V-J Day

 

25: Canada

25 Years ago (September 11, 2001) during the Terrorist Attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in the Field in Pennsylvania Canada stood with the United States in many ways.

(Gander International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada with 38 Airliners, totaling 6,122 Passengers and 473 Crew, as part of Operation Yellow Ribbon on 9-11-01.)

Not only did the Canadian Military help protect American Airspace under NORAD, but Canadian Airports took in Hundreds of Planes with Tens of Thousands of Passengers including Thousands of Americans that were headed towards the United States from Europe and Asia.

It was called Operation Yellow Ribbon (French: Opération ruban jaune.)

After the US FAA closed all of American Airspace at 9:45 Eastern Time Transport Canada enacted Operation Yellow Ribbon under SitCen.

The SitCen is Transport Canada's Emergency Operations Centre (EOC.)

As Personnel staffed the SitCen, key Organizations such as Nav Canada, the Department of National Defence, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) were also involved in SitCen Operations.

After learning that the FAA had closed down U.S. Airspace, David Collenette, the Canadian Transport Minister, gave orders that Canadian Airports be open only for outgoing Police, Military, and Humanitarian Flights, and incoming U.S. Bound International Flights that were passed the “point of no return” over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.  

This was the first unplanned closure of Canadian Airspace.

SitCen focused on keeping in contact with every plane (to make sure there were no more Hijacked Planes), where to land all the Aircraft and how to deplane, screen and clear Tens of Thousands of Passengers through Canadian Immigration and Customs.

Planes were entering Canadian Airspace at a rate of 2 Planes every Minute.

238 Planes with 45,000 Passengers and Crew en-route to the United States were re-routed to 17 Canadian Airports.

Gander International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada is the first North American Airport on the Transatlantic Flight Route.

Gander Airport took in 38 Wide-Body Airplanes with 6,122 Passengers and Crew.

The Total Population of Gander at the time was 9,000 People and there were only 500 Hotel Rooms in the City.

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien stated that in the span of a few hours the Population of Gander jumped by more than 50%.

The People of Gander opened Schools, Community Centers and their Own Homes to house these Stranded People (including American.)

The People of Gander also donated Food, Clothes, Bedding, etc, to them.

Here are the other Canadian Airports that also took in American-Bound Airplanes:

Halifax International Airport in Nova Scotia handled 45 Flights

St. John's International Airport in Newfoundland handled 27 Flights

Winnipeg International Airport in Manitoba handled 15 Flights

Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario handled 14 Flights

Calgary International Airport in Alberta handled 13 Flights

Greater Moncton International Airport in New Brunswick handled 10 Flights

Montréal–Mirabel International Airport in Quebec handled 10 Flights

Stephenville International Airport in Newfoundland handled 13 Flights

Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay in Newfoundland handled 7 Flights

Montréal-Dorval International Airport in Quebec handled 7 Flights

Edmonton International Airport in Alberta handled 6 Flights

Hamilton International Airport in Ontario handled 4 Flights

Whitehorse International Airport in Yukon handled 2 Flights

Deer Lake Airport in Newfoundland handled 1 Flight

Yellowknife Airport in the Northwest Territories handled 2 Flights

Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia (the only major Canadian Airport on the West Coast capable of handling the large Aircraft used for Transpacific Flights took in 34 Planes with 8,500 Passengers and Crew.

After the Planes were diverted and landed and the Passengers and Crew were deplaned and went through Canadian Immigration and Customs the Canadians then had to house and feed all 45,000 Men, Women and Children.

Federal, Provincial, Territorial and Local Canadian Governments worked with Canadian Citizens to feed and house all 45,000 People for 5  days until they could go into the United States,

Operation Yellow Ribbon was the largest Emergency Operation in Civilian Aircraft History.

Canada did not have to endanger their own Citizens by allowing these Planes and People into their Country on 9-11.

They did it because they are a good, kind and caring People.

25 years later we should remember what the Canadians did for us Americans.

87: WW 2

 

57 Years Late

From CNN:

“French has become a sticking point in the Canada-US trade dispute. Here’s why”

As a trade war between the United States and Canada looms following the collapse of talks last week, a key issue has emerged that’s further inflamed tensions between the longtime allies: French language laws.

