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 cancels 175,000 visas for violations of public safety
The State Department said its continuous-vetting programme is designed to identify visa holders who violate the conditions attached to their visas, commit crimes, defraud Americans or pose public safety risks.
The United States has revoked more than 175,000 visas issued to foreign nationals since President Donald Trump returned to office.
Donald Trump took office on January 20, 2025, when he was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.
The State Department disclosed the figure on Monday, saying most cancellations followed law enforcement encounters involving criminal activity fraud, assault, reckless driving, theft and drug-related offences.
Other cases involved child molestation, fraud, embezzlement and more serious offences including kidnapping, sexual battery, domestic violence and possession of child sexual abuse material.
The State Department said its continuous-vetting programme is designed to identify visa holders who violate the conditions attached to their visas, commit crimes, defraud Americans or pose public safety risks.
It stressed that obtaining a US visa does not guarantee permanent permission to enter the country, describing a US visa as a privilege rather than a right.
International
Man jailed for keeping dead mother in freezer to claim £78,000 in benefits
Passing sentence, Judge Lloyd-Clarke said Phillips repeatedly deceived medical professionals to hide the fact that his mother had died.
•Christopher Phillips
A 60-year-old man has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison after keeping his late mother’s body in a chest freezer for nearly three years while fraudulently collecting more than £78,000 in her pension and benefits.
Christopher Phillips was jailed by Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court after admitting to preventing the lawful and decent burial of his 89-year-old mother, Silvia Phillips, and pleading guilty to two counts of fraud.
The court heard that Phillips concealed his mother’s death after she died on March 8, 2023, by storing her body in a chest freezer in the living room of their home in Porthcawl, Wales.
Prosecutors said he failed to notify the Department for Work and Pensions and Bridgend County Borough Council of her death, allowing her pension and benefits to continue being paid into bank accounts he could access.
Passing sentence, Judge Lloyd-Clarke said Phillips repeatedly deceived medical professionals to hide the fact that his mother had died.
“You continued to collect her prescriptions and misled medical professionals about her whereabouts, lying when enquiries were made about your mother, repeatedly telling medical staff that she did not wish to attend appointments or undergo tests,” the judge said.
(Source: Tribune)
International
Russia Issues International Wanted on Telegram Founder Durov
Russian-born Durov — a serial tech founder who has lived outside Russia for years and holds French and United Arab Emirates passports — has frequently clashed with the Russian authorities as Moscow has tightened its grip on the internet.
•Telegram founder Pavel Durov
Russia announced on Wednesday that it was seeking the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov over accusations of “complicity in terrorism”, alleging he had let the platform be used for recruitment by Ukraine’s security services.
Russian-born Durov — a serial tech founder who has lived outside Russia for years and holds French and United Arab Emirates passports — has frequently clashed with the Russian authorities as Moscow has tightened its grip on the internet.
His Telegram messenger is one of the country’s main communications platforms and officials have repeatedly tried to block access or thwart its success in a bid to pressure Durov to hand over user data or push Russians to use an unencrypted state-backed alternative.
The FSB security service said it had launched international search proceedings for Durov, who is also Telegram’s CEO.
“An international wanted notice has been issued… for the head of the Telegram administration, P. Durov,” it said in a statement.
Obasanjo faults court determining election winner , at GJF Democracy Dialogue
Naira Exchange Rates Wednesday, August 12
Nigerian Law school student dies after falling from hostel rooftop
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
News2 days agoTinubu Flags Off Eko, Marine Bridge Repairs
-
Crime1 day agoGovernor Mbah Commends Security Forces Over Arrest Of Affa Church Kidnappers
-
News2 days ago147 Lagos Structures to Face Impact From Coastal Highway
-
Crime2 days agoTroops Rescue 33 Hostages in Zamfara (Photos)
-
Crime2 days agoPolice Rescue 16 Kidnapped Victims in Kogi, Neutralise Armed Bandits (Video)
-
International1 day agoTrump cancels 175,000 visas for violations of public safety
-
Crime23 hours agoUK court jails Congolese for murder of Nigerian
-
Business1 day agoNaira Exchange Rates Tuesday, August 11