QUICK READ

Taliban

WITH the final flight of US troops from Kabul, Afghanistan, this week, they have left behind an estimated $85-billion parting gift. Republican congressman and Afghan veteran Jim Banks said that during their war with the Taliban, the US had trained and funded the Afghan army with weapons. However, during the Taliban’s resurgence over the past few weeks, the Taliban seized more than 100 helicopters and 59 fixed-wing aircraft. They also have more than 358 500 assault rifles, 64 000 machine guns, 42,000 pick-up trucks and 22 000 Humvees which were on display yesterday during a parade celebrating their victory. | African News Agency (ANA)

Abortion

A TEXAS law that bans abortion after six weeks, and makes no exception for rape or incest, took effect yesterday after the Supreme Court did not act on an emergency request to block it. Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, signed the bill in May, making Texas one of a dozen states banning abortion once a foetal heartbeat can be detected -- which is usually in the sixth week of pregnancy. The Supreme Court may still grant the request from rights groups to halt the so-called “heartbeat bill”. Texas law allows the public, rather than state officials, to enforce the ban. |

Climate

The UN warned yesterday that weatherrelated disasters have skyrocketed over the past half-century, causing far more damage even as better warning systems have meant fewer deaths. A report found that such disasters have increased fivefold during between 1970 and 2019, driven largely by a warming planet. On average, these disasters occurred every day over the past 50 years, killing 115 people and causing $202 million in daily losses. More than 91% of the deaths occurred in developing countries. Droughts accounted for 650 000 deaths, while storms have killed over 577 000 people, floods 59 000 and extreme temperatures 56 000. | AFP

Gabon

THE government of Gabon is expected to issue a list of non-essential public entities that it intends to close down in an effort to improve governance and transparency to strengthen domestic revenue and expenditure. The first list of these structures will be produced by the end of September, such as social protection, transport and communication. This is a condition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for Gabon to extend a three-year agreement for a loan of 306 billion CFA francs ($551 million). In a report last week, the IMF said Gabon had been gradually recovering from the 2014 oil price shock when it was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. | African News Agency