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www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes THURSDAY . APRIL 12. 2018 -Hamal 23, 1397 HS

AT News Report Mohammad Radmanesh, independence. They will continue conditions. The High Peace peace council as a mediator spokesman of defense ministry their fight,” Radmanesh said. Council is also insisting the peace presents them to Taliban after said Wednesday that the security Taliban’s spokesman talks with the armed opposition, months of hard working and taking AT News Report AT News Report KABUL: The government says it would encourage the armed forces were the winners in the ZabihullahMujahid in an interview with its spokesman people’s opinions,” Taheri said. opposition groups, but would battlefields, but still the doors of with a Turkish news channel has SayedEhsanTaheri saying that “I would like to call on the two KABUL: Unprovoked and KABUL: A French terrorist was “seriously fight” against those peace and talks are open for the repeated that the group would like “the peace offer was not only from sides of the war especially the sporadic rocket shelling of killed among several Daesh fighters groups that are not willing in peace. armed groups that want to abandon to hold talks with the US officials, the government, but it was from United States that the continual Pakistani military forces into during an-terror raids of the army The comment comes in bloodshed. “We welcome those but refused to say about peace every Afghan”. “Now, this is the war will further destroy eastern Kunar province has in northern Jawzjan province. response to the Taliban officials who want peace, but those who talks with the Afghan government. Taliban to make decision”. Afghanistan. sparked outburst in Afghanistan. “A French terrorist was killed that said they have enough oppose the war on us should know In February, President Ashraf “Today, we once again call on They would better to talk to Pakistan in the past days has among eight other Daesh fighters experience of thee war in that they won’t win the war. The Ghani said his government had the Taliban to answer our offer if the countries involved in Afghan reportedly launched 250 rockets during an operation conducted by Afghanistan and were able to fight national army has bravely fought kept the peace doors open to the they are Afghans and love war and find a solution,” onKunar’sDangam and Sarkano the army in Darzab district of security forces “not only for to defend the national integrity, armed groups, adding that the talks Afghanistan. This offer was made parliamentarian Saleh Mohammad districts, according to the Northern Jawzjan province last decades, but even for centuries”. territorial sovereignty and our could be held without any pre- by the government and the high Saleh said. provincial governor night,” Ministry of Defense WahidullahKalimzai. The rockets Spokesman Mohammad have pounded several dwellings, Radmanish told Afghanistan having displaced many people. Times. He said that according to Some parliament members said initial reports, an Uzbek terrorist that the government should was also killed in the district. seriously response to Pakistan’s Investigationshave been initiated, such violent acts and file a trying to clarify how and when complaint with United Nations in they joined Daesh squads in this regard. “Pakistan continues to Afghanistan. This is not the first violate and shell rockets into time terrorists hailing from Europe Afghanistan. The security forces are killed or arrested in AT News Report program entails misinformation should take similar actions,” said Afghanistan. Earlier, the army about the percentage of the MP Mohammad NawabMangal. confirmed that a German fighter KABUL: The American Pashtun population within “The government should file a belonging to the Taliban was University of Afghanistan has been Afghanistan as well as biased complaint with United Nations. arrested somewhere in Grishk accused of fomenting anti-ethnic information about the history of Pakistan officials should know district of Helmand province bias and fabricating contradictory the Pashtu language and the values they are coming to Afghanistan and during an operation conducted by lingual rhetoric. Some university of the de facto Durand Line. their repetitive dialogue and the 7th battalion of the army special lecturers and analysts have said Author and historian Habibullah meeting meant to ridicule the forces. that a module ofAUAF’s Master’s Radfi, and lawmakers... P2 Afghan government and people,” said MP ZakariaZakaria. The Defense Ministry, however, said AT News Report bodies, calling it a big “oppression” province had a deal with the that it has not been silent in this against the victims of the recent ministry of defense and the regard, and responded similarly. KABUL: Some lawmakers accuse air strike victims. Allah Gul national directorate of security “We will act seriously and use the government’s fact finding Mujahed, a member of the over the incident that the every possible option if such delegation for the Kunduz incident parliament, said Wednesday that government claims only Taliban violation [by Pakistani military] of making deal with the security representatives from Kunduz fighters were killed. “We... P2 KABUL: Some Wolesi Jirga complained about a poor supply continues,” the Ministry’s Deputy members on Wednesday said system.” He further said security Spokesman Mohammad Six of a single family corruption in supply system of forces even did not receive drinking Radmanish told reporters today killed in Nangarhar logistic materials to security forces water and bread on time, something during a news conference. had been behind the collapse of responsible for the fall of a number The shelling comes days after security posts. Mohammad Arif of security posts to insurgents. Pakistani Prime Minister AT News Report Rahmani, a lower house member "Corruption in this sector has ShahidKhaqanAbbasi met with from southern Ghazni province reached its peak,” alleged Rahmani, Afghan government officials KABUL: In the wake of family said: “Logistics should reach who called for a review of all including President Ashraf Ghani dispute, six members of a single security forces on time because a logistic agreements and callling and Chief Executive Abdullah family have been killed in the An Afghan National Army (ANA) number of security personnel on security bosses to a special lower Abdullah in Kabul and raised also eastern Nangarhar province, commander Hamed Saifi, who has the frontline have already house session. (Pajhwok) the issue of cross-border shelling. authorities said on Wednesday. led the war against insurgents for They were killed in Saracha Naghlo almost a decade across area of Behsud district of the Afghanistan, has suggested that province as a result of personal fundamental changes need to be enmity. It was Tuesday night when brought in the way Afghan security the incident occurred, the forces are trained. Speaking to provincial governor’s house said in TOLOnews, Saifi, who is The Taliban are holding response,” said Mujahid. Delegation to Afghanistan said in a statement, adding the killers deployed to Kunduz’s Dasht-e- discussions about President Ashraf Meanwhile, the minister of a meeting, “The Culture of managed to escape. It added four Archi district, said he has spent Ghani’s peace offer and the group borders and tribal affairs, Gul Agha Afghanistan, The Culture of brothers entered the house of their almost ten years on the battlefield. could possibly respond in a Sherzai, said a plan for a Peace Jirga Peace”, that the Taliban’s failure uncle named Salam and killed him, “When the national army was positive manner, said Hakimullah has been outlined and will soon be so far to reject the offer raises his wife and four cousins. The established, our love for the Mujahid, a former member of the sent to Ghani. “We have held hopes that the group will act in a shooting was triggered by family country and love for the defense insurgent group, on Wednesday. discussions with the leaders of the positive manner. enmity. Probe over the incident has of the country and love for Islam Mujahid is now a member of tribes, politicians, teachers and “The absence of a response by already been conducted and encouraged us to join the national Afghanistan’s High Peace Council members of civil society the Taliban is not a sign of refusal, security forces would soon to army,” said Saifi. Saifi has served (HPC). “The Taliban are institutions about the peace Jirga, may be it is a sign that they are bring the culprits to the justice, the in Helmand, Badakhshan and conducting consultations and there we will send the plan soon to the debating about what kind of statement added. Khan Kunduz provinces. enemy,” added Saifi. “For higher must be promoted; promotions is the possibility that they give a president, I am sure that the response they can give to this peace Mohammad, a resident of the area, “The experiences of the morale in the army, there should should not be on the orders of positive response to the Afghan president will allow us to convene plan which is very complex. So we confirmed the incident and said the commanders must be included in be a reward and punishment someone whether it is me or government, at a time that the war the Peace Jirga,” said Sherzai. In are not so concerned about the two families had a land dispute the training curricula so that we system so that we can achieve someone else,” said MP Farishta is going on, we hope that the addition, Pierre Mayaudon, the absence of a response,” said and other issues. can curb casualties and defeat the success; the ones who are talented Amini. (ToloNews) Taliban come up with a positive European Union’s Head of Mayaudon. (ToloNews) THURSDAY .APRIL 12, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

ministries. Security and the political situation remain concerns in Afghanistan’s economic outlook. Security is unstable, particularly in Kabul, and the country is likely to experience greater political uncertainty due to friction within the National Unity Government. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for 2018 and a presidential election in 2019, which could cause businesses to adopt a wait-and-see approach. “We could see businesses reluctant to expand their operations through increased investment as they wait to see if the security situation stabilizes and the outcomes of the elections, particularly for the presidency,” said David Daniel Oldfield, ADB Principal Economist for Central and West Asia. “Although Afghanistan’s GDP growth is KABUL: A person registered a - the real owner --- back in 2004 projected to be relatively slow high school’s land in Kabul as his and 2007.” over 2018 and 2019, progress on private property and used fake Haji Rafi said it was in 2005 structural reforms under the IMF documents in obtaining 106 million when their dispute started over the Extended Credit Facility and afghanis bank loan, Pajhwok has land with the Ministry of increasing private investment can learnt. The Setara High School in Education. help to boost economic activity Shash Darak area that falls in the “The education ministry at beyond 2019 and put the 9th police district of Kabul is that time sought two months time country’s economy on more solid located close to the Presidential to hand over the land to us, but ground.” Palace and the Ministry of Defense one year after, we even did not The Afghanistan’s economy is only slightly from 2.4% in 2016, ADB projects make an impact in development spending and, on the Some of the measures to attract forecast to moderate to 2.5% as a tenuous political situation and reducing poverty and encouraging other, ensuring that financing in the heart of the capital city. receive the rent.” more private investment, according Safia Hayat, the principal of Now after one year, Haji Rafi growth in 2018 and 2019 due to worsening security limited growth.” arrangements are consistent with to the report, include a coordinated the challenging security and economic growth. ADO is ADB’s Domestic revenue collection continued macroeconomic Setara High School, told Pajhwok said the Education Ministry was government approach to Afghan News a person with fake now not ready to surrender the political situations in the country, flagship annual economic rose by 11.2% to 169 billion stability. Meanwhile, domestic developing the economy, says a new Asian Development publication. Afghani ($2.43 billion) in 2017 and investment remained steady in documents had registered the land to them. He said Nasruddin’s continued efforts to improve the school’s building and land as his son Sharafuddin had donated the Bank (ADB) report. “Despite major impediments, exceeded the target set under an 2017, equal to 18.5% of GDP. legal and regulatory framework for The government needs to Afghanistan is working to increase International Monetary Fund Private investment is estimated at personal property and then used land to the Ministry of Education business, and developing a it as guarantee to borrow a large after they purchased it. attract higher levels of private its growth momentum, boost Extended Credit Facility only 8% of GDP in 2017, reflecting systematic strategy to promote investment to help boost economic infrastructure development, and arrangement. Grants comprise an a lack of confidence in political and amount of money from a private Bank loan investment and investor services. bank. “The land of the school