The chaos and utter collapse of Afghan government power in Afghanistan has strongly drawn attention to the way US fought its longest war and the apparent speedy exit that was followed by rapid gains by Taliban. The insurgent group entered Kabul on Sunday. It was believed that the national capital would hold on against Taliban for weeks but the matter came to a head in mere days and hours.

The rapid deterioration of Afghan situation has not only damaged US President's political stature but has also raised questions at US policies. The war against Taliban appears long lost an analysis has begun as to where things went wrong.

Where did Pentagon go wrong?

<h2>Wrong equipments in hands of not competent enough soldiers</h2>

<img alt="Afghanistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c891cf36-d97f-4f5d-80fd-c88db855c9b0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_9J227X.jpg" />

After toppling the Taliban in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks in 2001, the US started building an Afghan army in its own image. USD 83 billion were spent to set up and arm the Afghan army

However, the US model meant huge dependence on air support and high-tech communication network. Such an approach was less likely to be effective in a country where only 30 per cent of population has access to reliable electricity supply.

Airplanes, helicopters, drones, armored vehicles, night-vision goggles: the United States spared no expense in equipping the Afghan army. It recently even provided the Afghans with the latest Black Hawk attack helicopters.&nbsp;

However, many Afghans who were part of the army were illiterate young men and the infrastructure in the country could not support the cutting edge military tech that was being used.

<h2>Pull out of US military contractors</h2>

<img alt="Afghanistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e2be3964-36b1-40b0-9beb-5203253926dc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_6U5BK.jpg" />

In addition to the pullout of US troops, it was also decided to withdraw US contractors who played a key role in supporting US logistics.

"We built an air force that depended on contractors for maintenance and then pulled the contractors," Ronald Neumann, a former US ambassador to Kabul under President George W. Bush, told NPR public radio

<h2>Unpaid and unfed</h2>

<img alt="Afghanistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b6c1e973-ade5-48c2-93ea-54a27b76bc21" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_9J227Y.jpg" />

Worse, the salaries of the Afghan army had been paid for years by the Pentagon. But from the moment the American army announced its planned withdrawal in April, responsibility for those payments fell on the Kabul government.

Numerous Afghan soldiers have complained on social media that they not only have not been paid in months, in many instances their units were no longer receiving food or supplies -- not even ammunition.

The rapid US withdrawal provided a final blow.

"We profoundly shocked the Afghan army and morale by pulling out and pulling our air cover," said Neumann.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-taliban-has-broken-shackles-of-slavery-says-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-405858">CLICK HERE to see LIVE updates on Afghan crisis</a>

<h2>Overestmation of Afghan army capabilities</h2>

Capabilities of the Afghan army were seriously overestimated, according to John Sopko, the US special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction (SIGAR).

Each time he tried to evaluate the Afghan army, he said, "the US military changed the goalposts, and made it easier to show success. And then finally, when they couldn't even do that, they classified the assessment tool. 
"So they knew how bad the Afghan military was."

His office's latest report to Congress, filed last week, said that "advanced weapons systems, vehicles and logistics used by Western militaries were beyond the capabilities of the largely illiterate and uneducated Afghan force."

<h2>Exaggerated numbers</h2>

Pentagon repeatedly stressed on what it said was numerical advantage of the Afghan forces -- supposedly with 300,000 men in the army and the police -- over the Taliban, estimated to number some 70,000.

But those army numbers were greatly inflated, according to the Combating Terrorism Center at the prestigious US Military Academy at West Point, New York.&nbsp;

As of July 2020, by its own estimate, the 300,000 included only 185,000 army troops or special operations forces under Defense Ministry control, with police and other security personnel making up the rest.&nbsp;

And barely 60 percent of the Afghan army troops were trained fighters, the West Point analysts said.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-an-air-of-despair-surrounding-the-end-of-20-year-war-405996">Afghanistan: An air of despair surrounding the end of 20-year war</a>

A more accurate estimate of the army's fighting strength -- once the 8,000 air force personnel are taken out of the equation -- is 96,000, they concluded.&nbsp;

The SIGAR report said desertions have always been a problem for the Afghan army.

It found that in 2020, the Afghan army had to replace 25 percent of its force each year -- largely because of desertions -- and that American soldiers working with the Afghans came to see this rate as "normal."

<h2>Unkept and half-hearted promises</h2>

In spite of USA's repeated assurances of support after the pullout, it was never explained how this would be done logistically.

In May, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke of helping Afghan air force through an approach he called "over the horizon" logistics.

That vague concept implied the use of virtual training sessions with video conferencing on the Zoom platform -- an approach that seems illusory given the need for the Afghans to have computers or smartphones with well-functioning wi-fi connections.

All these factors and more culminated into what is decisively appearing to be a Taliban victory in Afghanistan.

It is often said that keeping Kabul is tougher than winning it. But the Taliban appear to currently have a firm grip on power.

(With inputs from agencies)

The chaos and utter collapse of Afghan government power in Afghanistan has strongly drawn attention to the way US fought its longest war and the apparent speedy exit that was followed by rapid gains by Taliban.

