Taliban Denies Receiving Billions in US Aid Amidst Controversy
The Taliban has vehemently denied President-elect Donald Trump’s claims that they have received billions of dollars in US financial aid since regaining control of Afghanistan. Apexnewsgh reports Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy Taliban spokesperson, asserted that the Kabul administration neither anticipates nor seeks any assistance from the United States. Fitrat stated that the US has not provided a single penny to the Islamic Emirate, instead confiscating and freezing billions of dollars that rightfully belong to the people of Afghanistan. He also claimed that the US funds in question were primarily utilized for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan and the relocation and resettlement of their Afghan allies. The controversy surrounding US aid to the Taliban has been ongoing, with Congressman Tim Burchett expressing concern over foreign aid being directed to the de facto Afghan authorities. Burchett warned that these cash shipments are nearly impossible to track and may be funding terrorism worldwide. Despite the Taliban’s denial, reports suggest that some US aid may have ended up in the hands of the Taliban. The UN has flown over $2.9 billion in cash to Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power, with some of these funds potentially being diverted to the Taliban-controlled central bank. The US has maintained that it does not provide funding directly to the Taliban, instead channeling aid through the UN and other humanitarian organizations. However, concerns remain about the potential misuse of these funds and the need for greater transparency and oversight. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Jimmy Carter Honored by U.S. Lawmakers as He Lies in State
U.S. lawmakers gathered to pay tribute to Jimmy Carter, the nation’s 39th president, as his body arrived at the U.S. Capitol to lie in state. Apexnewsgh reports Vice President Kamala Harris led the tribute, praising Carter’s enduring legacy and selfless service. “Today, we gather to celebrate the life of a man whose works will echo for generations to come,” Harris said. Carter’s casket arrived at the Capitol on a horse-drawn caisson, accompanied by a military honor guard and mourners. The ceremony marked the beginning of a two-day period during which the American public can pay their final respects to the former president. Lawmakers from both parties remembered Carter’s presidency, which was marked by significant challenges, including economic inflation and crises in Iran and Afghanistan. Despite these difficulties, Carter remained committed to his values and left a lasting impact on American politics. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described Carter as “one of the most decent men ever to hold the office of president,” while Speaker of the House Mike Johnson praised his selfless service and patriotism. Carter’s post-presidency was also notable for his humanitarian work and diplomacy. As the longest-living U.S. president, he redefined how American presidents lived after leaving office. Only 46 individuals have lain in state or in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda since the nation’s founding. Carter’s remains will return to his home state of Georgia on Thursday for a private family burial. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ethiopia Evacuates 80,000 People Amid Series of Earthquakes and Fears of Volcanic Eruptions
A series of small-scale earthquakes has struck Ethiopia’s Afar, Oromia, and Amhara regions, prompting the government to evacuate approximately 80,000 people. Apexnewsgh reports At least 10 earthquakes have been reported since Friday, with signs of possible volcanic activity raising concerns among authorities and residents. The latest earthquakes shook the Awash Fentale district, which stretches between the Afar and Oromia regions, at 3:52 a.m. on Saturday. The United States Geological Survey recorded a 5.8-magnitude earthquake about 56 kilometers southeast of Ambosa, in the Oromia region. Atalay Ayele, head of the Seismology Department at Addis Ababa University, confirmed that the epicenter was in the middle of Dofen Mountain, Awash Fentale district, in the Afar region. A second tremor, measuring 4.7, was reported hours later, about 10 kilometers east of Awash in the Afar region. According to the federal government, the earthquakes are increasing in size and frequency, with data showing an earthquake measuring up to 5.8 on the Richter scale. The earthquake was felt in the capital, Addis Ababa, and cities such as Adama and Metehara, with residents living in condos and high-rise buildings also reporting feeling the tremors. As many as two dozen quakes and aftershocks have been reported in Awash Fentale district since September, according to residents and officials. The frequent quakes have created a natural hot spring water crater in the Afar region, which is reportedly widening. While no casualties have been reported, the quakes have damaged dozens of homes in Afar. The government has deployed emergency workers to assess the damage and evacuate the most vulnerable residents. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with experts in the field working to identify the epicenter of the earthquake and potential volcanic activity. Fears of volcanic eruptions have been raised after smoke was seen coming from vents in the Dofen volcano, signaling potential volcanic activity. The government has assured that it is making great efforts to identify the most vulnerable residents and evacuate them from the area, while also monitoring the possible impact of the earthquake on social service institutions, economic institutions, and infrastructure. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
A New Direction for Education: Trump’s First Term Policies
Donald Trump’s first term as president was marked by significant appointments, including Linda McMahon as the head of the US Small Business Administration. Apexnewsgh reports For the Department of Education, Trump chose Betsy DeVos, who served on a private college board and briefly on a state board of education. While some analysts were worried about her lack of experience in education, many conservatives believed she would excel at streamlining the department and limiting its authority.¹ DeVos’ appointment sparked concerns among educators that public education would be at risk under the Trump administration, particularly for vulnerable students such as those with disabilities, and indigenous and low-income students. However, conservatives argued that the department was bureaucratic and ineffective, and that DeVos would bring much-needed change. During his presidency, Trump aimed to reduce the federal government’s role in education, promoting technical education as an alternative to traditional universities. The Trump administration also sought to roll back policies introduced by President Joe Biden, including protections for transgender students. Trump’s education policies were shaped by his belief in limited government intervention and his commitment to promoting vocational training and technical education. His administration’s efforts to reform the education system were controversial, with some arguing that they would harm vulnerable students, while others saw them as necessary to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the education system. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
New Orleans New Year’s Day Terror Attack: A Deadly Plot Inspired by Islamic State?
