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Taliban Target Provincial Afghan Cities In Response To US Strikes

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Afghan security forces keep watch at a checkpoint in the Guzara district of Herat province, Afghanistan.
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Kabul/Peshawar:
Taliban terrorists have switched strategy from targeting rural areas of Afghanistan to attacking provincial cities, in response to increased U.S. air strikes after the United States said it was ending its longest war, three terrorist commanders said.
The Taliban have stepped up their campaign to defeat the U.S.-backed government as foreign forces complete their withdrawal after 20 years of conflict.
A regional U.S. commander said late last month the United States had increased air strikes to counter growing Taliban attacks, a move condemned by the Islamist group.
Fighting has been particularly heavy inside the city of Herat, near the western border with Iran, Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province in the southwest, and Kandahar in the south.
The three Taliban commanders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that they were focused on capturing Herat and Kandahar, with Lashkar Gah in their sights.
"Mullah Yaqoob argued that when U.S. didn't fulfil their commitment why should Taliban be made to follow the accord?" said one of the commanders, based in Kandahar, referring to the terror outfit's chief.
"Mullah Yaqoob has decided to capture Kandahar and Herat and now Helmand and then it could be Kunduz, Khost or any other province," said the commander, saying the terror chief's arguments had won over the group's political office.
A Taliban spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. Taliban negotiator Suhail Shaheen told Reuters the group was continuing its policy of seizing control of rural areas and implementing Islamic Sharia there, rather than focusing on cities.
The Taliban, who ruled with an iron hand from 1996 until 2001, had said previously they would focus on lucrative border crossings and large rural areas, though they have encircled and at times entered provincial capitals.
The group has been waging a massive nationwide offensive since April when President Joe Biden announced troops would withdraw by September and as officials warned peace talks in Doha were failing to make substantive progress.
In recent weeks, there have been sustained attacks on Herat, Kandahar and Lashkar Gar, stretching Afghan special forces thin and killing dozens of civilians.
FIGHTING 'NOT LIMITED TO PERIPHERIES'
"The operations in Kandahar and Herat are very much important to us and our priority is to capture the two crucial airports or airbases in Kandahar and Herat," the Taliban commander in Kandahar said.
Officials and experts said they saw signs of a change in strategy last month.
"Taliban are pushing against the provincial capitals ... not just to exert pressure but to capture them," said Asfandyar Mir, a South Asia analyst from Stanford University.
"The main evidence is the extent of their breach of these cities. Fighting is not limited to the peripheries any more. This switch in Taliban strategy has been formalised after Eid, though Taliban forces were putting serious pressure on Kandahar even before Eid."
The Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha was celebrated last month.
Kandahar and Herat are the second- and third-largest cities of Afghanistan by population. Experts said their loss would be a major political blow to the government and could potentially trigger major realignments in favour of the Taliban.
"Capture of Kandahar means a lot to the Taliban. It was their capital and occupying the city is great morale boost for the Taliban... This is something they cherish and for Kandahar, Taliban can risk international ire," said an Asian diplomatic source closely following the Taliban.
A Western security official said: "The fact they are attacking (cities) is a sharp reaction to air support offered by the U.S. ... The Taliban have proven that now they will not just stop with controlling trading points."
It is not clear whether U.S. airstrikes would continue after foreign forces complete their withdrawal.
A spokesperson for U.S. forces in Afghanistan and the U.S. embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Experts and officials say that for now a takeover of Kabul would be much more difficult for the Taliban than provincial capitals, but that the group could increase bombings and attacks to undermine security and public morale.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for an attack at the acting defence minister's residence on Tuesday and warned of further violence.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/taliban-target-provincial-afghan-cities-in-response-to-us-strikes-commanders-say-2504081">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/taliban-target-provincial-afghan-cities-in-response-to-us-strikes-commanders-say-2504081</a>

news world Taliban Target Provincial Afghan Cities In Response To US Strikes

Afghan security forces keep watch at a checkpoint in the Guzara district of Herat province, Afghanistan. Kabul/Peshawar: Taliban terror...