The chaos and utter collapse of Afghan government power in Afghanistan has strongly drawn attention to the way US fought its longest war and the apparent speedy exit that was followed by rapid gains by Taliban. The insurgent group entered Kabul on Sunday. It was believed that the national capital would hold on against Taliban for weeks but the matter came to a head in mere days and hours. The rapid deterioration of Afghan situation has not only damaged US President's political stature but has also raised questions at US policies. The war against Taliban appears long lost an analysis has begun as to where things went wrong. Where did Pentagon go wrong? Wrong equipments in hands of not competent enough soldiers After toppling the Taliban in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks in 2001, the US started building an Afghan army in its own image. USD 83 billion were spent to set up and arm the Afghan army However, the US model meant huge dependence on air support and high-tech communication network. Such an approach was less likely to be effective in a country where only 30 per cent of population has access to reliable electricity supply. Airplanes, helicopters, drones, armored vehicles, night-vision goggles: the United States spared no expense in equipping the Afghan army. It recently even provided the Afghans with the latest Black Hawk attack helicopters. However, many Afghans who were part of the army were illiterate young men and the infrastructure in the country could not support the cutting edge military tech that was being used. Pull out of US military contractors In addition to the pullout of US troops, it was also decided to withdraw US contractors who played a key role in supporting US logistics. "We built an air force that depended on contractors for maintenance and then pulled the contractors," Ronald Neumann, a former US ambassador to Kabul under President George W. Bush, told NPR public radio Unpaid and unfed Worse, the salaries of the Afghan army had been paid for years by the Pentagon. But from the moment the American army announced its planned withdrawal in April, responsibility for those payments fell on the Kabul government. Numerous Afghan soldiers have complained on social media that they not only have not been paid in months, in many instances their units were no longer receiving food or supplies -- not even ammunition. The rapid US withdrawal provided a final blow. "We profoundly shocked the Afghan army and morale by pulling out and pulling our air cover," said Neumann. CLICK HERE to see LIVE updates on Afghan crisis Overestmation of Afghan army capabilities Capabilities of the Afghan army were seriously overestimated, according to John Sopko, the US special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction (SIGAR). Each time he tried to evaluate the Afghan army, he said, "the US military changed the goalposts, and made it easier to show success. And then finally, when they couldn't even do that, they classified the assessment tool. "So they knew how bad the Afghan military was." His office's latest report to Congress, filed last week, said that "advanced weapons systems, vehicles and logistics used by Western militaries were beyond the capabilities of the largely illiterate and uneducated Afghan force." Exaggerated numbers Pentagon repeatedly stressed on what it said was numerical advantage of the Afghan forces -- supposedly with 300,000 men in the army and the police -- over the Taliban, estimated to number some 70,000. But those army numbers were greatly inflated, according to the Combating Terrorism Center at the prestigious US Military Academy at West Point, New York. As of July 2020, by its own estimate, the 300,000 included only 185,000 army troops or special operations forces under Defense Ministry control, with police and other security personnel making up the rest. And barely 60 percent of the Afghan army troops were trained fighters, the West Point analysts said. Also Read: Afghanistan: An air of despair surrounding the end of 20-year war A more accurate estimate of the army's fighting strength -- once the 8,000 air force personnel are taken out of the equation -- is 96,000, they concluded. The SIGAR report said desertions have always been a problem for the Afghan army. It found that in 2020, the Afghan army had to replace 25 percent of its force each year -- largely because of desertions -- and that American soldiers working with the Afghans came to see this rate as "normal." Unkept and half-hearted promises In spite of USA's repeated assurances of support after the pullout, it was never explained how this would be done logistically. In May, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke of helping Afghan air force through an approach he called "over the horizon" logistics. That vague concept implied the use of virtual training sessions with video conferencing on the Zoom platform -- an approach that seems illusory given the need for the Afghans to have computers or smartphones with well-functioning wi-fi connections. All these factors and more culminated into what is decisively appearing to be a Taliban victory in Afghanistan. It is often said that keeping Kabul is tougher than winning it. But the Taliban appear to currently have a firm grip on power. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan: Where did US go wrong in fight against Taliban?

Coronavirus curfew was announced on Monday in Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city. Residents would now confined to their homes overnight. The measure was taken as a part of authorities' efforts to stamp out Delta variant ourbreak.&nbsp;

On Monday evening, more than five million residents would not be able to leave their homes between 9 pm and 5 am. Essential workers would be required to get special permits to be on the streets.

Victoria state premier Dan Andrews said the decision came after a series of street parties, pub crawls and home gatherings over the weekend, as Melbourne reached a "tipping point" in its latest outbreak.

"We've seen lots of different people flouting these rules, not doing as they should, making really poor choices," he said.

He also announced the restrictions would be extended to September 2. He said it was necessary for Melbourne to avoid a Sydney-like situation.

More than eight million people in New South Wales state are under lockdown -- including in Sydney where residents have already been under those restrictions for almost two months.

Since the outbreak began in mid-June, Australia's most populous state has recorded more than 8200 cases.

A snap lockdown was announced for the northern city of Darwin on Monday, with about 150,000 people told to stop non-essential movements for three days after a man tested positive.

"We have made the decision to lock down fast because of what we do not know," Northern Territory chief minister Michael Gunner said.

"There is a very real risk that this virus has been transmitted to others."

Australia's capital Canberra will also remain in lockdown until September 2 as health officials grapple with a small but growing outbreak in the city.

Australia won global praise for its early pandemic response but strict border closures and other measures have struggled to contain the highly transmissible Delta variant.

(With inputs from agencies)

Coronavirus curfew was announced on Monday in Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city. Residents would now confined to their homes overnight. The measure was taken as a part of authorities' efforts to stamp out Delta variant ourbreak.

Coronavirus curfew was announced on Monday in Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city. Residents would now confined to their homes overnight. The measure was taken as a part of authorities' efforts to stamp out Delta variant ourbreak. On Monday evening, more than five million residents would not be able to leave their homes between 9 pm and 5 am. Essential workers would be required to get special permits to be on the streets. Victoria state premier Dan Andrews said the decision came after a series of street parties, pub crawls and home gatherings over the weekend, as Melbourne reached a "tipping point" in its latest outbreak. "We've seen lots of different people flouting these rules, not doing as they should, making really poor choices," he said. He also announced the restrictions would be extended to September 2. He said it was necessary for Melbourne to avoid a Sydney-like situation. More than eight million people in New South Wales state are under lockdown -- including in Sydney where residents have already been under those restrictions for almost two months. Since the outbreak began in mid-June, Australia's most populous state has recorded more than 8200 cases. A snap lockdown was announced for the northern city of Darwin on Monday, with about 150,000 people told to stop non-essential movements for three days after a man tested positive. "We have made the decision to lock down fast because of what we do not know," Northern Territory chief minister Michael Gunner said. "There is a very real risk that this virus has been transmitted to others." Australia's capital Canberra will also remain in lockdown until September 2 as health officials grapple with a small but growing outbreak in the city. Australia won global praise for its early pandemic response but strict border closures and other measures have struggled to contain the highly transmissible Delta variant. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia: Coronavirus curfew announced in Melbourne

