Afghan Man at House AP

A man sits in front of what used to be his house, before the earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan Wednesday, killing at least 1000 people and injuring an estimated 1500 more. The 6.1 temblor was the worst in 20 years, authorities said. The destruction piles more suffering on the Afghan people, whose economy has collapsed under Taliban rule. Hunger is spreading and a humanitarian crisis is underway. But nearly all governments and aid organizations pulled out with the takeover last August. The Taliban’s supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzadah, who never appears in public, pleaded for the world “to help the Afghan people affected by this great tragedy and to spare no effort.” (AP)