Latest News
Voice of America staff put on leave, Trump ally says agency ‘not salvageable’
Last month, Musk called for VOA and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to be shut down in a post to his X social media platform.
More than 1,300 Voice of America employees were placed on leave on Saturday and funding for two U.S. news services that broadcast to authoritarian regimes was terminated, one day after President Donald Trump ordered the gutting of the government-funded media outlet’s parent and six other federal agencies, Reuters reported.
Michael Abramowitz, Voice of America’s director, said nearly his entire staff of 1,300 journalists, producers and assistants had been put on administrative leave, crippling a media broadcaster that operates in almost 50 languages.
The order represents the latest step by Trump to remake the federal bureaucracy, a task he has largely put in the hands of tech billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency. So far, the DOGE effort has produced potential cuts of more than 100,000 jobs across the 2.3 million-member federal civilian workforce, the freezing of foreign aid, and the cancellation of thousands of programs and contracts.
Some Republicans have accused VOA and other publicly-funded media outlets of being biased against conservatives. Last month, Musk called for VOA and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to be shut down in a post to his X social media platform.
Latest News
Tornadoes strike US South, killing 33 people amid rising risk
In Arkansas, three deaths occurred, the state’s Department of Emergency Management said, adding that there were 32 injuries.
Tornadoes killed at least 33 people across several states in the U.S. Midwest and Southeast on Saturday night, with at least 12 fatalities reported in Missouri, CNN reported.
More than 500 homes, a church and grocery store in Butler County were destroyed and a mobile home park had been “totally destroyed,” Robbie Myers, the director of emergency management for Missouri’s Butler County said.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves posted on X that six deaths had been reported in the state.
According to preliminary assessments, 29 people were injured statewide and 21 counties sustained storm damage, Reeves said.
In Arkansas, three deaths occurred, the state’s Department of Emergency Management said, adding that there were 32 injuries.
Twenty-six tornadoes were reported but not confirmed to have touched down late on Friday night and early on Saturday as a low-pressure system drove powerful thunderstorms across parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi and Missouri, said David Roth, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center.
Latest News
UN Security Council to vote on extension of UNAMA mission in Afghanistan
The council said in a report that if approved, the mandate would extend the UNAMA mission for another year without changing its mandate and priorities.
The UN Security Council announced it is scheduled to vote on Monday 17 March on a draft resolution to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, for another year.
The council said in a report that if approved, the mandate would extend the UNAMA mission for another year without changing its mandate and priorities.
According to the report, the draft mandate specified for UNAMA, for another year, include human rights, especially the rights of women and girls, women, peace and security, the economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, terrorism, drug trafficking, small arms, internally displaced persons and refugees, and the effects of natural disasters.
The UN Security Council said that all 15 permanent and non-permanent members of the council are expected to support it.
This comes after the Islamic Emirate recently called the UNAMA mission in Afghanistan a “failure.”
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, accused UNAMA of providing “negative and inaccurate” reports on the situation in Afghanistan.
Mujahid said that UNAMA’s reports had created a “negative mindset” towards Afghanistan within the UN.
Tahawol: Efforts for peace in Ukraine discussed
Saar: US air strikes on Yemen’s Houthis discussed
Afghanistan records trade volume of $292 million via air corridors in 1403 solar year
Muttaqi: IEA won’t fight against one country to satisfy another
Separatist suicide attack in southwestern Pakistan kills at least five
Afghanistan transports 3.2 million metric tons via railways this year: Ministry
Ex-Pakistan captain says Rashid is greater than legendary cricketer Wasim Akram
Next German chancellor: We need to learn from experience in Afghanistan
Trump says aid in exchange for return of US military hardware in Afghanistan
Bavuma wary of Afghanistan challenge in Champions Trophy
Tahawol: Efforts for peace in Ukraine discussed
Saar: US air strikes on Yemen’s Houthis discussed
Tahawol: Reactions to expulsion of South African ambassador from US
Saar: Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border agreement discussed
Saar: Ukraine’s proposal for ceasefire with Russia
-
Latest News5 days agoKabul Airport bombing suspect not a top-level planner of deadly attack: FBI
-
World5 days agoIran’s President to Trump: I will not negotiate, ‘do whatever the hell you want’
-
Latest News3 days agoMoRRD signs deal for Wakhan road construction
-
Latest News4 days agoIndia says ‘special’ ties have been foundation of engagement with Afghanistan
-
Regional4 days agoPakistan military ends train standoff, says 21 hostages and four troops killed
-
Sport4 days agoCricket Ireland cancels Afghanistan series for ‘financial reasons’
-
International Sports3 days agoBayern’s Harry Kane sets his sights on lifting FIFA Club World Cup trophy
-
Latest News3 days agoPakistan Army claims Balochistan train attack orchestrated from Afghanistan