Today, NewsForKids.net looks at several important stories from Asia: A deadly earthquake hits Afghanistan; Asian leaders meet in China; and a court in Thailand removes the country’s prime minister.
Deadly Earthquake in Afghanistan
Late Sunday night, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan, killing at least 1,100 people and injuring over 3,500. The center of the quake was near Jalalabad, close to Afghanistan’s border with Pakistan.
(Source: Urutseg [CC0 1.0], via Wikimedia Commons .)
Because the earthquake was shallow, it had powerful effects. People reported buildings and houses collapsing, especially simple houses made of mud and bricks. Several villages were destroyed.
Soon after the quake, people began helping trapped neighbors. But it took hours for outside help to reach the hardest hit areas. Landslides blocking remote mountain roads continue to make rescue efforts difficult.
Afghanistan is already facing many challenges. Since the Taliban, with its harsh rules, took control of Afghanistan in 2021, help from other countries has dropped greatly. Millions of people in the country were already struggling. The country has limited healthcare services, and many hospitals have closed.
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People reported buildings and houses collapsing, especially simple houses made of mud and bricks, like the one seen above. Several villages were destroyed. It took hours for outside help to reach the hardest hit areas. Landslides blocking remote mountain roads continue to make rescue efforts difficult.
Several countries and groups have offered help, including the European Union, India, Iran, Japan, and the UN.
China Hosts Leaders of Russia, India, & Other Countries
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping this weekend in Tianjin, China. Over 20 leaders met as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization – a group of countries that work together on security and business in Asia.
Though the US and its president, Donald Trump, weren’t mentioned, the meeting represented an attempt to show China as a better world leader than the US.
Mr. Trump’s quickly changing ideas and plans have confused and upset countries worldwide. He has used threats like tariffs to encourage other countries – even allies – to do what he wants. And he has removed the US from several international agreements, China is hoping it can step in and be seen as a reliable world leader.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (center) met with Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) this weekend in Tianjin, China. The meeting represented an effort to show China as a responsible world leader in challenging times.
This weekend, Mr. Xi criticized “bullying practices [actions]”, and highlighted China’s strong ties with Russia and India. China and Russia, long allies, have grown closer in recent years. Now, with Mr. Trump’s 50% tariff on Indian products, Mr. Modi has made his first trip to China in seven years, despite serious border tensions between the countries.
A huge parade Wednesday is meant to remind the world of China’s military strength.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Removed by Court
On Friday, Thailand’s Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her government from power. The move is a big blow to the powerful Shinawatra family. Ms. Paetongtarn’s father, aunt, and uncle have each served as the country’s prime minister in the past. All were removed from office.
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On Friday, Thailand’s Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her government from power. The move came after she criticized Thailand’s military in a phone call with Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Above, Ms. Paetongtarn talks with reporters last Friday after being dismissed.
In July, Ms. Paetongtarn was suspended by the court as a result of a phone call she held with Cambodia’s leader, Hun Sen. The call followed a violent border disagreement between the two countries. During the call, Ms. Paetongtarn called Mr. Hun Sen “uncle”, and criticized Thailand’s military. Mr. Hun Sen is a friend of Ms. Paetongtarn’s father.
The call upset many people, who felt like Ms. Paetongtarn wasn’t standing up for Thailand. Thirty-six senators complained about the call.
Now the court has removed Ms. Paetongtarn and ended her government. The court said Ms. Paetongtarn hadn’t been honest, and wasn’t qualified to lead the country.
Thailand’s Parliament will soon meet to choose a new prime minister.