Mediaboss Marketing

KABUL, Aug 12 (Reuters) - The Taliban claimed control over two of Afghanistan's biggest cities on Thursday, according to media reports, as the United States and Britain said they would send thousands of troops to help evacuate their embassy staff.

The capture of Kandahar and Herat - the country's second and third largest cities - would represent the Taliban's two biggest military victories since they began a broad offensive in May.

The fall of major cities was a sign that Afghans welcome the Taliban, a spokesperson for the group said, according to Al Jazeera TV.

The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday and told him the United States "remains invested in the security and stability of Afghanistan". They also said the United States was committed to supporting a political solution to the conflict.

In response to the Taliban's swift and violent advances, the Pentagon said it would send about 3,000 extra troops within 48 hours to help evacuate embassy staff.

"We expect to draw down to a core diplomatic presence in Afghanistan in the coming weeks," said State Department spokesperson Ned Price, adding the embassy was not closed. A person familiar with the matter said there were no guarantees the embassy would remain open.

The State Department said it would also increase the tempo of Special Immigration Visa flights for Afghans who helped the U.S. effort in the country.

Britain said it would deploy around 600 troops to help its nationals and local translators get out. read more

As the United Nations warned that a Taliban offensive reaching the capital would have a "catastrophic impact on civilians," the United States and Germany urged all their citizens to leave Afghanistan immediately. read more

In Qatar, international envoys to Afghan negotiations called for an accelerated peace process as a "matter of great urgency," and for an immediate halt to attacks on cities. read more

The fall of both Kandahar and Herat was reported by media including the Associated Press. Combined, the cities represent the two biggest prizes yet for the Taliban in their offensive over the past week.

"As you can see, we are inside the Herat police headquarters right now," a Taliban fighter said in a video shared by a group spokesperson, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi.

Earlier on Thursday, the Taliban captured Ghazni, situated on the Kandahar-to-Kabul road some 150 km (90 miles) southwest of the capital.

On the border, Afghans stranded in Pakistan after the Taliban closed a commercially vital crossing point clashed with Pakistani forces. The death of an Afghan traveller of a heart attack as he waited in the dusty heat near the Chaman-Spin Boldak crossing sparked an attack by others on Pakistani security forces, who responded by firing tear gas and charging with batons. read more

On Wednesday, a U.S. defense official cited U.S. intelligence as saying the Taliban could isolate Kabul in 30 days and possibly take it over within 90.

With phone lines down across much of the country, Reuters was unable to immediately contact government officials to confirm which of the cities under attack remained in government hands.

Taliban fighters gather on main road intersection in city of Ghazni, Afghanistan in this screen grab taken from a video released by the Taliban on August 12, 2021. Taliban Handout/via REUTERS

Read More

SAIGON COMPARISONS

The speed and violence of the Taliban offensive have sparked recriminations among many Afghans over President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw U.S. troops, 20 years after they ousted in the Taliban in the wake of the Sept. 11 U.S. attacks.

Biden said on Tuesday he does not regret his decision, noting Washington has spent more than $1 trillion in America's longest war and lost thousands of troops. He added the United States continues to provide significant air support, food, equipment and salaries to Afghan forces. read more

U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said the exit strategy was sending the United States "hurtling toward an even worse sequel to the humiliating fall of Saigon in 1975."

"President Biden is finding that the quickest way to end a war is to lose it," McConnell said, urging him instead to commit to providing more support to Afghan forces.

"Without it, al Qaeda and the Taliban may celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks by burning down our Embassy in Kabul."

Former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said it was "a huge foreign policy failure with generational ramifications just shy of seven months into this administration. Everything points to a complete collapse."

VIOLENCE VS DIPLOMACY

In a deal struck with former U.S. President Donald Trump's administration last year, the insurgents agreed not to attack U.S.-led foreign forces as they withdrew. The Taliban also made a commitment to discuss peace.