Haji Rafi is yet to prove his growth, create more jobs, and transform the country to a more estimated 56% of budget revenue, security conditions. Public The government also needs to reduce the country’s dependence services-driven economy,” said or 15.6% of GDP. While investment increased by 8% in which is used as a guarantee in the ownership of the school land, but maintain its efforts toward regional bank’s loan belongs to the he has been able to obtain loan on donor support. Samuel Tumiwa, ADB Country government efforts have broadly nominal terms over 2016 as the cooperation. In its Asian Development Director for Afghanistan. “ADB, succeeded in maintaining fiscal and execution rate improved from 54% Ministry of Education and Sayed from a private bank. Connectivity and open trade Sharafuddin, a former attorney Rafi acknowledged having Outlook (ADO) 2018, ADB noted as Afghanistan’s leading partner in external stability, efforts to set a that year to 67% in 2017 with with neighbors can attract more that preliminary gross domestic infrastructure and regional budget for 2018 point to growing better budget planning, simplified general, had endowed the school pocketed the bank loan. He said: private investment as regional with the land few decades ago,” “Javed Andesh, owner of the product (GDP) growth for cooperation, will continue to work tension between, on the one hand, execution rules, and more markets become more open. Afghanistan in 2017 was 2.5%, up alongside the government to ensure expanding security and authority delegated to line she said. Hayat added the school Afghanistan Commercial Bank and (finchannel) in Bagh-i-Ali Mardan area was Haji Ahmad Shah deceived my established in 1947 and then lawyer who worked in the bank at shifted to Shash Darak area after that time.” Herat leaders strategizeonprotecting Sharafuddin endowed the school “The two took $2.6 million with his land in 1978. “This school loan based on land ownership 19-year-old has been here for around 40 years.” documents for a commercial childrenfromarmedconflict However, she said: “A person company Hamza Kakakhel.” named Haji Mohammad Rafi claims Haji Ahmad Shah Raka, head HERAT: At a UN-backed event Speaking during the one-day Herat. Herat, a mostly rural he has bought the school land from of the Hamza Kakakhel Company, woman creates in the western province of Herat, symposium, community leaders province that borders Iran to the the heirs of Sayed Sharafuddin and confirmed Haji Mohammad Rafi’s community leaders discussed from districts around Herat’s west and Turkmenistan to the he was able to borrow 106 million claim and said: “I was Andesh’s improving ways to protect capital discussed the current north, has seen the security afghanis (around $2.6 million) from employee. Andesh told me to get children from the impact of the situation and underlined the need situation deteriorate in recent years the Afghanistan Commercial Bank. him $2.6 million loan for his armed conflict in Afghanistan. to prioritize efforts in marking and due to an increase in armed The Ministry of Education company but when he took the a buzz in Thousands of children in clearing landmines and other conflict. The one-day event, along also said the school land belonged money he is refusing to return it.” Afghanistan have been killed, explosive remnants of war that with a mine-awareness event at a to it, but some figures were trying Pajhwok tried to reach out to injured and displaced during the have contributed to an increase in local high school, were organized to usurp it. MoE spokesman Kabir Haji Ghiuasuddin, the partner of last decade. In 2017 alone, 861 child casualties. “We are appealing by UNAMA’s Herat regional Haqmal endorsed Hayat’s account Mohammad Rafi, but he lives Afghanistan's children were killed and 2,318 to local authorities and the office as part of a country-wide and said, “The bank did not see abroad and could not be contacted. injured during the conflict, international community to help outreach initiative aimed at creating the physical location of the Andesh rejects Rafi’s and his according to UNAMA’s latest us clear landmines and other platforms for local communities to property (school) and did not lawyer’s allegations Report on the Protection of explosives,” said Mohammad engage in dialogue on key issues. contact the MoE for confirmation Javed Andesh, chief of the Civilians in Armed Conflict. Faqiri, a religious scholar from (reliefweb) while giving loan to the person.” Afghanistan commercial bank, burgeoning “We have enough documents rejected Haji Rafi’s allegations and and proofs of the property of alleged that Rafi had not only Setara High School, the ministry cheated the Afghanistan Agriculturedirector among3injuredinGhor bombing even spent more than $500,000 in Commercial Bank but other banks honey industry FEROZKOH: The agriculture Band Bayeen of Ferozkoh, the said the government servants and two phases for reconstruction of as well. He said Rafi had not solved irrigation and livestock director for provincial capital, said Syed Abdul Molvi Mohammad Hashim Faizi, the school’s building,” he said. his problems with other banks Three years ago, Frozan, now 19, obtained a small loan, western Ghor province and two Hayee Khatibi, the governor’s a public representative, had gone Ahmad Zamir Gawara, Kabul since long. education director and Fazal Javed said Rafi was one of the bought two beehives and learned about apiculture. others were injured on Wednesday spokesman. Abdul Tawab Taib, the to Dolina district to visit an when the vehicle they were travelling director, Juma Khan Bakhtar and agricultural project. On their way Ahmad Haidari, education general main shareholders of the in struck a roadside bomb, an official Fareed Ahmad, employees of the back, their vehicle struck with a manager at MoE, also said the Afghanistan Commercial Bank and said. The explosion took place in the department, were injured. Khatibi roadside bomb. (Pajhwok) school land belonged to the he had registered his assets in the ministry and the person who name of his brother. claimed its ownership had misused He called Rafi “a deceitful it (in borrowing money). person” who used a land which AUAF accu sed of pr each in g an ti-eth n ic bias The school’s building in a had been dedicated to school 40 residential apartment is decaying years ago. Rafi made “fake despite being reconstructed several documents” for the school land and ...P1 Arian Yun and Mohammad confided that these modules should bound by rules. times. Zahoor, a teacher at the took $ 26, 00000 loan from the Hanif Hanafi have said that AUAF be discarded from the university Zaher Wahab, author of the preaching racial bias was at odds curriculum. Moreover, the higher AUAF’s controversial chapter has Setara High School, said: “The land bank, he added. When the bank with the national values and treason education ministry has also said the material was being taught and the building that contains 10 officials wanted to see the land, against the Pashtun ethnicity and accused the AUAF of fanning there but refused to attend a live rooms have been donated. Haji Rafi told them there was a language, and could also trigger antiracial sentiments, saying dialogue on the issue in the Kabul He said the roof of the building foreign guest house where they cross-ethnic hatred. They also private universities were not News TV network. had previously completely might not be allowed to take collapsed but the Ministry of pictures or enter their premises, Education reconstructed it by claimed Andesh. Andesh said adding some more rooms between currently he owned 53 per cent of In war-torn Afghanistan, honey is status of women in society have P r ober s of K u n du z air str ike sh ieldin g... 2014 and 2015. Local residents’ the bank’s shares and the rest regarded as a traditional cure-all – improved significantly, but ...P1 decided to send a delegation delegation. It doesn’t depend on council headed the delegation. The views Mohammad Azam Safi, one belonged to Sayed Mohammad Sha but for one schoolgirl, the sticky traditions, insecurity and recently, of three parliamentary me whether Ibrahimi has made deal president’s office and the national of the residents of locality, said: and Haji Rafi who had registered commodity has also created sweet a decline in international donors, commissions to probe Kunduz with the government,” said Kamal security council are yet to “My children and my neighbors’ his shares in his brothers’ names - opportunities to work and own a have slowed progress. incident. I think either the Safi, a parliamentarian from publicize the report of the fact many children have graduated from --Aryan Azimi and Mohammad business, in a country where few A Human Rights Watch report, representatives from Kunduz or Kunduz province. Ibrahimi was finding delegation. this school and many more are Salem Azimi. Najibullah Amiri, women do so. Three years ago, quoting government officials, says some other province made deal not immediately available for The open media defense, a studying.” He said the school Chief Executive Officer of the Frozan, now 19, obtained a small 85 percent of the 3.5-million with the government that helped comments. Meanwhile, non-government body supporting building and the land had been Association of Afghan Private loan, bought two beehives and children who don't go to school are government take advantage,” Homayoun Homayoun, deputy freedom of media calls donated and no could claim their Banks also confirmed Haji Rafi has learned about apiculture from girls. Only 37 percent of Mujahed said. In a government air parliament speaker criticized the government’s act in not sharing the ownership. Mahboob Ahmadi, been active shareholder of the bank Hand in Hand International, a adolescent girls are literate, strike on the Dasht-e-Archi lawmakers for hypocrisy, saying report with the people “against the Shash Darak local council since the bank was called by nongovernmental organisation that compared to 66 percent of district of Kunduz, a large number that they defend the security constitution”. secretary, said: “We want the another name. Amiri did not focuses on poverty. The bees adolescent boys. of civilians including school ministers when they are in the “This is against the Ministry of Education and provide information when asked collected nectar from flowers Frozan is now in her final year children were killed. The parliament sessions to answer the constitution and the right of access government leadership to prevent about shares of the past and current growing near her home in the of school, and would like to study government said that the strike MPs’ questions. The government to information. This harms the land grabbers and do not allow them chiefs. Lawyers and illegal reading Marmul district of the northern economics and grow her business took place against Taliban fighters assigned a delegation in the wake people and the freedom of speech,” to usurp more lands,” he said. He use of property document Ainudin Balkh province. Their first harvest – goals that may now be possible who had gathered. But, some other of conflicting reports over the said Mojib Khalvatgar, head of NAI said all residents of locality were Bahadari, Lawyers Union of produced about 16kg of honey, for her and her three siblings, legislators accuse parliament civilian casualties in Dasht-e-Archi media office. ready to confirm the land had been Afghanistan chief, said a disputed speaker Abdul Raouf Ibrahimi of district to find out what really He added the government tries which enabled Frozan to pay back thanks to her income stream. dealing with the government. happened in the airstrike. to silence the voice of freedom that donated and would not allow property could never be used for her loan and still have money left She says looking after tens of “Mujahed has accused us of deal. General Khodaidad Hazara, an causes public mistrust to anyone to grab or sell the land. obtaining a mortgage loan. “This over. She now has 12 beehives, and thousands of bees can easily be I personally was not part of the official of the national security government. Babrak Safi, the area is not possible, as long as all the last year collected 110kg of honey, done between studies and representative, said some people legal procedures of the courts are which earned her 100,000 Afghanis household chores and her father, trying to grab the school land in place," he said when asked what [~R17,270] in a country where Ismail – who is a farmer like much because of its high price land. He if the loan was not paid. “No one, average GDP per capita is less than of Marmul's population – 4 0 in su r gen ts killed in an ti-ter r or said a 100-square meter area in the including the state, has the right to R7,500 per year. supports his daughter's enterprise. vicinity of Setara High School was sell such land,” explained the "The village I live in is a "It has been my dream to have r a ids a cr oss Afgh a n ista n priced between $70,000 and lawyer. Hajj Ministry rejects traditional village, and women are a daughter who could find a job $100,000 The buyer of the land Rafi’s claims A source in the not allowed to work outside," says like this and make a future for ...P12 Mullah Naim were killed in 16planed clearing operations,and weapons and ammunition in the Haji Mohammad Rafi, who Ministry of Hajj and Religious Frozan, who goes by one name. herself," he says. Shahjoi district of Zabul, three 64 Special Forcesoperations operations as well. claims ownership of Sitara High Affairs said: “The claimant also "But when I started beekeeping, I Every few weeks, Ismail takes terrorists were killed and three conducted in 11provinces; also, ANA as the nation’s defense forces School land, said he had obtained has links in the ministry based on realised that it's an easy task. I told the fresh honey to Mazar-i-Sharif, others wounded in Nadali district Air forces conducted 111aerial are ready to give sacrifice to bring the consent of his partner, Haji which he was able to obtain some the people about beekeeping, and the provincial capital more than of Helmand and two insurgents operations supporting Afghan lasting peace and security to the Ghiasuddin, to proceed with their documents showing the land is not then they accepted it." 50km away, where it's sold to were killed and two other wounded National army including11strikes people and are determined to legal claim. He said: “We purchased donated to the school and does not Since the fall of the Taliban in shops and consumed mainly by in Moqur district of Ghazni on enemy’s sanctuaries. eradicate terror groups in this one acre land from belong the Sitara school.” December 2001, the lives and local customers. (huffingtonpost) province. In past 24 hours, ANAdiscovered and confiscated Afghanistan. Sharafuddin’s father Nasruddin -- (Pajhwok) THURSDAY .APRIL 12, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

