In perhaps first major defense move with developments in Afghanistan in mind, Russia on Thursday deployed military machinery on its base in Tajikistan. The Russian base is close to the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border. In a video posted by Reuters watermarked 'Russian Defence Ministry' a Russian Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) was seen being unloaded at the base in Tajikistan.

The Taliban have made huge gains in Afghanistan and control a large portion of the country. The Taliban also control the border crossing with Tajikistan. Countries in the region are monitoring the situation closely to prevent spillover of the fighting within&nbsp;their borders.

Russia's deployment has come on the same day Tajikistan held its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-neighbour-tajikistan-holds-largest-ever-military-exercise-amid-taliban-advance-399746">biggest ever military exercise</a>. The exercise involved its entire army

On Thursday, Tajikistan mobilised 130,000 men from its military reserve in addition to 100,000 active servicemen for the three-hour exercise. Tajikistan's President has warned his people to "be ready to protect the peace and stability that have been achieved at a high price"

Russian media on Thursday quoted Taliban Spokesperson who claimed that the insurgent group controlled 90 per cent of Afghan border.

"Afghanistan's borders with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran, or about 90 percent of the border, are under our control," Zabihullah Mujahid told the RIA Novosti news agency. The&nbsp;claim that could not be independently verified.

In perhaps first major defense move with developments in Afghanistan in mind, Russia on Thursday deployed military machinery on its base in Tajikistan. The Russian base is close to the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border.

In perhaps first major defense move with developments in Afghanistan in mind, Russia on Thursday deployed military machinery on its base in Tajikistan. The Russian base is close to the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border. In a video posted by Reuters watermarked 'Russian Defence Ministry' a Russian Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) was seen being unloaded at the base in Tajikistan. The Taliban have made huge gains in Afghanistan and control a large portion of the country. The Taliban also control the border crossing with Tajikistan. Countries in the region are monitoring the situation closely to prevent spillover of the fighting within their borders. Russia's deployment has come on the same day Tajikistan held its biggest ever military exercise. The exercise involved its entire army On Thursday, Tajikistan mobilised 130,000 men from its military reserve in addition to 100,000 active servicemen for the three-hour exercise. Tajikistan's President has warned his people to "be ready to protect the peace and stability that have been achieved at a high price" Russian media on Thursday quoted Taliban Spokesperson who claimed that the insurgent group controlled 90 per cent of Afghan border. "Afghanistan's borders with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran, or about 90 percent of the border, are under our control," Zabihullah Mujahid told the RIA Novosti news agency. The claim that could not be independently verified.

Russia deploys military machinery near Afghanistan border

Tajikistan, Afghanistan's neighbour in the north on Thursday held its largest-ever military exercise involving its entire army. The Central Asian country's President Emomali Rakhmon urged vigilance. The military exercise has come amid Taliban's offensive in Afghanistan to control territory as US-led international forces leave.

Right since USA announced its withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Taliban has been on the offensive. At present they control large part of the country and have been able to encircle many of the main cities. The border crossing between Afghanistan and Tajikistan is now under Taliban's control.

On Thursday, Tajikistan mobilised 130,000 men from its military reserve in addition to 100,000 active servicemen for the three-hour exercise.

More than 1,000 military vehicles, hundreds of artillery guns and mortars and dozens of aircraft including helicopters were deployed during the exercise, Rakhmon's office said in a statement.

"Due to the unstable situation in the region I once again remind the people of Tajikistan that we must be ready to protect the peace and stability that have been achieved at a high price," Rakhmon said in a speech broadcast by state television.

He said that 20,000 from the military reserve had been sent to reinforce Tajikistan's border with Afghanistan.

Earlier this month, hundreds of Afghan servicemen crossed border into Tajikistan as they retreated from Taliban offensive. Tajikistan later sent them back as the Kabul government arranged special flights to return its soldiers.

Russia, which operates a military base in Tajikistan, plans to hold joint drills there with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, another former Soviet republic bordering Afghanistan, next month.

(With inputs from agencies)

Tajikistan, Afghanistan's neighbour in the north on Thursday held its largest-ever military exercise involving its entire army. The Central Asian country's President Emomali Rakhmon urged vigilance.

Tajikistan, Afghanistan's neighbour in the north on Thursday held its largest-ever military exercise involving its entire army. The Central Asian country's President Emomali Rakhmon urged vigilance. The military exercise has come amid Taliban's offensive in Afghanistan to control territory as US-led international forces leave. Right since USA announced its withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Taliban has been on the offensive. At present they control large part of the country and have been able to encircle many of the main cities. The border crossing between Afghanistan and Tajikistan is now under Taliban's control. On Thursday, Tajikistan mobilised 130,000 men from its military reserve in addition to 100,000 active servicemen for the three-hour exercise. More than 1,000 military vehicles, hundreds of artillery guns and mortars and dozens of aircraft including helicopters were deployed during the exercise, Rakhmon's office said in a statement. "Due to the unstable situation in the region I once again remind the people of Tajikistan that we must be ready to protect the peace and stability that have been achieved at a high price," Rakhmon said in a speech broadcast by state television. He said that 20,000 from the military reserve had been sent to reinforce Tajikistan's border with Afghanistan. Earlier this month, hundreds of Afghan servicemen crossed border into Tajikistan as they retreated from Taliban offensive. Tajikistan later sent them back as the Kabul government arranged special flights to return its soldiers. Russia, which operates a military base in Tajikistan, plans to hold joint drills there with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, another former Soviet republic bordering Afghanistan, next month. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan's neighbour Tajikistan holds largest-ever military exercise amid Taliban advance

Syrian army on Thursday, bombarded Idlib region on Thursday. This killed seven civilians including three children, said Britain-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights. Idlib is a bastion of the rebels and this is the third bombardment in a week.

Several people were seriously wounded in the morning bombardment of the village of Iblin, south of Idlib

Syrian army has stepped up its bombing of the northwestern enclave since Saturday. It was the day when President Bashar al-Assad took oath for a new term. He vowed to make "liberating those parts of the homeland that still need to be" one of his top priorities.

Strikes on the Idlib villages of Sarja and Ehsin on the same day killed 14 civilians. Seven of these were children.

