UN unveils fund for ‘people’s economy’ in Afghanistan
The Hindu
Germany pledges $58 mn for direct cash transfer to Afghans
The United Nations said on Thursday it had set up a special trust fund to provide urgently-needed cash directly to Afghans through a system tapping into donor funds frozen since the Taliban takeover last August.
With the local economy “imploding”, the aim is to inject liquidity into Afghan households to permit them to survive this winter and remain in their homeland despite turmoil, it said.
Achim Steiner, the UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) administrator said that Germany, a first contributor, had pledged €50 million ($58 million) to the fund, and that it was in touch with other donors to mobilise resources.
Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 26, including children and families, amid ongoing conflict with Hamas militants.
MIT CAA campaigns against MIT's suspension of PhD student Prahlad Iyengar for supporting pro-Palestine movement, seeking justice.
U.S. bankruptcy judge halts Onion's purchase of Infowars, citing flawed auction process and insufficient bids.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirms alliance with Japan amid regional security threats from China and North Korea.
Nguon puts the king on public trial over his governance as local chiefs read out indictments destined to test his popularity
President-elect Trump mocks Canadian PM Trudeau on Truth Social, calling him "Governor of Canada" amid tariff threats.
Israel conducts heavy airstrikes in Syria, advances troops, destroys navy, and establishes a buffer zone, sparking regional fears.
South Korean news agency Yonhap reports police search President Yoon Suk Yeol's office over martial law declaration, sparking political turmoil in South Korea.
Russia transported Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted as Syria’s president by a lightning rebel offensive, very securely to Russia, the country’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said in an interview on Tuesday.
Trump appoints Andrew Ferguson as new FTC chair, signaling potential shift in antitrust enforcement and Big Tech scrutiny.
Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 25, including women and children, as residents struggle to rescue those trapped.