The consul general said the meteorological department said. In some parts of the country, same people are farmers are extremely concerned involved in drug about the increase in temperature. The farmers said they need smuggling and more water supplies to irrigate their fields. Kunduz is one province that human trafficking. has had to deal with unusually hot weather and farmers said the Afghanistan’s Consul General to temperatures will rise further. Istanbul Zekria Barakzai said on “There is no rain, it is a disaster Tuesday that drug smugglers and and the fields will remain human trafficking syndicates unirrigated,” Abdul Sattar, one working between Afghanistan and farmer said. KABUL: The Ministry of Public smuggling during the period, he Turkey are part of the same group. “The lack of water (rain and Health (MoPH) on Tuesday added. Daud continued Kabul In an interview with Hürriyet snow) has caused lots of problems expressed grave concern at the police had transferred 1,355 drug Daily News, Barakzai said in Kunduz and Imam Sahib district rising number of drug addicts in addicts to rehabilitation centers security forces should hit drug in the province,” Arbab the country, saying only one of 10 during the last two months and that traffickers by fighting human Mohammad, another farmer said. junkies could be rehabilitated due he was committed to doing more smugglers. “These human “Wheat fields are drying up and to limited resources. to make the campaign against drugs traffickers are the same people who the price of wheat is increasing at Meshrano Jirga or upper a success. Counter-Narcotics are involved in drug trafficking. the bazaar,” said Karim, another house, members on Tuesday M i n i s t e r S a l a m a t A z i m i , You can kill two birds with one farmer. summoned counter-narcotics and responding to senators’ concern, stone,” he said. This statement Recently, NASA’s Goddard public health minister, as well as agreed: “Narcotics are a national was made in relation to the recent Institute for Space Studies in New deputy minister of interior and the challenge and dealing with it needs influx of undocumented migrants York reported that February 2018 Kabul police chief, to brief strong coordination among relevant from Afghanistan to Turkey via was the sixth warmest February lawmakers on the efforts to tackle entities.” Iran and came just days after in 138 years of modern record- the issue. The Ministry of Counter- Turkish prime minister Binali keeping. NASA stated that Nisar Ahmad Haris, head of narcotics, as a policymaking organ, Yildirim visited Kabul. On Sunday, February was +0.78°C warmer the Senate public welfare could not deal effectively with the Yildirim said the Turkish Interior Afghanistan Meteorological was 27 degrees, up two degrees “A few days ago the weather than the average February of the commission, called the increase in problem without having support Ministry is conducting a Department on Tuesday said this against the average for this time of was warm and reached between 25 1951-1980 period. The only poppy cultivation, smuggling and from relevant institutions and productive plan to cut illegal year the average temperature year. and 27 degrees centigrade. The months of February warmer than use of drugs a matter of concern. executive authority, she said. Afghan migrant inflow. “Our around the country has increased However, officials said rain reason is that a high pressure that occurred in 2016 (+1.34°C), The relevant organs had not taken She acknowledged that the brothers who have come to Turkey by about two degrees. across the country in the past few system was present but it 2017 (+1.12°C), 1998 (+0.90°C), proper action on the issue, he level of opium cultivation had through legal ways are more than According to the department, days has resulted in a considerable wastemporary,” Sayed Reza 2015 (+0.87°C), and 2010 believed. increased this year as 328 hectares welcome here. But those who come last week the average high in Kabul drop in temperature. Musavi, the head of the (+0.79°C). (ToloNews) Citing one example, he pointed of land had been sown with the via illegal ways are causing to the situation of drug addicts in illicit crop in 24 provinces of the trouble,” he said. However, Kabul. The number of people using country. Barakzai said on Tuesday, the narcotics was going up with each Insecurity and increased Afghan security forces have passing day, the legislator said. demand for narcotics at the conducted large-scale operations Farhad Sakhi, a senator from international level are the main against the drug traffickers Kabul, accused Kabul police reasons behind enhanced opium particularly in Helmand and Farah officers of incompetence in cultivation, Azimiexplained. province and that currently a addressing the drug issue. The open Ahmad Jan Naeem, deputy massive operation is underway. He trade in narcotics in the central minister of public health, estimated told the Hürriyet Daily News the PUL-I-ALAM: The police chief Taliban ambush in the area. capital was questionable, he around 3.5 million Afghans were Afghan government has three for central Maidan Wardak The clash continued for one remarked. “The presence of a large addicted to drugs. proposals to Turkey to curb the province escaped unhurt a Taliban hour and as result, two bodyguards number of drug addicts in However, he pointed out, only influx of undocumented migrants. ambush on Wednesday, an official of Qaim wounded, he added. BadamBagh, Pul-i-Sukhta, Chama- one of every 10 addicts could be According to him, Turkey needs said. Naqib Ahmad Amini, Maidan Taliban also suffered casualties in i-Huzuri, in Kabul River and other treated currently at rehabilitation to “tackle human traffickers and Wardak police chief told Pajhwok the incident, he said without giving areas of the capital showsthe centers and there was a possibility also pressure Iran to also be part Afghan News that the incident exact figures. Logar governor’s weakness of the authorities of them relapsing into drug of this trilateral engagement of anti- took place in Purk Bazaar area of spokesman, Salim Saleh, said that concerned. The officials concerned consumption after being treated. human trafficking networks.” central Logar province today the bullets were fired in the air are accountable.” The deputy minister warned “There should be intelligence morning. when Maidan Wardak police chief Kabul police chiefMaj. Gen. the drug crisis could not be sharing and joint efforts,” he added, He said Maidan Wardak police was passing the area and no clash Mohammad Daud Aminsaid he controlled in the absence of curbs blaming “some circles” of chief, Brig. Gen. Fahim Qaim was was happened. Taliban did not took charge two months ago. Kabul on cultivation, smuggling and benefiting from the influx. on his way to attend a zonal level comment yet on the incident. police had been able to arrest 242 production of narcotics. “We see reports that these police meeting when faced with a (Pajhwok) people in connection with drug (Pajhwok) refugees are used by the Iranian regime to recruit them in the Fatimun brigade to fight in Syria, which is totally unacceptable,” he said. A second step is providing incentives for those who legally reside in Turkey or those who want to come to Turkey legally for investment, education, health or other legitimate reasons. “If you suddenly close all legal ways, this would increase chances for human traffickers,” he said. JALALABAD: Poppy crop has A third suggestion is launching been destroyed on 500 acres of land a public awareness campaign “to in seven districts of eastern give first-hand information about Nangarhar province as part of an the situation of the refugees in campaign, an official said on Turkey and immigration laws that Tuesday. will help people understand the The illicit crop is cultivated in consequences of entering Turkey 14 districts of the province this illegally.” year ---Surkhrod, Khogyani, Barakzai told the newspaper, Rodat, Ghanikhel, Lalpora, Nazian the reasons for the rise in and Khiwa, Nangarhar undocumented migrants was counternarcotics chief Idrees Sapai insecurity and lack of information said. He told Pajhwok Afghan on life of refugees in Turkey in News the anti-poppy campaign addition to an “illusion” created by had been ongoing over the past two traffickers with the help of false weeks and the aim was to stories. destroyed the plant on 15 hectares According to Anadolu news of land. agency, last week alone saw Ashaqullah Saddat, the Turkish security forces arrest at Khiwa’s district chief, said poppy least 2,500 Afghan nationals. crop was eradicated on 12.5 acres forces were part of the drive. campaign in his district. A local Anadolu reported that of land in Bodiali area of the district Attaullah Hadawal, Kama farmer Sayeda Jan, who has Afghans pay $1,000 USD to A Kabul during the ongoing campaign. He district’s chief, assured the cultivated his one acre with poppy, $1,300 USD per person to said the National Directorate of counternarcotics head of urged the government to help them smugglers. designer held a (NDS), police and other security supporting the anti-poppy switch to legal crops. (Pajhwok) Hürriyet Daily News meanwhile also reported that fashion show in Turkey had deported hundreds of Afghan migrants back home on a city park on special flights, in a major operation over the weekend. Tuesday night to Dogan News Agency quoted migration officials in Erzurum as mark the saying Turkey planned to deport all 3,000 undocumented Afghan opening of his migrants who were currently in new store in Erzurum. Barakzai said teams from 700 police vehicles have been the Istanbul consulate were on the Balkh. distributed illegally in Afghanistan, ground in several provinces to help 1TV has found. The vehicles, Turkish authorities identify the mostly mini-trucks, are at service undocumented migrants from of employees of presidency, Chief Afghanistan. Last week Hürriyet Mazar-e-Sharif was treated to a Daesh, suicide attacks and whether it is insecurity, Executive Office, National Daily News reported that 20,000 touch of glamour on Tuesday night explosions. We want to prove that inconvenience (from people) and Security Council, Interior undocumented Afghan migrants when Haqiqi designers held a we have a history of 5,000 years.” others,” she said. Ministry, members of the had arrived in Turkey in the past fashion show to mark the opening In line with this, Haqiqi’s “Our goal is to promote parliament, political figures. week three months. The report said of their new store in the Balkh city. designs included traditional Afghanistan’s 5,000 years of 1TV has obtained a list of 500 that a total of 17,847 Showcasing traditional clothes, menswear such as the chapan and culture,” said Omid Arman, people who illegally use police undocumented Afghan migrants from different ethnic groups, shawls, as well as women’s another model. vehicles that includes also former have been captured by security models, both male and female, took clothing. Guests attending the show senior members of Interior forces from the beginning of 2018 to the runway in their colorful Haqiqi said it had been his aim were enthralled and welcomed the Ministry. until March 29. The same period outfits. to bring families to the event – move. Many said such shows A number of former officials has seen 9,426 Syrian migrants, The fashion show was held in including children. should be held more often so as to said that the vehicles were at their 5,311 Pakistani migrants and 4,270 a city park and attended by an Nilab Azamzada, one of the promote the garment industry. service for their security based on Iraqi migrants. Nearly 500 assortment of local residents, models, said they wanted to raise “The program was conducted presidential order. Of the total, 170 undocumented Afghan migrants including artists, writers, and civil public awareness around sensitive in a friendly environment. We hope police mini-trucks are at the service try to enter Turkey per day, which society activists. issues relating to modeling and that all ethnic groups in of members of the parliament. Ghani has ordered to collect police without registration. has prompted security forces to Ajmal Haqiqi, who organized cultural affairs. Afghanistan will live in unity and U.S. has stopped supplying vehicles which were distributed He said that 241 such vehicles examine the case in detail, Hürriyet the event, said: “The world has a “Our goal is to improve the embrace tolerance,” said Ziaullah, mini-trucks to Afghan police, illegally. Interior Minister Wais had been collected so far and the Daily News reported. grim picture of Afghanistan, a real culture of Afghanistan. We will a resident of Balkh. citing the same problem. Ahmad Barmak admitted that the process would be completed in 20 (ToloNews) picture of war, violence, Taliban, stand against any challenge (ToloNews) Meanwhile, President Ashraf vehicles had been distributed days. 1TVNEWS THURSDAY.APRIL 12, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES RJDcriesvendettaafter Nitishgovt Two cuts down Rabri,Tejashwi’s security minors R a br i D evi a n d h er son , Tejash wi h ave a lleged th at pr u n in g th eir secu r ity was a killedin con spir a cy to en da n ger th eir lives. Doti lightning strike

