How an earthquake devastated Afghanistan

Summary

Podcast Summary: Apple News Today

Episode: How an earthquake devastated Afghanistan
Host: Shumita Basu
Date: September 2, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of Apple News Today, hosted by Shumita Basu, primarily focuses on the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan, detailing its immediate humanitarian impact and the difficult global response. The episode also covers geopolitics as world leaders Xi, Putin, and Modi hold a high-profile summit, shifts in US-India relations, the implications of new political maneuvering in Texas, updates on immigration and the workforce, and a viral controversy at the US Open. The tone is urgent, empathetic, and analytical, providing listeners with both firsthand accounts and expert commentary.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Afghanistan’s Earthquake: Scale of the Crisis

• Disaster Overview (00:54–01:22)

  • A catastrophic earthquake struck Afghanistan’s eastern province of Kunar, flattening entire villages.
  • Death toll exceeds 800, with at least 2,800 injured; numbers expected to rise.
  • Humanitarian agencies anticipate days before fully understanding the destruction, as mountainous terrain complicates rescue efforts.

• Local Voices & Humanitarian Struggle (01:22–02:02)

  • Notable Quote:
    • “Nearly 95% of our village is destroyed. We have many martyred and wounded people in every household… Any kind of help will be good for us.” — Local Resident (01:22)
  • Save the Children and other agencies report difficulty reaching survivors due to landslides and damaged roads.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “It’s extremely difficult for humanitarian actors to be able to reach the people.” — Samira Syed Rahman, Save the Children (01:46)

• International Aid Crisis (02:06–03:28)

  • Western donors, especially the US, have drastically reduced support since the Taliban takeover, citing corruption and misuse.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “The system for delivering aid to Afghanistan was broken: widespread corruption and misuse of the money.” — Shemita Basu, on US government assessment (02:31)
  • Afghanistan previously depended on foreign donors for 80% of public spending; current response far outstripped by need.

• Aid Challenges and Vulnerable Groups (03:28–04:24)

  • International Rescue Committee highlights worsened disaster response capacity.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “The scale is unmatched by the resources that we need.” — Shireen Ibrahim, IRC (03:08)
  • Taliban’s restrictions on women further complicate medical and humanitarian assistance.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Even at the air base today, we could not film women. …There will be many donors who will think twice.” — Yogita Lamaya, BBC (03:47)
  • Compounded crisis: Pre-quake, three-quarters of Afghan provinces faced drought and hunger.

• Aftershocks and Ongoing Risk (04:24–04:36)

  • Flash flooding and further aftershocks pose continued threats.

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2. Global Geopolitical Realignments: Xi, Putin, and Modi’s Summit

• A Show of Unity (04:40–05:19)

  • Rare meeting of China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and India’s Narendra Modi at Tianjin summit.
  • Interpreted as an intentional display of an alternative power coalition to US dominance.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “They will stand shoulder to shoulder.” — Shumita Basu (04:59)

• Changing World Order (05:19–06:12)

  • Inclusion of Modi signals potential shift in India’s global affiliations.
  • India–US relations soured due to Trump-era tariffs; Trump claims India now offers zero tariffs to US imports.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “India and the US relationship has got very rocky and very frosty over tariffs.” — Philom Khan, Politico (05:42)

• Cautious Optimism and Underlying Tensions (06:12–07:03)

  • Despite the summit’s optics, India remains wary of China, given their fraught border history.
  • China uses the moment to project strength and seek to widen the US–global divide.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “A symbolic propaganda coup that just landed in his lap.” — Philom Khan, on Xi Jinping (07:03)

• Wider Implications: Ukraine and Beyond (07:36–08:40)

  • Summit coincides with continued Russian aggression in Ukraine; North Korea’s involvement noted.
  • The unity is seen as emboldening anti-Western and anti-accountability stances among these nations.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “You’re looking at a future that is really dark in the sense that there is no accountability and there are no guardrails.” — Philom Khan (08:08)

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3. Political Maneuvering in Texas: 'Sue and Settle' Strategy

• Redistricting and Its Political Ramifications (08:40–09:15)

  • Texas Governor Greg Abbott signs a controversial congressional map likely to boost Republican seats.
  • Trump pressured Texas Republicans to solidify power through redistricting.

