Taliban 2.0 looking like the old, harsh and brutal Taliban – Asia Times
Some Afghans knew exactly what the Taliban wanted once they were able to retake control until the US-backed state fell in August 2021. Some American officials and spectators hoped the Taliban’s Islamic Emirate, which had ruled the country since the 1990s, would see a significant change.
This day, they hoped, a more sophisticated and logical vision may have replaced the Taliban’s recently extremist approach.
Some claimed that there was a moral obligation to view Afghanistan’s new leaders cautiously optimistic. The key may be engagement. Something more ran the risk of condemning the nation and its inhabitants to poverty and loneliness.
Some were n’t convinced.
During the negotiations that led to the February 2020 Doha contract, the Taliban’s place on post-settlement Afghanistan’s politicians remained confusing. During the later intra-Afghan discussions with the former Afghan government, the group kept this obscure position.
Therefore, its official Zabihullah Mujahid appeared to assure the new government that it would regard women’s rights “within the standards of Islamic law” when they spoke at a press event three days after Taliban forces took command of Kabul.
Despite making an effort to create a sympathetic image in the wake of its tough rule in the 1990s, the Taliban’s conservative regime has continued to suffer from poor legitimacy over the course of the following three years.
What had appeared to be Taliban 2.0 to some as Taliban 2.0 has since grown more comfortable in its hold on power, however, has grown to look more like the old, terrible, and conservative Taliban.
Since 2021, Hibatullah Akhundzada, the head of Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate, has issued – not all at once but slowly – more than 50 laws that affect most areas of society.
Some hard-won efforts under the original state, such as freedom of expression and the media, have been suppressed. The program has forced into departure, imprisoned or murdered some former government users, despite having announced a basic asylum.
The restrictions on women’s training, including those that forbid it after the age of 12, have become so severe that many journalists, academics, and activists have called the resulting subjection “gender segregation” because of how they treated women.
Some female students were forced to flee the state. A group of female health students recently made headlines after receiving funding to study in the UK.
Additionally, the government has revived flogging and open killings that are reminiscent of Taliban practices from the 1990s. The government will even begin public murdering, according to an proclamation issued in March 2024.
The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice ( PVPV ) is now in charge of enforcing a number of new “vice and virtue” laws.
Until then, government has been largely by laws from the Taliban management. However, these do not provide an explanation of how they should be enforced despite giving an indication of the government’s growing extremist and autocratic nature. This confusion may occasionally give local authorities some leeway, including the ability to overlook decrees in some circumstances.
But the current legislation change removes these inconsistencies, empowers the Taliban’s conscience authorities and is legal on anyone residing in Afghanistan.
Blueprint for persecution
Especially severe on women are the new regulations. They require that a woman wear the hijab and that it be made of a substance heavy enough to completely cover her face and body, as well as to prevent people from tempting them.
People are now prohibited from speaking outside the community home because their voices are also thought to be a source of temptation. A person who can be heard chanting, even from her own house, is deemed a criminal and subject to sanctions. Perhaps a person is not permitted to gaze directly at a person who is not her father or blood relative.
Everyone in society” who is worthy” can carry out enforcement. Studies by two” trustworthy” people are enough to bring a trial. This possibility is alarming because it could lead to random complaints made based on political or personal vendettas.
Actually, protection will become carried out by the agency’s officials, the conscience police or mohtaseb. Although these words are not defined and the law is rife with personal concepts that are open to interpretation by those enforcing them,” Fairness and generosity” are mentioned as guiding concepts for how the new rules may be implemented.
The package’s new media laws make it possible for the morality police to compel the media to stop publishing material that is considered to be in violation of Sharia and images of living things. The future of Afghan TV broadcasting will be seriously questioned by this last step.
The laws also forbid music in public and “un-Islamic” hairstyles. Men must develop beards that are at least as long as a fist. As a worrying sign for continued humanitarian engagement involving non-Muslim foreign workers, the law prohibits befriending, helping or imitating “nonbelievers”.