Given the speed of the Taliban's advance, prospects for diplomatic pressure to affect the situation on the ground seemed limited, although the Taliban spokesman told Al Jazeera: "We will not close the door to the political track."

Al Jazeera reported a government source saying it had offered the Taliban a share in power if the violence stopped. It was not clear to what extent the reported offer differed from terms already discussed in Qatar.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said he was unaware of any such offer but ruled out sharing power.

"We won't accept any offer like this because we don't want to be partner with the Kabul administration. We neither stay nor work for a single day with it," he said.

The international envoys in Doha, who met with Afghan government negotiators and Taliban representatives, reaffirmed that foreign capitals would not recognise any government in Afghanistan "imposed through the use of military force."

The U.N. Security Council was discussing a draft statement that would condemn the Taliban attacks, threaten sanctions, and affirm the non-recognition of an Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, diplomats said on Thursday. read more

The formal statement, drafted by Estonia and Norway and seen by Reuters, has to be agreed by consensus by the 15-member body.

Reporting by Kabul bureau; Additional reporting by Idrees Ali, Jonathan Landay, Patricia Zengerle, Humeyra Pamuk, Arshad Mohammed and Simon Lewis in Washington and Ghaida Ghantous in Dubai; Writing by John Stonestreet, Cynthia Osterman and Jane Wardell; Editing by Nick Macfie, Frances Kerry, Peter Cooney and Lincoln Feast.

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

See the rest here:
Taliban advances in Afghanistan, U.S. and Britain to evacuate embassies - Reuters

TYLER TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work in the district during the week of Aug. 16, 2021. Work schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention in work zones.

----------------------------------------

Seal coat operations continue around the Tyler District. Motorists should expect lane closures and delays during this work to seal and protect roadways from water, and to provide a longer life cycle. Various project work will be conducted with slow-moving mobile operations. Crews will be working in Cherokee, Henderson, and Smith counties throughout the week. Information on specific work locations is available in the Van Zandt County section of this release.

----------------------------------------

Anderson County Palestine Maintenance plans to conduct ditch work on FM 319 throughout the week. Expect lane closures with flaggers and a pilot car managing traffic control.

Anderson County construction projects updates

County Road Off-System Bridge Project

Limits: Various locations in Anderson County

Contractor: Stateline Construction, LLC

Cost: $1.5 million

Anticipated Completion Date: Summer 2021

Final cleanup activities are ongoing on the CR 458 and CR 468 bridges and roadway elements. The project consists of construction of bridges, storm sewer, guardrail, base, pavement surfaces, and pavement markings.

US 79 Super 2 Project

Limits: From 0.5 mile northeast of Loop 256 to the Anderson/Cherokee County line

Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC

Cost: $14.4 million

Anticipated Completion Date: Spring 2022

Work is ongoing on the shoulders and driveways, and to place drainage structures. The work zone speed limit is 60 mph. Expect lane closures and delays. The project is widening for a Super 2, and includes sub-grade work, surface treatment, base and surface hot-mix asphalt, widening structures, bridge rail, metal beam guard fence, signage, and permanent striping.

----------------------------------------

Cherokee County Jacksonville Maintenance on Monday plans to conduct overlay work on FM 346 utilizing flaggers and a pilot car for traffic control. The remainder of the week, crews will be performing edge work on state roads throughout the county. Expect lane closures with flaggers managing traffic control.

Cherokee County construction projects updates:

FM 22 Safety Widening and Bridge Replacement Project

Limits: From CR 1512 west of Gallatin, east to SH 110

Contractor: Stateline Construction, LLC

Cost: $5.5 million

Anticipated Completion Date: Summer 2022

Bridge construction continues at Sandy Creek with the road closed to traffic. A marked detour route is in place to help drivers navigate through the work zone. The project will widen the existing roadway, replace three bridges, and incorporate safety upgrades.

US 84 Widening

Limits: From 0.43 mi east of SH 110 in Rusk, northeast to the Rusk County line in Reklaw

Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC

Cost: $7.9 million

Anticipated Completion Date: Summer 2022

The contractor is working to clear the right-of-way. Expect lane closures with delays possible. The project will widen and resurface the roadway, and add safety upgrades.