People living in the rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir will be provided with the same medical facilities that are available in cities now. Government is constructing 30 new oxygen plants in these far-flung areas and also providing high-standard medical equipment to these primary health hospitals.&nbsp;

The Jammu and Kashmir government with the help of the World Bank has been able to upgrade the medical Infrastructure in the Kashmir Valley. Previously, the people from rural areas had to come to the city for emergency cases. The inflow to the tertiary hospitals had increased manifold due to the Covid Pandemic.&nbsp;

And with the grant of 360 crores from the World Bank, people from the rural areas will benefit a lot. They won't have to come down to cities for medical treatments.&nbsp;

"Covid as a pandemic was a major challenge. The Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) is implementing a 250 million dollar project. 50 million project for covid related infrastructure. We have provided the best medical equipment to the peripheral areas of Kashmir. The primary health centres and district hospitals of these villages will have all the facilities needed.The management has improved remarkably. Patients had to travel from these remote places to Srinagar or Jammu for medical care. But now they won't have to," said Abid Rashid Shah, CEO, ERA

There are 30 new oxygen plants being set up across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. 15 will be constructed in Jammu while the rest in the Kashmir zone. 42 different types of latest Critical Care Medical Equipments have been procured and provided to these facilities. In central Kashmir's Budgam district, ERA is constructing a 500 LPMS oxygen plant at Charar-e-Shareef. This will cater to around 1.5 lakh people living in the area.&nbsp;

"This project is with regard to providing oxygen plants. There will be 15 plants in the Kashmir valley while 15 will be constructed in Jammu. This plant here in Chahrar-e-Shareef would be providing oxygen to 60 beds in a hospital. This will benefit the people living in villages as they have facilities available nearby now," said Shuja Qureshi, AEE, ERA.

The doctors working in these rural areas have appreciated the step and say that it will help them in treating patients in these primary care centres, district hospitals etc. Earlier any patient requiring high oxygen supply would be sent to a tertiary hospital in Srinagar or Jammu.&nbsp;

"We had to shift patients from these far flung areas to Srinagar for the requirement of high oxygen supply. Now that we have an oxygen plant here, we don't have to shift them any more. We can manage the patients here only. This is an excellent job done by the government and they made it in record time." said Dr Mushtaq, Surgeon at Sub-Division Hospital.&nbsp;

The installation of various vital medical equipment at these medical care facilities in the far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir will benefit the people and also take off the load of tertiary hospitals.

People living in the rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir will be provided with the same medical facilities that are available in cities now. Government is constructing 30 new oxygen plants in these far-flung areas and also providing high-standard medical equipment to these primary health hospitals.

People living in the rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir will be provided with the same medical facilities that are available in cities now. Government is constructing 30 new oxygen plants in these far-flung areas and also providing high-standard medical equipment to these primary health hospitals. The Jammu and Kashmir government with the help of the World Bank has been able to upgrade the medical Infrastructure in the Kashmir Valley. Previously, the people from rural areas had to come to the city for emergency cases. The inflow to the tertiary hospitals had increased manifold due to the Covid Pandemic. And with the grant of 360 crores from the World Bank, people from the rural areas will benefit a lot. They won't have to come down to cities for medical treatments. "Covid as a pandemic was a major challenge. The Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) is implementing a 250 million dollar project. 50 million project for covid related infrastructure. We have provided the best medical equipment to the peripheral areas of Kashmir. The primary health centres and district hospitals of these villages will have all the facilities needed.The management has improved remarkably. Patients had to travel from these remote places to Srinagar or Jammu for medical care. But now they won't have to," said Abid Rashid Shah, CEO, ERA There are 30 new oxygen plants being set up across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. 15 will be constructed in Jammu while the rest in the Kashmir zone. 42 different types of latest Critical Care Medical Equipments have been procured and provided to these facilities. In central Kashmir's Budgam district, ERA is constructing a 500 LPMS oxygen plant at Charar-e-Shareef. This will cater to around 1.5 lakh people living in the area. "This project is with regard to providing oxygen plants. There will be 15 plants in the Kashmir valley while 15 will be constructed in Jammu. This plant here in Chahrar-e-Shareef would be providing oxygen to 60 beds in a hospital. This will benefit the people living in villages as they have facilities available nearby now," said Shuja Qureshi, AEE, ERA. The doctors working in these rural areas have appreciated the step and say that it will help them in treating patients in these primary care centres, district hospitals etc. Earlier any patient requiring high oxygen supply would be sent to a tertiary hospital in Srinagar or Jammu. "We had to shift patients from these far flung areas to Srinagar for the requirement of high oxygen supply. Now that we have an oxygen plant here, we don't have to shift them any more. We can manage the patients here only. This is an excellent job done by the government and they made it in record time." said Dr Mushtaq, Surgeon at Sub-Division Hospital. The installation of various vital medical equipment at these medical care facilities in the far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir will benefit the people and also take off the load of tertiary hospitals.

Jammu & Kashmir: Health infrastructure upgraded in rural areas, World Bank helps

In the past few weeks, South Africa was gripped by the biggest explosion of unrest in decades. Shopping malls and warehouses were looted, supply trucks attacked and businesses destroyed. At least 337 people died.

Initially, as families loaded up consumer goods they would otherwise be unable to afford, the tumult seemed like an organic expression of popular discontent. After all, with unemployment over 30 percent, hunger widespread and inequality spiraling, there’s ample cause for anger. But far from a spontaneous social revolt, the rioting seems in fact to have been politically orchestrated.

