International
Afghanistan Earthquake Claims 20 Lives, Injures More Than 500 — Official
A powerful earthquake struck northern Afghanistan overnight, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 500, officials said Monday, marking the latest in a series of deadly tremors to hit the country in recent years.
The 6.3-magnitude quake hit at a depth of 28 kilometres (17 miles) near Mazar-i-Sharif, one of the region’s largest cities, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Health ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman said, “Based on the information we have so far, 534 people have been injured and more than 20 fatalities have been taken to hospitals in Samangan and Balkh provinces.”
In Mazar-i-Sharif, residents were seen rushing into the streets as buildings shook. The city’s historic Blue Mosque, a 15th-century landmark known for its vibrant tiles, sustained damage, with parts of one minaret broken and scattered across the mosque grounds. Tremors were reportedly felt as far south as Kabul, approximately 420 kilometres away.
Authorities have faced challenges in assessing damage in Afghanistan’s mountainous regions due to poor infrastructure and communication networks. The Defence Ministry reported that the main road between Mazar-i-Sharif and the town of Kholm had been cleared, with stranded residents rescued overnight.
Deputy Taliban spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said, “Numerous homes have been destroyed, and significant material losses have been incurred,” without providing specific figures.
The earthquake comes months after a devastating 6.0-magnitude tremor in eastern Afghanistan in August, which killed over 2,200 people and caused approximately $183 million in damages, according to the World Bank.
Afghanistan, located along the seismically active Hindu Kush mountain range, frequently experiences earthquakes. Previous major tremors in Herat in 2023 and Nangarhar in 2022 claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed thousands of homes.
The country’s humanitarian situation remains dire, with ongoing drought, economic restrictions, and the forced return of Afghan citizens from neighbouring countries exacerbating the crisis. The United Nations and aid agencies have repeatedly warned of rising hunger and the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.
Authorities continue rescue and relief operations, with officials urging affected communities to remain cautious and assist in emergency measures.
International
Trump warns Entire Iran could be ‘taken out’ Tuesday night
” The entire country could be taken out in one night, and that night might be Tuesday night,” he said.
US President Donald Trump says Iran could be “taken out” in one night as the deadline set for the country to open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic approaches.
On Saturday, Trump gave Iran 48 hours to comply or risk facing “hell”.
He later threatened that the US would blow up Iran’s power plants and bridges if Tehran failed to adhere to his warning.
The US president said Iran had until Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET (1 am WAT) to make a deal.
In a press conference on Monday, Trump reiterated and intensified his threats.
“The entire country could be taken out in one night, and that night might be Tuesday night,” he said.
International
Trump orders Iran to open Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday or face ‘hell’
The president threatened to bomb the country’s power plants and bridges.Trump subsequently posted “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!” without further explanation.
President Donald Trump gave Iran until Tuesday to open the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its power plants.
Consequently, U.S. crude oil futures for May pared earlier gains to rise 0.5% at $112.08 per barrel at 9:28 p.m. ET. International benchmark Brent prices for June delivery also scaled back to 1.3%, trading at $110.47 per barrel.
Trump gave the warning on Sunday in an expletive-filled social media post that Iran would be “living in Hell” if they do not open the Strait.
The president threatened to bomb the country’s power plants and bridges.Trump subsequently posted “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!” without further explanation.
Iran has effectively kept the Strait closed through attacks on oil tankers.
The sea route connects the Persian Gulf to world markets. About 20% of global supplies passed through the Strait before the war.
The closure of the Strait has triggered the largest oil supply disruption in history. Crude, jet fuel, diesel and gasoline prices have surged since the war started.
Crime
Vietnam Police Dismantle Multi-Billion Dollar Cryptocurrency Fraud Operation
Vietnamese authorities have busted what officials describe as one of the country’s largest cryptocurrency scams, arresting key suspects in a multi-billion dollar Ponzi-style scheme that allegedly defrauded thousands of investors both domestically and overseas.
The operation, centered around a fraudulent digital token known as Paynet Coin (PAYN), was dismantled by police in Phu Tho province in August 2025. Authorities charged at least 20 individuals, including the alleged ringleader, Nguyen Van Ha, a 45-year-old entrepreneur and founder linked to the Hahalolo platform.
According to reports from local state media, including Công an Nhân dân, the suspects operated an illegal multi-level marketing (MLM) network disguised as a legitimate cryptocurrency investment platform.
Victims were lured with promises of high returns through the Paynet Coin scheme, which authorities labeled as the biggest crypto fraud uncovered in Vietnam to date. The operation reportedly spanned multiple provinces and attracted investors from abroad.
Police seized evidence related to the scheme and charged the suspects with fraud and organizing illegal MLM activities. Estimates of the total scale have varied in reports, with some describing losses in the billions of dollars, though exact figures for victim losses and assets recovered have not been fully disclosed publicly.
This bust is part of a broader crackdown on cryptocurrency-related crimes in Vietnam, where digital asset trading has grown rapidly in recent years but has also attracted scammers exploiting regulatory gaps.
Other recent cases include arrests tied to platforms like ONUS and HanaGold for alleged price manipulation, as well as smaller scams involving fake exchanges and investment schemes totaling millions of dollars.
Vietnamese law enforcement has intensified efforts against online fraud, Ponzi schemes, and unlicensed crypto operations amid a surge in investor complaints. Officials have warned the public to exercise caution with high-yield crypto investments promising unrealistic returns.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging additional victims to come forward. This case highlights the risks in Vietnam’s booming but largely unregulated crypto market, where millions of citizens hold digital assets.
No further details on trial dates or additional arrests have been released as of the latest reports.
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