Canada is a bilingual country and has laws protecting both of its official languages: English and French, the first language spoken for roughly one fifth of the population, including nearly 85% of primarily Francophone province of Quebec. Among the laws, product labels must be displayed in both English and French, and US streaming platforms must support and promote Canadian content (including Indigenous and French Canadian content) to audiences north of the border.

Canada’s language requirements have long been viewed by the US as a trade barrier but are generally a red line for Ottawa — which Prime Minister Mark Carney enforced by walking away from a deal which he said included “threats to French language and culture.” On Monday, Carney said Canada “could not accept” the proposed deal that would have weakened French language protections, telling reporters that his government “will not give (the US) what they have asked.” Many in Canada have rallied behind Carney’s decision — and particularly his comments about protecting French culture, a core part of Canada’s national identity.

After US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer called Ottawa’s concerns about French a “funny, fake story” on Monday, the Canadian leader denied the issue was a laughing matter, saying there is an “enormous gap between our perspective and the US perspective.” “For Americans, French language, Francophone culture, Canadian culture, these are irritants,” Carney said in French at a news conference in Lévis, Quebec. “Here in Quebec, here in Canada, these are rights,” he said, as a group of reporters applauded.

On Tuesday, Donald Trump denied that the US wanted to interfere with Canada’s French language laws, while also calling the Canadian prime minister “weak and ineffective” in a Truth Social post. “I would never interfere with Canadians speaking French! In fact, I have never even thought of doing such a stupid thing. This lie was made up by a weak and ineffective Prime Minister in an attempt to gain political support, which he has totally lost, from the people of Quebec,” the US president posted.

Since negotiations stalled Friday, the US has imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Carney initially pledged to match the tariffs “dollar-for-dollar,” but on Monday said his government may consider a more targeted approach to maximize effect, given the size of the American economy. “Everything is on the table,” he said in French. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and three other Cabinet ministers are set to announce Canada’s response to the tariffs on Tuesday, including measures to protect and support Canadian workers and businesses, according to a government statement. CNN has reached out to Carney’s office for more details.

Language rights vital part of Canadian identity Language rights have been entrenched in Canada’s constitution for decades and are particularly important to Quebec, which has fought to protect its distinct linguistic and cultural identity in an English-dominated North America. This pursuit has at times put the province at odds with the rest of Canada. Quebec has twice held a referendum on whether to secede from the rest of the country, most recently in a 1995 vote where the “no” side won by a razor-thin margin of just 1.16%.

Language laws include everything from the right for Canadians to access official services in both languages to the requirement that hair care companies display the French “shampooing” alongside English text on their bottles. For US companies looking to do business in Canada, this means added barriers as they must redesign packaging and pay extra production costs.

Stewart Prest, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of British Columbia, said asking Canada to bend these rules is “not a reasonable request of the Canadian government in a trade negotiation,” and one Canada has “no choice but to say no to.” “People in Canada speak French. It’s not a country where everybody speaks English, and some people like to dabble in French,” he said. “It is not so different than asking France to relax its requirement that packaging must include French.” It’s common for service workers in Montreal to greet customers with “Bonjour-Hi.”

Under any circumstance, it would be incredibly detrimental to Carney, who has built a global profile for standing up to Trump, to bow on an issue so central to Canadian identity, said Stéphanie Chouinard, associate professor of political studies at Royal Military College and Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. But the matter is particularly acute with Quebec just weeks away from a provincial election where the separatist Parti Québécois is surging in the polls, she said. The party’s leader recently said he would delay a possible independence referendum until Trump’s term ends — but any concession on language laws could “stoke secessionist sentiment” in the province where independence talk has been on the back burner, Chouinard said.

At odds with Washington Quebec has implemented strict nationalist policies in recent years to reinforce French as the province’s sole language, including through the controversial language law Bill 96, which includes stricter requirements for French on products, appliances, packaging and signage. The legislation was included on the 2025 list of global trade barriers compiled annually by the Office of the US Trade Representative.

The US has also expressed concerns about Canada’s Online Streaming Act, which requires online video and music services like Netflix and Spotify to invest in and promote Canadian content. Washington also opposed another streaming regulation, known as Bill 109, passed in Quebec last December, which compels streaming platforms to prioritize French-language content. In March, the US listed the measure as a potential trade barrier in its trade estimate report.

Greer, in an interview with CNBC Monday, said the US does not have an issue with the French language but rather what he called a “discriminatory tax on American companies.” “I like the Quebecois, and I like that they speak French. What we don’t like is a situation where Canada’s federal government forces American tech companies to take their earnings and give a percentage to their competitors,” he said. For many in Canada, the dispute raises concerns about American interference with Canada’s national identity.