After Jacob Zuma, the country’s former president, was arrested on July 7 — to serve a 15-month sentence for contempt of court — his supporters and allies vowed to make the country ungovernable. Coordinating a campaign of economic sabotage through WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter and other social networks, they succeeded.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has since sought to calm the country, suggesting the worst is over. But it doesn’t feel that way. In fact, the events of the past weeks have demonstrated a bleak truth about the country. The deep rot of South Africa’s social and political order — rife with racial tension, communal mistrust, injustice and corruption — is now on full display. The rainbow nation, supposed beacon of reconciliation, is falling apart.

At the heart of the discord is the ruling African National Congress. In the 27 years since it steered South Africa to democracy, it has carried the hopes of millions of South Africans. Drawing on its reputation as the party of liberation, it has strong support and remains electorally unassailable. But it has now become squarely a source of division. A devastating battle for its soul is underway, with the country as the battlefield.

Driving the conflict are the forces loyal to Mr. Zuma, mostly composed of disgraced politicians who seek to be returned to their former positions of privilege. Though the A.N.C. always promoted the rise of a Black elite, Mr. Zuma’s presidency, beginning in 2009, changed the focus: The state, rather than the market, became the main site for opportunity and enrichment. A spurious ideology of “Radical Economic Transformation,” spun as a radical challenge to South Africa’s white-dominated private sector, provided rhetorical cover for corruption and patronage. Now removed from power, the beneficiaries of Mr. Zuma’s rule are determined to wreak havoc.

In their sights is Mr. Ramaphosa, who rose to power in 2018 on an anti-corruption platform. His efforts to root out endemic graft in his party — and by extension, the South African state — have been mixed at best. Before the drama of Mr. Zuma’s arrest, the country was stunned by the news that Zweli Mkhize, the well-liked health minister, played a role in awarding a contract worth $10 million to a communications company run by two associates. Though Mr. Ramaphosa recently escalated his anti-corruption push — not least by suspending the A.N.C.’s secretary general this year — Mr. Mkhize’s example underlines how widespread the looting of state resources has been. It’s clearly not just a case of bad apples. The batch is rotten.

And yet no political force looks able to hold the A.N.C. to account. The two major opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters, have retired any ambitions of becoming mass parties capable of challenging the A.N.C. After some years of growth as the anti-Zuma opposition, the Democratic Alliance has doubled down on its identity as a party of white liberals; the Economic Freedom Fighters has reduced itself to an extension of Mr. Zuma’s faction of the A.N.C. Tellingly, in his last days as a free man, Mr. Zuma was flanked by Dali Mpofu, a former national chair of the E.F.F.

In the absence of effective opposition, the A.N.C. is coming apart at the seams. Never a party of ideology, it has always been a broad coalition united in opposition to minority rule. Since the end of apartheid, it has struggled to develop a stable political identity. Given the party’s enduring popularity, the challenge is less regaining public credibility than finding internal coherence. But until another party rivals the A.N.C., we can expect it to rest on its laurels. That spells a future of more factional strife and poor governance, at great cost to the country.

The president, for his part, is using the unrest’s aftermath as an opportunity to rebuild. As one of the key negotiators of South Africa’s liberal Constitution, Mr. Ramaphosa hopes to tap into the spirit of that time — a moment also marked by violence, when things felt equally on a knife’s edge. But these reserves are low. Back then, at the end of apartheid, the promise of democracy filled many with hope. Now, after nearly three decades of things remaining mostly the same, many people just feel despair.

An uneasy calm has settled. How long it lasts is anyone’s guess. Yet the past few weeks have conclusively dispelled many illusions about the country, none more so than the myth of South African exceptionalism — of a South Africa more peaceful than its African neighbors, more developed and with a future that bends inevitably toward good and triumph. The reality, as we await the next outbreak of violence, is much uglier. 
&nbsp;

In the past few weeks, South Africa was gripped by the biggest explosion of unrest in decades. Shopping malls and warehouses were looted, supply trucks attacked and businesses destroyed.