FM 235 Safety Widening

Limits: From SH 110 going east to FM 2274

Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC

Cost: $3.5 million

Anticipated Completion Date: Fall 2021

The contractor is scheduled to continue driveway/drainage upgrades and backfilling pavement edges. Expect lane closures with a pilot car managing traffic. The project will widen the existing roadway and incorporate safety upgrades.

FM 241 Safety Widening

Limits: From US 69 going southeast to SH 21

Contractor: A. L. Helmcamp, Inc.

Cost: $5.5 million

Anticipated Completion Date: Summer 2021

No work is scheduled. The project is widening the existing roadway and includes safety upgrades.

County Road Bridge Replacement Project

Limits: CR 2905 at Bowles Crk; CR 2614 at Beans Crk; CR 1504 at Turnpike Crk; CR 3203 at Mills Crk.

Contractor: Stateline Construction, LLC

Cost: $1.9 million

Anticipated Completion Date: Summer 2021

No work is scheduled on CR 3203 and CR 1504. Both roadways are open to traffic. Construction of the new bridges is ongoing on CR 2905 and CR 2614. Both roads are closed to through traffic. The project is replacing the existing bridges at each location with new structures.

SH 204 Super-2 Widening Project

Limits: From US 79 in Jacksonville southeast to SH 110

Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC

Cost: $13.7 million

Anticipated Completion Date: Summer 2021

The contractor plans to complete the one course surface treatment and place the final surface. Expect lane closures and delays. The project is adding passing lanes and includes safety upgrades.

US 69 Sidewalks in Jacksonville

Limits: From Nacogdoches St. to Tena St. in Jacksonville

Contractor: Highway 19 Construction, LLC

Cost: $507,099.00

Anticipated Completion Date: Summer 2021

No work is scheduled. The project is constructing sidewalks along US 69 in Jacksonville.

US 79 Rehabilitation Project

Limits: From 0.16 mile east of SH 110 to the Mud Creek Relief Bridge

Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC

Cost: $8.2 million

Anticipated Completion Date: Summer 2021

The contractor is scheduled to finish placing the final surface striping. Expect lane closures and delays. The work zone speed limit is 60 mph. The project is rebuilding the roadway pavement and upgrading bridge rail.

----------------------------------------

Gregg County Longview Maintenance and Special Jobs crews plan to finish overlay work on FM 2011 from FM 349 to SH 322. Expect lane closures with flaggers and a pilot car providing traffic control. Bridge channel maintenance is planned on various state roadways around the county.

Gregg County construction projects updates:

US 259 Improvements (Notice of Project Completion)

Limits: Loop 281 north to curbed median

Contractor: Longview Road and Bridge, Ltd.

Cost: $1.09 million

Anticipated Completion Date: August 2021

The project is complete.

Spur 63/McCann Road Bridge Project

Limits: From McCann Road, north to Glencrest Lane

Contractor: Leland Bradlee Construction

Anticipated Completion Date: November 2021

This is part of the City of Longviews Guthrie Creek Trail project. It consists of building a bridge over Guthrie Creek to allow bicyclist and pedestrians to travel under Spur 63. Expect lane closures and delays as traffic is reduced to two lanes, one northbound and one southbound, to allow the contractor to build half of the bridge. Traffic will be switched later to complete the bridge construction.

US 80 Improvements Project (Notice of Project Completion)

Limits: Eastman Road for one mile east

Contractor: Longview Road and Bridge, Ltd.

Cost: $1 million

Anticipated Completion Date: August 2021

The project is complete.

Read more here:
Project updates for the Week of Aug. 16, 2021 - Texas Department of Transportation

Billie Eilish has realised she cant control everything in her career.

The 19-year-old singer has admitted she used to want to handle every part of her career by herself, but has recently realised its not always a bad thing to let other people help her out.