A devastating terror attack struck New Orleans on New Year’s Day, leaving a trail of death and destruction on Bourbon Street. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and former Army reservist, was killed in a shootout with police. As the investigation unfolds, early indications point to a plot inspired by the Islamic State terror group. The FBI confirmed that Jabbar had planted an IS flag in the pickup truck used in the attack, and President Joe Biden revealed that the suspect had posted videos on social media indicating his loyalty to ISIS just hours before the attack. The investigation is ongoing, with search warrants executed in New Orleans and other states, and a possible connection to an attempted bombing in Las Vegas being explored. Experts say the attack bears a chilling resemblance to tactics long promoted by IS propagandists. “What we saw fits in with the common pattern we’ve seen from the Islamic State for a while,” said Aaron Zelin, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. “They’ve been calling for car ramming attacks for years.” The use of vehicles as weapons of terror is a tactic that has been employed by IS-inspired attackers in the past, including a devastating attack in Nice, France, in 2016 that killed over 80 people. As the investigation into the New Orleans attack continues, one thing is clear: the threat of terrorism remains a grim reality, and vigilance is key to preventing such atrocities.
US Treasury says it was hacked by China in ‘major incident’
The Treasury Department said in its letter to lawmakers that the China-based actor was able to override security via a key used by a third-party service provider that offers remote technical support to its employees. The compromised third-party service – called BeyondTrust – has since been taken offline, officials said. They added that there is no evidence to suggest the hacker has continued to access Treasury Department information since. Along with the FBI, the department has been working with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and third-party forensic investigators to determine the breach’s overall impact. Based on evidence it has gathered so far, officials said the hack appears to have been carried out by “a China-based Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actor”. “In accordance with Treasury policy, intrusions attributable to an APT are considered a major cybersecurity incident,” Treasury Department officials wrote in their letter to lawmakers. The department was made aware of the hack on 8 December by BeyondTrust, a spokesperson told the BBC. According to the company, the suspicious activity was first spotted on 2 December, but it took three days for the company to determine that it had been hacked. The spokesperson added that the hacker was able to remotely access several Treasury user workstations and certain unclassified documents that were kept by those users. The department did not specify the nature of these files, or when and for how long the hack took place. They also did not specify the level of confidentiality of the computer systems. For instance, access to 100 low-level workers would likely be less valuable then access to only 10 computers at a higher echelon within the department. The hackers may have been able to create accounts or change passwords in the three days that they were being watched by BeyondTrust. As espionage agents, the hackers are believed to have been seeking information, rather than attempting to steal funds. The spokesperson said the Treasury Department “takes very seriously all threats against our systems, and the data it holds”, and that it will continue to work on protecting its data from outside threats. The department letter states that a supplemental report on the incident will be provided to lawmakers in 30 days. Chinese embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu denied the department’s report, saying in a statement that it can be difficult to trace the origin of hackers. “We hope that relevant parties will adopt a professional and responsible attitude when characterizing cyber incidents, basing their conclusions on sufficient evidence rather than unfounded speculation and accusations,” he said. “The US needs to stop using cyber security to smear and slander China, and stop spreading all kinds of disinformation about the so-called Chinese hacking threats.” This is the latest high-profile and embarrassing US breach blamed on Chinese espionage hackers. It follows another hack of telecoms companies in December that potentially breached phone record data across large swathes of American society. Source: BBC
Share Covid data, World Health Organization tells China
The World Health Organization has urged China to share data on the origins of the Covid pandemic, five years on from its start in the city of Wuhan. “This is a moral and scientific imperative,” the WHO said in a statement to mark what it called the “milestone” anniversary. “Without transparency, sharing, and co-operation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics,” it added. Many scientists think the virus transferred naturally from animals to humans, but some suspicions persist that it escaped from a laboratory in Wuhan. China has not responded to Monday’s WHO statement. In the past it has strongly rejected the lab leak theory. In September, a team of scientists said it was “beyond reasonable doubt” that the Covid pandemic started with infected animals sold at a market, rather than a laboratory leak. They came to this conclusion after analysing hundreds of samples collected from Wuhan in January 2020. Covid origin studies say evidence points to Wuhan market Covid origin: Why the Wuhan lab-leak theory is so disputedIn its statement, the WHO went back to the early days of Covid and traced its evolution from a local phenomenon to a global scourge, leading to lockdowns around the world and the ultimately successful race to develop vaccines. “Five years ago on 31 December 2019, WHO’s Country Office in China picked up a media statement by the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission from their website on cases of ‘viral pneumonia’ in Wuhan, China,” the organisation said. “In the weeks, months and