• Legal Tactics: 'Sue and Settle' (09:29–10:58)

  • Trump administration’s aggressive use of lawsuits, or the threat thereof, to force policy changes beneficial to its interests.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “If you lose, we don’t accept it and we find another way to win fast.” — Bob Garrett, ProPublica/Texas Tribune (10:50)
  • Compared to Obama-era use of similar approaches but notes Trump’s efforts are more expansive and aggressive.

• Case Study: The Texas DREAM Act (10:58–11:57)

  • DOJ sues to overturn the popular state law giving in-state tuition to undocumented students; Attorney General joins the suit rather than defending the law.
  • The law is invalidated within hours, spurring similar moves in other states.

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4. US Workforce and Immigration Update

• Sharp Decline in Immigrant Labor (12:20–13:14)
  • 1.2 million fewer immigrant workers in the US from January to July 2025, affecting agriculture, construction, and service sectors.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Immigrants contribute to at least 50% of job growth in the US.” — Labor economist (13:09)
  • Trump administration’s immigration crackdown credited for the decline.

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5. Brief Headlines & Viral Moments

• Rudy Giuliani to Receive Medal of Freedom (13:19–14:07)

  • Trump announces award following Giuliani’s recovery from a car accident; notes on Giuliani’s recent legal troubles.

• US Open Viral Incident (14:10–14:49)

  • Polish CEO caught on camera snatching a signed hat from a child at the US Open; after public backlash, apologizes and the player gifts the child new merchandise.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Seems like you’re always being watched, even in the crowds.” — Shumita Basu (14:49)

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Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Speaker/Source | Quote | |-----------|-------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:22 | Local Resident | “Nearly 95% of our village is destroyed. We have many martyred and wounded people in every household… Any kind of help will be good for us.” | | 01:46 | Samira Syed Rahman (Save the Children) | “It’s extremely difficult for humanitarian actors to be able to reach the people.” | | 02:31 | Shemita Basu (paraphrasing US Inspector General) | “The system for delivering aid to Afghanistan was broken: widespread corruption and misuse of the money.” | | 03:08 | Shireen Ibrahim (IRC) | “The scale is unmatched by the resources that we need.” | | 03:47 | Yogita Lamaya (BBC) | “Even at the air base today, we could not film women. …There will be many donors who will think twice.” | | 04:59 | Shumita Basu | “They will stand shoulder to shoulder.” | | 05:42 | Philom Khan (Politico) | “India and the US relationship has got very rocky and very frosty over tariffs.” | | 07:03 | Philom Khan | “A symbolic propaganda coup that just landed in his lap.” | | 08:08 | Philom Khan | “You’re looking at a future that is really dark in the sense that there is no accountability and there are no guardrails.” | | 10:50 | Bob Garrett | “If you lose, we don’t accept it and we find another way to win fast.” | | 13:09 | Labor economist | “Immigrants contribute to at least 50% of job growth in the US.” | | 14:49 | Shumita Basu | “Seems like you’re always being watched, even in the crowds.” |

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Important Timestamps

• Earthquake Disaster & Firsthand Accounts: 00:54–02:14
• Aid Agencies’ Challenges & Western Pullback: 02:14–03:28
• Women’s Rights & Donor Reluctance: 03:28–04:24
• Geopolitics: Xi, Putin, Modi Summit: 04:40–08:40
• Texas Redistricting / ‘Sue and Settle’: 08:40–11:57
• Workforce & Immigration Trends: 12:20–13:14
• Giuliani’s Medal of Freedom: 13:19–14:07
• US Open Viral Incident: 14:10–14:49

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Conclusion

This episode paints a sobering picture of humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan amid political and logistical obstacles, underscores the shifting global power balance as major leaders convene in China, interrogates controversial legal strategies in US politics, and notes the deepening impacts of immigration enforcement. Throughout, the host and contributors maintain a factual yet empathetic tone, drawing connections between headline events and their deeper global significance.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Hey there, it's Shemitha. I've got a quick request for you. If Apple News Today is an essential.