Quebec’s Premier Christine Fréchette said Carney made the right decision to walk away from the negotiating table. “Our culture, our language, is central to our identity, and it is important to exclude that from the negotiation table,” said Fréchette in a news conference, according to CNN newsgathering partner CBC News. “Even though we are threatened with different tariffs, it won’t change. We will stay the way we are.”

^ Canada has officially been a Bilingual Country since 1969.

That is 57 years of having to use French and English on Products and in Service including on American Imported Products.

If this is just now being a problem for some Americans then they are 57 years too late. ^

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/french-has-become-a-sticking-point-in-the-canada-us-trade-dispute-here-s-why/ar-AA2aQRnU?ocid=msedgntp&pc=EDBBAN&cvid=6a8dd87170fa4e459f1f1f9e12a79e43&ei=9

35: World

The World honors Ukraine's fight over Russia on Ukraine's 35th Independence Day today!

Pet Massacre

The British Pet Massacre

(British Pet Owners waiting in line to euthanize their healthy Pets between September 1939 and September 1940.)

The British Pet Massacre took place in the first days of September 1939, after the United Kingdom declared War on Nazi Germany and again during the first days of the Germans bombing British Cities in September 1940.

A Quarter of all the Cats and Dogs in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) were euthanized by their Owners for fear that they couldn’t feed them during Wartime or that they would be hurt or killed by a German Bomb.

400,000 Healthy Cats and Dogs were euthanized across the United Kingdom from September 3-7, 1939.

It was caused by War Panic.

A British Government Pamphlet was later created (after the fact) advising Pet Owners on Wartime Animal Care provided some encouragement for the killing, noting euthanasia an option for People unable to take their Pets with them when evacuating.

The National Air Raid Precautions Animals Committee (NARPAC) was formed to decide what to do with Pets during Wartime.

The Committee was worried that when People evacuated, they might leave their Pets behind. In response to that fear, NARPAC published a Pamphlet titled "Advice to Animal Owners."

NARPAC's messaging was primarily focused on evacuation, suggesting moving Pets from the big Cities and into the Countryside; but a line at the end noted that "if you cannot place them in the care of Neighbours, it really is kindest to have them destroyed."

Many Veterinarian Groups such as the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) were against these drastic measures, but their Hospitals were still flooded with Pet Owners in the first few days of the War.

PDSA founder Maria Dickin reported: "Our technical officers called upon to perform this unhappy duty will never forget the tragedy of those days."

Hilda Kean wrote that lines for London Clinics stretched a half mile.

The event triggered a shortage of Chloroform and a waste management challenge.

(British Pamphlet about how to euthanize your Pets)

A Book about the British Pet Massacre was published in 2017.

It’s called “The Great Cat and Dog Massacre” and goes through the Initial War Panic that led Pet Owners to euthanize their healthy Cats and Dogs and the Grief of their decision after the fact.

When the Germans started to bomb London and other British Cities  - The Blitz - a year after the War began (in September 1940) more Pet Owners decided to euthanize their Dogs and Cats.

300,000 Cats and Dogs were euthanized at this time.

The Blitz lasted 8 months (September 7, 1940-May 16, 1941) and saw 43,000 British Civilians killed, 139,000 British Civilians wounded and 2 Million Houses destroyed.

Battersea Dogs Home, against the trend to euthanize healthy Cats and Dogs , managed to feed and care for 145,000 Dogs during the course of the War and provided a field in Ilford as a Pet Cemetery, where about 500,000 Animals were buried, many from the first week of the War.

In total 750,000 healthy Cats and Dogs were euthanized across the United Kingdom in September 1939 and September 1940.

The Number is much higher and doesn’t include the Pet Owners who euthanized their own Pets themselves.

After 1945 the British Pet Massacre was all but forgotten until the 2017 Book about it was published.

Black Ribbon

Black Ribbon Day

Today (August 23rd) is Black Ribbon Day. It is the day the European Union, Georgia, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States remembers the Men, Women and Children murdered by both the Nazis and the Communists. The date was chosen because it was when the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact between the German Nazis and the Soviet Communists was signed in 1939.

The Nazis murdered 24,826,424 Men, Women and Children (Non-Military Civilians) from 1933-1945.