In the past few weeks, South Africa was gripped by the biggest explosion of unrest in decades. Shopping malls and warehouses were looted, supply trucks attacked and businesses destroyed. At least 337 people died. Initially, as families loaded up consumer goods they would otherwise be unable to afford, the tumult seemed like an organic expression of popular discontent. After all, with unemployment over 30 percent, hunger widespread and inequality spiraling, there’s ample cause for anger. But far from a spontaneous social revolt, the rioting seems in fact to have been politically orchestrated. After Jacob Zuma, the country’s former president, was arrested on July 7 — to serve a 15-month sentence for contempt of court — his supporters and allies vowed to make the country ungovernable. Coordinating a campaign of economic sabotage through WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter and other social networks, they succeeded. President Cyril Ramaphosa has since sought to calm the country, suggesting the worst is over. But it doesn’t feel that way. In fact, the events of the past weeks have demonstrated a bleak truth about the country. The deep rot of South Africa’s social and political order — rife with racial tension, communal mistrust, injustice and corruption — is now on full display. The rainbow nation, supposed beacon of reconciliation, is falling apart. At the heart of the discord is the ruling African National Congress. In the 27 years since it steered South Africa to democracy, it has carried the hopes of millions of South Africans. Drawing on its reputation as the party of liberation, it has strong support and remains electorally unassailable. But it has now become squarely a source of division. A devastating battle for its soul is underway, with the country as the battlefield. Driving the conflict are the forces loyal to Mr. Zuma, mostly composed of disgraced politicians who seek to be returned to their former positions of privilege. Though the A.N.C. always promoted the rise of a Black elite, Mr. Zuma’s presidency, beginning in 2009, changed the focus: The state, rather than the market, became the main site for opportunity and enrichment. A spurious ideology of “Radical Economic Transformation,” spun as a radical challenge to South Africa’s white-dominated private sector, provided rhetorical cover for corruption and patronage. Now removed from power, the beneficiaries of Mr. Zuma’s rule are determined to wreak havoc. In their sights is Mr. Ramaphosa, who rose to power in 2018 on an anti-corruption platform. His efforts to root out endemic graft in his party — and by extension, the South African state — have been mixed at best. Before the drama of Mr. Zuma’s arrest, the country was stunned by the news that Zweli Mkhize, the well-liked health minister, played a role in awarding a contract worth $10 million to a communications company run by two associates. Though Mr. Ramaphosa recently escalated his anti-corruption push — not least by suspending the A.N.C.’s secretary general this year — Mr. Mkhize’s example underlines how widespread the looting of state resources has been. It’s clearly not just a case of bad apples. The batch is rotten. And yet no political force looks able to hold the A.N.C. to account. The two major opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters, have retired any ambitions of becoming mass parties capable of challenging the A.N.C. After some years of growth as the anti-Zuma opposition, the Democratic Alliance has doubled down on its identity as a party of white liberals; the Economic Freedom Fighters has reduced itself to an extension of Mr. Zuma’s faction of the A.N.C. Tellingly, in his last days as a free man, Mr. Zuma was flanked by Dali Mpofu, a former national chair of the E.F.F. In the absence of effective opposition, the A.N.C. is coming apart at the seams. Never a party of ideology, it has always been a broad coalition united in opposition to minority rule. Since the end of apartheid, it has struggled to develop a stable political identity. Given the party’s enduring popularity, the challenge is less regaining public credibility than finding internal coherence. But until another party rivals the A.N.C., we can expect it to rest on its laurels. That spells a future of more factional strife and poor governance, at great cost to the country. The president, for his part, is using the unrest’s aftermath as an opportunity to rebuild. As one of the key negotiators of South Africa’s liberal Constitution, Mr. Ramaphosa hopes to tap into the spirit of that time — a moment also marked by violence, when things felt equally on a knife’s edge. But these reserves are low. Back then, at the end of apartheid, the promise of democracy filled many with hope. Now, after nearly three decades of things remaining mostly the same, many people just feel despair. An uneasy calm has settled. How long it lasts is anyone’s guess. Yet the past few weeks have conclusively dispelled many illusions about the country, none more so than the myth of South African exceptionalism — of a South Africa more peaceful than its African neighbors, more developed and with a future that bends inevitably toward good and triumph. The reality, as we await the next outbreak of violence, is much uglier.

South Africa is falling apart

The top US stock regulator on Friday announced new reporting requirements for Chinese shell companies listed on American exchanges. This was in response to Beijing's crackdown on big business.

Beijing has recently taken steps to tighten leash on major corporations in entertainment, ride-hailing, education and online shopping, including cybersecurity checks on firms planning to raise money in foreign markets

In a move he said was aimed at protecting American investors, Gary Gensler, head of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), called for new disclosures including to "prominently and clearly" state whether they have permission to list overseas.

These requirements focus on offshore shell companies known as Variable Interest Entities (VIEs).

"I worry that average investors may not realize that they hold stock in a shell company rather than a China-based operating company," Gensler said in a statement.&nbsp;

"In light of the recent developments in China and the overall risks with the China-based VIE structure, I have asked staff to seek certain disclosures from offshore issuers associated with China-based operating companies."

He also said he asked SEC staff for "targeted additional reviews of filings for companies with significant China-based operations," but gave no details on how those would be determined.

China's new rules have roiled markets in recent days and caused some firms to shelve plans for initial stock offerings.

Ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing defied authorities and went ahead with its IPO only to face a backlash when Beijing ordered the app to be removed from stores over cybersecurity concerns.

The top US stock regulator on Friday announced new reporting requirements for Chinese shell companies listed on American exchanges. This was in response to Beijing's crackdown on big business.

The top US stock regulator on Friday announced new reporting requirements for Chinese shell companies listed on American exchanges. This was in response to Beijing's crackdown on big business. Beijing has recently taken steps to tighten leash on major corporations in entertainment, ride-hailing, education and online shopping, including cybersecurity checks on firms planning to raise money in foreign markets In a move he said was aimed at protecting American investors, Gary Gensler, head of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), called for new disclosures including to "prominently and clearly" state whether they have permission to list overseas. These requirements focus on offshore shell companies known as Variable Interest Entities (VIEs). "I worry that average investors may not realize that they hold stock in a shell company rather than a China-based operating company," Gensler said in a statement. "In light of the recent developments in China and the overall risks with the China-based VIE structure, I have asked staff to seek certain disclosures from offshore issuers associated with China-based operating companies." He also said he asked SEC staff for "targeted additional reviews of filings for companies with significant China-based operations," but gave no details on how those would be determined. China's new rules have roiled markets in recent days and caused some firms to shelve plans for initial stock offerings. Ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing defied authorities and went ahead with its IPO only to face a backlash when Beijing ordered the app to be removed from stores over cybersecurity concerns.

US asks for more disclosure from Chinese firms amid Beijing's crackdown

The Taliban fought with Afghan government forces on the outskirts of Herat while scores of families were fleeing the city from the western Afghanistan city. The Taliban have tightened the noose around Herat.

The Taliban have already seized several districts on the outskirts of the city. They have also captured two border crossings in Herat province.

Violence has surged since early May, when US-led foreign forces began a final withdrawal which is now almost complete.

An AFP correspondent in Herat said the Taliban and government forces were fighting on the road leading to the city airport, while residents said clashes were also going on in the nearby districts of Injil and Guzara.

"People there are terrified," said local Abdul Rab Ansari, who fled to the city from Guzara.

"The fighting is heavy but they have not captured the district of Guzara so far," said Mohammad Allahyar, who also sought shelter in the city.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan told AFP that gunshots had been fired close to a UN facility in Herat.&nbsp;

"No UN personnel were engaged nor affected by the reported incident," it said.

Afghan forces and militiamen of veteran warlord and anti-Taliban commander Ismail Khan have been deployed around the city of about 600,000 inhabitants.

