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The Daily Brief: World Takes Next Steps to Address Afghanistan Developments

Civilian deaths, UN aid pledges, and international communications continue to change the landscape of Afghanistan.

Published

10 months ago

on

Khost children in 2009

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Khost_children_in_2009.jpg

Summary:

  • Reports state that the Taliban have killed civilians in Panjshir, the last province in Afghanistan to elude Taliban control, despite promises of restraint.
  • Panjshir has seen widespread fighting between the Taliban and local armed resistance forces under the command of Ahmad Massoud in recent days.
  • At least 20 deaths have occured in Panjshir Valley with some bodies showing signs of torure.
  • In order to assist the residents of Afghanistan, 14 million of whom are “on the brink of starvation”, the UN has organized $1.2 billion in aid pledges.
  • The US has pledged $64 million; China and Pakistan are already sending aid.
  • Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) also landed a passenger flight in Kabul on Monday morning, marking the first flight from Pakistan to its neighboring country since US troop withdrawal.
  • The PIA flight also successfully departed from Kabul, making it the first commercial flight to leave Afghanistan since the Taliban assumed control of the country.
  • PIA spokesman Abdullah Khan stated that the flight was intended to create “goodwill” with the people of Afghanistan and “strengthen humanitarian efforts”, however the service was “not an aid flight.

Sources:

CNN

BBC

Reuters

Tweets:

Lebanon’s New Government Begins Road to Restoring World’s Worst Depression Since Mid-19th Century

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stavris_Lambrinidis_and_Najib_Makiti.jpg

  • After a year without any centralized government, Lebanon has finally formed a new political administration under Najib Mikati.
  • Mikati, a billionaire that has twice held the position of premier in Lebanon, will be serving as Prime Minister to the country.
  • Lebanon has been steeped in an economic crisis that began shortly after the Beirut Port explosion last year. Prime Minister Mikati has stated that there is no “magic wand” to instantly fix one of the history’s worst economic meltdowns, however he is determined to try and “stop the country’s collapse”.

Sources:

CNN

Reuters

Tweets:

More Than 200 Nigerian Prisoners on the Run Following Gunmen Raid

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https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nigerian_Prison_Service,_Badagry.jpg

  • A prison in Nigeria’s north-central Kogi State faced a blitz attack by numerous gunmen resulting in roughly 240 prisoners escaping.
  • A total of at least 294 inmates were in custody at the time of whom 224 were pre-trial detainees and 70 convicted inmates.
  • Secessionist groups in the southeast region of Nigeria are suspected of being responsible for a similar attack in the Imo State where 2,000 inmates broke free of prison in April.

Sources:

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/09/13/africa/prisoners-escape-kogi-nigeria-intl/index.html

https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN2BT1YX

Tweets:

North Korea Fires New Long-Range Cruise Missile

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https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_first_of_two_Terminal_High_Altitude_Area_Defense_(THAAD)_interceptors_is_launched_during_a_successful_intercept_test_-_US_Army.jpg

  • Despite receiving tough sanctions, North Korea continues to test missiles, many of which violate UN Security Council resolutions.
  • The East Asian country launched their new long-range cruise missile over the weekend, proving that the missile is able to hit targets 932 miles away after more than 2 hours in flight.
  • The testing of missiles after 6 months shows that the Korean arms race between North and South Korea is underway.

Sources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-56941911

Tweets:

Cryptocurrency Litecoin Surges 25% After Scammers Pose as Walmart 

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https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Litecoin_Logo.jpg

  • Fake news of Walmart accepting the cryptocurrency Litecoin for online purchases began circulating Monday allowing for a massive pump and dump scheme.
  • Litecoin saw a huge 25% surge following the news, however when the Walmart corporation addressed the false news the currency fell $220 to its initial $178.
  • Scammers behind the news have not yet been identified.

Sources:

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/09/13/investing/litecoin-walmart-scam/index.html

https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/press-release-walmarts-litecoin-partnership-is-fake-cnbc-2021-09-13/

Tweets:

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett Travels to Egypt to Meet President el-Sisi

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https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Damaged_housing_gaza_strip_april_2009.jpg

  • Israeli PM Bennett and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi are expected to discuss issues in Palestine and bilateral ties in their first official meeting in a decade.
  • The two diplomats spoke about creating and maintaining peace in the Middle East along with giving support to rebuilding the region.
  • This meeting is happening while Israel, with Egypt’s help, maintains a strict blockade on the Palestinian Gaza Strip which is under constant attack

Sources:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/13/israeli-pm-bennett-visits-egypt-on-invitation-of-sisi

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-prime-minister-visits-egypt-first-official-trip-decade-2021-09-13/

Tweets:

Severe Weather Forces Chinese Ports To Suspend Operations

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https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Port_of_Shanghai%2C_2004.jpg/640px-Port_of_Shanghai%2C_2004.jpg

  • In anticipation of severe weather caused by Typhoon Chanthu, China suspended operations at the Port of Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, both ranked the first and third busiest ports in the world. 
  • Typhoon Chanthu, one of the strongest storms reported this year, weakened significantly over the weekend after slamming into the Philippines and Taiwan. 
  • Though the storm has weakened, severe weather from Chanthu has already forced school closures as well as flight and train cancellations in the Shanghai region.
  • The closures come as port operations around the world are experiencing significant shipping and receiving delays since the COVID outbreak. 