The Mohtaseb will impose on-the-spot fines, imprisonment for one to three days, and prosecution for repeat offenders in the regime’s courts. Regardless of whether they pray at home or not, the morality police also have the authority to compel visitors to the mosque.
Taliban representatives recently reportedly spoke at UN-sponsored talks in Doha where Zabihullah Mujahid demanded the release of funds frozen by the West and the relaxation of regime sanctions. He dismissed Western concerns over the regime’s treatment of women as” cultural differences”.
However, these new laws effectively eliminated any fundamentalist contradictions between the current regime and its 1990s-era predecessor, a pariah that made Afghanistan into a marginalized outcast.
Kambaiz Rafi works in Durham University’s School of Government and International Affairs.
This article was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
China’s Gen Z consumers shift from chasing status and trends to be ‘more rational and selective’
“CAUTIOUS” APPROACH IN BOOSTING Use
Since 2021, China’s government has introduced a series of procedures aimed at redistributing income and wealth, generally framed under the symbol of” popular prosperity”, says Mr Xu.
This has led to reprisals on high-paying companies like tutoring, the financial industry, and the software market.  ,
” While these methods were intended to address income inequality, the effects have been significant, with the economy suffering greatly.”
Yet, there seems to be a change in the government’s strategy. According to Mr. Xu, new Third Plenum policies may recommend a move toward encouraging urbanization and stimulating migrant workers to settle in cities, work for a regular job, and perhaps even buy homes.  ,
Instead of focusing only on lowering the earnings of the rich, the goal is to encourage growth in income among the lower-income groups. This technique, while encouraging, is unlikely to produce immediate results, and perhaps get five to 10 years to materialise- if it succeeds at all, Mr Xu adds.
Mr. Yu remarked that” the state is very evident that they do need to pull domestic consumption, and today’s situation is not appropriate for them.”
They want to really deepen the reform and finish a number of tasks in order to improve the Taiwanese economy’s quality, not just its quantity.
Amid these coverage shifts, Chinese homes, especially in the country’s largest towns, are exhibiting a designated caution in their investing. The rapid drop in housing costs in these urban centers is one of the main causes of this.  ,
Previous tenacious housing markets started to deteriorate in mid-2023, according to EIU’s Mr. Xu, following the trend of smaller towns that saw value declines in 2021 and 2022. This decline has resulted in a bad success effect, where people’s spending is influenced by both their perceived wealth and their income.
The government’s assault on well-paying work in major Chinese cities has even contributed to this precaution. For example, investment banking incomes have dropped to as low as quarter of what they once were, causing consumer spending to decline. This trend is further demonstrated by a 7 % decrease in China’s personal income tax income this year.
” If you see a really small cut in personal income tax paid, that may indicate that all those who enjoy good jobs may have experienced a significant decline. So that’s possibly explaining why usage has been more careful”.
Kantar Worldpanel’s Mr Yu believes there’s a lot of “big intentions” behind driving use, although those are “grand approaches to translate into substantial policy, and may take some time”.
Worried about being retrenched? What you need to know about the Jobseeker Support scheme
What does it mean to own a home with a S$ 25, 000 or less in monthly sales?  ,
The monthly price of a property is determined based on the market price of similar properties and is the estimated total monthly fee that could be collected periodically.
It does not take into account equipment, fixtures and repair costs, and is not dependent on the actual rental income received.  ,
The finance department in November 2023 , raised the yearly value level for social support programs.
Back then, the government said the yearly price level of S$ 21, 000 would include all Housing Board cottages, while a S$ 25, 000 level would cover about 75 per cent of personal qualities, including some lower-value exclusive properties.
According to the latest figures from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore ( IRAS ), the median annual value of a four-room flat in 2022 was S$ 12, 480 and S$ 13, 500 for a five-room flat.
Home owners can check the IRAS website’s myTax website to see the annual value of their home.  ,
What had you do in order to be paid under the system?  ,
The payouts are contingent; those who receive them must indulge in job searching and related activities that will aid in work.  ,
This includes hobbies such as submitting employment applications, attending job training and job preparation workshops, or participating in qualified training courses.
However, more information about this will only be released closer to April 2025, when the plan begins.  ,
How will the rewards job?