Two days earlier shelling of Idlib and the town of Fuaa further north killed nine civilians, three of them children, the Observatory said.

Controlled by an alliance dominated by Al-Qaeda's former Syria affiliate, the Idlib region is home to nearly three million people, two-thirds of them displaced from other parts of the country.

A March 2020 deal brokered by the rival sides' main foreign backers Russia and Turkey has eased fighting on the front line but the region remains in the government's sights.

Elsewhere in the country, Kurdish-led forces control a large swathe of the east after expelling the Islamic State group from the region.

And Turkey and its Syrian proxies hold a long strip of territory along the northern border.

(With inputs from agencies)

Syrian army on Thursday, bombarded Idlib region on Thursday. This killed seven civilians including three children, said Britain-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights.

Syrian army on Thursday, bombarded Idlib region on Thursday. This killed seven civilians including three children, said Britain-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights. Idlib is a bastion of the rebels and this is the third bombardment in a week. Several people were seriously wounded in the morning bombardment of the village of Iblin, south of Idlib Syrian army has stepped up its bombing of the northwestern enclave since Saturday. It was the day when President Bashar al-Assad took oath for a new term. He vowed to make "liberating those parts of the homeland that still need to be" one of his top priorities. Strikes on the Idlib villages of Sarja and Ehsin on the same day killed 14 civilians. Seven of these were children. Two days earlier shelling of Idlib and the town of Fuaa further north killed nine civilians, three of them children, the Observatory said. Controlled by an alliance dominated by Al-Qaeda's former Syria affiliate, the Idlib region is home to nearly three million people, two-thirds of them displaced from other parts of the country. A March 2020 deal brokered by the rival sides' main foreign backers Russia and Turkey has eased fighting on the front line but the region remains in the government's sights. Elsewhere in the country, Kurdish-led forces control a large swathe of the east after expelling the Islamic State group from the region. And Turkey and its Syrian proxies hold a long strip of territory along the northern border. (With inputs from agencies)

Syrian army bombards rebel bastion killing seven civilians

Taliban in Afghanistan's Balkh province are recruiting local people and collecting funds forcefully, ANI said citing officials. The Taliban are reportedly forcing the people to give them part of their income.

"The Taliban are also trying to recruit from among the local people," said the officials, reported Tolo News.

"There are only about 20 Taliban fighters inside the district building compound and the police headquarters; the rest of them have taken up positions inside the villages to collect Zakat (charity)," said Mohammad Yousuf, the acting district governor of Kaldar district.

As per Tolo News, there are about 200 Taliban fighters in the district but they are looking to recruit more.

"They have imposed taxes on the shops and bazaars and on the local people--which is beyond their capacity to pay. They also harassed the people who don`t have the capacity to pay a large amount of money," said Mohammad Hashem Mansoori, a District Governor for Shortepa district in Balkh province. Business activity has also been affected following the increased violence by the Taliban, especially in those regions where there are dry ports, such as at Hairatan.

"The people have serious concerns, the business owners are very fearful because of the businesses," said Sifatullah, a resident in Hairatan.

Security authorities however have assured the people that the Afghan security forces are fully prepared to defend the people`s lives and property, reported Tolo News.

"The morale of our forces is very high; they are fully prepared and have the strength to defend the city. Soon we will launch our offensive operations," said Khanullah Shuja, the commander of 209 Shaheen Army Corps.

(With inputs from agencies)

Taliban in Afghanistan's Balkh province are recruiting local people and collecting funds forcefully, ANI said citing officials. The Taliban are reportedly forcing the people to give them part of their income.

Taliban in Afghanistan's Balkh province are recruiting local people and collecting funds forcefully, ANI said citing officials. The Taliban are reportedly forcing the people to give them part of their income. "The Taliban are also trying to recruit from among the local people," said the officials, reported Tolo News. "There are only about 20 Taliban fighters inside the district building compound and the police headquarters; the rest of them have taken up positions inside the villages to collect Zakat (charity)," said Mohammad Yousuf, the acting district governor of Kaldar district. As per Tolo News, there are about 200 Taliban fighters in the district but they are looking to recruit more. "They have imposed taxes on the shops and bazaars and on the local people--which is beyond their capacity to pay. They also harassed the people who don`t have the capacity to pay a large amount of money," said Mohammad Hashem Mansoori, a District Governor for Shortepa district in Balkh province. Business activity has also been affected following the increased violence by the Taliban, especially in those regions where there are dry ports, such as at Hairatan. "The people have serious concerns, the business owners are very fearful because of the businesses," said Sifatullah, a resident in Hairatan. Security authorities however have assured the people that the Afghan security forces are fully prepared to defend the people`s lives and property, reported Tolo News. "The morale of our forces is very high; they are fully prepared and have the strength to defend the city. Soon we will launch our offensive operations," said Khanullah Shuja, the commander of 209 Shaheen Army Corps. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban demands money from civilians, tries recruiting fighters

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and 15 diplomatic missions in Kabul on MOnday joined hands to urge Taliban for a ceasefire and halt to military offensives across Afghanistan. The appeal came just hours after a peace meeting in Doha failed to meet on ceasefire.

A senior delegation of Afghan leaders met the Taliban's political leadership in the Qatari capital over the last two days, but a Taliban statement issued late on Sunday made no mention of a halt to Afghanistan's rising violence.

"This Eid al-Adha, the Taliban should lay down their weapons for good and show the world their commitment to the peace process," the 15 missions and the NATO representative said, referring to Tuesday's Muslim holiday in Afghanistan.

The statement was supported by Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the European Union delegation, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Britain and the United States and NATO's senior civilian representative.

The Taliban had called temporary ceasefires over the last few Eid holidays saying they wanted to let Afghans spend them in peace.

This time there has been no such announcement, as the Taliban make swift territorial gains in near-unprecedented levels of fighting nationwide.

The insurgents have been emboldened as foreign forces near a complete withdrawal after 20 years of fighting.

Monday's statement also condemned rights violations, such as efforts to shut schools and media outfits reported by media in areas recently captured by the Taliban, which has previously denied such assertions.