A late evening order to withdraw including those provided to RJD tight-lipped on the issue, inspec- house guards of Bihar Military chief Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi’s tor general of police (IGP) (securi- Police-II (BMP-II) from Rabri elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav . Be- ty) Bachhu Singh Meena said se- Devi’s residence has set the first sides withdrawing guards from curity of former chief minister family of the Rashtriya Janata Dal Lalu’s house, which was allocated Rabri Devi and opposition leader (RJD) on a confrontation course to the RJD’s?first couple as ex- Tejashwi had not been curtailed. with the Nitish Kumar-led NDA CMs, authorities also served a But a senior police official refus- government. Former chief minis- notice to Tejashwi asking him to ing to be named said only those DHANGADHI: Two kids lost ter Rabri Devi was quizzed by the vacate his 5 Deshtratan bungalow. house guards deputed for Lalu as their lives after a lightning strike CBI on Tuesday morning in con- A furious Tejashwi described the ex-chief minister had been with- hit them while they were playing nection with the alleged IRCTC decision an act of political vendet- drawn. “It is a conspiracy by Nit- in Jorayal Rural Municipality-2, hotel scam during the tenure of her ta. “Just now at the stroke of mid- ish, Sushil Modi and their govern- Doti. According to District Police husband Lalu Prasad Yadav as rail- night Nitish Kumar has called back ment to get me and my family Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) tion of Punjab on administrative Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said that Office, Doti, the deceased were way minister. Shortly after mid- 18 house guards deployed in the killed. I don’t have any fear. I go vice president Shah Mehmood grounds. he was surprised by their newly identified as 12-year-old Om night the house guards were gone. security of two ex CMs. Surren- out among the public and the pub- Qureshi in a tweet on Wednesday Earlier this week on Monday, eight found love for making South Pun- Prakash Bhandari and 9-year-old Protesting what they alleged ‘a dering our security to Nitish Ji so lic will protect us,” an angry Rabri expressed his party’s support for legislators parted ways with the jab a separate province. Bhuwan Bhandari. The two kids conspiracy to endanger their lives’, that he can increase his own secu- told reporters at her residence. a separate province of South Pun- ruling party and also announced Nawaz claimed that South Punjab were playing at latter’s house when Rabri Devi and her son, Tejashwi rity as he is the most namby-pam- “Laluji is in jail and dying every jab. The party leader expressed his launching a mass movement for has seen plausible development a thunderstorm broke out and light- who is also the leader of the oppo- by CM of the country,” Tejashwi day. We don’t know if he’s dying support saying that PTI supports the sole purpose of making South under the leadership of Shehbaz ning struck them taking their lives, sition, on Wednesday surrendered tweeted minutes after the devel- due to disease or being killed using the creation of a separate province Punjab a separate province. Sub- Sharif. Police said. the entire family’s security guards opment. Though NDA?leaders are medicines. (ANI) of South Punjab and the bifurca- sequently, ousted prime minister (Tribune) Myanmar minister assures Rohingyain Bangladesh repatriation is apriority A Myanmar minister told Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh on Wednesday their repatriation was a priority, during the first visit by a top Myanmar official to victims of what the United Nations says was “ethnic cleansing” by the Myanmar army. Social Welfare Minister Win Myat Aye, who is leading rehabilitation efforts in Rakhine State, met about 50 newly arrived refugees in the Kutupalong refugee camp in southeast Bangladesh, according to Mohammed Shamsud Douza, the deputy Bangladesh government official in charge of the refugees. A Bang- ladesh foreign ministry official said his country wanted to show the visiting minister the challenges it was facing in hosting the refugees. Win Myat Ayat is expected to meet Bangladesh’s foreign minister in Dhaka on Thursday. Bangladesh wants the refugees to go home as quickly as possible and officials said this week they hoped the minister’s visit would speed up repatriation. But many refugees say they are reluctant to go back to Buddhist-majority Myanmar, fearing persecution. “The most important thing is to the start the repatriation process as soon as possible. We can overcome all of the difficulties,” Win Myat Aye said as he left a meeting with Rohingya representatives at the Kutupalong camp. When asked about whether Rohingya could be granted Myanmar citi- zenship, which they had been long denied, the minister replied: “We are trying to have that.” Myanmar has rejected accusations of ethnic cleans- ing in its western state of Rakhine, saying its security forces launched a legitimate counter-insurgency operation on Aug. 25 in response to Ro- hingya militant attacks. Refugees arriving over the months since then have reported killings, burnings, looting and rape by members of the Myanmar security forces and Buddhist vigilantes. (BBC)

Minister of Megapolis and West- ed National Front MPs jointly ern Development Champika form the government, a new cabi- Ranawaka has proposed to form net should be appointed under a Govt relaxes rules for Coal O u r ju dgm en ts an entirely new cabinet in order to new political agreement and a gov- resolve the crisis that has arisen erning program. The other alterna- within the unity government fol- tive is if the 16 SLFP ministers a r e based on law, lowing the no confidence motion who voted for the no-confidence India to ease coal-bed brought by the Joint Opposition motion are removed from the gov- against the Prime Minister. Min- ernment then the remaining 26 con stitu tion , n ot ister Ranawaka at the cabinet meet- SLFP MPs and the UNP form a ing today (10) has reportedly pre- new government and appoint a methane extraction sented three alternative proposals new cabinet. The third alternative to appoint a new cabinet instead is if the SLFP leave the unity gov- fr ee will: CJ P of a cabinet reshuffle. One alterna- ernment then the 106 MPs of UNP tive proposal is if the 42 Sri Lanka should form a government and limit Freedom Party MPs and 106 Unit- the cabinet to 30 ministers. Students clash with police in Dhaka over hated state jobs quota

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian without justice cannot survive.” Saqib Nisar remarked on Tuesday The CJP observed that while laws that the judges announced judg- dating back to the 1800s, could not New Delhi: The Cabinet on LtdGovt relaxes rules for Coal In- tion of CBM gas reserves in-and- ments on the basis of the law and be amended, justice could be pro- Wednesday relaxed rules for state- dia to ease coal-bed methane ex- around the block will generate eco- constitution, not out of free will. vided by applying the same laws owned Coal India Ltd for extrac- traction. Image courtesy - Coal nomic activities which in turn has Addressing a gathering of judicial crafted by the British rulers. “We tion of natural gas lying below coal India Ltd potential to create employment community in Quetta, the chief do not have the power to change seams in its blocks in a bid to quick- "Due to this amendment relaxation opportunities in CBM operations justice emphasised the veracity of the laws penned down by the Brit- ly boost production. Till now, Coal is granted under the Petroleum & and in the industries," the state- decisions made by lower courts. ish. We have to work under these India Ltd had to apply to oil min- Natural Gas Rules 1959 (PNG ment said. “If the verdicts given by lower laws,” he told the audience. “Law- istry for a licence to extract coal- Rules, 1959), to Coal India Ltd The government issued a notifica- courts are solid, the decision will yers are the foundations of judi- bed methane (CBM) from its coal (CIL) and its subsidiaries for not tion on 3 November, 2015 grant- be upheld at superior courts,” he ciary.” It is an honour to be a judge, A peaceful protest against the quota system in government jobs turned blocks. Now, the world's largest applying for grant of licence/lease ing rights to CIL and its subsidiar- said. Reminiscing on judicial his- he said while urging the communi- violent in last week as students clashed with security forces in Dhaka, coal producer does not need such under the PNG Rules, 1959 for ies for exploration and exploitation tory, Justice Nisar remarked that ty to maintain that respect. He the capital city of Bangladesh. The protests added to tensions already a permission. extraction of CBM under their of CBM from all coal bearing ar- in the past there were judges whose added that the judges were tasked high in a crucial election year, and political positions are being drawn The Cabinet Committee on Eco- Coal Bearing Areas," an official eas for which they possess mining verdicts were not changed even to provide justice. “How will we sharply, with the government keen to avoid any criticism. Hundreds of nomic Affairs chaired by Prime statement said. lease for coal. when challenged in the Supreme face God if we do not strengthen protesting students were injured in clashes at Dhaka University, which Minister Narendra Modi approved Stating that the decision is in line Clause 3(vi) of the Notification Court. “I wonder where such com- the foundation of justice?” he turned into a virtual battleground on Sunday. News of attacks by the an amendment to the November with the government's initiatives provided that the "Lessee shall petent judges have gone who au- asked. Dwelling on litigation, Jus- ‘Chhatra League’, the student wing of the ruling Awami League, on 2015 regulations issued by the of 'ease of doing business', it said submit application under the thored valuable judgments.” Ob- tice Nisar remarked that people fellow students, possibly with weapons, set tempers soaring. The Chha- Ministry of Petroleum & Natural the move will expedite the explo- P&NG Rules 1959 for grant of serving that the judges were re- spent years running behind trial tra League has denied these rumors. Many observers considered this Gas under Section 12 of the Oil ration and exploitation of CBM, Mining Lease (ML) for CBM to sponsible for any legal weakness courts. “A person who does not one of the largest protests faced by the ruling Awami League regime in Fields (Regulation and Develop- enhance the availability of natural Ministry of Petroleum and Natu- in a verdict, he stressed complete find justice for 40 years dies every its two consecutive terms spanning over the last 10 years. Thousands of ment) Act, 1948 (ORD Act, 1948). gas and reduce the demand-sup- ral Gas along with detailed recom- understanding of law and the Con- single day. students, mostly from Dhaka University, the country’s premier institu- Govt relaxes rules for Coal India ply gap. mendations of Central Mine Plan- stitution for adjudicating a case. “It Why do we prolong cases so tion, took to the streets and occupied the capital’s busy Shahbagh inter- to ease coal-bed methane extrac- "The increased development activ- ning & Design Institute Limited is time to put our house in order,” much?” he asked. section near the university campus from Sunday till Monday. tion. Image courtesy - Coal India ities for exploration and exploita- (CMPDIL)." (ANI) noted Justice Nisar. “A society (Tribune) THURSDAY.APRIL 12, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES News-in-Brief Italy president may seek mediator to

