Bush and his wife Laura Bush on Monday wrote in a letter they were saddened by events in Afghanistan twenty years after the commander-in-chief ordered American troops to invade the country.
Bush, who ordered American forces to invade Afghanistan twenty years ago, on Monday said he and his wife felt "deep sadness" watching the chaotic U.S. withdrawal and the Taliban rapidly re-capture the country.
In a letter, George and Laura Bush wrote, "Our hearts are heavy for both the Afghan people who have suffered so much and for the Americans and NATO allies who have sacrificed so much." Under Bush, U.S. forces toppled the Taliban government in Kabul who had hosted al Qaeda militants responsible for the 2001 hijacked plane attacks in New York and Washington.
That decision lead to two decades of haphazard counter-insurgency and efforts at nation-building that the Pentagon estimates cost almost $825 billion.
And it all seemed to dissolve in just a few days.
The Bushes spoke directly to the American service-members who battled militants and built roads in Afghanistan, writing, âYou took out a brutal enemy and denied Al Qaeda a safe haven while building schools, sending supplies, and providing medical care.
You kept America safe from further terror attacks, provided two decades of security and opportunity for millions, and made America proud.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and will always honor your contributions.â But that message might not mean much in Bentonville, Arkansas, where Jill Stephenson remembers her son, Army Ranger Ben Kopp.
Kopp was 21 when he was killed in a firefight with Taliban forces in 2009, one of more than 2,300 U.S. military personnel who died there since the invasion.
"I do not feel that my son died in vain.
I think it's important for me to make that clear." But the Taliban takeover has stirred strong emotions in this Gold Star mother.
"It's very sad and maddening to watch 20 years of blood, sweat and tears by thousands, thousands, tens of thousands of our military just get wiped off, you know wiped away in the blink of an eye, it's what it feels like and making it worse, rubbing salt into that wound for me is that it comes on the heels of the 20th anniversary of 9/11." Stephenson said she's deeply worried for the future of the Afghan civilians she believes her son was able to help before he died.
"I heard firsthand from a seven year old little girl the things that she was able to do in her life and the things that she had to look forward to because of the sacrifices made.
My heart breaks for her now my heart breaks for any little girl that's in Afghanistan, for the women of Afghanistan."
Former Senator Joe Lieberman , Dead at 82.
Lieberman died in New York on
March 27 after suffering complications
from a fall, NBC News reports.
Senator Liebermanâs love of God,
his family, and America endured
throughout his life of service
in the public interest, Joe Lieberman's family, via statement.
Lieberman was the 2000 vice presidential nominee who ran for office with Al Gore.
Gore took to X on March 27
to offer his condolences. .
I am profoundly saddened by
the loss of Joe Lieberman... Joe was a
man of deep integrity who dedicated
his life to serving his country, Al Gore, via X.
It was an honor to stand
side-by-side with him
on the campaign trail. , Al Gore, via X.
Iâll remain forever grateful for
his tireless efforts to build
a better future for America, Al Gore, via X.
Former President George W. Bush also issued a statement, calling Lieberman "one of the most decent people I met during my time in Washington.".
Former President George W. Bush also issued a statement, calling Lieberman "one of the most decent people I met during my time in Washington.".
As Laura and I pray for Hadassah
and the Lieberman family, we
also pray that Joeâs example of
decency guides our Nationâs
leaders now and into the future, George W. Bush, via statement.
Other colleagues and international
leaders weighed in as well.
Other colleagues and international
leaders weighed in as well.
In an era of political carbon
copies, Joe Lieberman was
a singularity. One of one. , Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., via X.
In my very first meeting with him
decades ago, I was struck by his integrity,
decency and civic courage. He had a deep
moral sense and common sense and
was fearless in the defense of truth, Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
This Day in History: , The War in Iraq Begins.
March 19, 2003.
In a televised address to the American people,
U.S. President George W. Bush announced the
beginning of a war that would end up lasting eight years.
48 hours earlier, the
U.S. had issued an ultimatum
to Iraqi dictator Saddam
Hussein to leave his country.
As justification for the war, Bush cited the
existence of weapons of mass destruction and
the country's support of terrorist groups.
The Hussein regime was toppled within
just a few weeks, but insurgents continued
a bloody guerrilla war against coalition forces.
In 2006, U.S. soldiers captured
Saddam Hussein while he was hiding in
a hole not far from his hometown.
He was tried, found guilty and executed
for crimes against the Iraqi people.
On December 15, 2011, the U.S. military
declared the end of its mission in Iraq.
Despite an extended investigation, U.N. inspectors
found no evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:01Published
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the crucial US aid package for Ukraine sends "sends a powerful signal" that his country "will not be the second Afghanistan". Sky News
Severe flooding in Afghanistan, triggered by seasonal rains, has claimed 33 lives and injured 27 in three days, according to a Taliban spokesperson. Flash floods hit Kabul and multiple provinces, damaging over 600 homes, killing about 200 livestock, and impacting 800 hectares of farmland and 85 kilometers of roads.