(With inputs from agencies)

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and 15 diplomatic missions in Kabul on MOnday joined hands to urge Taliban for a ceasefire and halt to military offensives across Afghanistan.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and 15 diplomatic missions in Kabul on MOnday joined hands to urge Taliban for a ceasefire and halt to military offensives across Afghanistan. The appeal came just hours after a peace meeting in Doha failed to meet on ceasefire. A senior delegation of Afghan leaders met the Taliban's political leadership in the Qatari capital over the last two days, but a Taliban statement issued late on Sunday made no mention of a halt to Afghanistan's rising violence. "This Eid al-Adha, the Taliban should lay down their weapons for good and show the world their commitment to the peace process," the 15 missions and the NATO representative said, referring to Tuesday's Muslim holiday in Afghanistan. The statement was supported by Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the European Union delegation, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Britain and the United States and NATO's senior civilian representative. The Taliban had called temporary ceasefires over the last few Eid holidays saying they wanted to let Afghans spend them in peace. This time there has been no such announcement, as the Taliban make swift territorial gains in near-unprecedented levels of fighting nationwide. The insurgents have been emboldened as foreign forces near a complete withdrawal after 20 years of fighting. Monday's statement also condemned rights violations, such as efforts to shut schools and media outfits reported by media in areas recently captured by the Taliban, which has previously denied such assertions. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan: Foreign missions issue joint call for Taliban ceasefire

By the thousands, they sleep in hallways, tents and cars, gasping for air as they wait for beds in overcrowded hospitals that may not have oxygen to give them. Others see hospitals as hopeless, even dangerous, and take their chances at home.

Wherever they lie, as COVID-19 steals their breath away, their families engage in a frantic, daily hunt for scarce supplies of life-giving oxygen.

Indonesia has become the new epicenter of the pandemic, surpassing India and Brazil to become the country with the world’s highest count of new infections. The surge is part of a wave across Southeast Asia, where vaccination rates are low but countries had, until recently, contained the virus relatively well​. Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand are also facing their largest outbreaks yet and have imposed new restrictions, including lockdowns and stay-at-home orders.

In Indonesia, cases and deaths have skyrocketed in the past month as the highly contagious delta variant sweeps through densely populated Java island, as well as Bali. In some regions, the coronavirus has pushed the medical system past its limits, although hospitals are taking emergency steps to expand capacity.

Bekasi Regional Public Hospital, where some COVID patients have waited days for treatment, has erected large tents on its grounds, with beds for up to 150 people. Nearby in Jakarta, the capital, a long line of people waited for hours outside a small dispensary, hoping to fill their portable tanks with oxygen.

Among them was Nyimas Siti Nadia, 28, who had been searching for oxygen for her aunt’s family, all sick with COVID.

“She is a doctor and she is afraid to go to a hospital because she knows the situation,” Nyimas said. “There are many instances where patients do not get beds or oxygen. If we go to the hospital, we have to bring our own oxygen.”

On Thursday, Indonesian authorities reported nearly 57,000 new cases, the highest daily total yet — seven times as many as a month earlier. On Friday, they reported a record 1,205 deaths, bringing the country’s official toll from the pandemic to more than 71,000.

But some health experts say those figures vastly understate the spread in Indonesia, the world’s fourth-most-populous nation, because testing has been limited. Dicky Budiman, an Indonesian public health researcher at Griffith University in Australia, estimates that the true number of cases is three to six times higher.

In India, where the delta variant was first identified, daily cases peaked at more than 414,000 in May, but they have since dropped to about 40,000.

Despite Indonesia’s mushrooming caseload, officials say they have the situation under control.

“If we talk about the worst-case scenario, 60,000 or slightly more, we are pretty OK,” said Luhut Pandjaitan, a senior minister assigned by President Joko Widodo to handle the crisis. “We are hoping that it will not reach 100,000, but even so, we are preparing now for if we ever get there.”

Many Indonesians, however, have been facing their worst-case scenarios for weeks.

Family members describe nightmare scenes of trying to get a hospital to admit their sick relatives. Some hospitals were accepting only patients who brought their own oxygen, they said. At others, patients waited wherever they could find space to lie down.

In Bekasi, a city of 2.5 million that adjoins Jakarta, patients have flocked to the regional public hospital. To accommodate the surge, 10 large tents were set up on the grounds, equipped with beds for as many as 150 people.

Lisa Wiliana’s husband had been in one of the tents since the previous day, waiting for space in a ward. After nine days of sickness, she said, his oxygen saturation level had dropped to 84, well below the range of 95-100 that is considered healthy. The hospital was giving him some oxygen, but she had to arrange to get more.

“We are waiting for an available room because it is full,” she said. “What else can we do? The important thing is to get the oxygen, because he already had trouble breathing. It was scary.”

Even being admitted does not make getting oxygen a certainty. At Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, in the city of Yogyakarta, 33 patients died this month after the central oxygen supply ran out. The staff switched to tanks donated by the police, but it was too late for many patients.

Overwhelmed hospitals have added thousands of beds, but on average, 10% of their health care workers are in isolation after exposure to the virus, said Dr. Lia G. Partakusuma, secretary-general of the Indonesian Hospital Association. Some hospitals are using five times as much liquid oxygen as normal, and distributors are having difficulty keeping up with the demand, she said.

“Some hospitals have said, ‘If you brought your own oxygen tank, please use it first because we have a limited oxygen supply,’” she said. “But it is not a requirement for them to bring their own oxygen.”

With hospitals so overcrowded, many people choose to stay home — and many die there. Lapor COVID, a nonprofit group that is tracking deaths from the disease, reports that at least 40 COVID patients a day are now dying at home.

The president has stopped short of a nationwide lockdown but ordered restrictions in Java and Bali, including closing places of worship, schools, shopping malls and sports facilities, reducing public-transit capacity and limiting restaurants to takeout. The restrictions are set to expire Tuesday, but officials are weighing whether to extend them.

Only about 15% of Indonesia’s 270 million people have received a dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and just 6% are fully inoculated. Indonesia has relied heavily on the vaccine made by Sinovac Biotech, a Chinese company, which has proved less effective than other shots. At least 20 Indonesian doctors who were fully vaccinated with Sinovac have died from the virus.