That number also includes those in Targeted Groups that the Nazis specifically went after:

 Jews:   6 Million Men, Women and Children;

Non-Jewish Polish Civilians: 3 Million Men, Women and Children

People with Disabilities: 270,000 Men, Women and Children (doesn’t include the 375,000 Disabled who were Forcibly Sterilized)

Roma and Sinti (Gypsies): 500,000- 1.5 Million Men, Women and Children

Jehovah's Witnesses:  5,000 Men, Women and Children

Homosexuals:  9,000 Men and Women in Concentration Camps (Doesn’t include the 50,000 Men and Women held in Regular Prisons)

 

 The Communists murdered 149,469,610 Men, Women and Children (Non-Military Civilians)  Worldwide since 1917 and the Communists in China, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos and North Korea continue murdering Innocent People.

We should also remember the Ukrainian Men, Women and Children being murdered by the Russian Nazi Zs since 2022.

I Swear

 

I just watched a British Movie on Netflix called “I Swear.”

It’s the true story of John Davidson who has Severe Tourette’s Syndrome.

John Davidson was born on June 1, 1971 in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland.

He started experiencing tics and other issues when he was 12 years old.

He regularly had issues in School including being whipped on his hand by a belt by the Headmaster for “acting out.”

John left School at 16 years old without any Qualifications.

Distraught and feeling abandoned by his School his Friends and his Family John tried to commit Suicide by walking into a river, but is saved.

He then worked as a Caretaker at Langlee Community Centre in Galashiels.

His Tourette’s causes him to have tics, Coprolalia, Echolalia, sudden and violent body movements, along with severe Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD.)

When he was 15 years old in 1989  a BBC Television Documentary was made about him, “John's Not Mad.”

The Documentary followed John around in his daily life and how his Family, his Friends, and Strangers interacted with him and his Tourette’s (which many had never experienced before.)

“John’s Not Here” was ranked one of the 50^th Best Documentaries in 2005.

After “Jonh’s Not Here” aired John became nationally known across the United Kingdom as “Ambassador for the condition - a Spokesman for this previously hidden Neurological Disorder, campaigning to educate people about it."

In 2002 another Documentary “The Boy Can't Help It” shows John at 30 years old.

In 2009, a third Documentary “Tourette’s: I Swear I Can't Help It” was made about the 27 year old John.

John has visited Schools, given talks and helped Police Officers and Others to learn how to support people with Tourette’s.

 In 2019, he was a Board Member of Tourette Scotland.

In the 2019 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to People with Tourette's Syndrome, in recognition of "his efforts to increase understanding of the condition and helping families deal with it across the country."

While being presented with the Award at Holyrood Palace, John unexpectedly swore at Queen Elizabeth II.

He said that the Queen, aware of his condition, responded with patience and understanding.

In 2025 the Movie “I Swear” came out about John’s life and his struggles with Tourette’s.

60: Battle Of Long Dan

 

(Second Lieutenant Dave Sabben advances cautiously through the rubber plantation the day after the Battle of Long Tan in 1966.)

60 years ago today (August 18, 1966) The Battle of Long Tan took place in Phước Tuy Province, South Vietnam.

It took place during the Vietnam War (1965-1973) between Australian and New Zealander Soldiers (of the  D Company, 6th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment) and the North Vietnamese and Vietcong Communists.

108 Australian and New Zealander Troops faced 2,800 North Vietnamese Communists with Americans providing Air Fire for the Australians and New Zealanders.

 

The Battle of Long Tan lasted until August 21, 1966 with the Australians and New Zealanders winning. 

18 Australian and New Zealander Soldiers were killed and 24 were wounded.

500 North Vietnamese and Vietcong Communists were killed.

 

The Long Tan Cross Memorial which was erected by the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment on August 18, 1969 to mark the site of the Battle of Long Tan, which was fought three years earlier.

After the North Vietnamese Communist Victory in April 1975 the Cross was removed.

The Cross was found by the  Đồng Nai Province Museum in 1984 and gifted to Australia in 2017 where it has been on permanent display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra ever since.

For the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in 2016 a Ceremony was held on the Battlefield; where 1,000 Australian Veterans and their Families travelled to Vietnam to participate.

In Australia hundreds attended the Australian War Memorial and Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra.

Commemorations were also held at Sydney's Cenotaph, Brisbane's ANZAC Square, Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance.