Billie specifically referenced the animation work on her upcoming film, Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, as she said she would have loved to get stuck in on the project herself, but knew there were people more qualified to take on the task.

Speaking to the Spout podcast, she said: I think the thing that we should all be able to do is say, you know, Im going to be honest with you, this isnt my thing. You know, even though I want to do this because I want to be able to say that Im capable of this, but Im still learning. I want to just watch for a little longer.

Im the same, like, I want everything to be very, very specific, edited wise, and like, you know, just shots and colour and everything, and I kind of for this one, I was like, you know what? Its okay, Im handing it over to you. I trust you.

Meanwhile, the Everything I Wanted singer is also coming to terms with being on her own more often, as she said she likes having "autonomy" but has lots of "weird, irrational fears" so prefers to be around her parents a lot.

She said recently: "I really dont like to be alone. I do like having anonymity, or autonomy, but I really am flipped out when Im alone. I hate it. I have a lot of stalkers and I have people that want to do bad things to me, and I also am freaked out by the dark and, like, whats under beds and couches. I have a lot of weird, irrational fears. So Im still at my parents house a lot. I just love my parents and really like it here."

Billie admitted she can get angry at her family though, and finds horse-riding really helps relieve stress.

Speaking about how she deals with her anger, she added: "Im an equestrian and that gives a lot of adrenaline and needs a lot of strength, and its exhausting. That is a big stress reliever for me. Ive been less angry and emotional since Ive gotten back into that. My family, my God, makes me so angry. Oh, my family is like everybodys. Theres anger and love, so it kind of evens out."

See the article here:
Billie Eilish is learning she can't control everything - Crow River Media

For a fleeting moment this summer, it seemed like things were approaching normal. Vaccinated people got the green light to safely resume activities that were off-limits for over a year. Companies laid out plans for returning to the office. People ditched their masks.

But in a disturbing case of pandemic dj vu, the seven-day average number of Covid cases topped 100,000 on Sunday. That's the highest it's been since February, fueled by the virus's more transmissible delta variant.

About half of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated, but according to esteemed epidemiologist Larry Brilliant, that's not nearly enough to end the pandemic. In fact, the world is "closer to the beginning than we are to the end" of the pandemic, Brilliant told CNBC's "Street Signs" on Friday.

On top of the despair, depression, burnout and anxiety that come with living and working during a pandemic, many Americans are feeling angry and disappointed that the U.S. isn't closer to the finish line, Margaret Wehrenberg, psychologist and author of "Pandemic Anxiety: Fear, Stress, and Loss in Traumatic Times," tells CNBC Make it.

"It's creating a level of distrust and frustration that's really far different than it was one year ago when we didn't have a vaccine and there was anxiety," Wehrenberg says. "Now it's coupled with suspicion and anger."

Here are four strategies to help you cope with the mental toll of a worsening pandemic situation:

The pandemic has made many Americans realize just how much of their lives are uncontrollable. The discovery can be "pretty darn anxiety-provoking," Wehrenberg says.

There's a term for that psychological phenomenon: learned helplessness. Essentially, it means learning the hard way that no matter what you do, you can't control your environment or events. "To be hopeful, or to exert effort to move in a certain direction, only becomes punitive," explains Debra Kissen, clinical director of Light on Anxiety, a cognitive behavioral therapy treatment center in Chicago.

One solution starts by simply acknowledging the challenge, says Emiliana Simon-Thomas, science director at the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, who studies human happiness. Recognizing and naming your emotions can help you feel better, she explains, because it allows you to consciously prioritize behaviors that can combat negativity.

You can also take steps to influence positive situations, even when you can't fully control a scenario's outcome. With the pandemic, for example, you can choose to wear a mask indoors and avoid crowds to mitigate your risk even if you're fully vaccinated. "Beyond that, that's the only influence you have," Wehrenberg says.

Relinquishing control in shaky times might sound terrifying for many people, and is certainly easier said than done. Kissen advises remembering that the only constant in life is change, and the pandemic has presented ample opportunities for people to get used to being "flexible, adaptive and operating in a state of uncertainty and then pivoting."

