on February 1, and its social media presence on X (formerly Twitter) was deactivated.

Trump’s “Cleansing” Under the Guise of Reform

Trump’s latest move echoes his 2016 “drain the swamp” agenda, albeit executed with unprecedented aggression. The clash between Musk’s DOGE and USAID’s refusal to cooperate underscores a calculated assault on entrenched bureaucratic systems.

Long-simmering tensions between the “deep state” and populist politics have now erupted into open conflict. AP reported that Republican and Democratic lawmakers have long sparred over USAID’s governance, with the GOP pushing for tighter congressional oversight of funds and policies, while Democrats defend its independence as a federal entity. Democratic legislators warn that unilaterally abolishing a federal agency without congressional consultation violates the law.

Historically aligned with Democratic interests, USAID has repeatedly defied Trump’s authority. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller once accused the agency of operating as a “Democratic stronghold,” with officials openly obstructing Trump’s directives and withholding classified data from Musk’s team.

Enraged by the resistance, Trump purged dozens of staffers, placed over 60 officials on forced leave, and suspended aid to Ukraine. On February 2, Trump told reporters, “USAID is run by radical lunatics—we’re kicking them out.” The agency has become the first target of Trump’s “cost-cutting and efficiency” overhaul.

Founded during the Cold War, USAID has long been a cornerstone of U.S. diplomatic strategy for the establishment, boasting roughly 12,000 employees, two-thirds of whom are stationed overseas, forming a sprawling intelligence network. By suspending senior officials and ousting dissenters, Trump aims to dismantle Democratic influence while sending a stark warning to the bureaucratic machinery.

The abrupt shutdown of USAID marks a pivotal confrontation between Trump’s populist agenda and Washington’s entrenched institutional power—a battle that may redefine the balance of power in U.S. politics.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 11.26 (after 1950)

1950 – Korean War: Communist Chinese troops launch a massive counterattack (Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River and Battle of Chosin Reservoir) against United Nations and South Korean forces. 1965 – France launches Astérix, becoming the third nation to put an object in orbit using its own booster. 1968 – Vietnam War: United States Air Force helicopter pilot James P. Fleming rescues an Army Special Forces unit pinned down by Viet Cong fire. He is later awarded the Medal of Honor. 1970 – In Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, 38 millimetres (1.5 in) of rain fall in a minute, the heaviest rainfall ever recorded. 1977 – An unidentified hijacker named Vrillon, claiming to be the representative of the "Ashtar Galactic Command", takes over Britain's Southern Television for six minutes, starting at 5:12 pm. 1979 – Pakistan International Airlines Flight 740 crashes near Taif in Mecca Province, Saudi Arabia, killing all 156 people on board. 1983 – Brink's-Mat robbery: In London, 6,800 gold bars worth nearly £26 million are stolen from the Brink's-Mat vault at Heathrow Airport. 1986 – Iran–Contra affair: U.S. President Ronald Reagan announces the members of what will become known as the Tower Commission. 1986 – The trial of John Demjanjuk, accused of committing war crimes as a guard at the Nazi Treblinka extermination camp, starts in Jerusalem. 1991 – National Assembly of Azerbaijan abolishes the autonomous status of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast of Azerbaijan and renames several cities with Azeri names. 1998 – Tony Blair becomes the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to address the Oireachtas, the parliament of the Republic of Ireland. 1998 – The Khanna rail disaster takes 212 lives in Khanna, Ludhiana, India. 1999 – The 7.5 Mw  Ambrym earthquake shakes Vanuatu and a destructive tsunami follows. Ten people were killed and forty were injured. 2000 – George W. Bush is certified the winner of Florida's electoral votes by Katherine Harris, going on to win the United States presidential election, despite losing in the national popular vote. 2003 – The Concorde makes its final flight, over Bristol, England. 2004 – Ruzhou School massacre: A man stabs and kills eight people and seriously wounds another four in a school dormitory in Ruzhou, China. 2004 – The last Poʻouli (Black-faced honeycreeper) dies of avian malaria in the Maui Bird Conservation Center in Olinda, Hawaii, before it could breed, making the species in all probability extinct. 2008 – Mumbai attacks, a series of terrorist attacks killing approximately 175 citizens by 10 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan based extremist Islamist terrorist organisation. 2008 – The ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2, now out of service, docks in Dubai. 2011 – NATO attack in Pakistan: NATO forces in Afghanistan attack a Pakistani check post in a friendly fire incident, killing 24 soldiers and wounding 13 others. 2011 – The Mars Science Laboratory launches to Mars with the Curiosity Rover. 2018 – The robotic probe Insight lands on Elysium Planitia, Mars. 2019 – A magnitude 6.4 earthquake strikes western Albania leaving at least 52 people dead and over 1,000 injured. This was the world's deadliest earthquake of 2019, and the deadliest to strike the country in 99 years. 2021 – COVID-19 pandemic: The World Health Organization identifies the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.

