Dozens of women rally in support of Taliban government in Kabul

KABUL, SEPT 12: Dozens of women on Saturday marched in support of the Taliban government in the Afghan capital, local media outlets reported.

Dozens of women wearing black hijabs and waving Taliban flags staged the gathering at the Kabul Educational University and later marched through nearby streets, according to footage from pro-Taliban media.

The Taliban provided security for these women and officially invited journalists to cover the event.

In recent days, Taliban fighters have violently suppressed anti-Pakistan and anti-Taliban protests by hundreds of men and women across the country demanding freedom, education and equal rights.

Journalists were detained and tortured for covering the protests.

Reacting to Saturday’s event, Afghan activist Hamidullah said on Twittter that participants “do not represent Afghan women as a whole.”

“I’m not sure they are all women because I have seen hundreds of Taliban in women’s clothes in the past years,” Daud Naji, a former senior government official, wrote on Twitter.

In the meantime, anti-Taliban and anti-Pakistan protests continued in the provincial capital of Nimruz on Saturday, a former local official confirmed.

A group of women protested in Zaranj city, chanting “justice and freedom are our inalienable rights,” according to footage posted on social media.

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COURTESY ANEWS

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Japan says suspected Chinese submarine seen near territorial waters

TOKYO, SEPT 12: Japan’s defence ministry said on Sunday that a submarine believed to be from China was spotted in waters near its southern islands, as maritime tensions persist in the Pacific.

Japan’s navy on Friday morning identified a submerged vessel sailing northwest just outside territorial waters near Amami Oshima island, part of Kagoshima prefecture, the ministry said in a statement. A Chinese destroyer was also spotted in the vicinity.

Tokyo has complained of numerous intrusions by Chinese vessels into its territorial waters and near disputed islands in recent years. China has often reacted angrily to U.S. ships sailing through disputed areas of the South China Sea in what Washington calls displays of freedom of navigation.

Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi, visiting Vietnam during a Southeast Asia trip, said those two countries should refrain from unilateral actions regarding the South China Sea that could complicate and magnify disputes.

Sunday’s announcement said Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force identified the vessels in a contiguous zone, which is outside territorial waters where vessels are required to identify themselves. Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi instructed his staff to “gather information and maintain vigilant surveillance with a sense of urgency,” the statement said.

China’s Defence Ministry did not respond to a request for comment immediately and officials at the Chinese embassy could not immediately be reached for comment on Sunday.

The submarine continued underwater westward in the ocean near Yokoate Island, the ministry said.

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COURTESY ANEWS

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US to engage with Taliban when it’s in America’s interest

WASHINGTON, SEPT 11: The United States would engage with the Taliban when it’s in America’s interest to do so, although it’s not yet ready to recognise the Taliban government.

At a Thursday afternoon’s news briefing, State Department spokesperson Ned Price also said that Pakistan shared concerns of the international community on Afghanistan and wanted to protect the gains of the last 20 years.

“There’s a distinction … between broad issues like recognition and legitimacy and practical engagement,” said Mr Price while explaining how the Biden administration plans to engage with the Taliban.

State Dept says Pakistan working to protect gains of last 20 years

“I think you’ve heard from us, you’ve heard from other governments, that when it is in our interest to engage the Taliban on the basis of our national self-interest, we will do that,” he said, adding that at the ministerial meeting “we heard a similar sentiment from other countries involved as well”.

Asked to comment on Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan, Mr Price said Islamabad conveyed its position on Afghanistan at a recent ministerial meeting co-hosted by the US and Germany.

“Pakistan was engaged in the ministerial meeting, and we heard from the Pakistanis very similar sentiment to what we heard from other countries that participated,” he said. “There was widespread agreement, including from our Pakistani partners, that the gains of the last 20 years should not be squandered.”

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas co-hosted the ministerial meeting on Afghanistan on Wednesday. Both Pakistan and India participated in the meeting along with a dozen other countries and international groups, like the European Union, Nato and the United Nations.

Secretary Blinken used his speech to urge unity in mitigating a potential humanitarian crisis and on holding the Taliban accountable on counterterrorism, safe passage for foreign and Afghan citizens and on forming an inclusive government that respects basic rights.

Secretary Blinken said that the United States would continue to “use economic, diplomatic, and political tools to support the rights of the Afghan people, especially women and girls, and to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for terrorism”.

The participants, particularly Afghanistan’s neighbours, agreed to do everything “we can, to prevent a deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan”, Mr Price said.

“And this is especially acutely held and felt by those countries bordering Afghanistan, knowing that the humanitarian implications could be acute for those countries in the region,” he added.