Up to S$ 6, 000 in full over six months may be given in a structured payment system, starting at a maximum of S$ 1, 500 in the first fortnight and declining immediately.  ,
Those who qualify may receive up to S$ 1, 500 in the first quarter, S$ 1, 250 in the next quarter, S$ 1, 000 in the next month and S$ 750 in each of the remaining three times.  ,
However, some eligible individuals will not get a total of S$ 6, 000 over the course of the six-month period because monthly bonuses are only paid at jobseekers ‘ earlier monthly salaries.  ,
For example, if they recently earned S$ 1, 200 a quarter, they may get S$ 1, 200 in the first quarter and the same in the second quarter, before receiving S$ 1, 000 in the next month, and S$ 750 in the remaining three times.  ,
After a participant’s new job, payouts end. For instance, if they get a job in the third month, they will not receive payouts for the fourth, fifth and sixth months.
According to Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, the amount of the monthly payments is higher at the beginning, giving more peace of mind right away after unemployment.
It is gradually decreased starting in the second month so that job seekers have a motivation to work earlier if they can find a good-fitting job.
Commentary: How much will the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme help unemployed Singapore residents?
CHALLENGES Back
While the goal of supporting lower- and middle-income folks is commendable, the issues lie in the successful application of the program.
What is the actual definition of “involuntarily poor”? Do we also include those whose conditions led to poor job habits or efficiency? How will these staff be distinguished by the state?
There are also functional problems. What training programs may be offered to meet the demands of the latest job market? You people who have had extended periods of non-traditional education learn new skills in just six months?
In order to determine whether the plan efficiently encourages employment, these issues will be crucial.
If the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support initiative succeeds, it was open the door for the government to offer the same kind of assistance to a wider group of poor people.
Different methods are now available to individuals who choose to have mentoring, such as the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme. If they enroll in full-time coaching programs, it will pay a monthly income of up to S$ 3, 000 for up to 24 months to Singaporeans over the age of 40.
Support could also be extended to workers who deliberately take career breaks for caregiving or private illness, aside from senior citizens. Financial aid may help people rely on their needs without having to deal with the stress of these transitions, reducing their emotional and financial strain. These actions can also lower the percentage of skilled people leaving the workplace.
Singapore’s introduction of the poverty support program indicates its willingness to adapt to the needs of its workforce, keeping it economical while safeguarding its most vulnerable employees.
Xu Le lectures in the Department of Strategy and Policy at the National University of Singapore ( NUS) Business School, while Sriram Iyer is an adjunct senior lecturer in the Department of Management and Organization. The authors ‘ ideas are those of themselves, and they do not necessarily endorse NUS’s policies.
With China’s Gen Z consumers craving value over status, luxury brands and global markets brace for impact
“CAUTIOUS” APPROACH IN BOOSTING Use
Since 2021, China’s government has introduced a series of procedures aimed at redistributing income and wealth, generally framed under the symbol of” popular prosperity”, says Mr Xu.
This has led to reprisals on high-paying companies like tutoring, the financial industry, and the software market.  ,
” While these methods were intended to address income inequality, the effects have been more negative than positive, with the economy suffering significantly.”
Yet, there seems to be a change in the government’s method. According to Mr. Xu, new Third Plenum policies may recommend a move toward encouraging urbanization and stimulating migrant workers to settle in cities, work for a regular job, and perhaps even buy homes.  ,
Instead of focusing purely on lowering the wealth of the rich, the goal is to encourage economic growth among the lower-income groups. This technique, while encouraging, is unlikely to produce immediate results, and perhaps get five to 10 years to materialise- if it succeeds at all, Mr Xu adds.
Mr. Yu remarked that” the state is very evident that they do need to pull domestic consumption, and today’s situation is not appropriate for them.”
They want to complete a number of tasks in order to improve the Taiwanese economy’s value, not just its quantity.
