oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | earth, earthquakes, geology, news, seismology
On Monday, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.5 on the Richter scale hit Tibet, as reported by the National Center for Seismology (NCS), according to ANI news on March 24th.
As per the NCS, the quake happened at a relatively shallow depth of 5 kilometers, which makes the area prone to aftershocks.
Following a posting on X, NCS stated, “Magnitude EQ: 4.5, Time: March 24, 2025 at 10:08:35 IST, Latitude: 28.94 N, Longitude: 93.82 E, Depth: 5 km, Area: Tibet.”
On March 15, an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.5 shook Tibet earlier that day.
As per the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the quake happened at a depth of 10 kilometers, which makes it prone to aftershocks.
The NCS stated in an X post that “On March 15, 2025 at 00:49:17 IST, an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.5 was recorded. The epicenter had coordinates latitude 28.39N and longitude 86.89E, with a depth of 10 kilometers, located in Tibet.”
On March 13, the National Center for Seismology reported that three earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.5 and 4.3 hit Tibet.
Shallow earthquakes pose a higher risk than deep ones because they unleash their considerable energy nearer to the Earth’s crust. Consequently, this leads to intensified ground vibrations and heightened destruction of buildings along with more significant loss of life when contrasted with deep quakes, which tend to dissipate force before reaching the surface.
The Tibetan Plateau experiences significant seismic activity because of colliding tectonic plates.
Tibet and Nepal sit along a significant geological fracture zone where the Indian tectonic plate collides with the Eurasian plate, leading to frequent seismic activity. This ongoing collision causes substantial uplifting forces capable of altering the elevations of the Himalayan summits, according to reports from Al Jazeera.
Marianne Karplus, a seismologist and geophysicist, stated to Al Jazeera that educating individuals about earthquakes and constructing quake-resistant buildings, along with providing funds for renovations and robust infrastructure, could safeguard people and properties during powerful seismic events.
“The Earth’s system is highly intricate, and forecasting earthquakes remains beyond our capabilities. Nonetheless, we can carry out scientific research to gain deeper insights into the factors triggering earthquakes in regions like Tibet and enhance our understanding of the tremors and their effects,” stated Karplus, a professor of geological sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso, during an interview with Al Jazeera. (ANI)
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oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | africa, journalism, news, news media, politics
The dismantling of Voice of America signals a concerning trend regarding press freedom. However, pro-democracy media initiatives throughout Africa initially experienced these challenges when the White House reduced USAID financing, causing numerous media organizations to struggle.
When the White House enacted an executive order aimed at dismantling pro-democracy media organizations such as Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, it sent shockwaves through regions ranging from Prague to Addis Ababa instead of broadcasting radio signals.
“Over the last four decades, VOA has served as a primary source of information regarding Ethiopia’s critical political and societal matters. Should the radio station cease operations, significant backlash is inevitable,” remarks Endalekachew Haile Michael, a U.S.-based media analyst, further stating that
Trump administration’s
A stance against media institutions erodes the United States’ “exemplary standing in terms of press freedom globally.”
For audiences such as Alemayehu Geberheywet, VOA served not only as a source for daily news but also as a platform broadcasting numerous educational programs. Ever since the start of the socialist regime in Ethiopia, VOA has been considered the voice of the people.
The Voice of America started broadcasting in 1942 primarily to combat Nazi propaganda. Later, during the Cold War, it shifted focus to oppose communist ideologies. It extended its reach into Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa. In the period following the Cold War, VOA gained recognition for providing credible information in nations where media freedoms were limited.
In reaction to the reductions implemented by the US,
Broadcasters such as LIFEHACK from Europe and France Médias Monde (FMM)
There have been calls for initiatives to address the gap created by the diminishing U.S.-funded global radio and television communications.
U.S. cuts have already jolted Africa’s media scene.
But for African media, the gutting of the VOA, which operated across 13 African nations, came as just the latest blow to pro-democracy media.