Australia Says It Will Not Bow To Chinese Demands To Restart Talks

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Marise Payne looks on as she meets with Mike Pompeo at State Department in US (File)
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Canberra:
Australia will not accept Chinese demands to change policy in order to restart bilateral talks, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said.
"We've been advised by China that they will only engage in high-level dialogue if we meet certain conditions. Australia places no conditions on dialogue. We can't meet (their) conditions now," Payne said in a speech late on Thursday in Canberra.
Relations with China, already rocky after Australia banned Huawei from its nascent 5G broadband networking in 2018, cooled further after Canberra called last year for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, first reported in central China last year.
China responded by imposing tariffs on Australian commodities, including wine and barley, and limited imports of Australian beef, coal and grapes.
The Chinese embassy in Canberra did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Payne's speech.
Despite the bilateral tensions, China remains Australia's largest trading partner.
In the 12 months to March, Australia exported A$149 billion ($110.1 billion) worth of goods to China, down 0.6% from the previous year, but exports have been supported by strong prices for iron ore, the largest single item in trade with China.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/australia-says-it-will-not-bow-to-chinese-demands-to-restart-talks-2504049">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/australia-says-it-will-not-bow-to-chinese-demands-to-restart-talks-2504049</a>

news world Australia Says It Will Not Bow To Chinese Demands To Restart Talks

Marise Payne looks on as she meets with Mike Pompeo at State Department in US (File) Canberra: Australia will not accept Chinese demand...

In Massive Floods, Homes Flooded To Their Roofs In North Korea

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There have been growing concerns about damage to crops in North Korea. (File photo)
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More than 1,100 homes in North Korea were damaged, thousands of people evacuated, and farms and roads washed away after days of heavy rains brought flooding, its state media reported.
The reports come as concern grows about damage to crops and the possible impact on food supplies in North Korea, which is cut off from most foreign imports and aid by self-imposed border restrictions aimed at preventing a coronavirus outbreak, as well as by international sanctions.
Heavy rain struck several areas on the east coast, including North and South Hamgyong provinces, state broadcaster KRT reported on Thursday.
Television footage showed homes flooded to their roofs, and bridges and dikes washed away.
The deputy head of the State Hydro-Meteorological Administration, Ri Yong Nam, told the broadcaster that parts of North Hamgyong recorded over 500 mm of rain from Sunday through Tuesday, while areas of South Hamgyong exceeded the average monthly precipitation in those days.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We revealed extensive flood damage in North Korea using satellite imagery on Weds, now KCTV admits it with video of the broken bridges, destroyed homes and fields in the same exact areas
These images are in Sinhung main town and surrounding area <a href="https://t.co/5O8rHYrfio">https://t.co/5O8rHYrfio</a><a href="https://t.co/sl9wJxZzTx">pic.twitter.com/sl9wJxZzTx</a>
- Colin Zwirko (@ColinZwirko) <a href="https://twitter.com/ColinZwirko/status/1423448981019906051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
"We expect more rain in August in various regions including the east coast area, which may cause further damage," he said.
In June, leader Kim Jong Un said the country faced a "tense" food situation and much would depend on this year's harvests.
For months, state media have shown work to shore up dikes, and improve ditches, bridges and other infrastructure to try to prevent damage from floods.
During a phone call on Friday, U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken and South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong discussed the prospect of humanitarian aid to North Korea, their offices said in statements.
They did not elaborate.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/in-massive-floods-homes-flooded-to-their-roofs-in-north-korea-2504038">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/in-massive-floods-homes-flooded-to-their-roofs-in-north-korea-2504038</a>

news world In Massive Floods, Homes Flooded To Their Roofs In North Korea

There have been growing concerns about damage to crops in North Korea. (File photo) More than 1,100 homes in North Korea were damaged, t...

Tropical Storm To Hit Tokyo On Last Day Of Olympics

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<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Tropical Storm To Hit Tokyo On Last Day Of Olympics" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-08/4hmnk8gg_tokyo-olympics-afp_625x300_06_August_21.jpg" title="Tropical Storm To Hit Tokyo On Last Day Of Olympics" /></div>
Tokyo Olympics 2020: Tropical Storm Mirinae is expected to pass over the capital
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Tokyo:
A tropical storm is forecast to hit Tokyo on the last day of the Olympics, organisers said Friday, but did not announce any changes to competition.
Japan's weather agency warned of strong winds, high waves and the risk of landslides and floods along the eastern coastline from Saturday afternoon to Sunday, when Tropical Storm Mirinae is expected to pass over the capital.
The Olympics closing ceremony is on Sunday evening, with medal events including water polo and rhythmic gymnastics taking place at indoor venues in the city during the day.
Cycling track races are also scheduled in Shizuoka, southwest of Tokyo, while the men's marathon will kick off early Sunday in the far northern city of Sapporo.
"We are firmly and calmly paying attention" to the path of the storm, Tokyo 2020 organising committee spokesman Masa Takaya told reporters.
"It is necessary to inform you objectively, so that we can avoid excessive overreaction," he said.
A separate storm hit Japan last week, forcing Games organisers to reschedule some rowing and archery events, although they brought forward the surfing finals to take advantage of strong waves.
On Friday, Mirinae was around 100 kilometres (62 miles) north of Minamidaito island, near the southern archipelago of Okinawa.
It was moving east, packing gusts of up to 108 kilometres per hour (67 miles per hour).
Another tropical storm is hovering in the Taiwan strait, moving towards Japan.
Japan's typhoon season runs from around May to October, peaking in August and September.
In 2019, Typhoon Hagibis smashed into Japan as it hosted the Rugby World Cup, killing more than 100 people.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/tropical-storm-to-hit-tokyo-on-last-day-of-olympics-2504005">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/tropical-storm-to-hit-tokyo-on-last-day-of-olympics-2504005</a>