break ers that he and Trump “see eye to eye” on the Syria problem. Qatar government hosts the main US air operations centre for the Middle East, which impasse would coordinate any American air President Sergio Mattarella may attack in Syria. Yesterday, Saudi appoint a neutral institutional fig- Crown Prince Mohammad Bin ure to mediate between Italian Salman also confirmed that Saudi political parties, which have Arabia could take part in military failed to break a deadlock since action in Syria. “If our alliance inconclusive elections last month, with our partners requires it, we a source close to the president will be present,” Bin Salman said said. Mattarella will hold formal at a news conference with French consultations with all the parties President Emmanuel Macron, on Thursday and Friday, the sec- wrapping up a three-day visit to ond round of talks since the Paris. According to French media March 4 vote produced a hung sources, the Syrian regime has parliament. The anti-establish- started to evacuate soldiers and ment 5-Star emerged as by far the missiles from the Al-Dumayr air- largest single party, while a con- base in anticipation of an attack, servative coalition of smaller relocating them instead to the Rus- groups, led by the far-right sian-operated Khmeimim base. League, has the most seats in Last night, the Russian ambassa- parliament but not enough for an dor to Lebanon vowed that his absolute majority. If, as expect- The Trump administration is Donald Trump cancelled a sched- France may lead the operation in country would shoot down any ed, the parties maintain their ir- missiles fired at Syria, with the reconcilable positions during weighing a decision to strike the uled trip to Latin America in order place of the US; France is already Assad regime in Syria, and is con- to manage the ensuing crisis, and involved in the US-led coalition Kremlin warning the White House their meetings with Mattarella, today against moves that could his next move may be to appoint sulting foreign powers on forming is reportedly involved in extensive created in 2014 to fight Daesh in a joint military response to the consultations with officials in the Syria. Yesterday at the White “destabilise” the country. Trump someone else to hold more flexi- responded to the reports this ble, informal talks aimed at bro- government’s chemical attack in UK and France about launching a House, Trump also met with the Douma last weekend that left over military strike as early as at the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin morning on Twitter, stating that kering a deal, the source said. Russia should. A so-called “exploratory man- 80 people dead. US President end of this week. If confirmed, Hamad Al Thani, who told report- date” has been used before at (BBC) times of stalemate, and whoever is given the task would not be expected to form a government themselves. The president could S a u di cr own pr in ce, RIYADH, PARIS give the job to anyone with a high profile institutional role, such as one of the speakers of the two AGREETO houses of parliament or a judge F r en ch pr esiden t a gr ee on from the constitutional court. cu r bin g I r a n’s expa n sion DEVELOP GERMANY'S AL-ULA MERKEL in M iddle E a st SCEPTICAL PROVINCE The Royal Commission for al-Ula TOKYO — A British warship has later this year to participate in the ABOUT (RCU) confirmed that the signing arrived in Japan to join internation- monitoring and join exercises in the HARDWARE of a cooperation agreement be- al efforts to enforce sanctions on region. The U.N. has toughened its tween the Kingdom and France to North Korea by monitoring any sanctions on North Korea over its REFITS FOR develop the historical and heritage prohibited trading by the country nuclear weapons development. sites in al-Ula province reflects at sea. Royal Navy Capt. Paul Britain says the ships’ pres- Saudi Arabia's firm commitment to Casson said the frigate HMS ence demonstrates its commitment DIESEL CARS protect and promote the world Southerland, which arrived in Ja- to the region’s peace and stability. German Chancellor Angela Mer- heritage and its recognition of the pan’s Yokosuka port on Wednes- Copyright 2018 The Associ- kel on Wednesday played down importance of developing sustain- day, will join exercises with Japan’s ated Press. All rights reserved. This the possibility of forcing carmak- able tourism and cultural heritage ers to make expensive modifica- navy and monitor attempts by material may not be published, with partners from around the North Korea to evade U.N.-im- broadcast, rewritten or redistrib- tions to diesel car exhaust sys- world. It also reflects the King- tems, as her new government posed sanctions. Britain said it will uted. dom’s willingness to boost means send two more warships to Japan (WP) tries to avoid driving bans in cit- of cooperation among all partners ies with air quality problems. from different sectors through the The German car industry, which accounts for some 800,000 jobs implementation of various projects in Europe’s biggest economy, is that achieve the desired objectives. struggling with a global backlash RCU explained in a statement on Tuesday that being one of the Twentykilledas against diesel cars after Volk- swagen (VOWG_p.DE) admit- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Sal- med’s three-day official visit to we will not tolerate any ballistic Kingdom’s primary cultural devel- ted in 2015 that it had cheated man, Deputy Prime Minister and Paris. "This strategic vision means activity that threatens Saudi Ara- opment projects, both nations will U.S. exhaust tests. Tackling the Minister of Defense, held talks in reducing all the projects of expan- bia." Furthermore, Prince Moham- embark on a collaborative project Brazil prison problem of diesel cars with high Paris on Tuesday with French sionist political Islam which could med said: “The Saudi-French part- to develop future visions for a long- nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions President Emmanuel Macron on feed other forms of terrorism and nership is very important, espe- term cultural, heritage and tourism - known to cause respiratory dis- regional issues and other affairs of destabilize the region," Macron cially at this time.” Turning to the development project for Al-Ula. breakout attempt ease - is one of the most pressing common interest. During a press added. Addressing Yemen, they an- developments in Syria, Macron The aim is to enable local, regional policies facing Merkel’s new co- conference at the Elysee palace, the nounced that a conference to boost said a decision on whether to car- and international visitors to expe- alition between her conservatives two officials agreed on the need to humanitarian support for Yemen ry out military strikes on Syrian rience the richness of Saudi Ara- and the Social Democrats (SPD). bia’s cultural heritage, Arabian civ- sparks gunfight After a cabinet retreat outside curb Iran’s expansion in the Mid- will be held in France during the chemical weapons' facilities would Berlin, Merkel made clear she dle East. Prince Mohammed ac- summer. "Between now and the be made in the coming days after ilizations and local values, in line had reservations about carmak- cused Tehran of supporting terror- summer a joint conference will be more consultations with the Unit- with Vision 2030, in order to pos- ers being made to introduce hard- ism in the region and working on held on Yemen to clarify what is ed States and Britain. "The third itively support the creation of a ware modifications, such as spreading its ideology instead of being done and what needs to be element is the red lines defined by thriving economy. “France is a dis- changing filters in exhaust sys- working for its people. For his done," Macron said. He also France. These red lines, which are tinguished partner for its remark- tems. “The benefits and costs part, Macron called for "greater stressed the need for "respect for shared by other powers, have able successes in the fields of tour- must be proportionate. Hard- efforts to limit Iran's ballistic ac- international humanitarian law". nothing to do with the discussions ism, hospitality, preservation of ware refits are relatively cost-in- tivity and regional expansionism". "We will continue to be extremely taking place at the UN Security heritage, monuments and arts,” the tensive,” said Merkel. She reit- The two leaders were meeting at vigilant on this point," he said, Council." statement pointed out. erated she would do everything the conclusion of Prince Moham- while adding: "It is obvious that (Reuters) (AP) possible to avoid bans and that she believed in 2-3 years only about 10 cities would have ex- cess levels of NOx. (BBC) Sweden charges Indonesiaoppositionpartybacks man with spying retiredgeneral tostandaspresident At least 20 people have died in than 726,000 prisoners are current- Brazil after an attempted prison ly behind bars in Brazil, living in on Tibetan exiles Indonesia’s main opposition par- to carry out that task”, but added breakout became a fierce gun bat- prisons with a capacity for ty on Wednesday endorsed Prabo- there was a need to first establish tle. Armed inmates at the Santa 368,000 people in notoriously for China wo Subianto as its presidential can- a coalition of supporting parties. Izabel penitentiary complex, near punishing conditions. Gang lead- didate in next year’s election, po- A presidential candidate needs the the Amazon rainforest city of ers frequently run powerful net- tentially setting the stage for a re- support of parties which together works and drug businesses from Sweden has charged a man with Belem, attempted to escape by peat of the 2014 contest between won 25 percent of the national vote blowing up one of the prison's within prisons, and fighting with- spying on Tibetan exiles on be- the retired general and President in the previous election or have 20 outside walls, according to state in jails frequently claims the lives half of the Chinese security Joko Widodo. Subianto, who nar- percent of seats in parliament. security sources. A statement said of prisoners. Last year, 56 people services, the state prosecutor rowly lost the election to Widodo Widodo, a former furniture sales- prison guards responded to the were killed in Manaus in a prison said on Wednesday. The man four years ago, is chairman of the man, is Indonesia’s first president attempt in an "intense exchange of uprising, while 62 prisoners es- is suspected of gathering in- nationalist Gerindra Party which to come from outside the political gunfire". A headcount is now un- caped from a jail after a breakout formation about exiles’ hous- forms the main opposition along- and military elite, has gained the derway to attempt to discern in Sao Paulo. As recently as Janu- ing, family situation, political side two Islamic parties. “We have support of five parties and is cur- whether any prisoners managed to ary, ten inmates were killed in fight- activities and meetings, state affirmed that Mr Prabowo is ready rently well ahead in most opinion escape, the statement said, with ing between gangs at a prison in prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist to be a presidential candidate and polls. An Indo Barometer Survey 19 prisoners and one guard killed the northwest of the country. said in a statement. He then has received the party’s mandate conducted in late January gave in the gunfight. "The attempt was Violence in the country's prisons passed this information on to to proceed as presidential candi- Widodo 48.8 percent support, supported by an extremely heavi- is bound with high levels of homi- a Chinese security agent, ac- date in 2019,” Gerindra deputy with Subianto on 22.3 percent and ly armed group," a statement said. cide and gang crime, as well as se- chairman Arief Poyuono said by 28.9 percent undecided. While in "According to preliminary reports, rious problems with police vio- cording to the statement. “This telephone from the party’s nation- office, Widodo has led a push to is a very serious crime,” al meeting in West Java. Subianto build infrastructure though annual the prisoners also had weapons lence. Ljungqvist said. He gave no was quoted by the Jakarta Post as growth in Southeast Asia’s biggest inside the prison." Police recov- According to a Human Rights further details on the identity saying “if the Gerindra Party or- economy, at around 5 percent, has ered several weapons at the scene Watch report, police killed 4,224 of the suspect. China’s embas- ders me to run in the upcoming yet to reach the 7 percent he and heightened security has been people in Brazil in 2016. sy in Stockholm declined to presidential election, I am ready pledged when campaigning in 2014. put in place at the prison. More (BBC) comment. Chinese forces entered Ti- bet in 1950 and took control in what the government terms a “peaceful liberation”. Inter- EGYPT,CYPRUSDISCUSSTURKISH national human rights groups and exiles routinely condemn what they call China’s oppres- sive rule. They say pervasive CHALLENGESTOGASEXPLORATION surveillance and displays of military force are being used Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Cypriot counter- According to the ministry, the Cypriot min- to intimidate and quell dissent. part, Nikos Christodoulides, discussed on Tuesday the Turkish-Cypri- ister criticized “Turkey’s illegal actions in the China rejects the accusa- ot dispute over gas exploration in the Mediterranean, which erupted economic zone” and thanked Egypt for its strong tions. two months ago. The Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement that support for Cyprus in all international and re- There are around 140 Ti- the two ministers held a bilateral meeting, during which Christodoulides gional forums. The gas crisis erupted in February betans living in Sweden, ac- informed Shoukry of “the security challenges facing his country in the when Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavuso- cording to the Tibetan Com- exploration of gas in its territorial waters” He also called for “enhancing glu announced Ankara’s determination to start munity in Sweden. cooperation in the energy sector and following up projects of bilateral searching for energy sources in the region and its (BBC) cooperation in the fields of agriculture, education and manufacturing. rejection to recognize an agreement. THURSDAY.APRIL 12, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