Earlier, reductions in funding to USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and other international aid initiatives—which operated across most African countries and extended their support beyond just humanitarian efforts—had indirect effects on various aspects of the media sector, including training programs, fact-checking units, and publishing activities. In total, in 2024, out of $41 billion allocated to Sub-Saharan Africa, the U.S. contributed $12.7 billion. Additionally, African countries received benefits from globally funded American programs aimed at combating diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
Nancy Booker, a journalism and media communications professor at the Nairobi campus of Aga Khan University, shared with LIFEHACK: “For an extended period, numerous community-driven or emerging African media outlets have depended significantly on financial support from donors. Currently, we are witnessing considerable instability.”
Simon Allison, from the South African independent outlet The Continent—which wasn’t impacted by the reduction in U.S. assistance—characterized the scenario as an “extinction-level event for numerous media organizations.”
“Even those that do not depend on U.S. assistance are finding it tough, particularly in South Africa. In my view, no media outlet is flourishing or generating substantial profits,” he stated to LIFEHACK.
Several media sector insiders talked to LIFEHACK anonymously due to the ongoing evaluation of their program financing. Nancy Booker highlighted that the funding reductions have had repercussions extending to initiatives outside the purview of the US government.
“Not just the national agencies, but also our bilateral cooperation efforts face increasing pressure to cease their activities,” she stated to LIFEHACK.
Not long ago, The Namibian, a local newspaper, received communication from the U.S. Embassy located in Windhoek concerning their ongoing advertisements within the paper. According to reports, the embassy reportedly reached out to inquire whether The Namibian has ties with organizations such as the Associated Press, The New York Times, and Reuters—publications that were once frequently condemned by former President Donald Trump.
The leader of a Tanzanian media outlet, requesting confidentiality, mentioned that financial support for media operations is merely part of a broader system supported by donors that has suddenly collapsed.
As it turns out, this isn’t an isolated incident,” they shared with LIFEHACK.
When the largest global financier announces that they are no longer concerned with issues related to climate or the environment, as well as topics like inclusivity, diversity, and equality, it establishes the priorities for other groups.
A significant concern has also been the loss of jobs for journalists, their families, and enterprises associated with NGOs funded by donors.
“Across many African nations, individuals who achieve prosperity within their communities often discover that they must support between 50 to 100 people. This can happen because organizations shut down and employees lose jobs thought to be stable,” they explained to LIFEHACK.
A strategic mistake?
The disbandment of the Voice of America along with reductions in funding for aid programs that backed independent media outlets has faced severe criticism both within the United States and across the continent. Regarding Ethiopian journalism, Endalekachew Haile Michael pointed out that the initial impact would be “the loss of fact-driven reporting.” He also highlighted another issue: the U.S. has willingly surrendered its soft power influence. As a result, nations like China, Russia, and those from the Middle East are now advancing their own media platforms.
Although the White House defended the action by stating that taxpayers were no longer footing the bill for extreme ideologies, internal opponents criticized the reductions as being perilous.
press freedom
, and a tactical error.
Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi stated, “The only individuals celebrating this are opponents and autocrats globally, particularly those with non-existent press freedoms.”
The state-owned newspaper Global Times published in an opinion piece, “the exclusive control over information by certain conventional Western media outlets is crumbling.”
Trump frequently criticizes media reports about himself and has expressed doubt over financing the Voice of America due to its “firewall,” which guarantees its editorial autonomy. Nancy Booker from Nairobi warns that dismissing critical press outlets within the U.S. could set an example for authorities elsewhere who might disregard unfavorable news coverage in their own countries.
She stated to LIFEHACK, ‘The United States has served as an example for numerous aspects, including governance.’
A few of our leaders might believe that this is how we address the media and journalism.
The way forward
For many years, the availability of funds from donors contributed significantly to enhancing journalism capabilities in areas such as training, verification, and human rights coverage.