This past week, the United States donated 4.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine to Indonesia. Officials said the first priority would be to give booster shots to nearly 1.5 million health workers.

Budiman, the Indonesian public health researcher in Australia, predicted more than a year ago that Indonesia would become a pandemic epicenter because of its dense population and weak health care system. He has urged more testing, contact tracing and isolation of infected individuals.

Indonesia’s health minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, said Friday that the country had increased testing to about 230,000 people a day, from about 30,000 in December. His target is 400,000 a day.

But Budiman contends that testing is still woefully limited, noting that in recent days, the share of tests that came up positive had risen to more than 30%. Health experts say a high rate is a sign of too little testing.

“For more than a year, our test positivity rate has almost never been below 10%, which means we are missing many cases and we cannot identify the majority of infections and the clusters,” he said.

Outside the small CV Rintis Usaha Bersama oxygen shop in South Jakarta, more than 100 customers lined up in the street with their oxygen tanks and waited hours for the chance to refill them.

Alif Akhirul Ramadan, 27, said he was getting oxygen for his 77-year-old grandmother, who was being cared for by family members at home. He said that her condition had suddenly worsened and that her tank was running low.

“Now it has to be refilled,” said Alif, who has had COVID twice. “There is no backup at home. That is why we need to refill it quickly.”

By the thousands, they sleep in hallways, tents and cars, gasping for air as they wait for beds in overcrowded hospitals that may not have oxygen to give them. Others see hospitals as hopeless, even dangerous, and take their chances at home.

By the thousands, they sleep in hallways, tents and cars, gasping for air as they wait for beds in overcrowded hospitals that may not have oxygen to give them. Others see hospitals as hopeless, even dangerous, and take their chances at home. Wherever they lie, as COVID-19 steals their breath away, their families engage in a frantic, daily hunt for scarce supplies of life-giving oxygen. Indonesia has become the new epicenter of the pandemic, surpassing India and Brazil to become the country with the world’s highest count of new infections. The surge is part of a wave across Southeast Asia, where vaccination rates are low but countries had, until recently, contained the virus relatively well. Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand are also facing their largest outbreaks yet and have imposed new restrictions, including lockdowns and stay-at-home orders. In Indonesia, cases and deaths have skyrocketed in the past month as the highly contagious delta variant sweeps through densely populated Java island, as well as Bali. In some regions, the coronavirus has pushed the medical system past its limits, although hospitals are taking emergency steps to expand capacity. Bekasi Regional Public Hospital, where some COVID patients have waited days for treatment, has erected large tents on its grounds, with beds for up to 150 people. Nearby in Jakarta, the capital, a long line of people waited for hours outside a small dispensary, hoping to fill their portable tanks with oxygen. Among them was Nyimas Siti Nadia, 28, who had been searching for oxygen for her aunt’s family, all sick with COVID. “She is a doctor and she is afraid to go to a hospital because she knows the situation,” Nyimas said. “There are many instances where patients do not get beds or oxygen. If we go to the hospital, we have to bring our own oxygen.” On Thursday, Indonesian authorities reported nearly 57,000 new cases, the highest daily total yet — seven times as many as a month earlier. On Friday, they reported a record 1,205 deaths, bringing the country’s official toll from the pandemic to more than 71,000. But some health experts say those figures vastly understate the spread in Indonesia, the world’s fourth-most-populous nation, because testing has been limited. Dicky Budiman, an Indonesian public health researcher at Griffith University in Australia, estimates that the true number of cases is three to six times higher. In India, where the delta variant was first identified, daily cases peaked at more than 414,000 in May, but they have since dropped to about 40,000. Despite Indonesia’s mushrooming caseload, officials say they have the situation under control. “If we talk about the worst-case scenario, 60,000 or slightly more, we are pretty OK,” said Luhut Pandjaitan, a senior minister assigned by President Joko Widodo to handle the crisis. “We are hoping that it will not reach 100,000, but even so, we are preparing now for if we ever get there.” Many Indonesians, however, have been facing their worst-case scenarios for weeks. Family members describe nightmare scenes of trying to get a hospital to admit their sick relatives. Some hospitals were accepting only patients who brought their own oxygen, they said. At others, patients waited wherever they could find space to lie down. In Bekasi, a city of 2.5 million that adjoins Jakarta, patients have flocked to the regional public hospital. To accommodate the surge, 10 large tents were set up on the grounds, equipped with beds for as many as 150 people. Lisa Wiliana’s husband had been in one of the tents since the previous day, waiting for space in a ward. After nine days of sickness, she said, his oxygen saturation level had dropped to 84, well below the range of 95-100 that is considered healthy. The hospital was giving him some oxygen, but she had to arrange to get more. “We are waiting for an available room because it is full,” she said. “What else can we do? The important thing is to get the oxygen, because he already had trouble breathing. It was scary.” Even being admitted does not make getting oxygen a certainty. At Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, in the city of Yogyakarta, 33 patients died this month after the central oxygen supply ran out. The staff switched to tanks donated by the police, but it was too late for many patients. Overwhelmed hospitals have added thousands of beds, but on average, 10% of their health care workers are in isolation after exposure to the virus, said Dr. Lia G. Partakusuma, secretary-general of the Indonesian Hospital Association. Some hospitals are using five times as much liquid oxygen as normal, and distributors are having difficulty keeping up with the demand, she said. “Some hospitals have said, ‘If you brought your own oxygen tank, please use it first because we have a limited oxygen supply,’” she said. “But it is not a requirement for them to bring their own oxygen.” With hospitals so overcrowded, many people choose to stay home — and many die there. Lapor COVID, a nonprofit group that is tracking deaths from the disease, reports that at least 40 COVID patients a day are now dying at home. The president has stopped short of a nationwide lockdown but ordered restrictions in Java and Bali, including closing places of worship, schools, shopping malls and sports facilities, reducing public-transit capacity and limiting restaurants to takeout. The restrictions are set to expire Tuesday, but officials are weighing whether to extend them. Only about 15% of Indonesia’s 270 million people have received a dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and just 6% are fully inoculated. Indonesia has relied heavily on the vaccine made by Sinovac Biotech, a Chinese company, which has proved less effective than other shots. At least 20 Indonesian doctors who were fully vaccinated with Sinovac have died from the virus. This past week, the United States donated 4.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine to Indonesia. Officials said the first priority would be to give booster shots to nearly 1.5 million health workers. Budiman, the Indonesian public health researcher in Australia, predicted more than a year ago that Indonesia would become a pandemic epicenter because of its dense population and weak health care system. He has urged more testing, contact tracing and isolation of infected individuals. Indonesia’s health minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, said Friday that the country had increased testing to about 230,000 people a day, from about 30,000 in December. His target is 400,000 a day. But Budiman contends that testing is still woefully limited, noting that in recent days, the share of tests that came up positive had risen to more than 30%. Health experts say a high rate is a sign of too little testing. “For more than a year, our test positivity rate has almost never been below 10%, which means we are missing many cases and we cannot identify the majority of infections and the clusters,” he said. Outside the small CV Rintis Usaha Bersama oxygen shop in South Jakarta, more than 100 customers lined up in the street with their oxygen tanks and waited hours for the chance to refill them. Alif Akhirul Ramadan, 27, said he was getting oxygen for his 77-year-old grandmother, who was being cared for by family members at home. He said that her condition had suddenly worsened and that her tank was running low. “Now it has to be refilled,” said Alif, who has had COVID twice. “There is no backup at home. That is why we need to refill it quickly.”