Amid these coverage shifts, Chinese homes, especially in the country’s largest towns, are exhibiting a noticeable caution in their investing. The quick drop in housing costs in these urban centers is one of the main causes of this.  ,
Previous adaptable housing industry started to deteriorate in mid-2023, according to EIU’s Mr. Xu, following the trend of smaller cities that experienced price declines in 2021 and 2022. This decline has resulted in a bad success effect, whereby people’s spending is influenced by both their perceived wealth and their income.
This concern has also been heightened by the government’s assault on well-paying work in major Chinese cities. For example, investment banking incomes have dropped to as low as quarter of what they once were, causing consumers to spend less money. This trend is further demonstrated by China’s personal income tax revenue decline of 7 % this year.
” It should come as no surprise that there has been a significant cut in personal income tax paid,” the statement states. So that’s possibly explaining why usage has been more mindful”.
Kantar Worldpanel’s Mr Yu believes there are a lot of “big intentions” behind driving use, although those are “grand approaches to translate into substantial policy, and may take some time”.
Travellers told not to smuggle pot
PUBLISHED: 29 Aug 2024 at 05: 00
After a reported spike in arrests, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA ) has warned visitors from Thailand, Canada, and the United States that any attempt to enter the country could result in their arrests.
378 air people have been detained for trafficking cannabis, according to the American embassy in Bangkok, and an estimated 15 kilograms of the substance have been found and seized at UK flights so far this year. The quantity is roughly three times higher than the sum seized and detained in 2023, which saw the seizure of five kilograms of marijuana.
Of the 184 reported cases this month, 184 were related to hemp that came from Thailand, with 75 coming from Canada and 47 coming from the US. The substance is authorized to varying levels in all three areas.
According to the NCA, those who travel with opioids as shippers into the UK could spend up to 14 years in prison.
This time, 196 citizens have already been convicted and handed words totalling about 188 years.
According to NCA authorities, the trend is being fueled by organized criminal gangs, who have access to marijuana grown abroad in countries where it is legal and hire riders to transport it to the UK. The NCA continues to collaborate with associates in the UK and abroad to identify high-risk roads.
Bangkok”s Suvarnabhumi airport raises passenger target
PUBLISHED: 29 Aug 2024 at 08: 53
By 2031, Airports of Thailand ( AoT ) intends to upgrade the facilities at Suvarnabhumi International Airport to accommodate 80 million passengers annually.
AoT leader Kerati Kijmanawat stated on Wednesday that the organization is reviewing its master plan for expanding the airport’s power over a 10-year period in order to accomplish the president’s goal of having the aircraft rank among the top 20 in the world within five years.
South Terminal, a new customer connector, may be constructed on the southern part of the airport in accordance with the master plan, for an estimated 120 billion baht.
The carrier’s third runway may be built for 20 billion ringgit.
According to him, with these two new components, the aircraft will be able to manage about 80 million people annually. North Terminal will probably take 14 months to complete, while Runway 4 will take about 10 weeks.
He stated that the king strategy review would be finished by February, adding that AoT will forward the program to the Transport Ministry so that it can be submitted for cabinet authorization, which is anticipated to take at least another three weeks.
By the time the initiatives are finished, he predicted, it will likely be by first 2027.
He claimed that Runway 4 should get completed in about four decades, compared to South Terminal’s estimated four and a-half years of construction.
The third runway will likely be opened a year earlier, while the fresh terminal will probably start by the late 2031.
Mr Kerati said Suvarnabhumi’s development program is required because its existing major terminal is crowded.
Additionally, he said, the areas for dropping out and picking up passengers are now extremely congested because the place is only 400 meters long.
When the southwestern switch is built, more dropping out and picking up room, about 2 miles long, may become added.
He claimed that the momentary park area may be designed in a U-shape to facilitate customer pick-ups and drop-offs.
For those who arrive at the terminal quick and want to spend some time it before their airlines, he added that retailers will also be added to the U-shaped area.
Court bans controversial teachings
8-year-old child told to see a physician
PUBLISHED: 29 Aug 2024 at 08: 24
A Surat Thani court on Wednesday ordered a couple to end teaching their version of Lord Buddha’s lessons to fans and get their eight-year-old son, whom they claim has mind-connecting power, to see a physician.
