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Afghanistan has deployed commando units by airdrop to remote mountain villages devastated by powerful earthquakes this week, as rescue teams struggle to reach survivors in areas cut off by landslides, Reuters reported.

The quakes, including a magnitude 6 tremor on Sunday and a 5.5 aftershock on Tuesday, struck Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, flattening homes and triggering fresh blockages. Authorities report at least 1,411 dead, more than 3,100 injured, and over 5,400 houses destroyed, with the toll expected to rise as people remain trapped. Emergency camps and coordination centers have been set up for evacuations, burials, and aid delivery.

 The UN has appealed for urgent shelter, food, clean water, and medical aid, stressing that fragile housing and recent heavy rains worsened the destruction. Afghanistan’s location on a major fault line makes it highly vulnerable to such disasters, according to Reuters.

Hundreds of women in pink carrying broomsticks marched in Jakarta, joining nationwide protests against police violence, corruption and lavish perks for lawmakers. The broomsticks symbolized sweeping away repression, while pink stood for bravery. Others wore green, honouring motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan, who was killed when a police vehicle ran him over. The colors “brave pink” and “hero green” have spread widely online, BBC reported.

At least 10 people have died and more than 1,000 have been injured since the unrest began, with rights groups accusing police of excessive force. The UN and Amnesty International have urged transparent investigations and urgent reforms. President Prabowo Subianto has promised to cut lawmakers’ perks, but protesters insist deeper changes are needed to ensure fairness, accountability and justice.

Australian scientists have identified a new virus in flying foxes, adding to research on emerging diseases.

The Salt Gully virus, detected in Queensland and linked to the henipavirus family, was grown in CSIRO’s high-security lab in Victoria. While related to the deadly Hendra and Nipah viruses, researchers say there is no cause for alarm. The virus has circulated in bats since at least 2011 with no evidence of illness in humans or animals, according to Xinhua.

Scientists say the discovery will help develop tests and boost Australia’s preparedness should it ever spread to people or livestock. The findings were published in Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Israeli troops have intensified their offensive in Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, targeting Hamas positions. The escalation has killed at least 24 Palestinians, including children, and destroyed homes and tent encampments as residents flee under military orders, Reuters reported.

The operation aims to capture Hamas’s last stronghold, though concerns remain over risks to hostages and soldiers. The broader conflict has displaced up to one million Palestinians and caused over 63,000 deaths since October 2023. Malnutrition-related deaths, including 130 children, have also risen, though Israel disputes claims of famine.

Hamas continues to propose hostage exchanges for ceasefires but refuses to disarm, complicating peace efforts.