In full solidarity with @npub1tsq8...e4nd & other VOA staffers put on leave. Salem is a multi-award winning editor/reporter working in Tigrigna, Amharic AND English, serving audiences across Africa & the world. I'm proud to have been mentored by her for years, she's an inspiration, a sister from another mother. On that wasteland known as X, her post was swarmed with pro-regime trolling & misogynistic hate. Best indicator of who is happiest with the clampdown on free press: fascist men.

THREAD: Most of you by now have heard news of Trump's latest Executive Order, effectively dismantling the Voice of America. I heard it from friends and colleagues at the network, among the 1,300 put on leave. While there were various issues with the VOA, there's no doubting its critical importance. The impact of the decision, while not as devastating as the USAID aid freeze, will be as long ranging and damaging to the world, and yes, US interests as well.

Trump dismantles Voice of America with executive order

More than 1,300 staff placed on administrative leave as White House accuses VOA of being anti-Trump, "radical" and "leftist".

THREAD: Lighthearted news... Ethiopia's national swimming federation has elected Kiros Habte Kinfe as its new President. Who cares and why am I telling you? Kiros made international headlines in 2016, when as head of the swimming program then, he allocated the country's sole male swimming slot for the 2016 Rio Olympics...to his overweight son Robel. Nepo baby Robel went to the Olympics, finished in last place in the 100m freestyle, heats, & became a global phenomenon as a "dad bod" Olympian.