years that unfolded after that, Covid-19 came to shape our lives and our world,” it went on. The WHO said it “went to work immediately” as 2020 dawned. It recalled how its employees activated emergency systems on 1 January and informed the world three days later. “By 9-12 January, WHO had published its first set of comprehensive guidance for countries, and on 13 January, we brought together partners to publish the blueprint of the first Sars-CoV-2 laboratory test,” it added. The WHO said it wanted to “honour the lives changed and lost, recognise those who are suffering from Covid-19 and long Covid, express gratitude to the health workers who sacrificed so much to care for us, and commit to learning from Covid-19 to build a healthier tomorrow”. In May 2023, the WHO declared that Covid-19 no longer represented a “global health emergency”. Its director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said at the time that at least seven million people had died in the pandemic. But he added that the true figure was “likely” closer to 20 million deaths – nearly three times the official estimate. Since then, the WHO has repeatedly warned against complacency about the possible emergence of future Covid-like illnesses. Dr Ghebreyesus has said the next pandemic “can come at any moment” and has urged the world to be prepared. Source: BCC
Jimmy Carter: A Legacy of Peace and Human Rights
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away on December 29, 2024, at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the remarkable age of 100. Apexnewsgh reports His death was confirmed by the Carter Center, which he founded with his wife Rosalynn. Born on October 1, 1924, Carter grew up in Plains, Georgia, and went on to graduate from the US Naval Academy. He served in the navy before retiring to take over his family’s business. Carter’s entry into politics began with his election as Governor of Georgia in 1970, and he later launched a successful bid for the presidency in 1976, narrowly defeating incumbent President Gerald Ford. During his presidency, Carter pursued a policy of warm relations with the US’s foes and competitors, including the Soviet Union. He achieved significant foreign policy successes, including the Camp David Accords, which established a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, and the normalization of diplomatic relations between the US and China. Carter was also a champion of environmental and renewable energy policies, and he deregulated the transportation and telecommunication sectors of the economy. Although he lost his re-election bid to Ronald Reagan in 1980, Carter’s post-presidency was marked by his establishment of the Carter Center and his work with Habitat for Humanity, promoting human rights and building homes for disadvantaged people around the world. His contributions to peace earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, and he is widely regarded as the most impactful former American president in history. As the world mourns the loss of this remarkable leader, the Carter Center will provide updates on activities and ceremonies to honor his legacy in the coming days. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Meet the Nigerian Man Who Built One of the Largest Churches in Europe
Sunday Adelaja’s life took a dramatic turn on February 24, 2022. The 57-year-old Nigerian pastor woke up to the sound of explosions in Irpin, a town just outside Kyiv, Ukraine. Russia’s invasion had begun. As the sounds of war drew closer, Adelaja quickly gathered his family, four students living with them, and a few essentials. They fled to the Polish border, leaving behind their home and a remarkable legacy – the Embassy of God church, one of Europe’s largest churches, built by Adelaja in Kyiv. Adelaja’s journey to Ukraine began in 1994, when he arrived as a student. He soon discovered a passion for preaching and a vision to build a massive church. Despite facing numerous challenges, Adelaja persevered, and his church grew rapidly. Today, the Embassy of God church stands as a testament to Adelaja’s determination and faith. With a congregation of over 20,000, it is a symbol of hope and unity in a country torn apart by conflict. As Adelaja and his family rebuild their lives in exile, they remain committed to their spiritual mission. The Embassy of God church continues to thrive, a beacon of light in the midst of darkness.
PAL Airlines Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing at Halifax Airport After Landing Gear Malfunction
A harrowing incident unfolded at Halifax Airport in Canada when a PAL Airlines aircraft, operating as Air Canada flight AC2259, executed an emergency landing due to a landing gear malfunction. The dramatic event, which occurred around 9:30 PM AT, sent shockwaves among passengers and sparked widespread concern on social media. As the plane touched down, it skidded along the pavement, triggering panic among those on board. Passenger Nikki Valentine recounted the terrifying experience, describing how the aircraft tilted approximately 20 degrees to the left, accompanied by a loud crash-like noise. “The plane started to sit at about a 20-degree angle to the left, and as that happened, we heard a pretty loud—what almost sounded like a crash sound—as the wing of the plane started to skid along the pavement,” Valentine told CBC News. Viral footage captured the aircraft’s wings scraping the runway, causing a fire during the landing. Fortunately, no casualties were reported among passengers or crew. The emergency landing ignited discussions on social media, with users drawing comparisons to a deadly incident in South Korea. The incident has raised concerns over aviation safety, with many calling for answers. “Two catastrophic landing gear failures in a matter of hours? What’s happening in aviation right now? Mechanical issues or something more sinister? Questions need answers—fast,” one user expressed. In a statement, the airport confirmed the incident and stated that all passengers were evacuated and examined by paramedics. The airport was temporarily closed on Saturday night, though one runway was reopened shortly after. An investigation into the incident is currently underway. Source: Apexnewsgh.com