Allison from South Africa stated to LIFEHACK: “While it’s generally a positive notion for everyone to reduce dependency on donor funding, the abrupt nature of the U.S. decision surprised numerous media outlets.”
There isn’t much room for alternative solutions due to the urgent requirement for rapid adaptations, compounded by local and national governments lacking sufficient funds.
Allison stated that they are focusing on expanding local philanthropy efforts, putting more effort into persuading advertisers of the importance of maintaining their business relationships with independent media outlets and presenting them with ethical reasons for doing so.
Certain observers like Allison and Nancy Booker think that even though there might be present shocks, these reductions have the potential to ignite an initiative for African media financing that doesn’t depend on external donations.
“Allison suggests that if we can convince viewers we deserve financial support, we might achieve a far more stable future,” he states.
Author: Cai Nebe
oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | gaza israel conflict, israel and the gaza strip, news, palestine, palestinians
At least 25 Palestinians, including multiple women and children, were killed by Israeli airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip, as reported by three hospitals on Monday. These attacks occurred almost a week following Israel’s termination of their truce with Hamas, which was initiated unexpectedly and resulted in hundreds of casualties.
In the meantime, authorities report that Egypt has presented a fresh plan aimed at reviving the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
An Egyptian official stated on Monday that Hamas has agreed to free five live captives, one of whom is both American and Israeli, in exchange for Israel permitting humanitarian assistance into the Gaza Strip and halting hostilities for several weeks. Additionally, Israel will let loose numerous Palestinian detainees.
A representative from Hamas stated that the organization had “shown positive sentiment” towards the proposal but did not provide further details. The officials who shared this information insisted on remaining anonymous as they were not permitted to address the press regarding these private discussions.
Thousands are trapped in Rafah in southern Gaza as Israeli forces encircle part of it
Many individuals are stuck in the city of Rafah within the southern Gaza Strip as Israeli forces have surrounded a section of it since Sunday, according to statements made by Palestinian authorities.
Israel instructed the residents of the Tel al-Sultan district to evacuate, directing them to depart via a specific path on foot towards Muwasi, which consists of extensive clusters of tents along the shoreline.
Many people escaped, however locals stated that numerous individuals were encircled by Israeli forces.
The Rafah municipality stated on Monday that thousands remained stranded, including emergency personnel from the Civil Defense, part of the Hamas-led administration, as well as members of the Palestinian Red Crescent.
The Israeli Defense Minister states they are making efforts to prevent civilian casualties.
Israel’s defense minister stated that they are attempting to prevent civilian casualties while targeting Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip.
Israel Katz made his remarks almost a week following Israel terminated its truce with Hamas, subsequently initiating an unexpected series of attacks that resulted in hundreds of Palestinian casualties, primarily comprising women and children, as reported by local healthcare providers.
Katz stated on Monday that “Israel is not engaged in combat with civilians in Gaza and is taking all measures required by international law to minimize harm to non-combatants.”
He proceeded to hold Hamas responsible for all civilian casualties, stating that the militant organization “operates while dressed as civilians, within residential areas, and using non-combatants as shields,” thus placing those individuals at risk.
He stated that Israel will continue its military operation until Hamas frees all captives and ceases to have authority over Gaza or pose a danger to Israel.
Israeli attacks throughout Gaza result in at least 25 Palestinian deaths.
At least 25 Palestinians, including multiple women and children, have been killed by Israeli attacks throughout the Gaza Strip, as reported by three hospitals. These airstrikes occurred almost a week following Israel’s termination of their truce with Hamas, which was initiated by an unexpected assault killing hundreds.
The Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City received 11 corpses early Monday morning following attacks throughout the night. Among those were three females and four minors. In one particular attack, two siblings lost both parents, their grandmother, and an uncle.
The Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, located in the south, admitted seven corpses from raids that occurred during the night and four more from attacks the day before. Meanwhile, the European Hospital took in three victims from an assault close to Khan Younis.