 

 

61,000 Australian Men and Women served in South Vietnam from July 1962 –  December 1972.

521 Australian Soldiers were killed and 3,000 were wounded during the War.

Australia had Military Conscription until 1972 and sent Draftees to fight in Vietnam.

 

3,890 New Zealander Men and Women served in South Vietnam from June 1964-December 1972.

37 New Zealander Soldiers were killed and 187 were wounded during the War.

New Zealand had Military Conscription until 1972 and sent Draftees to fight in Vietnam.

 

2,709,918 American Men and Women served in South Vietnam or Cambodia from August 1964-April 1975.

543,000 American Soldiers were in South Vietnam at the peak in 1969.

 58,148 American Soldiers were killed and 303,644 were wounded.

The United States had Military Conscription until 1973 and sent Draftees to fight in Vietnam.

81: The End

 

81 years ago today (August 15, 1945) World War 2 ended with Victory Over Japan Day (V-J Day.)

 

75 Million Men, Women and Children died during World War 2 (1939-1945.)

55 Million of that Number were Civilians.

 

Canada:

In 1939 Canada had a Population of: 11,267,000

42,000 Canadian Soldiers died during the War.

1,600 Canadian Civilians died during the War.

53,174 Canadian Soldiers were Wounded during the War.

 

The United Kingdom:

In 1939 the United Kingdom had a Population of: 47,760,000 (not including British Colonies.)

383,700 British Soldiers died during the War.

67,200 British Civilians died during the War.

376,239 British Soldiers were Wounded during the War.

 

The United States of America:

In 1939 the United States had a Population of: 131,028,000 (not including American Territories of Alaska, Hawaii, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, etc.)

407,300  American Soldiers died during the War.

12,100 American Civilians died during the War.

671,801 American Soldiers were Wounded during the War.

VJ Day

 

81: Fronts

 81: All Fronts

2026 is the 81^st Anniversary of the end of World War 2.

The United States is the only country that fought in every single Theater of World War 2.

The US fought from December 7, 1941 until August 14, 1945.

16,112,566 Americans served in the United States Armed Forces, with 291,557 killed and 671,278 wounded.

130,201 Americans became Prisoners of War, of whom 116,129 returned home after the War.

19,000 American Civilians (Men, Women and Children) were interned by either the Germans or the Japanese during World War 2 (1941-1945.)

5,000 American Civilians were interned by the Germans and 14,000 American Civilians were interned by the Japanese.

The US fought in the Atlantic Ocean Theater from 1941-1945 (US Occupied Iceland; US Occupied Greenland, Sank German U-Boats; Sent US Troop Ships to Europe with Soldiers, Weapons and Supplies, etc.)

The US Fought in the Caribbean Theater from 1941-1945 (Sank German U-Boats, Protected Shipping and Raw Materials, built American Bases on Non-American Islands, Protected Dutch Curacao and Aruba Oil from German Attacks, Len Lease, etc.)

The US Fought in the North American Theater from 1941-1945 (Sank German U-Boats off the coast of the US – Torpedo Alley; Protected Shipping Troops and Raw Materials; Stopped German Attacks on the US under Operation Pastorius , Stopped Japanese Attacks on the US – along the West Coast and The Aleutian Islands of Alaska which were occupied by the Japanese from 1942-1943,  Won the Battle of the Saint Lawrence, Lend Lease, etc.)

The US Fought in the Latin American Theater from 1941-1945 (Sank German U-Boats, Built American Bases on Non-American Countries, Carried out Espionage on the Germans, Lend Lease, etc.)

The US Fought in the Western European Theater from 1941-1945 (Lend Lease, Sent Undercover Agents of the Office of Strategic Services to German-Occupied Territory, Bombed Germany, D-Day Landings in northern France, Liberation of France, Operation Market Garden, The Battle of the Bulge, Crossing the Rhine River into Germany, Meeting with the Soviets at the Elbe River, the Liberation of Concentration Camps, etc.)

The US Fought in the Eastern European Theater from 1941-1945 (Lend Lease, Sent Arctic Conveys to supply the USSR, Warsaw Airlift, etc.)

The US Fought in the Mediterranean Theater from 1942-1945 (Sent Conveys to break the Siege of Malta, Invasion of Sicily, Invasion of the rest of Italy, Invasion of southern France, Battle of Anzio, Liberation of Rome, etc.)

