After months of deliberation, the Biden Administration announced its plans to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the September terrorist attacks.
The U.S. has been in Afghanistan for 11 years after the 2001 coordinated terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center.
A senior administration official declared that the decision to end the war was in the best interest of America to better focus on global situations, as al-Qaeda doesn’t pose as big of a threat to national security as before.
In his statement, President Joe Biden stated that America “cannot continue the cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan,” and continued, stating “We were attacked. We went to war with clear goals. We achieved those objectives. Bin Laden is dead and al Qaeda is degraded in Iraq and Afghanistan. And it’s time to end the forever war.”
The removal will start on May 1st with the goal of 3,500 troops, and continue until September 11th in coordination with NATO allies also situated there.
After backing out of a peace conference in Istanbul, the Taliban have threatened to target troops that stay past May 1st. A U.S. official reported that any interference during the withdrawal of these troops by the Taliban will “be met with a forceful response.”
Abdullah Abdullah, and Afghani chief peace envoy, remains hopeful that the decision will achieve “a lasting and dignified peace.” Although the decision hasn’t fully been met with the same hopes, as the troops were the Kabul government’s main force against the Taliban, and the unconditional action seems like Biden has “given up hope” for what happens.
I applaud President Biden for making the right decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan and bring an end to the longest war in our country’s history.
It’s great when we can find places to agree. I’m grateful President Biden is keeping President Trump’s plan to leave Afghanistan, even with a delay until fall. The time to bring our troops home is now or as soon as possible. Enough endless wars.
After nearly two decades in Afghanistan, it’s time to recognize that we have accomplished all that we can militarily, and bring our remaining troops home. I support @POTUS’s bold leadership in building our nation at home and restoring our standing around the world. pic.twitter.com/BrDzASXD3G
Niger Pre-School Catches Fire Taking the Lives 20 Children
severingeo @ Mapillary.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A fire broke out in the improvised neighborhood of “Pays-Bas” near the outskirts of capital city Niamey, the fire caught onto the wood and straw buildings of the local school and quickly destroyed classrooms.
Most children were able to run out of the school, however 20 children five and younger were unable to free themselves from the ablazed temporary hut rooms.
A statement from the National Union of Teachers of Niger stated “It is important that from here the authorities stop the classes in straw huts.”
Currently straw huts are in use all around Niger as an attempt to combat overcrowding in schools.
Local resident, Amadou Seyni, said in response to the incident “This is the worst thing that has ever happened at a Nigerien school – 20 children burned alive in no time. It’s a huge loss for Niger.”
Tweets:
Deeply saddened by the news of the fire in a school in Niamey leading to human loss, including at least 20 children. Sending my deepest condolences to the families and communities affected.@UNICEF is working with the government & partners to provide support to affected families. https://t.co/pjXz2d4vGT
Our hearts are with children and families who have been impacted, especially those who lost their loved ones.@Unicefniger on the recent fire in a school in Niamey that sadly took the lives of at least 20 children. https://t.co/PfDtLIyUbq
Southeast Asian Company ‘Grab’ Goes Public in Worlds Largest SPAC Merger
bfishadow on Flickr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grab, a Singapore based ride-hailing and food delivery service, is set to go public in the U.S. after a SPAC merger with Altimeter Growth.
The deal is valued at nearly $40 B and is said to be the largest SPAC merger ever seen.
Grab will be listed on Nasdaq under the ticker GRAB and will be provided $4.5 billion in cash proceeds from the Grab IPO.
Asad Hussain, a senior analyst of mobility technology at PitchBook, said “With this listing, Grab cements its formidable positioning as the leading mobility and financial services provider in Southeast Asia.”
Tweets:
$GRAB will be the first test (post new SPAC listing market softening) via Altimeter Group's SPAC acquisition. Great company who ostensibly could have gone public via the regular processes. 3/
The Altimeter-Grab SPAC merger is the most aligned & well structured Spac event I have seen. Sponsor shares are locked up for 3 years & are minimally dilutive due to valuation and large PIPE. This will be the model for high quality companies. Great job @altcap
Pakistan’s Interior Minister announced a ban on Tehreek-e-Labbaik, a far right political party opposing blasphemy, specifically remarks of French President Emannuel Macron. They have repeatedly called for Pakistan’s government to remove the French ambassador, and ban French goods.
The far right group has held many disruptive protests, most recently earlier this week when their leader, Saad Rizvi, was arrested. Two police officers were killed and many injured this week from the demonstrations.
The group was formed in October 2020 after cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad were defended by President Macron, who said they were allowed under freedom of speech.
Tweets:
All credit to Pakistan #Police & law enforcement agencies for braving the onslaught of TLP violence despite weak state support. Govt should commend the police and ensure perpetrators of violence are brought to justice. Each one of them. #TLPpic.twitter.com/cRfu2Dllgk
Pakistan removed some 26 #TLP firebrand clerics from Schedule-IV list who were otherwise declared a security risk for the State. Some 100 plus 4th schedulers of TLP in total were removed from this watch list.This Love & Hate relation of State with TLP makes theory more complex.
Punjab Police's Constable Afzal succumbs to injuries sustained in clashes with TLP protestors – may he rest in eternal peace and may his family somehow find the strength to cope with his loss. #TLPNationWideProtest#Pakistan
The holy month of Ramadan has begun, where Muslims will abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset, and focus on acts of worship.
This is the second Ramadan affected by pandemic restrictions, with many Muslims not able to visit their mosque or open their fast with family and friends.
Ramadan has been observed by Muslims dating back centuries and is considered a very holy month.
Tweets:
Islam isn't new to the Americas. Either is #Ramadan.
Enslaved African Muslims landed on American soil centuries ago. In fact, 15-30% of enslaved Africans were Muslims, who observed Ramadan while in bondage.