[Shemitha Basu]

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[Narrator]

Show in Apple Podcasts. And if you have another 30 seconds.

[Shemitha Basu]

Leave us a rating and a review too.

[Narrator]

It helps other people find our show and it helps us know what you like about it.

[Shemitha Basu]

Thanks.

[Narrator]

Good morning. It's Tuesday, September 2nd.

[Shemitha Basu]

I'm Shemitah Basu.

[Narrator]

This is Apple News Today. On today's show, Xi, Putin and Modi.

[Shemitha Basu]

Unite to send a message to Trump.

[Narrator]

And the world how the administration is using the sue and settle strategy in Texas and another CEO is caught behaving.

[Shemitha Basu]

Badly in the crowds.

[Narrator]

But first to Afghanistan and the aftermath.

[Shemitha Basu]

Of Sunday night's catastrophic earthquake that's left at least 800 people dead and injured, upward of 2,800 people, figures that are expected to to rise.

[Narrator]

Entire villages in the eastern province of.

[Shemitha Basu]

Kunar have been flattened, and it's going to take days for humanitarian workers to uncover the sheer scale of destruction in the mountainous regions. Here's a translated interview with one local resident speaking to the BBC.

[Local Resident]

Nearly 95% of our village is destroyed. We have many martyred and wounded people in every household. Five to 10 people are injured Muslims listening to help us for the sake of Allah. We have lost our houses. Any kind of help will be good for us.

[Narrator]

Samira Syed Rahman from Save the Children.

[Shemitha Basu]

Spoke to the German network DW and said aid agencies are struggling to get to impacted areas.

[Aid Agency Representative]

The earthquake that took place in the middle of the night and the subsequent aftershocks that hit this region have led to landslides and have closed off many roads, making it extremely difficult for humanitarian actors to be able to reach the people.

[Narrator]

The Taliban has asked the world for help, but many Western donors are now.

[Shemitha Basu]

Wary of the country's repressive government.

[Narrator]

The US Once the country's biggest provider.

[Shemitha Basu]

Of aid, has pulled its financial support.

[Narrator]

And the Trump administration terminated over $1.7.

[Shemitha Basu]

Billion in aid contracts for programs in Afghanistan.

[Narrator]

It has expressed its condolences after the.

[Shemitha Basu]

Earthquake, but so far has yet to pledge support.

[Narrator]

The US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction reported recently that the system for.

[Shemitha Basu]

Delivering aid to Afghanistan was broken c widespread corruption and misuse of the money that reached the country.

[Narrator]

Western pullback of aid is a severe.

[Shemitha Basu]

Blow to the ordinary people of Afghanistan at a moment like this.

[Narrator]

Prior to the Taliban taking over, as much as 80% of the government's public.

[Shemitha Basu]

Expenditure came from foreign donors.

[Narrator]

And Afghanistan is a country vulnerable to earthquakes. Its Last one in 2023 killed around 1,400 people. But Shireen Ibrahim from the International Rescue.

[Shemitha Basu]

Committee told CNN that the country's capacity to support its only gotten worse since.

[Aid Agency Representative]

What has really changed is our ability to respond at scale and at the speed that we need. The coordination mechanisms are there, the actors are on the ground. We clearly are trying to pull together whatever we have in terms of resources, but the scale is unmatched by the resources that we need.

[Narrator]

Analysts have warned that women and girls.

[Shemitha Basu]

Could be at even greater risk.

[Narrator]

The Afghanistan branch of the aid group.

[Shemitha Basu]

CARE told the BBC the Taliban has limited health services to women.