The US Fought in the North Africa Theater from 1942-1945 (Operation Torch – Invasion of Morocco and Tunisia, etc.)

The US Fought in the African Theater from 1942-1945 (Lend Lease, Protected against German Attacks, Shipped Raw Materials, etc.)

The US Fought in the Middle East Theater from 1942-1945 (Lend Lease, Sent Materials and Men to British Mandatory of Palestine, Protected Egypt, etc.)

The US Fought in the Antarctic Theater from 1942-1945 (Operation Tabarin, etc.)

The US Fought in the Australia/New Zealand Theater from 1941-1945 (Lend Lease, Protected against Japanese Invasion, Built US Bases, etc.)

The US Fought in the Pacific Theater from 1941-1945 (Fought the Japanese Island-To Island, The American Territories of the Philippines and Guam were Occupied by the Japanese from 1942-1945, Bombed Japan including the Doolittle Raid, Battle of the Coral Sea, Battle of Midway, Battle of Guadalcanal, Sank Japanese Subs, Burma Campaign, Battle of Saipan, Liberation of the Philippines,  Battle of Iwo Jima, Battle of Okinawa, Dropped Atomic Bombs, etc.)

 

5: Fall

It has been Five Years since the Fall of Kabul (August 15, 2021.)

Here is a look at key dates since the Taliban returned to power four years ago, as United States and NATO forces withdrew from the country:

February 29, 2020  - President Trump negotatied and signed the United States–Taliban Deal which reduced America’s Influence in Afghanistan and allowed the Taliban to retake the country (when the US ended Economic Sancations against the Taliban.)

Aug. 15, 2021 — The Taliban march into Kabul as internationally backed President Ashraf Ghani flees the country.

Aug. 26, 2021 — Islamic State group suicide bombers and gunmen kill over 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. troops in an attack on the crowds trying to be evacuated at Kabul’s airport.

March 23, 2022 — On the day high schools are opening, the Taliban abruptly reverse a promise to allow girls above the sixth grade to attend school.

May 7, 2022 — The Taliban Virtue and Vice Ministry says Women in public must wear all-encompassing robes and cover their faces except for their eyes. It advises them to stay home unless they have important work outside the house.

June 22, 2022 — A powerful earthquake hits a remote region of eastern Afghanistan, killing more than 1,100 people. The Taliban struggle with rescue efforts, underscoring a lack of resources and a reliance on aid groups.

July 31, 2022 — The U.S. kills al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri in a drone strike on a safe house in Kabul. American officials accuse the Taliban of sheltering him.

Sept. 30, 2022 — A suicide bomber strikes an education center in a Shiite area of the capital, killing dozens of people, including teenagers taking university entrance exams.

Nov. 10, 2022 — A nationwide ban on Women using gyms and parks comes into force. The Taliban say they imposed the ban because women allegedly disobeyed gender segregation rules or didn’t cover themselves properly.

Nov. 20, 2022 — The Taliban lash 19 people, including alleged adulterers, in the first public flogging since their return to rule.

Dec. 8, 2022 — The Taliban execute a convicted killer before hundreds of spectators in the first public execution since the takeover.

Dec. 21, 2022 — The Taliban bar female students from attending university. Afghanistan is the only country in the world that bans female education.

Dec. 24, 2022 — The Taliban bar Afghan women from working with national and international nongovernmental groups.

July 4, 2023 — The Taliban order beauty salons to shut down for offering allegedly un-Islamic services like eyebrow shaping. The decision affects as many as 60,000 female entrepreneurs.

Sept. 13, 2023 — The Taliban hail China’s new ambassador with fanfare. Months later, the Taliban officially send their new ambassador to Beijing.

Oct. 4, 2023 — Pakistan announces a major crackdown on foreigners living in the country illegally, including 1.7 million Afghans. The Taliban, the U.N. and rights groups condemn the policy.

Oct. 7, 2023 — A 6.3 magnitude earthquake in western Herat province kills thousands of people. More quakes follow, bringing further devastation to the area.

Nov. 15, 2023 - FlyDubai becomes the first international carrier to resume flights to Kabul after a two-year hiatus. AirArabia and Turkish Airlines follow suit.

Jan. 4, 2024 — The Taliban arrest Women in Kabul for wearing “bad hijab,” the first official dress code crackdown since they returned to power.