As the crescent moon ushers in the month, Jill and I send our warmest greetings and best wishes to Muslim communities in the United States and around the world. Ramadan Kareem.
Former White House aid, Cassidy Hutchinson, stated that former US President Donald Trump was aware that rioters were armed on January 6th, 2021 when they stormed the US Capitol, but he did not want to stop them.
Hutchinson worked as a top advisor to Mr Trump’s chief of staff, and testified at a hearing to a select House committee that was in charge of investigating the Jan 6th riot at the US Capitol.
Hutchinson recounted how Mr. Trump said that rioters were “not here to hurt me” and that security should “let them in.” She also stated that he lunged at the driver of the limousine in a rage when he was told he could not be taken to the Capitol.
Mr Trump denied several parts of Hutchinson’s testimony, stating, “I didn’t want or request that we make room for people with guns to watch my speech.”
Cassidy Hutchinson just displayed stunning courage and character testifying before the @January6thCmte today. She demolished any pretense that the savage mob violence caught President Trump and his lieutenants by surprise on January 6. pic.twitter.com/iPG7uYJQRm
A fire broke out in a Colombian prison during a riot, killing 51 inmates and injuring dozens. The fire was started by an inmate setting a mattress ablaze during the commotion and the flames spreading.
Colombian President Ivan Duque requested a “quick investigation to explain this terrible situation” and expressed his solidarity “to the families of the victims.”
No prisoners seem to have escaped and the fire is now under control. Twenty four people are currently in the hospital.
Prisons in Colombia are extremely overcrowded, as it was in this case, making riots and fighting amongst inmates a common occurrence.
All views expressed in this editorial are solely that of the author, and are not expressed on behalf of The Analyst, its affiliates, or staff.
Fifty migrants were found dead near the US-Mexico border in an abandoned semi truck due to “poverty and desperation,” according to Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
The vehicle in which the victims were found was lacking air conditioning and water and, coupled with the extremely hot climate, it is suspected that they likely died from dehydration and heat stroke.
Migrants from Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala were among the victims. Sixteen people survived the incident and were taken to the hospital.
US President Joe Biden spoke about the incident, stating that his administration “will continue to do everything possible to stop human smugglers and traffickers from taking advantage of people who are seeking to enter the United States between ports of entry.”
Yesterday's loss of life in San Antonio is horrifying – my prayers are with those who lost their lives, their loved ones, and those still fighting for their lives.
My Administration will continue to do everything possible to stop criminal smugglers from exploiting migrants.
Switzerland’s Federal Criminal Court found Credit Suisse, Switzerland’s second largest bank, guilty for its involvement in a money laundering scheme involving a Bulgarian drug trafficking gang.
The bank is being fined 21 million Swiss francs ($22 million) due to its poor monitoring and implementation of anti-money laundering rules. More than 12 million francs worth of assets are also being confiscated due to their connection with the criminal group.
Credit Suisse has denied any wrongdoings and stated that it has been “continuously testing its anti-money laundering framework and has been strengthening it over time, in accordance with evolving regulatory standards.”
This case originated from actions taken by a former employee in 2007 and 2008, and two other Bulgarian citizens’ actions in 2005 and 2009. Some of their sentences and fines were suspended due to the amount of time passed since the crimes took place.
Money laundering: Credit Suisse, Switzerland's 🇨🇭 second-biggest bank, which has been rocked by a series of scandals, was slapped with a $2-million-fine in a money laundering case linked to a Bulgarian 🇧🇬 cocaine network @StopCrimeKenyapic.twitter.com/tWlAZ9lPpf
A gas leak in Aqaba, Jordan killed at least thirteen people and injured more than 250. A storage container carrying between 25 and 30 tonnes of chlorine gas fell as it was being exported to Djibouti, releasing the gas.
A video of the incident on state TV shows the container being dropped onto the deck of the ship and a yellow colored gas spreading through the air as people try to evacuate. The accident seems to be a result of the crane malfunctioning.
If chlorine is inhaled at high levels, it can cause life-threatening damage. A nearby beach in Aqaba was evacuated as a safety precaution, and residents who live in the nearest residential area, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) away, were advised to stay inside and close windows.
Jordan’s Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh traveled to Aqaba and visited some of the injured at the hospital. He also formed a team led by the interior minister to investigate the incident.
I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Kingdom of Jordan following the tragedy that took place at the Port of Aqaba. As we've told our friends in Jordan, the Israeli defense establishment is ready to assist with any effort, by any means necessary.
A busy shopping center in Ukraine was set on fire by Russian missiles on Monday, killing at least thirteen people and injuring dozens. The total number of casualties is still unknown.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that “The number of victims is impossible to imagine” and that there could have been up to 1,000 people in the mall.
The attack came during the G7 summit, where world leaders condemned recent atrocities and promised to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes” in a joint statement. President Zelensky spoke to the leaders at the summit and stated that he wants the war to end before winter.
NATO has decided to increase the number of troops in its rapid reaction force from 40,000 to 300,000, more than eightfold. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated this move is part of the “biggest overhaul of collective defense and deterrence since the Cold War.”
The United States has announced that it will provide Ukraine with advanced medium and long-range air defense capabilities.
Large shopping mall in Kremenchuk with hundreds of civilians inside has been hit by a Russian strike. Russia is a disgrace to humanity and it must face consequences. The response should be more heavy arms for Ukraine, more sanctions on Russia, and more businesses leaving Russia. pic.twitter.com/Uvi6fbyShK
Together, the G7 is demonstrating the strong global leadership it will take to maximize the costs to Putin and his enablers and address the impact of his war on the global economy. pic.twitter.com/N30bBeXyKL
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