The pandemic has a new epicenter: Indonesia

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba won confidence vote in country's parliament on Sunday (July 18). He clinched the victory just days after Nepal's Supreme Court reinstated the legislature that was dissolved in May this year.

Deuba (75) has held office four times before. His victory on Sunday was comfortable. He won 165 votes. 136 were required for victory. There were 83 votes against him.

Nepal's new prime minister faces immediate task of procuring vaccines and controlling the spread of COVID-19, which the government says has infected 667,109 people and killed 9,550. As per public health experts, under-reporting of cases means that actual number can be higher.

Fewer than 4 per cent of the country's population has been fully vaccinated.

&nbsp;More than 1.3 million people, who have had a first dose of a vaccine, are awaiting a second as the government scrambles to procure shots.

"Combating COVID will be the first priority of the new government," Deuba said in parliament.

The new government has pledged to vaccinate a third of its people in the next three months and every Nepali by next April.

Last Monday, the Supreme Court ordered Deuba be appointed premier in place of K.P. Sharma Oli. It ruled that Oli, who had been in power for three years, had breached the constitution by dissolving parliament. However, Deuba still needed to win the confidence vote, under the constitution.

Deuba, head of the centrist Nepali Congress party, will head a coalition with former Maoist rebels and a party representing a minority community dominant on Nepal's southern plains.

Oli, 69, says he had been unfairly removed by the court and has vowed to "go to the people" to explain his position.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba on his confidence vote win and assured further enhancement of partnership in all sectors, and strengthen “deep-rooted people-to-people ties”.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister extended his wishes to Deuba for a “successful tenure”.

“Congratulations Prime Minister @DeubaSherbdr and best wishes for a successful tenure. I look forward to working with you to further enhance our unique partnership in all sectors and strengthen our deep-rooted people-to-people ties,” Modi said in a tweet.&nbsp;

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Congratulations Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/DeubaSherbdr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeubaSherbdr</a> and best wishes for a successful tenure. I look forward to working with you to further enhance our unique partnership in all sectors, and strengthen our deep-rooted people-to-people ties.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1416801219473936385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In response to Modi’s tweet, Deuba said, “Thank you very much, Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji, for your congratulatory note. I look forward to closely working with you to strengthen the relationship between our two countries and people.”

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Thank you very much, Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> Ji, for your congratulatory note. I look forward to closely working with you to strengthen the relationship between our two countries and people. <a href="https://t.co/rJIElX1ytY">https://t.co/rJIElX1ytY</a>
— Sher Bahadur Deuba (@DeubaSherbdr) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeubaSherbdr/status/1416812678094286848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Deuba led government has pledged to vaccinate a third of its people in the next three months and every Nepali by next April.

(With inputs from Saloni Murarka and agencies)

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba won confidence vote in country's parliament on Sunday (July 18). He clinched the victory just days after Nepal's Supreme Court reinstated the legislature that was dissolved in May this year.

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba won confidence vote in country's parliament on Sunday (July 18). He clinched the victory just days after Nepal's Supreme Court reinstated the legislature that was dissolved in May this year. Deuba (75) has held office four times before. His victory on Sunday was comfortable. He won 165 votes. 136 were required for victory. There were 83 votes against him. Nepal's new prime minister faces immediate task of procuring vaccines and controlling the spread of COVID-19, which the government says has infected 667,109 people and killed 9,550. As per public health experts, under-reporting of cases means that actual number can be higher. Fewer than 4 per cent of the country's population has been fully vaccinated. More than 1.3 million people, who have had a first dose of a vaccine, are awaiting a second as the government scrambles to procure shots. "Combating COVID will be the first priority of the new government," Deuba said in parliament. The new government has pledged to vaccinate a third of its people in the next three months and every Nepali by next April. Last Monday, the Supreme Court ordered Deuba be appointed premier in place of K.P. Sharma Oli. It ruled that Oli, who had been in power for three years, had breached the constitution by dissolving parliament. However, Deuba still needed to win the confidence vote, under the constitution. Deuba, head of the centrist Nepali Congress party, will head a coalition with former Maoist rebels and a party representing a minority community dominant on Nepal's southern plains. Oli, 69, says he had been unfairly removed by the court and has vowed to "go to the people" to explain his position. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba on his confidence vote win and assured further enhancement of partnership in all sectors, and strengthen “deep-rooted people-to-people ties”. In a tweet, the Prime Minister extended his wishes to Deuba for a “successful tenure”. “Congratulations Prime Minister @DeubaSherbdr and best wishes for a successful tenure. I look forward to working with you to further enhance our unique partnership in all sectors and strengthen our deep-rooted people-to-people ties,” Modi said in a tweet. Congratulations Prime Minister @DeubaSherbdr and best wishes for a successful tenure. I look forward to working with you to further enhance our unique partnership in all sectors, and strengthen our deep-rooted people-to-people ties. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 18, 2021 × In response to Modi’s tweet, Deuba said, “Thank you very much, Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji, for your congratulatory note. I look forward to closely working with you to strengthen the relationship between our two countries and people.” Thank you very much, Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji, for your congratulatory note. I look forward to closely working with you to strengthen the relationship between our two countries and people. https://t.co/rJIElX1ytY — Sher Bahadur Deuba (@DeubaSherbdr) July 18, 2021 × Deuba led government has pledged to vaccinate a third of its people in the next three months and every Nepali by next April. (With inputs from Saloni Murarka and agencies)

Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba wins confidence vote

Ethiopia said on Monday that it had achieved its second-year target for filling the huge dam on the Blue Nile River. The dam is an area of dispute between Ethiopia and downstream countries Egypt and Sudan.

"The first filling already was done last year. The second one is already done today. So today or tomorrow, second filling will be announced," an official told AFP, adding there is now enough water stored to begin producing energy.&nbsp;

The milestone was later confirmed by Water Minister Seleshi Bekele. The officials had earlier predicted that the milestone would be reached in August.

On Twitter, the minister attributed the accelerated timeline to "extreme rainfall" in the Blue Nile basin.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been at the centre of a regional dispute ever since Ethiopia broke ground on the project in 2011.

The dam is viewed as a threat by Egypt and Sudan because of their dependence on Nile waters. Ethiopia says that the dam is essential for its electrification and development.

Talks held under the auspices of the African Union (AU) have failed to yield a three-way agreement. Egypt and Sudan have urged Ethiopia to stop filling the dam till an agreement is reached.

Ethiopian officials however, have argued that filling is a natural part of the dam's construction process and can't be stopped.

Energy generation

The UN Security Council met earlier this month to discuss the project, although Ethiopia later slammed the session as an "unhelpful" distraction from the AU-led process.&nbsp;

Egypt claims a historic right to the Nile dating from a 1929 treaty that gave it veto power over construction projects along the river.

A 1959 treaty boosted Egypt's allocation to around 66 percent of the river's flow, with 22 percent for Sudan. 
Yet Ethiopia was not party to those treaties and does not see them as valid.

In 2010 Nile basin countries, excluding Egypt and Sudan, signed another deal, the Cooperative Framework Agreement, that allows projects on the river without Cairo's agreement.&nbsp;

The Nile's main tributaries, the Blue Nile and White Nile, converge in Khartoum before flowing north through Egypt to drain into the Mediterranean Sea.&nbsp;

The process of filling the GERD's reservoir began last year, with Ethiopia announcing in July 2020 it had hit its target of 4.9 billion cubic metres.

The goal for this year's rainy season -- which had been announced before the first cycle was completed -- was to add 13.5 billion cubic metres. The reservoir's capacity is 74 billion.

With the second-year target hit, the dam can run the first two of its 13 turbines, Seleshi said Monday on Twitter.

"Intensive efforts are being made for the two turbines to generate energy," Seleshi said, adding that "early generation" could be realised "in the next few months."

(With inputs from agencies)

Ethiopia said on Monday that it had achieved its second-year target for filling the huge dam on the Blue Nile River. The dam is an area of dispute between Ethiopia and downstream countries Egypt and Sudan.

Ethiopia said on Monday that it had achieved its second-year target for filling the huge dam on the Blue Nile River. The dam is an area of dispute between Ethiopia and downstream countries Egypt and Sudan. "The first filling already was done last year. The second one is already done today. So today or tomorrow, second filling will be announced," an official told AFP, adding there is now enough water stored to begin producing energy. The milestone was later confirmed by Water Minister Seleshi Bekele. The officials had earlier predicted that the milestone would be reached in August. On Twitter, the minister attributed the accelerated timeline to "extreme rainfall" in the Blue Nile basin. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been at the centre of a regional dispute ever since Ethiopia broke ground on the project in 2011. The dam is viewed as a threat by Egypt and Sudan because of their dependence on Nile waters. Ethiopia says that the dam is essential for its electrification and development. Talks held under the auspices of the African Union (AU) have failed to yield a three-way agreement. Egypt and Sudan have urged Ethiopia to stop filling the dam till an agreement is reached. Ethiopian officials however, have argued that filling is a natural part of the dam's construction process and can't be stopped. Energy generation The UN Security Council met earlier this month to discuss the project, although Ethiopia later slammed the session as an "unhelpful" distraction from the AU-led process. Egypt claims a historic right to the Nile dating from a 1929 treaty that gave it veto power over construction projects along the river. A 1959 treaty boosted Egypt's allocation to around 66 percent of the river's flow, with 22 percent for Sudan. Yet Ethiopia was not party to those treaties and does not see them as valid. In 2010 Nile basin countries, excluding Egypt and Sudan, signed another deal, the Cooperative Framework Agreement, that allows projects on the river without Cairo's agreement. The Nile's main tributaries, the Blue Nile and White Nile, converge in Khartoum before flowing north through Egypt to drain into the Mediterranean Sea. The process of filling the GERD's reservoir began last year, with Ethiopia announcing in July 2020 it had hit its target of 4.9 billion cubic metres. The goal for this year's rainy season -- which had been announced before the first cycle was completed -- was to add 13.5 billion cubic metres. The reservoir's capacity is 74 billion. With the second-year target hit, the dam can run the first two of its 13 turbines, Seleshi said Monday on Twitter. "Intensive efforts are being made for the two turbines to generate energy," Seleshi said, adding that "early generation" could be realised "in the next few months." (With inputs from agencies)

Ethiopia hits second-year target for filling Nile mega-dam

German government on Monday pledged to improve the nation's warning systems. The warning systems are under fire after worst floods in living memory. At least 165 people are confirmed dead now.

In the west of the country, floodwater swept away trees, cars and bridges and destroyed swathes of housing. Many victims were found in cellars after attempting to collect valuables. Others were swept away by the sheer force of floodwaters.