[Narrator]

The BBC's Yogita Lamaya told the network that could make foreign donors even less.

[Shemitha Basu]

Likely to provide support given the Taliban's.

[BBC's Yogita Lamaya]

Policies, particularly its restrictions on women. Even at the air base today, we could not film women. We were told not to film women at the hospital as well. And that's why, you know, while we were able to see them, we haven't been able to reflect them in our pictures. So when you look at the restrictions that they've imposed on women, it's unlikely that, you know, there will be many donors who will think twice or will not want to give funds to this country while the tha Taliban is running it.

[Narrator]

Even before the earthquake, the country was.

[Shemitha Basu]

Already in a dire position. Three quarters of its provinces are facing severe or catastrophic drought, and the UN had warned of an unprecedented hunger crisis.

[Narrator]

Right now, agencies are warning that the.

[Shemitha Basu]

Danger is not yet over, with the potential for flash flooding and aftershocks still to come.

[Foreign Correspondent]

Foreign.

[Narrator]

Let'S turn now to a gathering of world leaders yesterday, one with a.

[Shemitha Basu]

Very selective invite list.

[Narrator]

At a major summit held in Tianjin, China, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime.

[Shemitha Basu]

Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping were seen together sharing laughs, cozying.

[Narrator]

Up and appearing to send a message.

[Shemitha Basu]

To the world that they will stand shoulder to shoulder.

[Narrator]

As Bloomberg put it, the three leaders seem to be offering up an alternative.

[Shemitha Basu]

World order, challenging, as they see it, US Dominance on the world stage.

[Narrator]

It's rare to see all three men together in one place, and the inclusion of Modi especially could precipitate a big.

[Shemitha Basu]

Shift in global power politics.

[Philom Khan]

Suddenly we're seeing a radical realignment in terms of how India connects with new allies and old allies.

[Narrator]

Philom Khan is the China and Indo.

[Shemitha Basu]

Pacific affairs correspondent at Politico.

[Narrator]

He says this meeting comes at a crucial time for India, which is currently.

[Shemitha Basu]

Dealing with harsh criticisms and high tariffs from Trump.

[Philom Khan]

India and the US Relationship has got very rocky and very frosty over tariffs and the Trump administration's treatment of India and particularly interpretations on the India side that the Trump administration has scorned Prime Minister Modi.

[Narrator]

Trump imposed tariffs as high as 50%.

[Shemitha Basu]

On India and said after Monday's meeting that Modi offered to drop tariffs to zero for US Goods imported to India.

[Narrator]

This is a stark reversal of US.

[Shemitha Basu]

Indian relations, which had improved in recent years as the US Increasingly saw India as part of its strategy to prevent China from becoming more dominant.

[Narrator]

That said, Kine notes, tensions with China.

[Shemitha Basu]

Haven'T completely gone away and the photo.

[Narrator]

Ops don't tell the whole story.

[Philom Khan]

India has a very long and very tortured relationship with China over its disputed border. India is not suddenly going to drop everything and throw in with Beijing because they don't see China as that type of country, that they can actually undertake a close and trustworthy relationship for the long term.

[Narrator]

Meanwhile, for China, the opportunity to widen.

[Shemitha Basu]

The rift between the US and the rest of the world over unpopular and often chaotic economic policies gave President Xi.

[Narrator]

The chance to argue to the world that Beijing is on a stronger foot.

[Shemitha Basu]

As a global power.

[Philom Khan]

This is a symbolic propaganda coup that just landed in his lap. I mean, this is a real gift because in the immediate aftermath of this trade spat between the US And India, Xi Jinping is welcoming Modi as a close friend and comrade, and the optics are everything.

[Narrator]

Tomorrow, China continues its global show of.

[Shemitha Basu]

Power with a military parade that will.

[Narrator]

Be attended by Putin and North Korean.

[Shemitha Basu]

Leader Kim Jong Un.

[Narrator]

This all comes as Putin shows little.