Feb. 22, 2024 — The Taliban hold a double execution at a stadium in the country’s southeast while thousands of people watch.

March 2024 – The Taliban reinstate flogging and death by stoning for Women.

May 11, 2024 — Flash floods in Afghanistan’s north from unusually heavy seasonal rains kill more than 300 people.

May 17, 2024 — Shooters open fire in central Bamiyan province killing six people, including three Spanish holidaymakers. It’s a blow to the Taliban’s plans to woo tourists. IS claims the attack.

June 4, 2024 — The Taliban publicly flog at least 60 people, including more than a dozen women, accused of crimes such as sodomy, theft and immoral relations.

June 4, 2024 — The leader of the United Arab Emirates meets a Taliban official with a U.S. bounty on his head over his involvement in an attack that killed an American citizen and other assaults. It highlights the growing divide on how to deal with the Taliban.

June 30, 2024 — The Taliban attend a U.N.-sponsored meeting in Qatar. Although it’s the third such gathering, it’s the first time the Taliban are attending. There’s backlash after Afghan women and civil society representatives are excluded.

July 30, 2024 — The Taliban say they no longer recognize Afghan diplomatic missions staffed by diplomats from the former Western-backed government.

August 2024 - New law barring women from raising voices in public

In December 2024 -  the Taliban's Health Ministry banned women from being trained in Nursing and Midwifery.

July 4, 2025 - Russia becomes the first Country to officially recognize the Taliban.

September 2025 - The Taliban bans books written by Women from Afghan universities.

May 2026 - The Taliban publishes Decree No.18, which writes into law rules that imply legal approval of child marriage, and in which a girl's silence is allowed to be interpreted as consent to marriage.

 

Five years on and life in Afghanistan remains horrible.

The Taliban continues to force Women out of Public Life.

Half of Afghan Women only leave the house once or twice a month due to the Taliban’s strict Laws on movement.

The Taliban forces Girls as young as 8 to marry Taliban Soldiers.

The Taliban kills Homosexuals.

The Taliban continues to hunt down and kill the thousands of Afghans who worked with the US, the UK and any other Western Country from 2001-2021.

The US and other Countries continues to little to nothing to help those Afghans who helped the Americans and other Westerners.

The Taliban hunts down non-Muslims (mostly Christians) and forces them to convert to Islam or be killed.

The Taliban hunts down Muslims of other Sects and forces them to convert to their Sect of Islam or be killed.

212,000 Afghan Men and Women who worked for the US Government in Afghanistan from 2001-2021 remain inside Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan still waiting for the United States to keep its promise to help them

They remain hidden under the threat of arrest and being murdered for working for us.

60,000 Afghan Men and Women who worked for the US Government in Afghanistan from 2001-2021 are in 90 different Countries still waiting for the United States to keept its promise to help them.

In November 2025 President Trump ended all Visa Processing and Admittance of Afghans into the US (including those that worked for the US Government) with no timeline to restart.

In 2025 Trump’s Govenrment has deported 402 Afghans back to Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan.

So far in 2026 Trump’s Govenrment has deported 104 Afghans back to Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan .

UK Rationing

Rationing In the United Kingdom from 1939-1958

(A Shopkeeper cancels the Coupons in a British Housewife's Ration Book in 1943.)

When World War 2 started in September 1939 the UK had a population of 50 Million People.

 

The UK imported 20 Million Tons of Food per year including:

70% of its Cheese

70% of its Sugar

80% of its Fruit

70% of its Cereals

70% of its Fats.

50% of its Meat

 

The Germans knew this and waged the Battle of the Atlantic from September 3, 1939-May 8, 1945.

The goal was to destroy the supply lines from Canada (then a British Dominion) and after December 1941 from the United States to the United Kingdom and starve the British out of the War.

 

36,200 British Sailors were killed during the Battle of the Atlantic.

30,000 British Merchant Navy were killed during the Battle of the Atlantic.

3,500 Merchant Vessels were lost.

175 Warships were lost.

 

To make what Food and Supplies that did make it across the Atlantic Ocean go further the British imposed Rationing.

 

Ration System:

Every Man, Woman and Child (all 50 Million People) in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland was given a Ration Book with different Stamps for different Items (like Beef, Vegetables, Milk, Gas, Clothes, etc.)

You had to use your Mandatory Identity Card in order to get a Ration Book.