In Rhineland-Palatinate state, a total of 117 people are dead. In neighbouring North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) the death toll has reached 47. One person has died in Bavaria.

In Belgium, at least 31 people died due to floods.&nbsp;

Torrential rains have caused havoc in southern Germant and neighbouring countries.

"We haven't been to all the houses yet, we must assume that we will find more bodies," said Rhineland Palatinate's regional interior minister Roger Lewentz.&nbsp;

The number of people missing remains unclear, but Lewentz said authorities have been unable to reach more than a thousand in Rhineland-Palatinate, mainly because of disrupted communication networks.

The situation is similar in NRW, where police on Sunday said more than 700 residents initially unaccounted for had since been contacted, but several dozen remain missing.

Government spokeswoman Martina Fietz said the national warning system and mobile phone app Nina had "worked" but admitted that "our experiences with this disaster show that we need to do more and better".

Armin Schuster, president of the government's civil protection agency (BBK), called on German radio for sirens to be reinstated in more areas as part of the country's disaster warnings system.

(With inputs from agencies)

German government on Monday pledged to improve the nation's warning systems. The warning systems are under fire after worst floods in living memory. At least 165 people are confirmed dead now.

German government on Monday pledged to improve the nation's warning systems. The warning systems are under fire after worst floods in living memory. At least 165 people are confirmed dead now. In the west of the country, floodwater swept away trees, cars and bridges and destroyed swathes of housing. Many victims were found in cellars after attempting to collect valuables. Others were swept away by the sheer force of floodwaters. In Rhineland-Palatinate state, a total of 117 people are dead. In neighbouring North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) the death toll has reached 47. One person has died in Bavaria. In Belgium, at least 31 people died due to floods. Torrential rains have caused havoc in southern Germant and neighbouring countries. "We haven't been to all the houses yet, we must assume that we will find more bodies," said Rhineland Palatinate's regional interior minister Roger Lewentz. The number of people missing remains unclear, but Lewentz said authorities have been unable to reach more than a thousand in Rhineland-Palatinate, mainly because of disrupted communication networks. The situation is similar in NRW, where police on Sunday said more than 700 residents initially unaccounted for had since been contacted, but several dozen remain missing. Government spokeswoman Martina Fietz said the national warning system and mobile phone app Nina had "worked" but admitted that "our experiences with this disaster show that we need to do more and better". Armin Schuster, president of the government's civil protection agency (BBK), called on German radio for sirens to be reinstated in more areas as part of the country's disaster warnings system. (With inputs from agencies)

Germany floods: Death toll at 165, country vows to improve flood warning system

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced on Monday that he would seek a second term, said media reports. This is a reversal of a promise to only stay for five years.

The nationalist leader told top media executives that he needed more time to fix Sri Lanka's worsening economic crisis, said the media reports.

Rajapaksa had said during his triumphant 2019 election campaign that he would be a one-term president.

He reaffirmed last year that a single term would be sufficient to implement his ambitious plans. This triggered a succession struggle within the powerful Rajapaksa family.&nbsp;

Elections are not due until 2024, but Rajapaksa now says he needs five more years to implement his "Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour" manifesto after the economy contracted by a record 3.6 percent in his first year. The government has banned many imports because of a foreign currency crunch.

Rajapaksa "today declared that he would contest for a second term", the pro-government The Morning website quoted him as telling media owners.

Rajapaksa's statements have set off speculations about Rajapaksa family's plan to remain a dominant political force.

The elevation of the president's youngest brother Basil, 70, as finance minister earlier this month was widely seen as a move to groom him for the presidency.

Basil was thought to have edged out his nephew, Namal, the minister of sports and eldest son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, to be the next family leader.&nbsp;

"Another U-turn and maybe this squashes Basil's chances for the next presidency," said Jamila Husain, a deputy editor of the Daily Mirror newspaper, on Twitter.

Since his election, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has tightened the family grip on power.

(With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced on Monday that he would seek a second term, said media reports. This is a reversal of a promise to only stay for five years.

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced on Monday that he would seek a second term, said media reports. This is a reversal of a promise to only stay for five years. The nationalist leader told top media executives that he needed more time to fix Sri Lanka's worsening economic crisis, said the media reports. Rajapaksa had said during his triumphant 2019 election campaign that he would be a one-term president. He reaffirmed last year that a single term would be sufficient to implement his ambitious plans. This triggered a succession struggle within the powerful Rajapaksa family. Elections are not due until 2024, but Rajapaksa now says he needs five more years to implement his "Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour" manifesto after the economy contracted by a record 3.6 percent in his first year. The government has banned many imports because of a foreign currency crunch. Rajapaksa "today declared that he would contest for a second term", the pro-government The Morning website quoted him as telling media owners. Rajapaksa's statements have set off speculations about Rajapaksa family's plan to remain a dominant political force. The elevation of the president's youngest brother Basil, 70, as finance minister earlier this month was widely seen as a move to groom him for the presidency. Basil was thought to have edged out his nephew, Namal, the minister of sports and eldest son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, to be the next family leader. "Another U-turn and maybe this squashes Basil's chances for the next presidency," said Jamila Husain, a deputy editor of the Daily Mirror newspaper, on Twitter. Since his election, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has tightened the family grip on power. (With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to seek second term

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Turkey was planning talks with Taliban about Kabul airport. The hardline group has refused to let Ankara run the airport after US troops withdraw.

"God willing, we will see what kind of talks we will have with the Taliban and see where these talks take us," Erdogan told journalists in Istanbul.&nbsp;

Kabul airport is key to allowing countries to retain diplomatic presence in Afghanistan after US troop withdrawal. Turkey has been negotiating with US defence officials over its offer to help secure and run the airport.

Erdogan and US President Joe Biden discussed the issue in their first face-to-face meeting on the margins of a NATO summit in June.

Turkey maintains hundreds of troops in Afghanistan, but a Turkish official told AFP that they were "not combat forces".

Ankara and Washington have been discussing issues such as financial and logistical support for Turkey's mission from the United States and NATO, officials said.

Last week, the Taliban said that Turkey's offer "reprehensible".

