Earthquake: Afghanistan Seeks Aid As Death Toll Reaches 1000

Taliban-led government of Afghanistan has called for aid from international agencies as it struggles the devastating magnitude 5.9 earthquake that reportedly claimed the lives of at least 1,000 people. Unknown numbers were buried in the rubble of ruined, mud-build homes particularly the Eastern part Afghanistan which is worst hit by the powerful earthquake. The Taliban authorities while seeking aid said communication networks are also badly hit. "We can't reach the area - networks are too weak," a Taliban spokesman was quoted by Reuters as saying. The magnitude 5.9 quake struck during the early hours of Wednesday near the city of Khost by the Pakistan border. At least 1,500 people have been reported injured, but officials warn the toll is likely to rise as many families were sleeping in flimsy housing structures when the quake hit.

Just In: UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Has Died

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has passed on Friday 13th May, 2022, at the age of 73, leaving behind a £120billion fortune. According to a state media report, the leader had been battling an illness for several years. A statement from the Ministry of Presidential Affairs said it "condoles the people of the UAE, the Arab and Islamic nation and the world over the demise of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE".

Breaking: Plane Carrying 132 People Crashes In China

China Eastern Airlines with 132 people on board has crashed into the mountainous region in the Guangxi province of southern China. The Boeing 737 airline was flying from Kunming to Guangzhou when it crashed and caught fire on Monday afternoon but the cause of the crash is still not yet known. According to China’s Civil Aviation Administration, 123 passengers and 9 crew members were on board.

Turkey: UN Confirms Country’s Change Of Name

The United Nations (UN) has approved the official change of name of the Republic of Turkey following the country’s request, which has been processing the name change since December last year. The Foreign Minister of Turkey, Mevlut Cavusoglu formally requested the use of “Türkiye”, pronounced “tur-key-YAY”, in a letter addressed to the U.N and other international agencies.

Imran Khan Ousted As Pakistan Prime Minister

Pakistan's Prime Minister, Imran Khan has been ousted from power following a vote of no-confidence against him by legislators on Sunday. This came after the Speaker of the lower house of parliament resigned saying he cannot preside over the ousting of his ally, and members of the ruling party (PTI) walked out of the building in solidarity with Khan, saying the prime minister was a victim of international politics. The Supreme Court had on Thursday ordered the vote to take place no later than Saturday after it dismissed an attempt by Khan to dissolve the parliament in an effort to stall the vote.

About 22 People Dead After Cars Got Stuck At Pakistan Mountain Resort

At least 22 people, comprised of 10 children, 10 men, and two women, have died in Pakistan’s popular hill station Murree after heavy overnight snowfall caused traffic jams that trapped tourists in their vehicles, with many freezing to death when temperatures fell to -8c (17.6F) and some likely dying due to asphyxiation from car fumes. Thousands of vehicles had to be pulled from the snow, interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said, but more than a thousand were still stuck in the area on Saturday. Murree, 28 miles (45km) north of the capital of Islamabad, is visited by more than a million people annually. Roads into the city are often blocked by snow in winter.