[Shemitha Basu]

Sign of compromise in Ukraine peace talks and continues to barrage Kyiv with intensive strikes.

[Narrator]

Kine points out the show of unity.

[Shemitha Basu]

From nations either directly or indirectly supporting Russia's invasion is telling.

[Philom Khan]

We have North Korean troops and munitions that are being targeted at Ukraine's territory, Ukrainian troops. We have Vladimir Putin willing to throw endless numbers of troops at Ukraine, and we have China essentially being a supplier of dual use items that allow the war to continue. So when you look at that optic, the photograph or the video images of those three leaders, you're looking at a future that is really dark in the sense that there is no accountability and there are no guardrails. These countries are pursuing a conflict and there's no one stepping in to stop them.

[Narrator]

Let's move now to Texas, where Republican Governor Greg Abbott approved a divisive new.

[Shemitha Basu]

Gerrymandered congressional map on Friday designed to.

[Narrator]

Potentially give Republicans as many as five.

[Shemitha Basu]

More seats in the midterm elections next year. Though it's already facing a number of legal challenges.

[Narrator]

Abbott shared a video of the moment.

[Shemitha Basu]

He signed it into law on his desk.

[Reporter Bob Garrett]

Texas is now more red in the.

[Narrator]

United States Congress, Remember President Trump pushed.

[Shemitha Basu]

Texas Republicans to redraw the map to help him retain control of Congress through the rest of his term.

[Narrator]

His Department of Justice threatened Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton with legal.

[Shemitha Basu]

Action if they didn't pursue a new map, according to reporter Bob Garrett in a joint investigation for ProPublica and the Texas Tribune.

[Narrator]

This was part of a legal strategy.

[Shemitha Basu]

The administration has testing for months.

[Reporter Bob Garrett]

This fit a pattern we were seeing this summer already with the Trump administration in Texas of using lawsuits or the threat of lawsuits in friendly venues and with friendly defendants to erase laws or policies that Trump wanted to erase.

[Narrator]

Legal experts told Garrett the tactic effectively allows the administration to work with state leaders to sidestep lawmakers and try to force the political outcomes it wants. The doj, the White House, Paxton and.

[Shemitha Basu]

Abbott all declined to comment on this reporting.

[Narrator]

Now, Garrett points out Trump is not.

[Shemitha Basu]

The only president to use this strategy.

[Narrator]

The Obama administration took a similar approach, encouraging liberal groups and Democratic state attorneys general to file lawsuits against the epa.

[Shemitha Basu]

Which legal experts say led to rapid adoption of stricter environmental regulations, regulations that Congress might not have passed otherwise.

[Narrator]

But legal experts told Garrett Trump's version.

[Shemitha Basu]

Of this so called sue and settle strategy has been far more aggressive and expansive.

[Reporter Bob Garrett]

We had a state law being erased by a sue and settle strategy and it puts at risk the agreement that underlies sort of our system where if you lose, you sometimes accept that you lose and try again later. In this case, if you lose, we don't accept it and we find another way to win fast.

[Narrator]

The case he's talking about there involves.

[Shemitha Basu]

The Texas DREAM Act, a law that.

[Narrator]

Guaranteed in state tuition at public colleges.

[Shemitha Basu]

And universities to students who lived in.

[Narrator]

Texas for three years and graduated from a Texas high school, even if they.

[Shemitha Basu]

Weren'T permanent residents or US Citizens.

[Narrator]

It had consistent bipartisan support and the.

[Shemitha Basu]

Support of most major groups representing Texas businesses.

[Narrator]

Previous efforts to change it in the.

[Shemitha Basu]

Republican controlled state legislature, including this year, went nowhere. But in June, the DOJ filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the.

[Narrator]

DREAM act in a district with only.

[Shemitha Basu]

One judge, a Trump appointee. Paxton joined the suit rather than defend the DREAM act, which would normally be the AG's role, and the judge quickly agreed to declare it unconstitutional.