Khan, who previously fought the Soviet occupation forces in the 1980s and then the Taliban during their hardline regime in the 1990s, has vowed to fight the militants again to counter their staggering advances in recent months.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Taliban fought with Afghan government forces on the outskirts of Herat while scores of families were fleeing the city from the western Afghanistan city. The Taliban have tightened the noose around Herat.

The Taliban fought with Afghan government forces on the outskirts of Herat while scores of families were fleeing the city from the western Afghanistan city. The Taliban have tightened the noose around Herat. The Taliban have already seized several districts on the outskirts of the city. They have also captured two border crossings in Herat province. Violence has surged since early May, when US-led foreign forces began a final withdrawal which is now almost complete. An AFP correspondent in Herat said the Taliban and government forces were fighting on the road leading to the city airport, while residents said clashes were also going on in the nearby districts of Injil and Guzara. "People there are terrified," said local Abdul Rab Ansari, who fled to the city from Guzara. "The fighting is heavy but they have not captured the district of Guzara so far," said Mohammad Allahyar, who also sought shelter in the city. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan told AFP that gunshots had been fired close to a UN facility in Herat. "No UN personnel were engaged nor affected by the reported incident," it said. Afghan forces and militiamen of veteran warlord and anti-Taliban commander Ismail Khan have been deployed around the city of about 600,000 inhabitants. Khan, who previously fought the Soviet occupation forces in the 1980s and then the Taliban during their hardline regime in the 1990s, has vowed to fight the militants again to counter their staggering advances in recent months. (With inputs from agencies)

Civilians flee as Taliban tighten grip around Herat

A group of Republican Party lawmakers have introduced a bill in US Congress that aims to eliminate a programme that allows foreign students on F1 visa to stay in the US after completing their studies. The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill seeks to amend Immigration and Nationality Act.

If the bill is passed, it will affect thousands of Indian students in the US.

Immigration and Nationality Act allows students on F1 visa to stay in the US and seek employment for a year.&nbsp;

The Republican lawmakers are alleging that the provisions of the program let American companies prefer foreign students as employees at low wages compared to American job seekers. About 80,000 Indian students are employed in the US under provisions of this act.

Republicans argue that students under this programme are exempt from payroll taxes. The lawmakers have expressed their opposition to the fact that this makes wages of the foreign workers 10-15 per cent lower making companies prefer them instead of local talent.

The bill has to pass in the House as well as Senate after which it will be sent to President Joe Biden for a go-ahead. However, this looks like a long path given that Democratic Party controls the House and the Senate.

A group of Republican Party lawmakers have introduced a bill in US Congress that aims to eliminate a programme that allows foreign students on F1 visa to stay in the US after completing their studies.

A group of Republican Party lawmakers have introduced a bill in US Congress that aims to eliminate a programme that allows foreign students on F1 visa to stay in the US after completing their studies. The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill seeks to amend Immigration and Nationality Act. If the bill is passed, it will affect thousands of Indian students in the US. Immigration and Nationality Act allows students on F1 visa to stay in the US and seek employment for a year. The Republican lawmakers are alleging that the provisions of the program let American companies prefer foreign students as employees at low wages compared to American job seekers. About 80,000 Indian students are employed in the US under provisions of this act. Republicans argue that students under this programme are exempt from payroll taxes. The lawmakers have expressed their opposition to the fact that this makes wages of the foreign workers 10-15 per cent lower making companies prefer them instead of local talent. The bill has to pass in the House as well as Senate after which it will be sent to President Joe Biden for a go-ahead. However, this looks like a long path given that Democratic Party controls the House and the Senate.

US bill seeks to end extension of stay after study, Indian students may be affected

Global warming is not an unknown concept even to the masses now. Its effect on ice-sheets in Earth's polar regions is well known. The Arctic is already warming up three times faster than other regions in the world. And now another news can make all of us rethink our priorities.

On Tuesday (July 27), a massive amount of ice melted in Greenland. It was so much, that the whole state of Florida in the US can be submerged in two-inch layer of water!

To put things in perspective, Florida spans more than 60,000 sq miles!

The disturbing fact has been shared by Polar Portal. It represents Danish Arctic research institutions studying ice sheets and sea ice in Greenland.

The melting of ice is a worrying sign as Greenland alone has an ice cover that would raise global sea levels by 23 feet.

It has been found that rainfall in increasing in Greenland. But this is happening at the expense of ice as refreezing warms up the ice pack. Scientists and researchers have warned that what's happening in Arctic can have huge effects on global weather systems.

Global warming is not an unknown concept even to the masses now. Its effect on ice-sheets in Earth's polar regions is well known. The Arctic is already warming up three times faster than other regions in the world.

Global warming is not an unknown concept even to the masses now. Its effect on ice-sheets in Earth's polar regions is well known. The Arctic is already warming up three times faster than other regions in the world. And now another news can make all of us rethink our priorities. On Tuesday (July 27), a massive amount of ice melted in Greenland. It was so much, that the whole state of Florida in the US can be submerged in two-inch layer of water! To put things in perspective, Florida spans more than 60,000 sq miles! The disturbing fact has been shared by Polar Portal. It represents Danish Arctic research institutions studying ice sheets and sea ice in Greenland. The melting of ice is a worrying sign as Greenland alone has an ice cover that would raise global sea levels by 23 feet. It has been found that rainfall in increasing in Greenland. But this is happening at the expense of ice as refreezing warms up the ice pack. Scientists and researchers have warned that what's happening in Arctic can have huge effects on global weather systems.

Ice melted in a day in Greenland can cover Florida in 2-inch layer of water

World Health Organisation said on Thursday that Delta variant was behind the "surge" in coronavirus outbreak in West Asia. This has triggered a "fourth wave", it said. Vaccination rates remain low in the region.

WHO said that the highly transmissible Delta variant has been recorded in 15 out of 22 countries and territories of the region from Morocco to Pakistan.