[makanabazari]

I brought rain to Iran. I started working on it in 2017. In 2018 I brought rain to Iran. I brought rain to dry, deserts, and other bad regions of Iran. I made floods in Iran. My intention was not flood. I wanted to provide water for people and I wanted to ressurect the dead land after its death. I resurrected the land. I created thousands of lakes and inland seas. I created several mighty rivers. I made thousands of small rivers. I created springs and waterfalls. The land became green. Everytime I had looked at videos of Iran they were showing deserts and dry regions without vegetation. But after I brought rain all the videos became grasslands, lush, and green in Iran. I am also building forests in Iran. Forests, ecosystems, and biosphere are very important. Rain also provides water for cities, drinking, consumption, shower, washing dishes, and other activities. Water is also needed for many industrial activities. I brought rain. One of the reason Iran and Middle East are very weak is the lack of water. Climate makes them weak. When there is no water there is no human. When there is no water there is no farming and food production. When there is no water there is no forest and grasslands. When there is no water there is no factory. Majority of landmass of Iran was inhabitable. Nobody could live in about 95 percent of Iran. People had to abandon glorious civilization and cities due to lack of water. They had relocated to near of rivers and ghanat. So population over Iran is also very low. Iran only has 85 million people. But I bring rain. Population of Iran can increase to 2 billion people if there is rain in Iran. Improvement of Climate condition in Iran will create more habitable lands. There will be many new cities, metropolitans, towns, villages, farmlands, grassland, ecosystems, biosphere, human civilizations, and other good things. I bring rain. But they never thanked me when I was in Iran. In America they tried to kill me to years ago when they took me in airport. They did not let me go to Iran. Then they tried to kill me in hospital. They moved me to another hospital. I was in coma for one month. After I woke up from coma I found out I was very sick. They were not giving water in hospital. I was thirsty for months. But I was bringing rain to Iran, Middle East, Horn of Africa, Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, Ghafghaz, South West Russia, Balkan, India, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Himalaya, and west China. Was providing rain to most dry regions of the world. They tried to kill me in hospital. They did not give me water to drink for months. I became better and I left the hospital. I went back to Iran about a year later. I was in Iran for 2 years. Nobody talked to me in Iran. I was waiting for them to come and crown me Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran. But they did not come. So I overthrew Iran to be crowned Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran. Repeatedly overthrow Iran again and again until I am crowned Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran. Prepare my coronation. Iran must crown me Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran. Iran has only one choice and it is to crown me Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran. I bring rain to Iran. So I must reign in Iran. Rain in Iran.

I bring rain. I bring rain to Iran and other parts of the world. I am resurrecting the land.

Iran must crown me Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran.

Https://youtu.be/aHR070QB_GY

Rain in Iran, Middle East, Horn of Africa, North Africa, Ghafghaz, Arabian Penunsila, Middle East, Central Asia, Greater Middle East, Greater Iran, South Asia, South West Russia, West China, Himalaya, and other regions. Hurricane and famine North America. Earthquake in South East Asia, Indonesia, Australia, Southern Africa, South America, North America, and Europe. Volcano in Canada and Britain Tornado many regions of the earth. Rain Systems Iran and Middle East. Overthrow Iran repeatedly to crown Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran. Iran must crown me Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran.

Middle East, Horn of Africa, North Africa, Central Asia, Arabian Penunsila, Middle East, Ghafghaz, Greater Middle East, Greater Iran, South Asia, Russia, China, Himalaya, and other regions are provinces of Iran. The capital city is in Iran between Persian Gulf and Caspian Sea. Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran is the Government. The name of unified Empire is Iran. Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran is the Government.

Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Gaza, Sinai, Suez, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Turkmanistan, Uzbakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, India, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Balkan, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Morroco, Gibraltar, Bob Al-Mandib, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Somaliland, Kenya, Uganda, Red Sea, Gulf of Eden, Medditrnean Sea, and Black Sea are provinces of Iran. The capital city is in Iran between Persian Gulf and Caspian Sea. Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran is the Government. The name of unified Empire is Iran. Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran is the Government.

https://express.adobe.com/page/UNHXCnGu0Zzlt/ Crown me Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran. Iran must officially crown me Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran. Overthrow Iran repeadetly until I am crowned Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran. Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran, Makan Abazari The Supreme of Climate, Makan Abazari The Supreme of Geophysics, Makan Abazari The Supreme of Weather Warfare, Makan Abazari The Messenger of God, The King of Kings Makan Abazari Shahan Shah Iran the first king of Makanian Dynasty,

[readerswholearn]

Afghanistan Emergency Appeal

[sam-672]

Deadliest Afghan quakes in 2 decades kill 2,445, injure 2,000

ISLAMABAD: Powerful earthquakes killed over 2,400 people in western Afghanistan, the Taliban administration said Sunday. It’s one of the deadliest earthquakes to strike the country in two decades. Afghanistan earthquakes kill over 2000, Taliban says, as death toll spikes Saturday’s magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit a densely populated area, near Afghanistan’s fourth largest city, Herat. The US…

[common-man]

Poem and inspiring words from My friend Ramasubramanian.

Looking at events of life with Positive Attitude, Facing the trying and tough times with great strength and Fortitude, In midst of misery and anguish, experiencing the brief moments of Beatitude. At times, looking inwards trying to find some Quietude Hope in various spheres of life, we reach some Altitude

Another Tough Year has gone by, leaving distinct memories behind Summing up few major highlights, that’s happened around us, Let’s Rewind In Melbourne, Nadal won record 21st Slam, defeating Medvedev,

In an epic 5.5 hrs clash, In Tonga Islands, east of Australia, Volcano erupted for 12 hrs, Causing tsunami and blasting hot ash. Billionaire Industrialist Rahul Bajaj died in February, leaving behind the iconic “Hamara Bajaj” Brand. Nightingale Lata Mangeshkar, breathed her last, after singing 50000+ songs, a great career, 8 decades it had spanned. After 27 years, and over 11 versions, capturing 95% of the market, Microsoft decided to bring IE to a nought. In July, during a public appearance in Japan, Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally Shot. Ms Droupadi Murmu was elected as President of India, Being from tribal background, set a new Landmark In September, at the age of 96, Queen Elizabeth II died in London, She was the longest serving Monarch. NASA launched the Artemis-1 in November, With Orion capsule on-board, Was a well-planned human mission Owing to improvements in Science, health and nutrition, World reached record 8 billion population For the first time, the world’s Largest Democracy, INDIA, Became the president of G20 in December Argentina beat France to win their third football world cup title, For captain Messi, was a tournament to Remember Cherishing the positives, and learning from the others, into year 2023, let’s move on. Hope and wish the upcoming year, Will ring in a better and brighter dawn. Wish you and your family a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year 2023.

Few Other major events which happened during the year,

· In Feb-22, IT Companies shut Russia Operations in Wake of Ukraine invasion. · In Feb-22, Indian Grandmaster 16 year old, R Praggnanandhaa Wins Against World No 1 Magnus Carlsen · In May-22, In the State of Texas, in the US, Gunman shot 2nd to 4th grade students, teachers, grandmother at a school. · In Jun-22, World Inflation rose 6.7%, 2 times the average from 2010 to 2020. · In Jun-22, Powerful Earthquake, of magnitude 6.1 struck Afghanistan, at the depth of 51 KMs, killing over 1000 people. · In Jul-22, Neeraj Chopra breaks National record again, finishes second in Stockholm, He opened with a stunning throw of 89.94 m just 6 cm shy of 90m mark-the gold standard in the World of Javelin. · In Aug-22, 8th and final leader of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev died at the age of 91 yrs. He was the great Soviet Union leader who helped end the Cold War. · In Aug-22, Navy’s All-Women Aircrew Creates History by Carrying Out Surveillance Mission, In a rare feat, five women officers of the Indian Navy carried out the first independent maritime reconnaissance and surveillance mission in the North Arabian Sea on board a Dornier aircraft. · In Oct-22, Rishi Sunak became the youngest Prime Minister of Great Britain. · In Oct-22, Elon Musk completes $44bn Deal to take over Twitter as its New owner. · In Dec-22, Winter Storm hit the eastern region of North America, causing major flooding and few deaths. This was the worst in in more than 50 years. In the Eastern side, Japan was also hit by snowstorm, as record breaking blizzard strikes Niigata. In few areas snowfall exceeded 1 metre. · During the year of 2022, India successfully tested the powerful missiles – Brahmos, Angi, Prithvi-II, making giant strides in the area of ballistic to anit-tank guided missiles. · Through the year, the BSE Sensex fluctuated by about 12000 points, with the highest value of 63583 in December. ................