Unlike during World War 1 where a Brit could go to any Shop or Store with their Ration Book and get the amount allowed during World War 2 every Brit had to register at a certain Shop or Store and could only go to them for that Item.

It was one way to combat Ration Coupon Fraud and the Black-market.

It didn’t help if the Shop or Store that you were registered at was bombed and destroyed.

 

On top of using a Ration Coupon for the Item you also had to pay for the Item in cash.

 

Rationed Vs Not-Rationed:

The first item to be rationed during the War was Gasoline (Petrol in the UK) in September 1939.

By August 1942 all Food except Vegetables and Bread were strictly rationed.

While Beef, Chicken, Mutton, etc. was rationed Game Meat (Rabbit and Pidgeon) was not and the Meat that was rationed was by price and not by the weight.

While Bread was not rationed it was strictly controlled with the National Loaf (fortified wholemeal Bread, made from wholemeal flour with added calcium and vitamins) not allowed to be sold sliced or wrapped.

Fish was also never rationed, but it was dangerous for Fishermen to go into the Irish Sea or the English Channel since the Germans regularly targeted them.

All Alcohol was rationed except Beer.

 

The Typical British Civilian received the Following Ration every Week:

4 oz. of Bacon or Ham

8 oz. of Sugar

1s. 2d. of Meat equal to 2 chops (equal to £2.18 in 2026.)

2 oz. of Cheese

2 oz. of Butter

2 oz. of Lard

2 oz. of Tea

1 Fresh Egg (not including Powdered Eggs.)

12 oz. of Candy (Sweets) per month

1 lbs. of Marmalade every 2 months.

 

The Following Civilians Received Higher or Specialized Rations:

Vegetarians (Meat and Macon coupons must be surrendered) received more Cheese Rations.

Underground Mine Workers

Agricultural Workers

Forestry Workers

Land Drainage Workers

Members of the Auxiliary Force of the Women's Land Army

Railway Train Crews

 

A Civilian with a Medical Issue also received Higher or Specialized Rations.

Even if an item wasn’t rationed it didn’t mean it was available in your registered Shop or Store.

 

British Restaurants

From 1939-1942 Restaurants in the UK were exempt from rationing, but anger by the Public over the belief that the Rich, who could still afford to eat at Restaurants, were eating better than the Ordinary Person ended that Exemption.

In 1940, a new Restaurant called the British Restaurant was created across the United Kingdom.

They were Communal Kitchens where anyone who had been bombed out of their home, had used all of their Ration Coupons or had their Ration Books destroyed or lost during a bombing could eat.

Each Person received a 3 Course Meal sold for prices up to a set maximum of 9d. (equivalent to £2 in 2026).

If you couldn’t pay the meal was usually given to you for free.

 No one could have a meal of more than one serving of Meat, Game, Poultry, Fish, Eggs, or Cheese.

 

Clothes:

In June 1941 Rationing of Clothes, Fabric, Footwear was introduced and was based on a Points System.

Different types of Clothes were ascribed different Coupon Values, determined by how much material and labor went into each item's manufacture.

Example: An Adult Woman’s Skirt cost 6 Points.

In 1941 an Adult received 66 Points a year

In 1943 that was lowered to 43 Points a year.

In 1945 that was lowered to 24 Points a year.

 

Second-Hand Clothes didn’t require Ration Coupons and their prices were strictly regulated by the Government.

 

After World War 2 Rationing

Even after the United Kingdom helped win World War 2 in 1945 Rationing continued and in many cases worsened after the War.

Bread (which was never Rationed during the War) was Rationed from 1946-1948,

Bacon (which was Rationed to 4 oz. during the War) was cut to 3 oz. in May 1945.

Potatoes (which were never Rationed during the War) were Rationed in 1946.

 

The British Restaurants were disbanded in 1947.

Clothing Rationing ended in March 1949.

Gasoline (Petrol) Rationing ended in 1950.

Mandatory Identity Cards were abolished in the UK in 1952.

Tea Rationing ended in 1952.

Candy (Sweets) Rationing ended in February 1953.

Sugar Rationing ended in September 1953.

Egg Rationing ended in 1953.

Meat Rationing ended in July 1954.

Coal Rationing ended in July 1958.

 

Note 1: Rationing in the United States of America started on December 7, 1941 and ended in early 1946.

Note 2: Rationing the British Occupation Zone in Germany ended in 1948 which means Germans living there ate better than the British in the UK did (until 1954.)