We a r e a n a t ion a l in st it u t ion a n d n ot t h e voice of a gov t or a p r iva t e or ga n iza t ion

AFGHANISTAN TIMES Editor: Mansoor Ahmad Faizy Phone No: +93-797070563 E-mail: [email protected] B r azil's oliga r ch y will do ever yth in g in its power Email: [email protected] to sabota ge a n y a ttem pt to a bolish its pr ivileges. www.afghanistantimes.af Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi By Mariana Prandini Assis Advisory editorial board Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal, Saboor Sarir Graphic-Designers: Bilal Yusufi and Basir Qazizada Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva, the most Mar ket i ng & Adver t i si ng: popular president in Brazil's histo- ry, surrendered himself to federal Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0782344728, 0778894038 authorities on April 7 to start serv- ing a 12-year prison sentence. While Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan Lula's conviction is purportedly about fighting corruption and im- Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 punity, it, in fact, aims to teach the Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press poor a lesson: the presidential lega- cy of a mixed-race worker, with lit- tle formal education, will be undone by the country's elites; the poor mustn't delude themselves they have The constitution says an actual democratic say or a share in the country's prosperity. Last Thursday, Brazilians woke up to the regimes before 1988, the right to ers gave their vote to the political were crucial in the political plot to Article 12: Supreme Court ruling that Lula could vote in Brazil had been highly re- project Lula represents in four out impeach her, and made several state- Da Afghanistan Bank shall be independent and the central bank of the state. Currency issuance as well be sent to jail while appealing his stricted, if not suppressed altogeth- of the country's seven presidential ments in social media concerning the conviction on corruption charges, er. The disenfranchisement of the elections. During the Workers' Par- proceedings and Lula's defence strat- as formulating and implementing the monetary policy of the country shall be, according to provisions of the and went to sleep knowing that Ser- law, the authority of the central bank. The central bank shall consult the economic committee of the House illiterate has been the marker of an ty time in office, poverty was re- egies, but also created a media spec- gio Moro, the federal judge over- oligarchical regime that was demo- duced by 55 percent and extreme tacle when he forcefully brought Lula of People about printing of money. The organization and operation method of Central Bank shall be seeing the Operation Car Wash cas- regulated by law. cratic in name only. While women poverty by 65 percent; the mini- in for questioning although the es, had ordered Lula to surrender. and soldiers gradually gained the mum wage raised by 76 percent, former president had declared he All of us who have been following right to participate in this most el- unemployment reduced at unparal- would report voluntarily. According the legal proceedings knew they ementary democratic mechanism, leled rates and inequality shrunk to all polls, Lula is the leading candi- were rigged and believed Lula should the exclusion of the country's illit- markedly. Those who defend the date in the upcoming October presi- resist. Confronted with the need to erate from electoral participation legitimacy of Lula's imprisonment dential elections. His imprisonment make a decision, Lula headed to his ended only very recently, with the argue that he has been convicted in now, when other political figures - political home: the headquarters of 1988 constitution. In a country a fair trial, which was further upheld who are facing much more severe the Metalworkers Union in Sao Ber- where education has historically on appeal. However, anyone who corruption charges - remain free, in- nardo do Campo, where his politi- been tied to social class and race, has closely followed the proceed- cluding unelected president, Michel cal life began, which became the hub the denial of the right to vote based ings of Operation Car Wash knows Temer, comes as a clear message to of one of the biggest workers' par- upon literacy meant that a large mass full well that not all politicians fac- the Brazilian poor: the oligarchy will ties in the world. #OcupaSaoBernar- of poor people, the majority of Bra- ing corruption charges were dealt do everything in its power to sabo- dowas became the top trending Twit- zil's population, has been banned with in the same fashion. The pros- tage any attempt to abolish its priv- ter topic in Brazil, as thousands of from participating in democratic life ecution of Lula was unprecedented- ileges. However, after seven consec- supporters travelled to the Union's for most of the country's history. ly fast for a judicial system notori- utive experiences of participating in headquarters and remained there in Participation rates in presidential ous for its tardiness. His conviction democratic elections, the poor might Don’t torch our schools vigil. As the political turmoil con- elections in Brazil clearly illustrate is based on evidence that falls far no longer quietly accept their exclu- tinues to polarise the country, it is this: While only 20 percent of the below the minimal threshold accept- sion. In the headquarters of the Met- abundantly clear to Lula supporters population participated in the 1960 ed by any judicial system working alworkers Union in Sao Bernardo, s destroying schools will bar girls from going to school? This that his imprisonment is effective- democratic presidential elections - under the rule of law and basic hu- they are chanting "Lula is each of ly an attempt to destroy a demo- the last one before the 1964 mili- man rights principles. Moreover, us!" In the 1980s Lula was impris- would be kidding to say yes or to be remained in puzzled— cratic agenda that sought to undo tary coup - this number more than the trial judge's bias has long been oned for being the president of this Brazil's oligarchical political system doubled in the 1989 elections - the apparent in what many have called very same union, leading workers' girls will go to schools and there is no power to dither them and replace it with a democracy that first presidential elections after the a political persecution. Judge Moro strikes and fighting for the country's from pursing education. Both, Taliban and Daesh extremist groups works for the many, not just the return to democracy and the adop- not only released wiretapped con- democratisation. Either as farce or rich and powerful few. Throughout tion of the 1988 constitution. Since versations between Lula and then tragedy, history seems to be repeat- did level best by torching girl schools, but the more they threaten- the five republican constitutional then, the majority of Brazilian vot- President Dilma Rousseff, which ing itself. (Aljazeera) ing the students they more they stream to the classes with taking it as a great slap in the face of evil forces who oppose education. Terrorists have destroyed dozens of schools in restive districts of I n Ven ezu ela , a da ily str u ggle different provinces. On Wednesday, the militants torched a girls’ school in the Mohammad Agah district of central Logar province. for th e ba sic n ecessities of life Fortunately, the students did not hurt. On day before that on Tues- day, militants torched another school in Momand Dara district of My dad works in an office, the head another chance for weeks. On the the utilities were taken over by the By Carlos Hernández Blanco of his department. My brother and rare occasions when the website is government during Hugo Chávez’s eastern Nangarhar province. The anti-education militants put I are both college graduates. We are available, it’s instantly overwhelmed big nationalization drive between 2005 and 2009. Socialists think We had gone six days without run- technically middle-class. We by traffic. It pays to be quick. But ablaze the administration block of Hazar Naw High School. 12 thought we’d have our own apart- our Internet was down, so I couldn’t charging for a service is wrong. So ning water. It was 4 o’clock in the guess what? The public utilities are afternoon, sweltering hot, and my ments by now: office jobs, suits. In- do anything. Later, I found out our arsonists tied up hand of two watchmen before attacking the school. stead, we spend all our time scram- service provider was down through- always broken. You can get away skin was sticky. I desperately need- with no investment and no mainte- Taliban insurgents during their regime, has banned girls from go- ed a bath; we all did. We walked from bling for the very basics. Just as I out Ciudad Guayana, our city of close was finishing a second trip lugging a to 1 million. Then there’s electric- nance for a while — but after a de- our third-floor apartment to the cade, it catches up with you. Take ing to schools and women from workplaces. But, after their col- parking lot in front of our building heavy bucket up three flights of ity. Blackouts take the Internet stairs, water service returned. Ugh. down with them, along with any CANTV, our Internet provider. It lapse, the darkest era in the history of Afghanistan against women — a sprawling, utilitarian, turquoise, used to belong to Verizon and worked three-story concrete block built 40 Just another day in Venezuela. hope for a productive day. Given Where I live, water is the most un- enough time, they take the water reasonably okay, but in 2007, become to a halt. But ever since, the militants put all out efforts to years ago — to refill our buckets Chávez decided to expropriate it to from the only place with access to reliable service, but the Internet and out, too. Our water pumps are not create obstacles for girls and women in one way or another. More- the electricity are not far behind. solar-powered. Other parts of the strike a blow against international water, the faucet on the sidewalk capitalism and to bring the Internet they use to wash the cars. My whole Water, power, Internet: our impos- country have it far worse; but the over, the most brutal terrorist group—Daesh after their emergence sible triangle. You’ll rarely get all blackouts where I live usually last to the masses (or some such). Our family (dad, mom, brother and I) Internet service now costs almost went together. We ran into another three at once. The Internet, in my about an hour, and occur weeks apart. turned every stone to mare girls from going to schools—even the experience, only goes out when you They’re a handy excuse for a break nothing (I’ll give them that), but family filling buckets, too, so we had it’s also among the slowest in the terrorist group warned girls of going to schools. And that unfor- to wait in line to fill ours. There’s a really need it. My brother has been to hang out with neighbors and bad- anxiously waiting for a rare chance mouth the government. The thing world, and completely unreliable. In line for everything these days. We some communities, people steal In- tunately lead to the closure of some schools because of the fear of are almost used to this by now. We to sign up for an appointment to is, I’m actually fairly privileged. get a passport, the golden ticket out Some places in Venezuela face pow- ternet cables to strip and sell them attacks by the Taliban, and Daesh terrorists. Due to insecurity and have learned to keep buckets of yel- as scrap metal. Since CANTV sim- lowish tap water around the house of this mess. He was at work when er outages that last as long as 13 the government website at which days, and there are communities ply can’t afford to replace them, threat in some parts of the country, parents are refusing to send at all times: that’s just common those people are left without Inter- sense. By day six of the shortage, the requests have to be filed sudden- where none of the basic services their kids to schools, even the boys. Even the militants come up to ly came back online — a once-in-a- work. None! We are still getting sup- net access. Or take Corpoelec, the though, no one in the building had single national power utility. Chávez water, and we were getting desper- blue-moon opportunity. He couldn’t plied with natural gas so we don’t the fore with using gas to poison the students. In every education access the site, since he was in a car, have to endure the lines for pro- took over all the regional power ate: the whole apartment was start- companies and, in 2007, merged ing to smell like a public restroom. so he called me breathless to see if I pane canisters, which can take the year, several schoolgirls being hospitalize after being poisoned. could sign him up for an appoint- whole day unless you arrive at 4 a.m. them into a single state-owned be- We needed to flush that toilet! hemoth. (WP) The doer of the evil action is none but the Taliban and Daesh It wasn’t supposed to be like this. ment. He knew he wouldn’t have We know why this is happening. All insurgents. Another issue is security. Schools are often isolated in rural areas, and with little or no security, present perfect targets Vicarious War for attacks, and the Taliban insurgents leaving no leaf in attacking education facilities. The insurgents also used schools as military bases or barracks—this is really a big problem. The closure of schools and uncertainty over when it might be reopen means that its students face an uncertain educational future. In a very clear message to the Taliban insurgent is that they terrorist must respect civilians, including educational institutions that has nothing to do with politics. According to the Islamic teachings pursing educa- tion is obligatory to girls and boys. Noting this, the Taliban lead- ership in a knee jerk action must call upon their fighters not only to protect schools, but also play their Islamic rule in improving educational environment for education lovers. Subscription Rates Note: The following rates will apply from January 01, 2017. Fee Categories Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 5400 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 2700 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $240 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. THURSDAY.APRIL 12, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES I t’s n ot ju st Middle East’s Am er ica: problems have Z u cker ber g never been so h a s to a n swer far from for F a cebook’s settlement