“That’s why the US was reviewing its bilateral assistance to the government of Afghanistan and has continued to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan,” Mr Price said.

Even in recent months, he said, the US has provided hundreds of millions of dollars of humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan. In June, the US provided over $250 million to Afghans, which doubled to $500 million in July. Some of this is intended for internally displaced persons inside Afghanistan.

“It’s an enduring commitment, felt dearly not only by the United States but by countries in the region and by countries well beyond,” Mr Price said.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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Professor Miyawaki a Japanese botanist and expert in plant ecology passed away

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 10: MIYAWAKI Akira, a Japanese botanist and expert in plant ecology passed away at the age of 93 in July this year. In Pakistan, He is known for “Miyawaki method,” tree planting approach actively promoted at the initiative of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Under this approach, dozens of species that suit the environment are planted in the same area, close to each other, which ensures their growth in a competitive environment, allowing the trees to grow faster compared to normal plantation.

On the sad demise of Dr. Miyawaki, PM Khan conveyed his sincerest condolences, which has been shared with Yokohama National University, where Dr. Miyawaki worked as Professor Emeritus.

In response, UMEHARA Izuru, President of Yokohama National University, has conveyed his appreciations to PM Khan upon receiving his condolence message.

MATSUDA Kuninori, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan honors the life and work of the late Professor Miyawaki, and expresses deepest appreciation to the Prime Minister for his condolences and sympathies over the passing away of Dr. Miyawaki and also for his initiative of adopting the “Miyawaki Method”.

“I hope that by tree planting activities, with the cherished memory of the late Professor Miyawaki, trees and forests throughout Pakistan will grow strongly, as Pakistan will do certainly”, said the Ambassador.

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Japan extends COVID-19 emergency curbs in Tokyo, other areas

 

TOKYO, SEPT 9: Japan extended emergency COVID-19 restrictions on Thursday in Tokyo and other regions until the end of this month to curb infections and prevent hospitals being overwhelmed.

Announcing the extension, ratified earlier by an advisory panel, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said it was needed to shore up a medical system still stretched by serious cases even though new infections were falling and vaccinations were rising.

"Inoculation of all those who wish to be vaccinated will be completed in October or November," Suga told reporters. "And from then, we will be able to ease restrictions by using proof of vaccination or testing results."

Japan has been struggling with a fifth wave of the virus and last month extended its long-running curbs until Sept. 12 to cover about 80% of its population.

The number of severe cases and the strain on the medical system have not eased sufficiently in Tokyo and surrounding areas to allow restrictions to be lifted. The measures will now stretch until Sept. 30, including for Osaka in the west.

Japan's emergency curbs have centred on asking restaurants to close early and refrain from serving alcohol. Residents are being urged to work from home as much as possible and refrain from travel.

"I believe we're starting to see results, but it's still too early to lower our guard," Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said.

Looking back on his time in office, Suga told a news conference that not having been able to secure enough hospital beds was one major regret.

In a surprise announcement last week, Suga said he was stepping down, ending a one-year term as prime minister that has seen his support crumble as COVID-19 surged.

"My days in office have been absorbed with the battle against the coronavirus ... I had a tough time securing enough medical care. That is one big point of reflection," he said.

With hospital beds filled to or nearing capacity, many people have been forced to convalesce at home, with some dying before they can get treatment.

INTERNATIONAL ENTRY RESTRICTIONS

The Nikkei newspaper reported that the government was moving towards easing international entry restrictions by reducing quarantine times for vaccinated travelers. The move has been urged by Keidanren, Japan's main business lobby, and foreign chambers of commerce.

"We welcome any proposal to re-open Japan's borders to business travel, as part of a science-based approach to preserving public health," Christopher LaFleur, special advisor to the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, said.

LaFleur said many of Japan's top trade partners allow vaccinated travelers to enter freely and mandate quarantines of 10 days for those without shots, and that it was "reasonable that Japan adopt the same policy."

Local media have reported that the government may allow restaurants to resume regular business hours and alcohol sales as the vaccination push nears completion in October and November.

About half of the population has now been fully vaccinated in Japan.

Tokyo's new daily coronavirus infections totaled 1,834 on Wednesday. Japan has reported around 1.6 million cases and 16,436 deaths but the death rate has declined in the latest outbreak. The 1% fatality rate compares with 1.6% in the United States and 1.9% in Britain.

Shigeru Omi, Japan's chief health advisor, said on Wednesday the pandemic fight was shifting to focus more on the threat of new viral variants or a possible decline in the effectiveness of vaccines.

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COURTESY reuters

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