[Reporter Bob Garrett]

Within six hours. This 24 year old law, signed by Republican Governor Rick Perry and passed by many Republican lawmakers, was erased after that.

[Narrator]

Victory in Texas, the Justice Department used.

[Shemitha Basu]

The same strategy to target immigrant tuition benefits in Kentucky, Minnesota and Oklahoma.

[Narrator]

Oklahoma agreed to end its benefits.

[Shemitha Basu]

Officials in the other states are pushing back.

[Narrator]

Before we let you go, a few.

[Shemitha Basu]

Other stories we're following.

[Narrator]

There are 1.2 million fewer immigrant workers.

[Shemitha Basu]

In the U.S. according to New government.

[Narrator]

Data, which showed a big decline between.

[Shemitha Basu]

January and the end of July, CBS News reports.

[Narrator]

The figures include immigrants without legal status.

[Shemitha Basu]

And some who were legal residents.

[Narrator]

The numbers are the latest illustration of.

[Shemitha Basu]

The effect Trump's crackdown on immigration is having on the economy and the workforce.

[Narrator]

Immigrants make up roughly 20% of workers.

[Shemitha Basu]

With about 45% doing farming, fishing and forestry. Another 30% work in construction and 24% are service workers, according to Pew Research Center.

[Narrator]

Pew also notes that it's not clear.

[Shemitha Basu]

Whether the decline is due to enforcement action, self deportation or other factors.

[Narrator]

One labor economist told the Associated Press, immigrants contribute to at least 50% of.

[Shemitha Basu]

Job growth in the US and with.

[Narrator]

The influx across the border essentially stopped.

[Shemitha Basu]

There'S been a huge impact on the ability to create jobs.

[Narrator]

President Trump says he will honor former.

[Shemitha Basu]

New York mayor and personal lawyer Rudy.

[Narrator]

Giuliani with the country's highest civilian honor.

[Shemitha Basu]

The Presidential Medal of Freedom.

[Narrator]

He announced this yesterday.

[Shemitha Basu]

The same day 81 year old Giuliani was released from the hospital following a car crash, Giuliani suffered fractured vertebra after being rear ended while traveling as a passenger near Manchester, New Hampshire.

[Narrator]

His friend told the New York Times.

[Shemitha Basu]

That he was in high spirits after they spoke. In recent years, Giuliani has faced mounting legal and financial problems, especially over his false claims about the 2020 election. He declared bankruptcy two years ago and was disbarred from practicing law in New York last year after being indicted in Arizona and Georgia in cases connected to the 2020 election.

[Narrator]

And finally, the US Open's biggest controversy.

[Shemitha Basu]

So far has not been on the court, but in the stands. The millionaire CEO of a Polish paving.

[Narrator]

Company went viral after a video showed.

[Shemitha Basu]

Him snatching a signed hat that a.

[Narrator]

Player was attempting to give to a.

[Shemitha Basu]

Young boy who appeared shocked and upset.

[Narrator]

At first, the executive doubled down, posting on social media that if you were.

[Shemitha Basu]

Faster, you would have it. But perhaps inevitably, he has now apologized and said that he made a grave mistake. In the midst of emotions and the.

[Narrator]

Player, Camille Majak, has now met with.

[Shemitha Basu]

The child and gifted him some merch. And after this and that now infamous moment at a Coldplay concert, executives might.

[Narrator]

Want to take note.

[Shemitha Basu]

Seems like you're always being watched, even in the crowds.

[Narrator]

You can find all these stories and.

[Shemitha Basu]

More in the Apple News app.

[Narrator]

And if you're already listening in the News app right now. We've got a narrated article coming up next.

[Shemitha Basu]

New York magazine gets inside the Kennedy family in crisis as it's largely liberal.

[Narrator]

Dynamics struggles to work out how to.

[Shemitha Basu]

Respond to their most powerful member. If you're listening in the podcast app, follow Apple News Narrated to find that story. And I'll be back with the news tomorrow.