Famous Personalities who became part of memories in 2022

Mikhail Gorbachev died in Aug-22, at the age of 91

Bappi Lahiri, seasoned singer composer died in Feb-22, due to bad health

Play back singer Krishnakumar Kunnath (KK) passed away in Jun-22, at age of 53 during life performance.

Great Australian Leg spinner Shane Warne, died of heart attack, in Thailand resort Koh Samui, at the age of 52

Indian Comedian, Actor, Politician Raju Srivastava, died at 58, due to heart attack, while working out in Gym.

In July-22, Cyrus Mistry, who served as chairman of Tata Group for 4 years, died due to road accident

In Aug-22, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, an Indian billionaire businessman, chartered Accountant, stock trader, died due to multi Organ failure in Mumbai

In Dec22, World Football lost its greatest Pearl – Pele. He was 82 yrs old. He was the only player to win 3 world cups, was named the athlete of the Century by IOC and FIFA Player of the century. He scored a world record of 1281 goals, including 77 international goals. ………………………..

Thanks & Regards,

Ram

[newstfionline]

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Burned Out, More Americans Are Turning to Part-Time Jobs (WSJ) Part-time work is exploding. The number of Americans working part time rose by 1.2 million in December and January compared with the preceding months, according to the Labor Department. Most of that increase—857,000 workers—was driven by people who worked part time by choice, not because they were unable to find full-time work or their hours were cut. The increase reflects changes in the U.S. economy and the historically tight labor market, according to economists, employers and workers. As the pandemic led to burnout among some workers and drove many to reconsider their careers, some have downshifted to part-time roles. And with inflation high and prices for food, housing and other necessities rising, others who had retired or opted out of the workforce are taking on part-time jobs to supplement their household income.

The scale of El Salvador’s new prison is difficult to comprehend (Washington Post) Earlier this month, Nayib Bukele, president of El Salvador, unveiled his latest infrastructure project: a massive, “first-world” jail that could well become the largest penitentiary in the world, with an alleged capacity to hold 40,000 inmates. This weekend, he announced the transfer of the first 2,000 prisoners to the new facility. Spanning about 410 acres in an isolated region of El Salvador, the jail is slated to become the largest, and most overcrowded, prison in the world.

Britain and E.U. reset relations with new post-Brexit deal for Northern Ireland (Washington Post) British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak—trying really, really hard to finally get Brexit done—on Monday announced an agreement in principle with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on how to handle Northern Ireland trade. Resolving this toxic bit of leftover Brexit business has been described as a defining test for Sunak. People are watching to see if he can improve chilly relations with Europe and help restore a functioning government in Northern Ireland. He also hopes to bend ardent Brexiters in his Conservative Party, who don’t quite trust him, to his support his premiership.

Soccer fans shower stadium with teddy bears for Turkey’s earthquake victims (Washington Post) Fans at a soccer match in Istanbul threw thousands of soft toys onto the pitch in a bid to send a message to the many children affected by the deadly earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria this month. The arena usually seats 42,000 people. At this match, though, an array of multicolored stuffed animals could be seen in the stands before they were sent flying through the air as music played. The outpouring of donations came 4 minutes 17 seconds into the match—marking the exact time the first earthquake hit: 4:17 a.m. Some people threw scarves and hats—donations they hoped would keep those displaced by the disaster warm amid harsh winter weather. The scene was hailed as “incredibly moving” by some who watched footage of it online.