#Afghanistan #Afghanistanfloods #Afghanistanflashfloods #Afghanistannews #Taliban #Afghanistannews #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
~ED.103~
United States President Joe Biden says he is âconsideringâ a request from Australia to drop the prosecution of Julian Assange. The WikiLeaks founder has been indicted on 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over his websiteâs publication of classified U.S. documents relating to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars almost 15 years ago. The Australian national was taken to Belmarsh prison in London five years ago, after being dragged out of the Ecuadorian embassy, where he stayed while fighting against being taken to the US. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Eight civilians, including women and children, tragically perished in air strikes by the Pakistani military near the Afghan border. Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated, with retaliatory strikes following attacks on Pakistani troops. The Taliban government condemned the strikes as a violation of sovereignty, while border regions remain volatile due to militant activities. Diplomatic efforts are urgently needed to prevent further casualties.
#Pakistan #Afghanistan #Taliban #PakistanAirstrikes #Airstrikes #Paktika #Khost #TalibanPakistantensions #AsifAliZardari #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
~HT.97~ED.103~
Defence secretary Grant Shapps says that Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of NATO, is delighted with the UK's commitment to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2030.
Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has said he wants the new Nato target for defence spending to be 2.5% of gross domestic product rather than the current 2%. Sky News
Rishi Sunak has arrived in Berlin where he is set to meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for talks on Wednesday. The topics of the meeting at the Chancellery will include mutual relations, the Russian war against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. It comes as Rishi Sunak met in Warsaw, Poland, on Tuesday with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to discuss security.
Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Rishi Sunak has joined a trilateral meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to discuss a military aid package for Ukraine. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Harvey Weinstein's guilty verdict in New York was overturned, but there's no way that happens here on the West Coast ... according to the L.A. County D.A.'s.. TMZ.com
Harvey Weinstein's lawyer is saying it's a "great day in America" after the former Hollywood mogul's rape conviction in New York was overturned. Arthur Aidala, Weinstein's lawyer in the appellate case, opened the first press conference after the overturned conviction saying that his team always knew that "Harvey Weinstein did not get a fair trial." The New York state Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction Thursday, ruling that the judge in the New York County trial was prejudiced against Weinstein because among other things, the court allowed women to testify about allegations that were not part of the case.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 02:41Published
Harvey Weinstein's NYC rape conviction getting overturned has him so elated it's reduced him to tears as he sits in prison. Weinstein's rep Juda Engelmayer tells.. TMZ.com
A UFO seems to have been caught on camera whizzing across the sky above NYC -- at least if you buy what this woman is selling ... which amounts to a nanosecond.. TMZ.com
Former top generals, Mark Milley and Kenneth McKenzie, testified about the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, blaming Biden's delayed evacuation orders. They criticized the administration's decision-making and highlighted State Department failures. Milley and McKenzie regretted not starting the evacuation sooner, unsure of the exact number of Americans left behind. The Biden administration dismissed their claims as political.
#MarkMilley #KennethMckenzie #JoeBiden #Biden #Afghanistan #Kabul #USEvacuation #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
~HT.178~PR.152~ED.103~GR.125~
Deadly Storms , Forecast to Cross , 1,000 Miles of the US.
'Newsweek' reports meteorologists have warned
that a life-threatening storm could impact millions of
people across the central United States this week.
On April 23, AccuWeather issued a warning regarding , "one of the most widespread severe
weather events so far in 2024.".
According to AccuWeather, the incoming storm , "will unleash tornadoes, hard-hitting hail
and damaging winds across a dozen states.".
On April 25, the first storm of the system is set
to arrive, closely followed by subsequent storms
expected to last throughout the weekend.
AccuWeather warned the storms are expected to pose a , "significant risk to lives and property.".
All modes of severe weather
are likely with the multiple-day
event in the central U.S, Bernie Rayno, AccuWeather Chief
On-Air Meteorologist, via 'Newsweek'.
Two storms, off the Pacific
coast on Tuesday, will swing
across the West and cause
moisture to surge northward from
the Gulf of Mexico while, at the
same time, temperatures surge, Bernie Rayno, AccuWeather Chief
On-Air Meteorologist, via 'Newsweek'.
'Newsweek' reports that the
states at greatest risk are:, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas,
Oklahoma, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
According to AccuWeather, the storm is expected to cross
an estimated 1,000 miles on April 26, passing into
central Texas all the way from southern Minnesota. .
In addition to dangerous storm conditions,
the National Weather Service has warned
that critical fire weather conditions, "will also be present across parts of the
Southwest into the southern High Plains."
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
10 Things You May Not
Know About St. Patrick's Day.
1. The shortest St. Patrick's Day
parade only runs for 98 feet and
takes place in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
2. Saint Patrickâs birth name was actually
Maewyn Succat. He changed it to
Patricius after becoming a priest.
3. Shamrocks are said to have
been used by Saint Patrick as a
metaphor for the Holy Trinity.
4. Corned beef doesnât actually contain corn.
It's name come from the use
of salt "corns" to cure meat.
5. Saint Patrick famously wore a
light shade of blue, not the traditional
green that is constantly seen.
6. Green became a significant color for
Ireland during its 1641 rebellion. Its importance
then carried over to St. Patrickâs Day.
7. St. Patrickâs Day used to be a strictly
religious and alcohol-free holiday in Ireland.
8. Saint Patrick wasn't actually Irish.
He was born in Britain and kidnapped
by Irish pirates at a young age.
9. In traditional Irish folk tales,
female leprechauns donât exist.
10. The U.S. has 32 million people of
Irish descent, while Irelandâs total
population is only 4.7 million
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:22Published