Trump — in the midst of the tit- a ction s a r ou n d By Eyad Abu Shakra for-tat diplomat expulsions with Russia and the accelerating sectari- an cleansing by Moscow and Iran in Syria — announced his intention to th e wor ld withdraw US troops after “knock- ing the hell” out of Daesh. Up to this point, the statement was clear. But the second part of his speech The blood that was shed in the oc- was a bit strange, as he went on to cupied Palestinian territories on the say: “We’ll be coming out of Syria, anniversary of Land Day will be fol- like, very soon. Let the other peo- lowed by more of the same if the ple take care of it now.” In Syria, “March of Return” continues until the “other people” he referred to Nakba Day on May 15. are Russian and Iranian forces, The Palestinian wound has been which are supposed to be Washing- bleeding for 70 years and, with the ton’s bitter opponents globally and current Israeli and global leaders in regionally. Therefore, there is a need place, the prospect of any mean- to clarify the background of what ingful compromise is virtually non- the American president meant; and existent. Rather, it may be said that here the issue of different priorities the issue has never been so far from within the administration arises. settlement as it is today, and there Apart from the recent changes that are a number of reasons for this. affected prominent figures — in- The first reason is Palestinian divi- cluding replacing Secretary of State sion. This division serves the tacti- Rex Tillerson with Mike Pompeo cal interests of many regional and and the appointment of John Bolt- international players, as well as serv- on as National Security Advisor in- played a “determining role” in vio- ing opportunistic groups within the stead of H.R. McMaster — the pow- By Karen Attiah lence against the ethnic group. An Palestinian territories that benefit er struggle within some US institu- ultranationalist Buddhist monk from the division. Therefore, de- tions is familiar, particularly during spite the desire of every sincere Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg named Ashin Wirathu used Facebook Republican administrations. It is no to post anti-Rohingya messages and Palestinian for unity, the beneficia- secret that the biggest role in the is in the hot seat in Washington. ries are not willing to give up their The social media platform now ad- spread false information. Members preparation for the 2003 invasion of Myanmar’s government have gains. Second, Israel’s continued of Iraq was played by the Pentagon mits that the data of up to 87 mil- evasion of peace. Any real peace lion profiles may have been improp- also posted false images claiming to and the hawks in then-Defense Sec- show Rohingya burning their own able, but on unknown grounds. and that intellectual property pro- must be based on a sincere desire for retary Donald Rumsfeld’s team. erly used by the data firm Cambridge By Pascal Lamy a coexistence that rejects oppres- Analytica. U.S. lawmakers are de- villages. In an interview last week, The trade deficit is about foreign- tection for medicines should be Over the past two weeks, Washing- Zuckerberg defended his company’s ers stealing U.S. jobs, while the time-limited at a reasonable level. sion, domination, captivity or trans- ton observers have seen the remov- manding answers — and rightfully fer. But, when we look at the polit- so. But while Facebook is facing the response to the conflict in Myan- PARIS — Until recently, President economy is near full-employment. So in many ways, there is ample al of Tillerson and McMaster and mar, noting that it has blocked mes- Trump’s trade posture seemed to ical programs of the partisan Israeli the choice of Pompeo and Bolton most heat in the United States, it is There should be as many Chevro- scope for negotiation to improve forces, we can only come to the con- is multinational corporation, and sages that incite harm. But these be more bark than bite. Exiting the lets in Berlin as there are Mercedes the WTO rulebook, if that is as a double victory for the “big stick” examples nevertheless highlight a clusion that the Israeli evasion of approach to foreign affairs at the some would argue, a sort of nation- Trans-Pacific Partnership, which in New York. And on and on. In Trump’s intention. But the second peace is fixed, and that any other state unto itself. In many countries difficult question for the company: the Obama administration had de- expense of those who cherish com- What does it do when authoritarian short, all this makes no sense, and interpretation is that Trump’s aim talk or goodwill is a variable. A deep promise and quiet diplomacy. A num- around the world, Facebook is the cided not to push through Con- U.S. trade partners are left guess- is to go bilateral instead of multi- understanding of the Middle East is Internet. And with little ability to governments, particularly in lesser ber of European allies even ex- developed countries, are the bad ac- gress, was more symbolic than real; ing whether this confusion is in- lateral — to negotiate specific tar- vital, not only for the forces con- pressed fears that the White House influence how the social media site renegotiating NAFTA after 25 tentional or not. There seem to be geted trade preferences in favor of cerned with their own destinies, but operates, such nations are vulnera- tors? Last year, Facebook introduced would adopt radical positions, but its “explore feed” in six small coun- years probably makes sense if it is two interpretations. The first one U.S. producers to the detriment of also the powers that deal with the Trump’s words gave a completely ble to any policy action — or inac- not one-sided; renegotiating the is that it’s all about tactics, about others. This will be resisted by the region as a mere chessboard. A third tion — the company decides to take. tries: Cambodia, Serbia, Slovakia, different indication. Undoubtedly, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, and Guatemala. U.S.-Korea bilateral agreement has building bargaining power. What E.U. and probably, although not reason is the regional reality. De- US foreign policy is not limited to So while Zuckerberg struggles to become a tradition for every new spite the centrality of the “ques- answer for how his company is af- The feature tweaked the site’s algo- the U.S. president is after is effec- certainly, by China. This interpre- one region of the world, and is gen- rithms to make posts from friends U.S. administration; a few anti- tive negotiation, cleverly and nois- tation, of course, suggests a more tion of Palestine,” it is no longer erally based on priorities, strategic fecting Americans, let’s not forget the only issue in the Middle East. As that he has a lot more to answer for. and family more prominent on the dumping or anti-subsidy tariffs on ily prepared by a parade of trade systemic and dangerous challenge and tactical balances, and compro- default news feed and required users washing machines or solar panels announcements to show that U.S. to the multilateral global trading well as the occupied lands in Pales- mises. Besides, many statements and Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica tine, there are occupied lands in the scandal is truly global in scope, with to click to another page in order to is pretty much business as usual. weaponry is loaded and to put the system. The U.S. could be target- initiatives are meant to be testers see posts from news sites or other But now it is becoming serious. A U.S. in a position of strength. But ing the WTO system in order to “Palestines” of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon for the intentions of friends and countries in almost every continent and Yemen; and in addition to Is- affected by the data breach. In the official pages. The result? In sever- first wave of trade restrictions on this leaves open the question of blow it up, to make bilateralism foes. However, as far as the Middle al of the countries, news organiza- steel and aluminum raised the game raeli occupation, we now complain East is concerned, it is wise to deal United Kingdom, law enforcement whether the ensuing negotiation the new norm, based on Trump’s of Iranian, Turkish, Russian and officials raided the offices of Cam- tions that relied heavily on Face- to the billion-dollar mark. A sec- should be bilateral or multilateral. belief that the U.S. will always win with crises with two different ap- book to reach audiences saw dramat- American occupations in the region. proaches. First, the specifics of each bridge Analytica and have opened ond wave of China-focused mea- No doubt U.S. trade partners — in a bilateral trade confrontation. Fourth is the international situation. an investigation into Facebook af- ic declines in their traffic. In Boliv- sures takes it up to $50 billion — case should be taken separately due ia, one major newspaper, Los Tiem- starting with the main ones, the In that case, the adequate reaction The state of Israel was originally to the different composition of Arab ter news of the leak broke. Former or maybe even $100 billion, as the E.U. and China — prefer that this by U.S. trade partners would be established by a resolution adopted Cambridge Analytica data scientist pos, saw its traffic decline between entities and their geographic loca- 30 percent and 60 percent. In Ser- president said. Hence the under- conversation take place within the to join forces in order to protect by the UN Security Council, which tions and demographics. Second, and whistle-blower Christopher standable nervousness of financial WTO. As multilateral insurance the multilateral trading system became the representative of global Wylie testified before U.K. lawmak- bia, the editor of an investigative there is a need to recognize there news site said that the change sig- markets. The escalation has per- against protectionism, the WTO from U.S. aggression. They need legitimacy after the end of the Sec- are more pervasive dangers beyond ers last month (Zuckerberg declined plexed U.S. trade partners. The is more stable, predictable, effi- to make clear that, if the U.S. won’t ond World War. Yet, over the past a request to appear before Parlia- naled that Facebook was on the the current existential limits that verge of “ruining us.” And some World Trade Organization is a “ca- cient and fair than going back to play ball, they stand ready to put 70 years, Israel has been one of the seek to change the broader regional ment). Wylie alleged that the social tastrophe,” Trump said, but let’s leading violators of UN resolutions, data Cambridge Analytica improp- NGOs in Cambodia saw traffic drop bilateral trade preferences. After together a “WTO minus America” reality. A deep understanding of the as much as 60 percent due to the litigate against China in Geneva all, some of the criticism of the option, a formula similar to what either through total disregard or by Middle East is vital, not only for erly collected was used by the Vote protection from the American veto. Leave campaign during the 2016 news feed change. Meanwhile, in Slo- while clogging the dispute settle- existing system makes sense: the Japan achieved with the TPP after the forces concerned with their own vakia, analysts said that the chang- ment system by refusing to nomi- E.U. would fully agree with the the U.S. pulled out. Making it clear In fact, a major part of the region’s destinies, but also the powers that Brexit referendum. Lawyers from dilemma — and indeed the world’s Britain and the United States have es led to a rise in fake news and mis- nate new judges. Steel and alumi- U.S. that existing disciplines do not that this is plan B is probably the deal with the region as a mere chess- information. In Cambodia, crack- num need to be protected from adequately constrain Chinese prac- best tactical option for the rest of dilemma — is the reliance of rogue board. Consequently, if the policy now filed a class action lawsuit governments on the protection of against