Prior to delta's rampage, the freedom of post-pandemic life seemed well within reach. Perhaps your summer vacation got derailed because of delta, or maybe you had to postpone a large event like a wedding yet again. It's simultaneously disappointing and discouraging.

Those emotions are valid. One way to keep yourself from mentally or emotionally spiraling: Put them into a broader perspective.

When you're in an anxious head space, your nervous system clings to anything that could be a potential threat, Simon-Thomas says. She recommends taking a moment to notice something directly in front of you that isn't threatening, like a pet resting calmly or a houseplant that's growing nicely. It's a small action but it can help you take a step back mentally, instead of focusing myopically on whatever's going wrong.

You can also simply ask yourself: What in my world is still right? One of Wehrenberg's favorite mantras for staying present and mindful, she says, is: "At this moment, all is well."

When it comes to doom-scrolling the news or social media, portion control is key. "The pandemic is not a wildfire that you have to follow evacuation notices for hour by hour," Wehrenberg says. Instead, try getting your news once a day, "preferably in the morning so you can shake it off as the day goes on."

If you find that you're always angry or upset after reading social media sites whether it's anti-vaxxer posts on Facebook or never-ending Twitter discourses that's a pretty clear sign that you should take a break. As Wehrenberg says: "There's no point in that."

If you struggle to wean yourself off the social media firehose, try intentionally setting some time limits. Plenty of apps and web browser plug-ins, like Freedom or Serene, can help you block yourself from using websites that tend to emotionally drain you.

Finding the energy and motivation to get through your workday might be harder now than ever. Kissen suggests charting out your mood throughout the day, so you can identify the times or situations when you tend to feel the lowest. You might discover that your afternoon slump always happens around 3 p.m. or that you always feel most overwhelmed during the few crammed hours you have before a series of meetings.

Try mitigating those low-energy moments by doing one thing that you know will give you a boost, Kissen says. Examples include having a snack, going on a quick walk around the block, taking a 20-minute power nap or switching from sitting to standing.

You can mark those mini-breaks in your calendar, to ensure that they actually happen. And if you can't find an activity to boost your mood, Kissen says, simply talk to a friend. Even a casual conversation can help you reflect on what you're experiencing and offer creative solutions, she says.

Sign up now: Get smarter about your money and career with our weekly newsletter

Don't miss:

See the article here:
America is 'closer to the beginning' of the pandemic than the end how to emotionally cope and stay productive - CNBC

Ashley Grahams control has gone out the window during her pregnancy.

The 33-year-old model is currently expecting her second child with her husband Justin Ervin, and has said shes stopped trying to control her body because she knows she will never feel the same as she did before she was pregnant.

She said: I think being in control when you're pregnant, it just gets thrown out the window.

"And I learned that the hard way when I tried to control everything when I was pregnant with Isaac and I told myself that I was going to bounce right back because I was breastfeeding and everybody told me, 'Oh, if you breastfeed you're going to lose all the weight. And I had a few honest women tell me you will never feel the same. So they were just blunt with me and sure enough, I haven't felt the same.

"And then boom. I was like, 'Well, I just got pregnant again so maybe I'll never feel the same and I don't even know what I felt like before I was pregnant with Isaac anyways.

Ashley who already has 18-month-old son Isaac with Justin also heaped praise on the mommy community that she joined when she was pregnant with her first child, as she now has a place to go to for advice without being shamed.

She added to People magazine: "I think that the best thing I did was find a mommy community and when I'm pregnant, I find other pregnant people to just call and ask [questions] because this pregnancy is so different from the last and different symptoms, different feelings.

"And then when the kid gets here, then you have a whole other slew of questions because they don't come with a manual, so [I'm] all about the community. And I think that if I didn't have that, I would be so lost."

Read more:
Ashley Graham: My control is 'out the window' during pregnancy - Star Local Media