"The circulation of the Delta variant is fuelling the surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths in an increasing number of countries in WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Region," it said in a statement.

"Most of the new cases and hospitalised patients are unvaccinated people. &nbsp;We are now in the fourth wave of Covid-19 across the region," said Ahmed al-Mandhari, director of WHO's Eastern Mediterranean region.

As of the last week of July, "only 41 million people, or 5.5 percent, of the region's population, had been fully vaccinated," the WHO said.

There is an increase in infections by 55 per cent. Deaths have risen by 15 per cent. More than 310,000 case and 3,500 deaths have been recorded weekly.

Countries such as Tunisia, which has suffered the biggest number of Covid-19 deaths in North Africa, have been struggling to contain the outbreak.

Critical shortages of oxygen tanks and intensive care beds have stretched the capacities of healthcare systems regionally.

WHO noted the rapid spread of the Delta variant was quickly making it "the dominant strain" in the region.

According to a recent paper in the journal Virological, the amount of virus found in the first tests of patients with the Delta variant was 1,000 times higher than patients in the first wave of the virus in 2020, greatly increasing its contagiousness.

(With inputs from agencies)

World Health Organisation said on Thursday that Delta variant was behind the "surge" in coronavirus outbreak in West Asia. This has triggered a "fourth wave", it said.

World Health Organisation said on Thursday that Delta variant was behind the "surge" in coronavirus outbreak in West Asia. This has triggered a "fourth wave", it said. Vaccination rates remain low in the region. WHO said that the highly transmissible Delta variant has been recorded in 15 out of 22 countries and territories of the region from Morocco to Pakistan. "The circulation of the Delta variant is fuelling the surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths in an increasing number of countries in WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Region," it said in a statement. "Most of the new cases and hospitalised patients are unvaccinated people. We are now in the fourth wave of Covid-19 across the region," said Ahmed al-Mandhari, director of WHO's Eastern Mediterranean region. As of the last week of July, "only 41 million people, or 5.5 percent, of the region's population, had been fully vaccinated," the WHO said. There is an increase in infections by 55 per cent. Deaths have risen by 15 per cent. More than 310,000 case and 3,500 deaths have been recorded weekly. Countries such as Tunisia, which has suffered the biggest number of Covid-19 deaths in North Africa, have been struggling to contain the outbreak. Critical shortages of oxygen tanks and intensive care beds have stretched the capacities of healthcare systems regionally. WHO noted the rapid spread of the Delta variant was quickly making it "the dominant strain" in the region. According to a recent paper in the journal Virological, the amount of virus found in the first tests of patients with the Delta variant was 1,000 times higher than patients in the first wave of the virus in 2020, greatly increasing its contagiousness. (With inputs from agencies)

West Asia virus surge due to Delta variant: WHO

Australia's National Gallery said on Thursday that it will return 14 artworks to India at least six of which are believed to have been stolen of illegally exported.&nbsp;

The artworks include sculptures, photographs and a scroll. The gallery has identified the works as either looted, stolen or of unknown origin.

The collection is composed largely of "religious and cultural artefacts" worth a total of about US$2.2 million, including some dating back to the 12th century.

Gallery director Nick Mitzevich told AFP the works were set to be returned to the Indian government within months.

"It's a relief that they can be returned to the Indian people, and it's a resolution for the National Gallery to close a very difficult chapter of our history," he said.

Thirteen of the artworks are connected to alleged trafficker Subhash Kapoor, a former art dealer in Manhattan who was subject of a massive US federal investigation known as Operation Hidden Idol. Kapoor is awaiting trial and he denies all charges.

The National Gallery of Australia has already returned several other works it acquired via Kapoor, including a US$5 million bronze statue of the Hindu god Shiva that had been stolen from a Tamil Nadu temple.

Mitzevich said it had introduced guidelines to assess any legal and ethical issues with works it holds, and was investigating three other sculptures from its Asia collection.

"It's very much a live issue with galleries around the world. And we want to make sure that we can resolve these issues in a timely manner," he said.

Many of the antiquities Kapoor dealt in dated back to the 11th and 12th centuries, when the Chola dynasty presided over a flourishing of Hindu art in Tamil Nadu.

Since his arrest in 2011, the United States has also returned hundreds of artefacts.

(With inputs from agencies)

Australia's National Gallery said on Thursday that it will return 14 artworks to India at least six of which are believed to have been stolen of illegally exported.

Australia's National Gallery said on Thursday that it will return 14 artworks to India at least six of which are believed to have been stolen of illegally exported. The artworks include sculptures, photographs and a scroll. The gallery has identified the works as either looted, stolen or of unknown origin. The collection is composed largely of "religious and cultural artefacts" worth a total of about US$2.2 million, including some dating back to the 12th century. Gallery director Nick Mitzevich told AFP the works were set to be returned to the Indian government within months. "It's a relief that they can be returned to the Indian people, and it's a resolution for the National Gallery to close a very difficult chapter of our history," he said. Thirteen of the artworks are connected to alleged trafficker Subhash Kapoor, a former art dealer in Manhattan who was subject of a massive US federal investigation known as Operation Hidden Idol. Kapoor is awaiting trial and he denies all charges. The National Gallery of Australia has already returned several other works it acquired via Kapoor, including a US$5 million bronze statue of the Hindu god Shiva that had been stolen from a Tamil Nadu temple. Mitzevich said it had introduced guidelines to assess any legal and ethical issues with works it holds, and was investigating three other sculptures from its Asia collection. "It's very much a live issue with galleries around the world. And we want to make sure that we can resolve these issues in a timely manner," he said. Many of the antiquities Kapoor dealt in dated back to the 11th and 12th centuries, when the Chola dynasty presided over a flourishing of Hindu art in Tamil Nadu. Since his arrest in 2011, the United States has also returned hundreds of artefacts. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia to return 'stolen' artefacts to India

A war monitor said that 13 combatants and three civilians were killed on Thursday in Syria's southern province of Daraa. The clashes were fiercest since the area came under regime control.&nbsp;

Russian backed Syrian army had recaptured Daraa from rebels in 2018. This was a symbolic blow to anti-government uprising uprising.

