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Canada has announced a $3 million emergency aid package to support relief efforts in Afghanistan following a deadly magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck the country’s eastern provinces last week, leaving more than 2,200 people dead and thousands injured. Image Source: Canada PM The funding, confirmed by Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai, comes as humanitarian agencies struggle to reach survivors in remote and heavily damaged areas, particularly in Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman provinces. The quake struck on August 31 in Kunar’s Nurgal District near the Pakistan border, with aftershocks and landslides continuing to hamper rescue and recovery operations.  The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that up to 10,000 deaths were possible, with nearly 900,000 people exposed to severe shaking. Entire villages were destroyed, and as much as 98% of structures in some districts were damaged. Canada’s financial commitment will be distributed through multiple internat...

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday issued a stark warning that any foreign military personnel deployed to Ukraine -- even in the context of a post-ceasefire mission -- would be treated as “legitimate targets for defeat,” escalating tensions as international partners push forward with plans for postwar security guarantees for Kyiv. Image Source: MFA Russia Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin said that any Western deployment into Ukraine, especially during active hostilities, would violate Russian red lines and be met with force.  “If any troops appear there, especially during the ongoing hostilities, we assume they will be legitimate targets for defeat,” he stated. His comments follow a summit in Paris where 26 nations, including NATO and Indo-Pacific allies, pledged long-term military and economic commitments to Ukraine.  French President Emmanuel Macron announced the formation of a “Coalition of the Willing” that could deploy forces “by land,...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that he held an extended phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump following the Paris meeting of the Coalition of the Willing , where 26 countries pledged post-ceasefire troop deployments to support Ukraine.  European leaders reportedly participated in the call, marking it as a multi-party consultation on the next steps toward peace and deterrence . Image Source: BFMTV In a public statement, Zelenskyy described the call as “long and very detailed,” with discussions focused on the conditions required to bring the ongoing war to an end, particularly by leveraging economic pressure against Russia.  “We talked about how to push the situation toward real peace. The most important element is pressure — strong economic measures to deprive Russia’s war machine of money and resources,” Zelenskyy stated. Zelenskyy Proposes U.S.-Backed Format to Shield Ukraine’s Skies A significant portion of the call reportedly focused on Ukraine...

The devastating 6.2 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountains has left at least 825 dead and over 3,100 injured , Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed.  Entire villages in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces were destroyed, while landslides blocked key mountain roads and communications.  Image Source: SaraWahedi Rescue teams, including volunteers and helicopters, are battling time and terrain to reach survivors. International Aid Rushed; Humanitarian Crisis Deepens The Taliban government has allocated 100 million Afghanis (USD 1.5 million) for relief and set up a special committee led by Rural Development Minister Mohammad Younus Akhundzada.  The United Nations dispatched emergency teams, warning that the disaster could worsen Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, with over half the population already in need of aid. India extends humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in the wake of earthquake. https://t.co/LYIk1ZhIqP pic.twitter.com/...