"We consider the stay of foreign forces in our homeland by any country under whatever pretext as occupation," the group said.&nbsp;

Erdogan opined that the Taliban was not adopting "the right approach"

"In our view, the Taliban's approach right now is not how a Muslim behaves to another Muslim," he said, urging the insurgent group to stop its occupation.&nbsp;

"We call on the Taliban... to show the world as soon as possible that peace prevails in Afghanistan."

Turkey plans to talk with Taliban over Kabul airport

 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Turkey was planning talks with Taliban about Kabul airport. The hardline group has refused to let Ankara run the airport after US troops withdraw.

"God willing, we will see what kind of talks we will have with the Taliban and see where these talks take us," Erdogan told journalists in Istanbul.&nbsp;

Kabul airport is key to allowing countries to retain diplomatic presence in Afghanistan after US troop withdrawal. Turkey has been negotiating with US defence officials over its offer to help secure and run the airport.

Erdogan and US President Joe Biden discussed the issue in their first face-to-face meeting on the margins of a NATO summit in June.

Turkey maintains hundreds of troops in Afghanistan, but a Turkish official told AFP that they were "not combat forces".

Ankara and Washington have been discussing issues such as financial and logistical support for Turkey's mission from the United States and NATO, officials said.

Last week, the Taliban said that Turkey's offer "reprehensible".

"We consider the stay of foreign forces in our homeland by any country under whatever pretext as occupation," the group said.&nbsp;

Erdogan opined that the Taliban was not adopting "the right approach"

"In our view, the Taliban's approach right now is not how a Muslim behaves to another Muslim," he said, urging the insurgent group to stop its occupation.&nbsp;

"We call on the Taliban... to show the world as soon as possible that peace prevails in Afghanistan."

(With inputs from agencies)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Turkey was planning talks with Taliban about Kabul airport. The hardline group has refused to let Ankara run the airport after US troops withdraw.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Turkey was planning talks with Taliban about Kabul airport. The hardline group has refused to let Ankara run the airport after US troops withdraw. "God willing, we will see what kind of talks we will have with the Taliban and see where these talks take us," Erdogan told journalists in Istanbul. Kabul airport is key to allowing countries to retain diplomatic presence in Afghanistan after US troop withdrawal. Turkey has been negotiating with US defence officials over its offer to help secure and run the airport. Erdogan and US President Joe Biden discussed the issue in their first face-to-face meeting on the margins of a NATO summit in June. Turkey maintains hundreds of troops in Afghanistan, but a Turkish official told AFP that they were "not combat forces". Ankara and Washington have been discussing issues such as financial and logistical support for Turkey's mission from the United States and NATO, officials said. Last week, the Taliban said that Turkey's offer "reprehensible". "We consider the stay of foreign forces in our homeland by any country under whatever pretext as occupation," the group said. Erdogan opined that the Taliban was not adopting "the right approach" "In our view, the Taliban's approach right now is not how a Muslim behaves to another Muslim," he said, urging the insurgent group to stop its occupation. "We call on the Taliban... to show the world as soon as possible that peace prevails in Afghanistan." Turkey plans to talk with Taliban over Kabul airport Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Turkey was planning talks with Taliban about Kabul airport. The hardline group has refused to let Ankara run the airport after US troops withdraw. "God willing, we will see what kind of talks we will have with the Taliban and see where these talks take us," Erdogan told journalists in Istanbul. Kabul airport is key to allowing countries to retain diplomatic presence in Afghanistan after US troop withdrawal. Turkey has been negotiating with US defence officials over its offer to help secure and run the airport. Erdogan and US President Joe Biden discussed the issue in their first face-to-face meeting on the margins of a NATO summit in June. Turkey maintains hundreds of troops in Afghanistan, but a Turkish official told AFP that they were "not combat forces". Ankara and Washington have been discussing issues such as financial and logistical support for Turkey's mission from the United States and NATO, officials said. Last week, the Taliban said that Turkey's offer "reprehensible". "We consider the stay of foreign forces in our homeland by any country under whatever pretext as occupation," the group said. Erdogan opined that the Taliban was not adopting "the right approach" "In our view, the Taliban's approach right now is not how a Muslim behaves to another Muslim," he said, urging the insurgent group to stop its occupation. "We call on the Taliban... to show the world as soon as possible that peace prevails in Afghanistan." (With inputs from agencies)

Turkey plans to talk with Taliban over Kabul airport

There were cheers from onlookers as a statue of a Confederate general was removed from its pedestal in front of a city hall in south Louisiana, after nearly a century.

Confederate generals are those who fought alongside pro-slavery South during the American Civil War in the 19th century. The Confederacy was defeated in the civil war.

The statue of confederate general Alfred Mouton stood for 99 years before it was removed on Saturday.

"The Confederacy has surrendered," an attorney was quoted as saying by The Advocate.&nbsp;

Although the pro-slavery forces were defeated by the Union forces, the Confederacy still has sympathisers in the US and in southern states, there still are pockets in which Confederacy and the thought are considered part of American 'heritage'.

The full name of General Mouton was Jean-Jacques-Alfred-Alexandre Mouton. He was a slave owner and son of Governor of Louisiana. Mouton was killed leading a cavalry charge in the Civil War Battle of Mansfield.

There were cheers from onlookers as a statue of a Confederate general was removed from its pedestal in front of a city hall in south Louisiana, after nearly a century.

There were cheers from onlookers as a statue of a Confederate general was removed from its pedestal in front of a city hall in south Louisiana, after nearly a century. Confederate generals are those who fought alongside pro-slavery South during the American Civil War in the 19th century. The Confederacy was defeated in the civil war. The statue of confederate general Alfred Mouton stood for 99 years before it was removed on Saturday. "The Confederacy has surrendered," an attorney was quoted as saying by The Advocate. Although the pro-slavery forces were defeated by the Union forces, the Confederacy still has sympathisers in the US and in southern states, there still are pockets in which Confederacy and the thought are considered part of American 'heritage'. The full name of General Mouton was Jean-Jacques-Alfred-Alexandre Mouton. He was a slave owner and son of Governor of Louisiana. Mouton was killed leading a cavalry charge in the Civil War Battle of Mansfield.

Statue of Confederate general removed in Louisiana

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