Bethany E. Matta

Reporter/videographer. Previously in Afghanistan. Before that: HK, Taiwan, China. Currently in Denver. [email protected]. RT≠endorsement.

[Lotfullah Najafizada @LNajafizada]

What’s happening in Herat?

- The governor, a hardliner, reportedly decided in last week’s government meeting to round up women in the city who do not fully cover their faces.
- On Saturday, the PVPV arrested up to 35 women at three locations, including the Lilami area, a busy bazaar known for its second-hand clothing shops and carts, in downtown Herat.
- The women were later released after their male family members were summoned and warned.
- Today, a few dozen men and women from the Hazara neighborhood of Jebrail in western Herat took to the streets in protest. The Taliban opened fire on the protesters, reportedly killing a child and wounding several others.
- There is talk of wider protests in the coming days, including after Friday prayers.

[Bethany E. Matta @BethanyMatta]

The Trump administration is deleting government data. From infant deaths to hunger, here are 5 ways it’s hurting Americans.
The consequences of its erasure, experts warn, could affect generations to come
https://t.co/G4AmGJ6sGv

[Evan A. Feigenbaum @EvanFeigenbaum]

The @WashPost has now laid off its Asia editor, its New Delhi bureau chief, its Sydney bureau chief, its Cairo bureau chief, the entire Middle East reporting team, China correspondents, Iran correspondents, Turkey correspondents, and many more. The world is becoming less America-centric by the minute while the United States is becoming more America-centric than ever. It is just a depressing yet somehow perfect summation of our current moment that one of the most important newspapers in the history of the country - one that has actually shaped the history of the United States - doesn't think reporting on the world is of any use anymore. What an utterly perfect encapsulation of where we have arrived.

[Bethany E. Matta @BethanyMatta]

#Denver #AuroraCO Another “routine” traffic stop resulting in a black man killed https://t.co/KhgEZtbKGc

[TIME @TIME]

"Mothers and children will die." What U.S. aid cuts mean for the women of Afghanistan https://t.co/h9dkl8XxIV

[Bethany E. Matta @BethanyMatta]

SOMETIMES JUST the threat of window smashing is enough. One Afghan asylum-seeker who stepped out of a car after ICE threatened his window said in an affidavit, “It reminded me of the Taliban.”
“You think we’re arresting people now?” Homan said. “You wait.”
https://t.co/EDOU61I8cF

[Bethany E. Matta @BethanyMatta]

AP wins reinstatement to White House events after judge rules government can’t bar its journalists https://t.co/C4t4Rv4wpH

[Jim Sciutto @jimsciutto]

Gulp.

Me: How much would a $100 pair of sneakers made in China or Vietnam cost if made in the U.S.?

@FDRA’s Matt Priest: “$300 or $400 easily. In fact, we've even just looked at the tariffs coming into place tonight at midnight, a $150 pair of running shoes will be $230.”

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

Our military has captured two Chinese citizens who were fighting as part of the Russian army. This happened on Ukrainian territory—in the Donetsk region. Identification documents, bank cards, and personal data were found in their possession.

We have information suggesting that there are many more Chinese citizens in the occupier's units than just these two. We are currently verifying all the facts—intelligence, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the relevant units of the Armed Forces are working on it.

I have instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to immediately contact Beijing and clarify how China intends to respond to this.

Russia's involvement of China, along with other countries, whether directly or indirectly, in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin intends to do anything but end the war. He is looking for ways to continue fighting. This definitely requires a response. A response from the United States, Europe, and all those around the world who want peace.

The captured Chinese citizens are now in the custody of the Security Service of Ukraine.

Relevant investigative and operational actions are ongoing.

[Brian Krassenstein @krassenstein]

BREAKING: Jeffrey Goldberg from The Atlantic @TheAtlantic has just released the FULL Text Message Chain.

I have provided all texts in this post and the thread below:

CHECK MATE! 🧵

[Brian Stelter @brianstelter]

The Voice of America may not live up to its ambitious name for much longer.

Today the staff was told to stop working. Some were told to hand in badges. And contracts with other American-funded networks were cancelled. This is a massive purge. 🧵

[Franklin Leonard @franklinleonard]

However much you agree with Mahmoud Khalil or don’t, this should be deeply unsettling.

[The Associated Press @AP]

BREAKING: The Canadian province of Ontario will charge 25% more for electricity to 1.5 million Americans in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war. https://t.co/j5jrcQ8CRC

[Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi @CongressmanRaja]

On Friday, I wrote to President Trump to urge him to abandon his plans for another "travel ban," which would run contrary to American values and interests. Such a ban could abandon thousands of people in Afghanistan facing Taliban reprisals for helping American service members.

[🇺🇦Paula Chertok🗽 @PaulaChertok]

Trump wants the death penalty for anyone who kills cops — unless of course they kill cops for him. Then Trump will pardon them and make sure they get their guns back.

[John Cassidy @JohnCassidy]

This should reassure the markets.

[New York Times World @nytimesworld]

Breaking News: President Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine in a tense White House meeting. https://t.co/SHGMHpgkUN

[Bethany E. Matta @BethanyMatta]

Washington Post opinion head departs as Jeff Bezos shifts focus for paper https://t.co/YhcDgL7ExJ via @AJEnglish

[Rep. Jake Auchincloss 🟧 @RepAuchincloss]

The last time a child in the U.S. died of measles was in 2003.

[Bethany E. Matta @BethanyMatta]

At #Trump’s 1st cabinet meeting, he repeats his claims that the Chinese are occupying Bagram airbase in #Afghanistan
And, in not so many words, says #Russia invaded #Ukraine.

[Lotfullah Najafizada @LNajafizada]

Trump’s comments on Afghanistan at his first cabinet meeting.