The order was made by the Juvenile and Family Court in response to a petition that native Social Development and Human Security officials had filed to protect the child under the Child Protection Act of 2003.
The judge told the parents to cooperate with the protesting authorities, which included creating programs for the boy’s culture.
The court’s order forbids all channels of so-called “mind network lessons” on any advertising outlets and social media platforms, including videos and pictures.
Additionally, it forbids them from making public statements that contradictory Buddhist teachings or other translations of their lessons that are not from the Tripitaka.
Within 15 days, the boy’s parents may also inform the court of the boy’s medical history and formal communication with the physician.
Within six months of the court’s order, the judge also mandated two follow-up consultations with psychiatrists.
All different mind-connecting actions by the child’s religion are likewise ordered banned, according to Wednesday’s court decision.
Chonlada Chanasirattanakun, a social development and human safety standard, said her company may try to work with the boy’s parents to adopt the court order.
According to Ms. Chonlada, breaking the judge’s buy may lead to legal action.
The boy’s mother, who was identified only by her first title, Natthaphon, said the prosecutor’s decision was n’t shocking to her, probably because the judge focused primarily on protecting her father’s security.
Ms. Natthaphon backed up the judge’s decision based on fake boy photos and videos that were circulated on social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
She claimed that such photographs may have given the court the false idea that the child was being abused by them to their advantage.
She said she was determined to appeal the judge’s purchase.
Ms. Natthaphon added that she believed she had proven to the court that she and her father had never used their child for any obtain.
Pheu Thai opens door to Dems
On Wednesday, the Pheu Thai Party formally invited the Democratic Party to the fresh coalition government, putting their long-standing rivalries at the end.
Pheu Thai secretary-general Sorawong Thienthong handed an offer to Democrat secretary-general Det-it Khaothong, fully asking the group to join the new state at the congress. Additionally provide were members of both parties ‘ MPs.
The proposal, seen by the internet, reads:” The Pheu Thai Party, as the head in the formation of the government, believes the Democrats have the skills, expertise and ideas to work with Pheu Thai. We would like to encourage the Democrat Party to meet the government and collaborate to improve the country’s quality of life.
When asked about the Democrats ‘ appointment of members of the cabinet, Mr. Sorawong claimed that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra would make a decision. According to some studies, Democrat head Chalermchai Sri-on is expected to succeed Det-it Khaothong as deputy public health secretary and secretary-general Det-it Khaothong as natural sources and environment minister.
On Wednesday, Mr. Det-it thanked Pheu Thai for allowing the Democrat Party to serve in its place.
He stated that the group’s executive board and MPs will convene on Thursday to support the candidate’s inclusion in the new government.
Asked if the alliance with Pheu Thai may upset Democrat followers, particularly in the South, which is its traditional redoubt, Mr Det-it said:” The Democrat Party has no issue with people. We just have like, understanding and compassion”.
He even shone admonition against Chuan Leekpai, a former president and member of the Democrat List, who has opposed the party joining Pheu Thai as its allies. ” When a group resolution is reached all had comply”, Mr Det-it said.
The Democrat and Pheu Thai parties engaged in a heated debate in 2010 when Abhisit Vejjaiva, the Democrat head, ordered police to reclaim the site where red-shirt protesters supporting Pheu Thais had supported the government had occupied at the Ratchaprasong intersection. The fight resulted in at least 85 mortality, typically involving demonstrators.
Mr. Chuan said on Wednesday that he would support the group’s solution at today’s party executives and MPs, but that he would also repeat his opposition to joining the Pheu Thai-led authorities.
” Several Democrat people are still alright,” he said. Only a few individuals have used their jobs within the organization to achieve their personal objectives, according to Mr. Chuan.
Tida Tawornseth, a former co-leader of the red-shirt United Democracy against Dictatorship, even slammed Pheu Thai for kissing and making up with the Democrats. She said Phue Thai wants to become a leader no matter what the methods are.
Cleanse of the Palang Pracharath Party
Also on Wednesay, the Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ) slammed the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s decision to boot it out of the government, saying it was unjustifiable and that the PPRP had been betrayed.