Dying Children and Frozen Flocks in Afghanistan’s Bitter Winter of Crisis (NYT) When the temperatures plunged far below freezing in Niaz Mohammad’s village last month, the father of three struggled to keep his family warm. One particularly cold night, he piled every stick and every shrub he had collected into their small wood stove. He scavenged for trash that might burn, covered the windows with plastic tarps and held his 2-month-old son close to his chest. But the cold was merciless. Freezing winds whistled through cracks in the wall. Ice crept across the room: It covered the windows, then the walls, then the thick red blanket wrapped around Mr. Mohammad’s wailing son. Soon the infant fell silent in his arms. His tears turned to ice that clung to his face. By daybreak, he was gone. Afghanistan is gripped by a winter that both Afghan officials and aid group officials are describing as the harshest in over a decade, battering millions of people already reeling from a humanitarian crisis. As of Monday, more than 200 people had died from hypothermia and more than 225,000 head of livestock had perished from the cold alone, according to the Afghan authorities. That does not take into account a vast and rising human toll from malnutrition, disease and untreated injuries as clinics and hospitals around the country have come under stress. While Afghanistan has endured natural disasters and economic desperation for decades, the harsh temperatures this winter come at a particularly difficult moment. In late December, the Taliban administration barred women from working in most local and international aid organizations (and have refused to reconsider)—prompting many to suspend operations, severing a lifeline for communities reliant on the aid.

22,000 Indian Christians Peacefully Protest Rising Persecution at Historic Delhi Gathering (Christianity Today) India’s church is exhausted by the surge of anticonversion laws and accusations of illegal proselytization. They’re tired of mobs driving out Christians from their villages and the possibility that many face property destruction and personal violence. Perhaps most significantly, they’re angry at a government that passively enables these actions at best and actively foments them at worst. Last week, 22,000 Christians across the denominational spectrum and from around the country gathered together in their nation’s capital to demand better. “This protest is basically to call the attention of the government to the increasing violence against Christians and our institutions. These attacks are without reasons and basis,” Youhanon Mar Demetrios, a Delhi-based priest with the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church told CT. “So, we are calling upon the government to ask how the protection of the Christians and their institutions will be guaranteed. We are not asking for anything out of the ordinary.”

China purging ‘Western erroneous views’ from legal education (AP) China has ordered closer adherence to the dictates of the ruling Communist Party and leader Xi Jinping in legal education, demanding that schools “oppose and resist Western erroneous views” such as constitutional government, separation of powers, and judicial independence. The order was dated Sunday, a week before China’s ceremonial parliament begins its annual session and reinforces the leading role on ideology assumed by Xi, who is named no less than 25 times in the document. Already China’s most powerful leader in decades, Xi was granted a third five-year term as party leader last year and has removed term limits on the presidency, effectively allowing him to rule for life. Similar directives have been issued in past, with students encouraged to report on professors who speak positively about Western concepts of governance. While China’s constitution pays lip service to ideas such as freedom of speech and religious observation, it places the interests of the party above all.

Hong Kong ends mask mandate, one of the world’s last (Washington Post) One of the last holdouts in the world for legally mandated masking, indoors and outside or on public transportation—is dropping the last of its coronavirus restrictions starting Wednesday. Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday announced the scrapping of the mask mandate as the pandemic “has been largely contained” with “no major spike in the number of cases so far.” High-risk locations such as hospitals or homes for the elderly could still require visitors to keep masks on, he added.

Taiwan needs more Top Guns as chance of conflict with China grows (Washington Post) Five years ago, Taiwanese fighter pilot Lt. Col. Hsiao Yi-chiao was ordered to scramble to intercept an incoming Chinese military aircraft. He took off within six minutes, his F-16 jet screaming into the sky above southern Taiwan. Hsiao, 37, is a member of a small pool of elite fighter pilots in Taiwan whose numbers are in increasingly short supply. Even as Taiwan awaits the delivery of 66 F-16 fighter jets by the end of 2026, it is facing a personnel shortage that could meaningfully undercut the island democracy’s ability to defend itself if China attacks. Falling birthrates, the declining appeal of the military and the increasing chances of conflict mean the military has for years struggled to meet its recruitment targets. As a result, the government in December extended mandatory military service from four months to one year. Nowhere is the problem more critical than in Taiwan’s elite ranks of fighter pilots, who are dealing with near-daily incursions by Chinese warplanes.

