USAID Accused of Funding Terror-Linked Charity Amid Musk's Criticism

USUnited States|

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) faces scrutiny for allegedly providing $110,000 to Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD), a charity tied to the Pakistan-based Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, which is designated as a terrorist organization. According to social media comments by researcher Amjad Taha, this funding occurred in 2019 and is linked to jihadist groups that have targeted India, including those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed over 166 people.

USAID's internal investigation into the matter was prompted by the controversy, which has gained traction after Elon Musk described the agency as a “criminal organization” and “beyond repair” earlier this month. Musk's statements coincide with the Trump administration's decision to place all USAID international employees on leave and recall thousands of staff from overseas missions.

The Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, established by Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, has been accused of masquerading under a humanitarian facade to fund militant activities, leading to its designation by the U.S. Department of State as a terrorist organization in 2010.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from United States

Joe Biden Diagnosed with Aggressive Prostate Cancer

Former U.S. President Joe Biden, aged 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, his office announced on May 18, 2025. Following the discovery of urinary symptoms and a prostate nodule, Biden and his family are exploring treatment options, according to his office, which noted that the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive and can be managed effectively. Biden's Gleason score, a measure of cancer aggressiveness, was reported to be nine, indicating a severe form of the disease. Prostate cancer is recognized as the most common cancer among men in the U.S. Biden has a history of skin cancer removal and made addressing cancer a priority during his presidency, launching a "cancer moonshot" initiative aimed at reducing cancer death rates. Political figures, including former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Kamala Harris, expressed concern and support for Biden following his diagnosis. Harris emphasized that Biden has the resilience to face this challenge. The diagnosis has intensified discussions regarding Biden's health, particularly amid ongoing scrutiny of his age and cognitive abilities.
USUnited States

Deadly Tornadoes Strike Midwest US, Leaving 27 Dead

A series of tornadoes swept through the Midwest and Ohio River Valley late Friday, resulting in at least 27 fatalities and numerous injuries across Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia, officials reported. Kentucky sustained the most damage, with 18 people confirmed dead and another 10 hospitalized in critical condition. The storms wreaked havoc in various communities, notably in London, Kentucky, where drone footage portrayed extensive destruction and uprooted homes. Kentucky's State Emergency Management Director, Eric Gibson, noted significant daylight damage to hundreds of homes and warned that the death toll could rise. Governor Andy Beshear stated that parts of two dozen state roads were closed and could remain inaccessible for days. Residents like Kayla Patterson recounted harrowing experiences, describing the tornado's immense power as it tore through neighborhoods. This event follows another severe weather incident in March, which claimed 24 lives in the region. Experts express concern over the potential implications of reduced staffing in National Weather Service offices following administrative cuts on timely disaster warnings.
USUnited States

Brain-Dead Woman in Georgia Kept on Life Support Amid Abortion Law Controversy

Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old pregnant woman from Georgia, USA, has been on life support for over three months after being declared brain-dead. The family claims her continued life support is due to Georgia’s restrictive abortion laws that prevent them from ending life support despite her condition. Currently 21 weeks pregnant, Smith's situation may become one of the longest documented cases of a brain-dead woman carried in such a state. According to reports, Smith, a registered nurse, experienced severe headaches in February and was later diagnosed with blood clots in her brain, leading to her declaration of brain death. Family members, including her young son, have maintained a vigil by her side, unaware of her true condition. Georgia's "heartbeat law," enacted after the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling on abortion rights, bans abortions once cardiac activity in the fetus is detected, typically around six weeks of pregnancy. Legal exceptions for maternal health have been criticized for their narrow interpretations, complicating decisions in cases like Smith's, according to the Associated Press.
USUnited States
All United States News ->