After months of doubt, Pheu Thai confirmed on Tuesday that the group had resolved, with the help of its Members, to eliminate PPRP from the government line-up.
Samat Jenchaijitwanich, an outspoken PPRP part and former vice chancellor for justice, on Wednesday rejected the causes cited by Pheu Thai.
Pheu Thai MPs felt uneasy working with the PPRP in the state, according to Mr. Sorawong on Tuesday.
The MPs expressed their disapproval of PPRP head Gen Prawit Wongsuwon at a party meeting by pointing fingers at him for voting against Srettha Thavisin’s replacement at a political meeting last week and for Ms. Paetongtarn’s replacement.
Mr Srettha was dismissed as prime minister by the Constitutional Court for appointing an ex-convict, Pichit Chuenban, to the post of PM’s Office secretary.
Pheu Thai even suggested that Gen. Prawit was responsible for 40 ex-coup-appointed legislators ‘ petitions to the court against Mr. Srettha.
Gen Prawit controls the PPRP, while Capt Thamanat Prompow, the party’s secretary-general, serves as the party’s caregiver agriculture secretary.
In a research to Gen Prawit, Capt Thamanat claimed he has cut relations with a person he regarded greatly in the group. However, he continued to say that he and his team would be in the group unless they were expelled. In that situation, they would still be eligible to defect to another party while maintaining their MP reputation.
Pheu Thai made an ostensible reference to the Prawit sect when it announced it was axeing the PPRP. The Thamanat faction’s members were favored to remain in the government or to label members of the organization as cabinet ministers.
A speculated record of government officials includes Akara Prompow, who is Capt Thamanat’s younger brother, and Kla Dharma Party chief Narumon Pinyosinwat as well as Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn, who is now caregiver deputy agriculture minister.
According to reports, Mr. Akara is being offered a government position in the Pheu Thai quota while Ms. Narumon and Mr. Atthakorn are reportedly closely related to Capt. Thamanat. Capt. Thamanat has long known past top Thaksin Shinawatra, who is held in high regard by Pheu Thai.
Mr. Samat Yestereday cited Pheu Thai’s cooperation with the PPRP. At the Aug 16 legislative election of Ms Paetongtarn as prime secretary, no functions, including the PPRP, competed for the best article. All 39 PPRP MPs voted for her. Gen. Prawit was unavailable because he was preparing a group for the Thai Olympic athletes who had left Paris.
Regarding Mr. Srettha’s departure via a petition signed by the 40 previous senators, Mr. Samat said it was simple to refute Gen Prawit’s claim that he was a string puller.
However, a specific group acted in a much less pleasant manner by abstaining from voting for Ms Paetongtarn to be top, he said, referring to the Democrats. That group is still being considered for government seats.
Deluge expected with 2 storms on radar
PUBLISHED: 29 Aug 2024 at 04: 00
Thailand is anticipated to experience two storms in different areas from September to October, according to the Meteorological Department.
Thanasit Iam-ananchai, the agency’s assistant captain, said two strong storms are forecast to change the nation during these two months.
He claimed that the rain weather system is responsible for the frequent rainfall that is causing runoff and flooding in the northwestern region and that no storm is currently affecting Thailand.
Additionally, the office has issued a warning about heavy rain falling across the nation, particularly in the southern, northeast, and central regions, on September 1 through September 3.
The department advised that in these areas, including Bangkok and adjacent provinces, to be prepared for rain that would cover about 70 % to 80 % of those areas during this time.
Bangkok government Chadchart Sittipunt proposed yesterday that the state construct a comparable sluice gate to the Thames Barrier in London at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River.
Amid global warming, the proposed wall, a long-term storm military strategy, may help protect the money from tidal storms and and different risks, he said.
He did point out that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) cannot independently implement the proposed flood management plan.
He claimed that the initiative, which includes the transfer of Chon Buri’s Laem Chabang to better manage and control the water level that, necessitated cooperation from various provinces and organizations.
He demanded that the plan be taken into account by PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
” It’s never a two-year job but a long-term one extending 20-30 years”.