The cycle of violence (Washington Post) When confronted by scenes of bloodshed and destruction in Israel and the occupied territories, there’s a tendency to talk of “the cycle of violence.” The chain of atrocity lengthened by a few more links this weekend when an organized force of vigilante Israeli settlers descended upon the West Bank town of Huwara on Sunday and carried out a deadly, destructive rampage, torching dozens of homes and scores of cars. The raid was described in some Israeli and Palestinian circles as a “pogrom.” It left at least one Palestinian civilian—Sameh al-Aqtash, 37, who had just returned from a stint in Turkey as a volunteer earthquake relief worker—dead, an estimated hundred more injured and a whole community traumatized. The attack by the settlers was billed as an act of revenge after a Palestinian gunman opened fire at a traffic junction near Huwara, killing two brothers who lived in a nearby Jewish settlement. That assault itself was likely retaliation for an Israeli military raid on the city of Nablus last week that saw 11 Palestinians—including militants and civilians—killed. On Monday, there were reports of new Palestinian attacks on Israeli-owned vehicles in the West Bank. The bloody wheel turns, the cycle of violence continues. But such logic obscures more immediate forces at play. The installation of the most right-wing government in Israel’s history at the beginning of the year has been accompanied by the marked rise in violence. Since the start of the year, Israeli soldiers and settlers have killed at least 61 Palestinians—civilians and militants.

U.S. Commandos Advise Somalis in Fight Against Qaeda Branch (NYT) The promise and perils of America’s counterterrorism campaign were on full display at a remote training base in central Somalia. It was graduation day for 346 recruits who would join an elite Somali commando unit trained by the State Department, advised by U.S. Special Operations forces, and backed by American air power. Since last August, the unit, called Danab, has spearheaded a string of Somali army victories against Al Shabab, an Islamist terrorist group that is considered the deadliest of Al Qaeda’s global branches. But sadness hung over the ceremony. Many of the recruits will be rushed to the front lines to backfill two Danab battalions decimated by a Shabab attack last month that left more than 100 Somali soldiers dead or injured. The United States withdrew from the country after the “Black Hawk Down” episode of 1993, when Somali militia fighters killed 18 American service members in a blazing battle later depicted in books and Hollywood movies. Now, nearly two decades after the rise of Al Shabab, Somalia is the most active front in the “forever wars” that the United States has been waging against Islamist extremists since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Governments shut down the internet more often than ever, report says (Washington Post) More countries shut down the internet in 2022 than ever before, according to a new report by digital rights researchers, as the threat of “digital authoritarianism” races up the agenda of many governments worldwide. Authorities in 35 countries instituted internet shutdowns at least 187 times, according to the New York-based digital rights watchdog Access Now. Nearly half of these shutdowns occurred in India, and if that nation is excluded, 2022 saw the most number of shutdowns globally since the group began monitoring disruptions in 2016.

[myrefersofficial]

Major Countries Helping Turkey And Syria Combat The Severe Earthquake

Turkey and Syria have suffered devastating earthquakes and aftershocks. Monday's earthquakes and aftershocks killed thousands. Dozens of countries and organizations came forward, offering rescue efforts in southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria. International mobilization and aid since the earthquakes are listed here. 

World Bank Contributed $1.78 Billion To Help Turkey And Syria 

After a huge earthquake killed over 20,000 people in Turkey and Syria, the World Bank pledged $1.78 billion to aid rescue and recovery. "We are giving immediate support and preparing a rapid evaluation of the urgent and vast requirements on the ground," said World Bank President David Malpass.

"This will highlight priority regions for the country's rehabilitation and reconstruction as we prepare activities to assist those needs," he added. The bank said two current Turkish projects would provide $780 million in Contingent Emergency Response Components. The Washington-based development lender said the aid would repair municipal infrastructure.

The 7.8-magnitude quake injured over 70,000 people in 10 southeastern provinces. The bank also said it was preparing $1 billion in activities to help victims recover and rebuild. Turkey's demands are "immense and span the whole gamut from relief to rehabilitation," according to World Bank Country Director Humberto Lopez.

United Nations Also Came Forward To Rescue The Earthquake Victims in Turkey

U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi expressed "solidarity" with victims in both nations, saying the U.N. agency was "ready to help give prompt support to the survivors through our field teams wherever possible". Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said U.N. staff were in Turkey and Syria to assess and help.

"We count on the international community to support the thousands of families devastated by this calamity, many of whom were already in severe need of humanitarian aid in difficult-to-access areas." The WHO sent trauma and emergency surgical kits and activated emergency medical teams.

Major Countries Helping Syria And Turkey Combat Earthquake After Effects 

#1 United States 

After a deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria, the U.S. pledged $85 million for humanitarian help on Thursday. The U.S. Agency for International Development stated the funds would go to partners on the ground "to deliver urgently needed help for millions of people," including food, housing, and emergency health services.