Sources:

https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/13/business/typhoon-chanthu-china-ports-intl-hnk/index.html

Tweets:

UN Unable To Investigate The Alleged Axum Massacre In The Tigray Region Of Ethiopia 

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ethiopian_soldiers_(01).JPEG

  • The UN human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, informed the UN Human Rights Council that the UN was unable to complete the highly anticipated probe into the alleged massacre in the Ethiopian holy city of Axum. 
  • The report, which was set to be due this month, was to investigate the multiple accusations of violent abuse caused by the regional Tigrayan forces however due to a change in security and a change in the conflict’s dynamic, the UN was unable to advance for an investigation. 
  • The Northern area of Ethiopia has been marred with conflict since November 2020 when the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, sent troops into the Tigray region to remove the regional government from power.  
  • With the conflict continuing between the national Ethiopian forces and the regional Tigrayan forces, the UN fears that if the violence in Ethiopia does not end, the stability and security of the ‘horn of Africa’ is at risk. 
  • Source: 

Sources:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/13/un-probe-in-ethiopias-tigray-didnt-reach-axum-massacre

Tweets:

200 Million People May Be Forced To Move By 2050 Due To Climate Change

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=drought&title=Special:MediaSearch&go=Go&type=image

  • In the second half of the Groundswell Report published this week, researchers found that the world may see mass migrations of over 200 million people by the year 2050 due to slow on-set climate change, such as water scarcity, increased sea levels, and decreased crop productivity.
  • In the worst-case scenario, with emissions at the highest, the report found that 216 million people will be forced to move within their countries. 
  • In the best-case scenario, where emissions are low, 44 million people would still be forced to leave their homes. 
  • Though many scientists believe the world is no longer on track for the high emissions scenario, even in moderate conditions, many climate impacts continue to occur at an alarming rate. 

Sources:

https://apnews.com/article/africa-climate-environment-and-nature-immigration-europe-69cada32a7c13f80914a2a7b48fb5b

Tweets:

UK Approves COVID Vaccinations For Children 12 And Older

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https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Pfizer-BioNTech_COVID-19_vaccine_%282020%29_E.jpg/640px-Pfizer-BioNTech_COVID-19_vaccine_%282020%29_E.jpg

  • In an effort to avoid winter lockdowns, UK officials have approved vaccinations for children between the age of 12 to 15. 
  • Children 12 to 15 will only receive one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine through their schools; officials have not yet decided if a 2nd dose will be given to the age group. 
  • With the highly contagious Delta variant, officials hope that with widespread vaccinations, the country will avoid going back in lockdown especially with the cold and flu season around the corner.  
  • The UK is currently experiencing over 100 deaths a day with over 8,000 people currently hospitalized due to COVID. 

Sources:

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/uks-johnson-hopes-avoid-lockdown-winter-virus-roadmap-79986818

Tweets:

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.

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Daily Brief

Trump Knew His Supporters Were Armed in Jan. 6 Capitol Riots

Published

13 hours ago

on

1 July 2022

By

800px DC Capitol Storming IMG 7960
  • 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.”

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.

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Daily Brief

Fire During Colombia Prison Riot Kills 51

Published

13 hours ago

on

1 July 2022

By

800px Colombian Police 9731090561
  • 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.

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Daily Brief

50 Migrants Found Dead Near the US-Mexico Border

Published

20 hours ago

on

30 June 2022

By

U.S
  • 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.”

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.

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Daily Brief

Credit Suisse Found Guilty for Involvement in Money Laundering Scheme

Published

3 days ago

on

28 June 2022

By

800px Credit Suisse Zurich
  • 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.

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.

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Daily Brief

Chlorine Gas Leak in Jordan Port City Kills Thirteen People

Published

3 days ago

on

28 June 2022

By

Port Of Aqaba City
  • 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.

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.

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Daily Brief

Russian Missile Sets Ukraine Shopping Center on Fire

Published

3 days ago

on

28 June 2022

By

781px Nevsky Centre Shopping Mall in Russia
  • 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.

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.

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