The Gaza Health Ministry announced on Sunday that the number of Palestinians killed during the 17-month conflict had exceeded 50,000. The ministry has stated previously that over half of those who died were women and children, though they do not differentiate between civilian and military casualties in their tally.
Israel claims it has eliminated approximately 20,000 fighters, though it hasn’t offered proof. The militant group led by Hamas reportedly took about 1,200 lives, mostly of civilians, and seized 251 individuals during their assault on October 7, 2023, which sparked the conflict.
A U.S. surgeon in Gaza reports that the majority of patients injured during an Israeli assault on a hospital were initially harmed in previous attacks.
A U.S.-based trauma surgeon operating in Gaza reports that many of the individuals hurt during an Israeli assault on the biggest hospital in southern Gaza were originally injured when Israel restarted its air strikes earlier last week.
Feroze Sidhwa, a Californian surgeon associated with the humanitarian organization MedGlobal, mentioned on Monday that he was present in the ICU of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis when an air strike struck the hospital’s surgical units on Sunday.
He stated that most of those who were hurt had been healing from injuries sustained during last week’s airstrikes before Israel restarted the conflict.
“They were already trauma patients, and now they’ve experienced a secondary trauma,” said Sidhwa, who grew up in Flint, Mich., during an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Sidhwa mentioned that he had performed surgery on a father and son just days prior to the attack, and they both did not survive.
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oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | courts, judiciaries, news, politics, politics and law
On Monday (today), a larger bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) will reconvene hearings for over 20 cases linked to meetings involving Imran Khan. This expanded panel, led by Acting Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar along with Justices Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Azam Khan, will continue their proceedings. At the previous session, Adiala Jail Superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum testified before the court asserting that Khan had received unscheduled visits exceeding the guidelines set forth in the jail manual.
In response, the IHC bench instructed the jail authorities to submit a comprehensive report and asked them to explain the protocols observed during these visits. Concerning this issue, the Acting Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) established a broader panel to examine matters associated with interactions between officials and PTI leader Imran Khan at Adiala Jail.
Previously, a divisional bench presided over by Judge Dogar ruled that all cases pertaining to encounters with Imran Khan should be combined into one case file and addressed collectively before a larger tribunal. This directive was delivered when the bench considered a plea submitted by Adiala Jail’s acting warden, Abdul Ghafoor Anjum, requesting the amalgamation of various lawsuits concerning Imran Khan’s visitations.
The prison official filed the application via legal representative Naveed Malik, asserting that standard operating procedures for such meetings had been finalized within internal appeals; however, numerous separate panels continued to handle analogous requests.
He argued that the superintendent, who oversees thousands of inmates, must appear before the IHC five days each week, emphasizing that consolidating cases was crucial for improving efficiency. The petitioner pointed out numerous outstanding petitions concerning Khan’s visiting privileges, along with contradictory rulings from various courts regarding this matter.
He argued, “To maintain judicial coherence, it is crucial for all interconnected cases to be combined before either a unified or an expanded panel. This ensures consistent rulings and facilitates the proper implementation of legal instructions.” Anjum stated further, “Denying this plea will lead to irreversible damage to the petitioner and undermine the smooth management of correctional facilities.”
Superintendent Anjum clarified that Khan was provided accommodations according to established protocols outlined in March 2024. These included scheduled meetings with attorneys, relatives, and acquaintances twice weekly. Additionally, he mentioned that Khan could occasionally communicate via WhatsApp calls with his children based on compassionate considerations. Furthermore, Khan enjoyed access to all benefits afforded by the Pakistan Prison Rules of 1978.
He additionally mentioned that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were revised in November 2024, stipulating that the petitioner—the superintendent—must obtain the list of visitors directly from Khan. This requirement was adhered to by the relevant authorities as well.
The petition asserted, “As per Article 5 of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, every executive and judicial authority holds an unbreakable obligation to adhere to the Constitution and statutory laws.”