State institutions have returned, but the army still hasn't deployed across the whole province, and tit-for-tat bombings and assassinations between former opposition figures and regime forces have since become routine.&nbsp;

Tensions flared on Thursday, leading to what the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights called the "most violent and broadest clashes in Daraa since it came under regime control".

Regime forces fired artillery shells towards Daraa al-Balad. There was also a ground push.

The gunmen launched a counterattack across many parts of the Daraa countryside where they seized several regime positions. They also captured regime fighters.

 
"Eight Syrian regime and allied militia fighters died during clashes across Daraa province in recent hours," the Observatory said.

"Gunmen also captured more than 40 members of the regime forces" in Daraa's western and eastern countryside, it said.

According to the Observatory, artillery fire from regime forces in several areas killed five gunmen and three civilians, including a mother and her child.&nbsp;

Many former rebels stayed in Daraa instead of evacuating under a Moscow-brokered deal, either joining the army or remaining in control of parts of the province.

A war monitor said that 13 combatants and three civilians were killed on Thursday in Syria's southern province of Daraa. The clashes were fiercest since the area came under regime control.

A war monitor said that 13 combatants and three civilians were killed on Thursday in Syria's southern province of Daraa. The clashes were fiercest since the area came under regime control. Russian backed Syrian army had recaptured Daraa from rebels in 2018. This was a symbolic blow to anti-government uprising uprising. State institutions have returned, but the army still hasn't deployed across the whole province, and tit-for-tat bombings and assassinations between former opposition figures and regime forces have since become routine. Tensions flared on Thursday, leading to what the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights called the "most violent and broadest clashes in Daraa since it came under regime control". Regime forces fired artillery shells towards Daraa al-Balad. There was also a ground push. The gunmen launched a counterattack across many parts of the Daraa countryside where they seized several regime positions. They also captured regime fighters. "Eight Syrian regime and allied militia fighters died during clashes across Daraa province in recent hours," the Observatory said. "Gunmen also captured more than 40 members of the regime forces" in Daraa's western and eastern countryside, it said. According to the Observatory, artillery fire from regime forces in several areas killed five gunmen and three civilians, including a mother and her child. Many former rebels stayed in Daraa instead of evacuating under a Moscow-brokered deal, either joining the army or remaining in control of parts of the province.

Syria: Deadly clashes in Daraa kill 16

A top German court ruled on Thursday tha Facebook illegally took down racist posts and blocked account of their author since it failed to inform the user.

This has complicated a fraught debate over toxic discourse on social networks as Germany girds for a general election in September that polls show may not deliver a stable government.

What's interesting about this incident is that the comments made by the plaintiff violated Facebook's community standards governing hate speech.

Hate speech is banned under German law if it threatens peace or incites violence.

In its three-page summary, the Karlsruhe-based court stated that Facebook's terms of service regarding the deletion of posts and blocking accounts for violating its community standards were "null and void".

This, it added, is because Facebook does not undertake to inform the user about the removal of an offensive post at least retrospectively, to advise that it is blocking an account, to give a reason for doing so, or to offer the right of appeal.

Facebook said it would review the judgment to ensure that it can continue to effectively remove hate speech in Germany.

“We have zero tolerance for hate speech, and we’re committed to removing it from Facebook," a company spokesperson said.

The main post in question, which was reproduced in the court ruling, alleges that "Islamist immigrants" are free to murder with impunity in Germany.

"Migrants can murder and rape here and nobody cares! It's about time the Office for the Protection of the Constitution sorted this out," the post adds, referring to Germany's main domestic security agency.

Germany recently beefed up a hate-speech law that first came into force in 2018 that requires platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, the video-sharing service run by Alphabet's Google unit, to police and take down toxic content.

Google this week requested a judicial review of a new provision in the law, known in German as NetzDB, saying it violated privacy because data can be passed to law enforcement before it is evident a crime has been committed.

(With inputs from agencies)

A top German court ruled on Thursday tha Facebook illegally took down racist posts and blocked account of their author since it failed to inform the user. This has complicated a fraught debate over toxic discourse on social networks as Germany girds for a general election in September that polls show may not deliver a stable government.

A top German court ruled on Thursday tha Facebook illegally took down racist posts and blocked account of their author since it failed to inform the user. This has complicated a fraught debate over toxic discourse on social networks as Germany girds for a general election in September that polls show may not deliver a stable government. What's interesting about this incident is that the comments made by the plaintiff violated Facebook's community standards governing hate speech. Hate speech is banned under German law if it threatens peace or incites violence. In its three-page summary, the Karlsruhe-based court stated that Facebook's terms of service regarding the deletion of posts and blocking accounts for violating its community standards were "null and void". This, it added, is because Facebook does not undertake to inform the user about the removal of an offensive post at least retrospectively, to advise that it is blocking an account, to give a reason for doing so, or to offer the right of appeal. Facebook said it would review the judgment to ensure that it can continue to effectively remove hate speech in Germany. “We have zero tolerance for hate speech, and we’re committed to removing it from Facebook," a company spokesperson said. The main post in question, which was reproduced in the court ruling, alleges that "Islamist immigrants" are free to murder with impunity in Germany. "Migrants can murder and rape here and nobody cares! It's about time the Office for the Protection of the Constitution sorted this out," the post adds, referring to Germany's main domestic security agency. Germany recently beefed up a hate-speech law that first came into force in 2018 that requires platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, the video-sharing service run by Alphabet's Google unit, to police and take down toxic content. Google this week requested a judicial review of a new provision in the law, known in German as NetzDB, saying it violated privacy because data can be passed to law enforcement before it is evident a crime has been committed. (With inputs from agencies)

Top German court strikes down Facebook rules on hate speech

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