news world Tropical Storm To Hit Tokyo On Last Day Of Olympics

Tokyo Olympics 2020: Tropical Storm Mirinae is expected to pass over the capital Tokyo: A tropical storm is forecast to hit Tokyo on th...

CNN Fires 3 Employees For Coming To Office Unvaccinated: Report

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<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="CNN Fires 3 Employees For Coming To Office Unvaccinated: Report" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2020-10/8tc3mh7g_tv-channel-generic-650_650x400_14_October_20.jpg" title="CNN Fires 3 Employees For Coming To Office Unvaccinated: Report" /></div>
CNN had earlier planned to resume working from the office on September 7. (Representational)
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CNN has terminated three of its employees, who came to the office without getting vaccinated. Its President Jeff Zucker, in a memo to his staff, said that it came to their notice last week that three employees were coming to the office unvaccinated. "All three have been terminated," Mr Zucker said, adding, "Let me be clear -- we have a zero-tolerance policy on this."
On Thursday, Oliver Darcy, a senior media reporter with CNN, tweeted excerpts from the memo. Quoting Mr Zucker, he wrote, "In the past week, we have been made aware of three employees who were coming to the office unvaccinated. All three have been terminated. Let me be clear -- we have a zero-tolerance policy on this." 
In another tweet, the CNN reporter added that Mr Zucker has said that the network is targeting a mid-October return-to-office date. Earlier, the news organisation planned to resume working from the office on September 7, which has now been postponed. "This was not an easy decision, and there is much to consider. The bottom line is that, based on the information that is available today," it read.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Jeff Zucker adds in his memo to CNN staff: "In the past week, we have been made aware of three employees who were coming to the office unvaccinated. All three have been terminated. Let me be clear -- we have a zero-tolerance policy on this."
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) <a href="https://twitter.com/oliverdarcy/status/1423362395242704898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
Mr Darcy, in his last post, informed that the network president has asked all the employees to take care of themselves. “I (Mr Zucker) think it is fair to say that we are all feeling a mix of anticipation, anxiety, frustration, confusion, and exasperation…I get it...Continue to take care of yourselves and each other. And I will share more updates just as soon as we have them," the post read.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"I think it is fair to say that we are all feeling a mix of anticipation, anxiety, frustration, confusion, and exasperation … I get it,” Zucker says. He adds: "Continue to take care of yourselves and each other. And I will share more updates just as soon as we have them."
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) <a href="https://twitter.com/oliverdarcy/status/1423363945478430731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
Michael M Grynbaum, who covers media, TV and politics for The New York Times, shared a screenshot of the memo in which Mr Zucker also said that the network had until now relied on the "honour system" for the proof of vaccination. While we have asked for "attestation to your status via passcard", it has not been made mandatory to produce a vaccine card, Mr Zucker told his staff. 
Towards the latter part of his memo, Mr Zucker added, in clear terms, "You need to be vaccinated to come to the office. And you need to be vaccinated to work in the field with other employees regardless of whether or not you enter the office."
Mr Zucker further said that in the weeks to come, showing the proof of vaccination may become a formal part of the Warner Media passcard process. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
More from Jeff Zucker memo to CNN staff: <a href="https://t.co/KDhh6sPpZM">pic.twitter.com/KDhh6sPpZM</a>
— Michael M. Grynbaum (@grynbaum) <a href="https://twitter.com/grynbaum/status/1423362921405591557?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
Meanwhile, computing giant Microsoft has said that it <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/microsoft-requires-workers-to-be-vaccinated-as-office-returns-slow-2503814">expects the employees to be vaccinated when they resume working from the office</a>. The company has set its eyes on October 4 for fully reopening Microsoft's US facilities. The company said that starting September they will also require proof of vaccination for all employees, vendors and guests who enter Microsoft buildings in the US.
Besides, e-commerce behemoth Amazon has said that it will now be reopening its offices only in January as against the earlier September plans. It also said that the employees will need to wear masks in offices, except for those who have verified full vaccination. 
Both Google and Facebook have also made vaccination mandatory for workers returning to the office. 
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/cnn-fires-three-employees-for-coming-to-office-unvaccinated-report-2503969">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/cnn-fires-three-employees-for-coming-to-office-unvaccinated-report-2503969</a>