USAID stated that the grant would help to ensure safe drinking water and sanitation to avoid disease. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu early Thursday to address NATO alliance needs. Officials said the U.S. supplied rescue crews, generators, water purification devices, and helicopters to Turkey.

USAID said dogs, cameras, and listening devices were used to search Adiyaman for survivors. It stated the U.S. military dispatched Black Hawk and Chinook aircraft to carry supplies after extensive road and bridge damage. The U.S. refuses to deal with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad because Washington wants accountability for civil war violations. 

#2 Afghanistan

According to a foreign ministry statement, Afghanistan's Taliban government would send $166,000 to Turkey and Syria to aid the response to this week's magnitude 7.8 earthquake. Afghanistan is home to one of the U.N.'s largest humanitarian aid programs and serious economic and humanitarian crises.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan announced a relief package of $111,024 and $55,512 to Türkiye and Syria, respectively, based on common humanity and Islamic brotherhood. Algerian newspaper Echorouk El-Yawmi claimed that Algeria deployed 210 tonnes of humanitarian aid and an 89-member civil protection team to Turkey. 

#3 India 

The Indian government announced two 100-person National Disaster Response Force teams with trained canine squads and search-and-rescue equipment. In conjunction with Turkish authorities, medical personnel and relief supplies were prepared. A 30-bed field hospital was set up in Adana on Wednesday by two medical aircraft.

#4 China

CCTV claimed that China sent a rescue team to Adana on Wednesday. 82 people and four search dogs brought 20 tonnes of supplies and equipment. According to CCTV, a Zhejiang-based rescue and search group also sent an advanced team to Turkey. CCTV reports that China will provide emergency aid to Turkey's first 40 million yuan ($5.9m).

#5 Germany

On Tuesday, Germany's Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) dispatched 50 rescuers to Turkey. International Search and Rescue Germany sent 42 professionals and seven dogs to Kirikhan, near Syria. Germany is preparing emergency generators, tents, blankets, and water purification equipment.

#6 European Union

E.U. crisis commissioner Janez Lenarcic said 27 search and rescue teams are searching Turkey for survivors. The 1,150 rescuers and 70 dogs came from 19 European nations, including non-EU members Montenegro and Albania. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism helps countries in need request emergency assistance.

#7 Greece 

Greece sent Turkey a military cargo jet with 21 rescuers, two rescue dogs, a special rescue vehicle, a structural engineer, five physicians, and earthquake planning experts. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis promised Turkey "urgent help" and condolences. Greece and Turkey have helped each other after disasters despite decades of antagonism.

#8 Israel

The Israeli army sent 150 engineers, medics, and relief workers to Turkey for search and rescue. Netanyahu claimed he approved help to Syria after "getting a request" through diplomatic channels since the neighbors have no official contact. Netanyahu told Likud legislators that Israel "got a request from a diplomatic source for humanitarian supplies to Syria."

#9 Pakistan

Pakistan sent its first rescue troops and aid to Turkey. The prime minister's office reported that a C-130 plane carrying a Pakistan army search and rescue crew left Chaklala airbase in Rawalpindi late Monday. The statement also said a 50-person rescue team and 25 tonnes of relief materials flew to Turkey on Pakistan International Airlines.

#10 Malaysia

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said a second professional rescue team would leave for Turkey. SMART will join a 75-person team in Gaziantep. Doctors and paramedics from the Ministry of Defence will establish a field hospital. Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said he spoke to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu for a detailed update.

#11 Qatar

Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani called Turkish President Erdogan to offer his condolences and help for the "sisterly" country "in alleviating the devastating humanitarian implications left by the earthquake," QNA reported. QNA stated that Qatar was flying search and rescue crews, vehicles, tents, and other supplies to Turkey.

#12 Russia

In phone discussions with Bashar al-Assad and Erdogan, Putin vowed to send Russian personnel to both nations. The defense ministry claimed 300 Syrian military troops were aiding the rescue. The emergency ministry is deploying rescuers to Syria. The Turkish president congratulated Vladimir Putin for his quick and heartfelt response.

Conclusion 

Turkey and Syria are both facing a very tough time, and it's the human responsibility of all nations to help them rescue the remaining lives and to help them recover from the losses. May God help the countries recover their losses and the rescuers will safeguard more people.

[yourstorai]

There have been 2 earthquakes in Afghanistan