The presence of numerous comparable appeals concerning Respondent No. 1’s visiting privileges before various divisions of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and the delivery of inconsistent rulings have posed significant challenges and ambiguity for the prison authorities,” argued the petitioner. Consequently, he requested that these connected cases be assigned to one unified division or an enlarged panel within this court to guarantee consistent judgment and efficient enforcement of legal directives in the pursuit of fairness.
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oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | news, politics, politics and government, politics and law, protests
Istanbul witnessed protests for the fifth straight day as crowds rallied against the detention of the city’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoğlu. He was arrested on Wednesday on allegations of corruption and terrorism, but he denies all accusations and has urged people across Turkey to participate in widespread demonstrations.
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Even though the government had prohibited demonstrations, substantial groups of people assembled close to City Hall, confronting a robust law enforcement contingent. Tensions escalated into altercations when police utilized pepper spray against both demonstrators and members of the press.
Imamoğlu, an important opposition leader and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s primary opponent, was detained along with more than 100 others. His followers argue that these accusations are politically driven, following the ruling party’s losses in recent electoral contests.
Authorities have closed off roads and increased security protocols; however, the demonstrations persist, making these the biggest protests in Turkey in over ten years. The Interior Ministry reports that over a thousand individuals have been detained during the past five days.
oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | government, news, politics, politics and government, politics and law
Islamabad [
Pakistan
On March 24 (ANI): The
Islamabad High Court
(
IHC
) has reinstated biweekly meetings for
Pakistan
‘s former Prime Minister
Imran Khan
in
Adiala Jail
According to The Express Tribune, the court has instructed visitors not to make political statements after these meetings.
The High Court directive handed down on Monday permits
Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder
Imran Khan
To meet with his family and legal team on Tuesdays, whereas he can see his friends on Thursdays. Nonetheless, attendance is limited to those who have been approved.
Imran Khan
‘s coordinator, lawyer
Salman Akram Raja
will have the opportunity to meet Khan.
At the hearing, the court expressed worries about visitors utilizing jail visits to convey political messages. The Acting Chief Justice of
Islamabad High Court
Sarfaraz Dogar
mentioned that guests ought to “arrive and depart” and stressed that interacting with journalists was not required.
The court instructed visitors to sign a document guaranteeing that they wouldn’t make any public comments after the meetings. Authorities at the jail justified earlier actions by referring to security concerns and mentioned that they combined Khan’s visitations into a single day from two days to mitigate these risks. However, the court dismissed this reasoning, emphasizing that visits should occur every other week.
Imran Khan
were authorized in an earlier decision.
Meanwhile,
Imran Khan
His legal representatives asserted that planned meetings were being unjustly refused.
PTI founder
The attorney for ‘s lawyer, Zaheer Abbas, mentioned that the planned meeting on March 20 didn’t occur, even though they requested it multiple times, according to The Express Tribune.
Justice Dogar directed
Imran Khan
Lawyers for ‘s attorneys may request separate proceedings at the trial court if they wish to obtain permission for his children to visit him. This ruling from the court emerges amidst ongoing legal struggles.
Imran Khan
Who has been imprisoned since August 2023 following conviction in corruption cases. After transitioning from an under-trial detainee to a convicted inmate, Khan’s rights within the prison have been altered.
The jail administration mentioned that visits ought to be limited for security purposes. Nevertheless, the court underlined that discussions of a political nature should not take place before or after these visitations.
Imran Khan
.
Imran Khan
The attorneys informed the court that visitors would adhere to the new limitations imposed by the judge.
Following the court’s ruling,
Imran Khan
His legal advisors and backers will have the opportunity to meet with him two times each week. Nevertheless, breaching the media blackout could lead to additional legal proceedings, according to The Express Tribune.
The directive released by the authorities
Islamabad High Court
is seen as minor respite from the
PTI founder
Moreover, limitations placed on making political declarations indicate judicial efforts to prevent jail gatherings from turning into venues for political communication. (ANI)
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