news world CNN Fires 3 Employees For Coming To Office Unvaccinated: Report

CNN had earlier planned to resume working from the office on September 7. (Representational) CNN has terminated three of its employees, ...

UN Special Rapporteur on Torture: “Authorities Are Viewing Their Own People as an Enemy”

UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer responded to police brutality dished out to anti-lockdown protesters in Germany last weekend by warning, “Authorities are increasingly viewing their own people as an enemy.”
As we <a href="https://summit.news/2021/08/02/un-special-rapporteur-on-torture-requests-info-on-german-police-brutalizing-anti-lockdown-protesters/">highlighted</a> earlier in the week, Melzer, a professor of international law, made a request for eyewitnesses after footage emerged of numerous examples of people being manhandled and beaten by police in Berlin merely for expressing their right to assemble.
One clip showed a female anti-lockdown protester in Berlin being grabbed by the throat and brutally thrown to the ground by riot police, while another showed a young boy being struck in the face as he tried to come to the aid of his mother.
The response to Melzer’s request was overwhelming, with over a hundred reports of violence flooding in, leaving him with the task of “calling for clarification as well as punishment and reparation for rule violations,” reports <a href="https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/politik-gesellschaft/polizeigewalt-in-berlin-un-sonderbeauftragter-kuendigt-intervention-an-li.175271">Berliner Zeitung</a>.
The professor says there is clearly enough evidence “for an official intervention on my part with the federal government.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true" readability="7.0110497237569">
The EU would be condemning this as regime brutality if it was Russia but since it's Germany they will support it instead.<a href="https://t.co/3aXM4QFRif">pic.twitter.com/3aXM4QFRif</a>
— Stan (@StanM3) <a href="https://twitter.com/StanM3/status/1421905660686573577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2021</a>
</blockquote>
However, it was Melzer’s comments on the wider perspective of the crackdown that stirred the most interest.
After seeing similar scenes during anti-lockdown protests in European cities across the continent, as well as “police operations in demonstrations worldwide,” Melzer came to a sobering conclusion.
“Something fundamental is going wrong. In all regions of the world, the authorities are apparently increasingly viewing their own people as an enemy,” he stated.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true" readability="7.4842767295597">
Berlin, this cop is hitting a little boy in the head for worrying about his mom. 🤬🤯 <a href="https://t.co/3RQNKwzzbu">pic.twitter.com/3RQNKwzzbu</a>
— Willow (@Willow__Bella) <a href="https://twitter.com/Willow__Bella/status/1421878398503247876?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2021</a>
</blockquote>
Melzer went on to assert that it is totally unethical for police to engage in violence against the citizenry unless it is in clear self-defense.
“It is absolutely unacceptable when the police take action against defenseless demonstrators because of mere administrative offenses or civil disobedience with sometimes life-threatening violence,” he said.
The professor also noted the utter stupidity of police inflicting violence on demonstrators while claiming to do so in the name of “health protection.”
“If the police do not clearly communicate that they see themselves as friends and helpers, but rather treat their own population as an enemy, then a dangerous spiral has been set in motion: namely that the next thing is that the population will also regard the police as an enemy,” concluded Melzer.
As we previously <a href="https://summit.news/2021/08/03/editor-in-chief-of-germanys-top-newspaper-apologizes-for-fear-driven-covid-coverage/">highlighted</a>, while authorities continue to direct police to meter out violence against protesters, Germany’s top newspaper recently profusely apologized for its fearmongering coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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source <a href="https://summit.news/2021/08/05/un-special-rapporteur-on-torture-authorities-are-viewing-their-own-people-as-an-enemy/">https://summit.news/2021/08/05/un-special-rapporteur-on-torture-authorities-are-viewing-their-own-people-as-an-enemy/</a>

revolution summit UN Special Rapporteur on Torture: “Authorities Are Viewing Their Own People as an Enemy”

UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer responded to police brutality dished out to anti-lockdown protesters in Germany last weekend by...