Facebook and Cambridge downs on the media already have European or Japanese imports on tices and that China should open the world in order to make sure used to deal with the phenomenon reduced the availability of indepen- national defense grounds, as if a absolute power, or the protection of Daesh — i.e., to treat the symp- Analytica, arguing that the data its public procurement market. The that plan A — improving the mul- of the American veto in the case of breach “effectively abused the hu- dent information. Facebook’s ex- war was suddenly looming be- toms and neglect the causes — is E.U. would also agree with China tilateral, rules-based trading sys- Israel, and Russian and Chinese ve- repeated, the world will have to wait man right to privacy” and “under- plore feed served to compound the tween the U.S. and longtime allies; that U.S. agricultural subsidies dis- tem instead of destroying it — is problem. Last month, Facebook said toes in the case of Syria. With re- much more than 70 years before it mined the democratic process.” But some exemptions might be avail- tort trade and need to be revised the game that Trump plays. (WP) gards to Syria, US President Donald the damage is also palpable in de- it would end the explore feed fea- ends its Middle East concerns. veloping democracies, where eth- ture, but the episode demonstrated nic tensions remain some of the just how much power the compa- most potent political issues. In In- ny’s algorithms has over the free dia, where Cambridge Analytica may flow of information. In a world now have improperly accessed the data dominated by digital media, that of over half a million Facebook us- should be disconcerting. Some coun- ers, politicians from both of the tries have already taken steps to major parties have accused the oth- minimize Facebook’s effect on their er side of using the data for cam- societies. Sri Lanka, for example, By Rupert Wright cloth to clean his sunglasses. had given his name to), would have strong a word for it – was to allow erberg pitched up with full page ad- paign purposes. In Kenya, people outright banned the social media site, Later in the day, the captain tried advised the following: Admit the people’s personal data be used by a vertisements in newspapers – a nice were outraged after former Cam- as well as its subsidiaries, WhatsApp to shrug it off with a laugh. He had mistake, accept responsibility if not cunning marketing firm to help Pres- if relatively insignificant payback bridge Analytica chief executive Al- and Instagram. Others are trying to discussed it with the ‘leadership blame, apologize profusely, and ident Donald Trump win an elec- for old media, after years of seeing exander Nix admitted in an under- regulate it. Consider Germany, where team’ he said, and that was the end promise to behave better in the fu- tion. Not only does Facebook know its business model and revenue erod- cover video that the firm handled the Cambridge Analytica breach of the matter. He had a point. Ball ture. Convention demands that it is every little intimate detail of all its ed by his firm. “I promise to do bet- “just about every element” of Uhu- potentially affected more than tampering has a long and dishonor- the top person in the firm who fac- users, but it has been willing to share ter for you,” read the ad. As an apol- ru Kenyatta’s presidential campaign 300,000 people. Facebook was al- able history, but few people get es the camera. Most manage to them for a fee. ogy, this was too little and too late. in 2013 and again in 2017. Social ready politically unpopular among sacked for it. At worst, they get a tough it out; very few find that pub- Rupert Wright Regulators, particularly in Europe, media has become a potent politi- Germans, many of whom believe reprimand, possibly a match fine. lic opinion forces them out. If it Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook, which will feel emboldened to act. Just as cal force in the East African nation, that the company helped deliver the But we live in a different world. By weren’t so funny watching cricket- has repeatedly assured all its mil- they neutered Microsoft’s monop- with campaign ads using ethnically far-right Alternative for Germany You would need a heart of stone not the time the captain woke up in ers crying, you could almost feel lions of users that our data is safe oly a decade ago, any ambitious law- divisive rhetoric. Meanwhile, Nige- party’s best performance in an elec- to find the disintegration of the South Africa, the Australian prime sorry for them. Among the croco- with them, turned out to be leaking maker will feel they can take down ria’s government is investigating tion last year. Their ire toward the Australian cricket team utterly hi- minister had already given an inter- dile tears, as their sponsors aban- like a sieve. Not only does Face- Facebook’s hegemony. Missing in Facebook and Cambridge Analytica social media giant helped fuel pas- larious. The captain, the vice-cap- view criticizing his actions in strong doned them and even the Indian book know every little intimate de- this episode was one person: Sheryl after it emerged that the data firm sage of Germany’s “network en- tain, a batsman and even the coach terms. The Twittersphere went Premier League teams tore up their tail of all its users, but it has been Landberg. She was the person hired worked on behalf of former presi- forcement law,” which allows the have all resigned with tearful apolo- bonkers. And within 24 hours, the million dollar contracts, you could willing to share them for a fee. by Facebook to be the reassuring, dent Goodluck Jonathan in 2007 and government to fine online compa- gies. Their crime? Tampering with captain and vice-captain were see their accountants in the back- In the circumstances, you would matronly figure. The weirdo tech 2015 to spread graphic videos paint- nies such as Facebook for leaving a cricket ball, in the hope that it banned from cricket for a year, sent ground banging their calculators and expect a textbook response from boys could do their stuff, but she ing then-candidate Muhammadu “manifestly unlawful” posts online might deviate in flight. Even though back to Australia, and live on tele- realizing that collectively they had Facebook: A teary strong apology, would be on hand to ensure they did Buhari as an Islamic fundamental- for more than 24 hours. That in- a battery of cameras with long lens- vision, blubbed like babies. Such apol- probably lost potentially $10 mil- maybe some resignations or even no wrong. She even wrote a book ist. Garba Shehu, Nigeria’s presiden- cludes incitement to hatred, incite- es were surrounding the boundary, ogies – tears are optional – are lion in missed earnings. better, defenestrations. After all, aimed at encouraging other women tial spokesperson, said that the gov- ment to crime and the spread of the batsman set to work on the ball straight out of any crisis communi- In another part of the world, an- they probably spend many millions to ‘Lean In’. While I was never quite ernment is looking into allegations symbols that the government has with a piece of sandpaper. When the cations playbook. Tim Bell, the other young man saw his company a year on PR advisers. Instead, Zuck- clear what that meant, it became a that the firm was behind organizing deemed unconstitutional. But it’s not television cameras spotted he was founder of Bell Pottinger and the lose some $50 billion, and as he is erberg fiddled while Facebook bestseller and she became a billion- rallies to dissuade Nigerians from clear this is an effective approach. up to something, he hid the sandpa- figure widely credited with invent- the biggest shareholder, saw his per- crashed and burned. It kept sending aire. Where has she been all week? turning out to vote for now-presi- Even beyond the complaints that per down his trousers and pretended ing crisis communications (before sonal fortune diminish by about $20 out messages to its users, but not a Shouldn’t she have been on our dent Buhari. It’s not just that Face- Germany has stifled free speech, sites he had nothing in his pockets but a he himself blew up the company he billion. His crime – if that is not too hint of remorse. Eventually Zuck- screens. (Arabnews) book has undermined democracy. It’s like Facebook have not been able to also allegedly served as a tool for expunge unlawful content as pre- authoritarians. In the Philippines, scribed by the government. One President Rodrigo Duterte has government study found that while turned Facebook into a weapon. The Facebook has been able to get rid of president, who has come under in- hate speech, only 39 percent of it ternational condemnation for hu- was removed within 24 hours. Oth- man rights abuses, ran a political er sites like Twitter only met the campaign that spread false informa- 24-hour deadline in one percent of By Max Ferrari alleged deficits of democracy, when an region demands greater autono- As soon as a European region de- or the secession of northern regions, tion. Pro-Duterte pages used Face- cases. At the same time, the power Brussels not only tolerates but sup- my, national states react very harsh- mands greater autonomy, national the answer has always been very book to smear political opponents to regulate hate speech can take a The Catalan situation has become ports and justifies the police and ju- ly and the various governments states react very harshly and the harsh: Those who touch the borders and in some cases, send death dark turn if put in the wrong hands. an embarrassment for the Europe- dicial repression of Catalan politi- threaten police, army and judicial various governments threaten po- go to jail. This is a disconcerting threats. And in Myanmar, Facebook Israel, for example, is working to an Union for several reasons: It cians “guilty” of organizing a refer- intervention because “sacred” na- lice, army and judicial intervention double standard that the Catalans is the dominant way most people in identify and remove inciting con- shows that democracy in Europe is endum? How does one justify from tional borders must be defended. because “sacred” national borders were well aware of. They cleverly the country access the Internet, tent on Facebook, but those efforts optional (and therefore the EU has a democratic point of view the in- Another big question this opens up must be defended. A striking exam- tried to ride it by saying to the EU: boasting some 30 million users. As so far seem to have targeted incite- no right to preach democracy to the carceration of regularly elected par- is the topic of borders. The EU, ple of this is Italy, which is famous Let us create our nation and we will such, human rights groups say it’s ments from Palestinians while let- rest of the world), it raises many liamentarians whose guilt would be dominated by leftists, has a mantra: for its punctured borders, through then let all migrants enter without been a powerful weapon to spread ting Israeli incitements flourish. doubts about the so-called sacred- that of having given the people the Borders are an ancient thing. Instead which millions of illegal migrants problems. The leftist component, hate speech in the country’s ongo- Time will tell if countries outside of ness of borders, and it reopens the opportunity to vote on an issue we must live in a world without fron- and several terrorists pass without a very strong among the Catalan sep- ing ethnic cleansing of Rohingya the United States will ever be able question of small unrecognized na- deeply felt by the majority of Cata- tiers, where everyone enters and problem. Rome has always replied aratists, thought that openness on Muslims. Last year, some 6,700 Ro- to compel Zuckerberg to appear tions in search of independence. lans? And beatings to voters are a exits as one wants, and anyone who that we are now in the no-borders migration and on ethical issues would hingya were killed in Rakine state before their citizens and lawmakers How could the EU call for sanctions bad thing only if done in far away asks for control and defense of na- era of free movement, but when be enough to convince Brussels to and some 670,000 have been forced to answer for Facebook’s actions. against Poland and Hungary, con- places: Do they become good if they tional borders is a reactionary, a pop- some parties (for example the recognize the new state, and most to flee their homes. The United He may never appear in say, Ger- demn Russia and even criticize serve the interests of a European ulist, a fascist. Like democracy, how- Northern League before its nation- likely it would have been if such rec- Nations has said that Facebook many, India, or Nigeria. (WP) Donald Trump’s United States for government? As soon as a Europe- ever, this concept is also variable. al turn) propose a strong federalism ognition had not risked starting. THURSDAY.APRIL 12, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES N-Korea's parliament convenes to approve national agenda ussian forces will shoot down any US missiles fired at Syria and at- tack the aircraft or warships they are fired from, the Russian ambas- sador to Lebanon has warned. “If there is an American strike, then we... will shoot down the missiles and target the positions from where they were launched,” said Alexander Zasypkin, the Russian into Syria with air-to-ground and/ envoy to Beirut. “In the past few or cruise missiles within the next days, we have seen an escalation 72 hours, and the possibility of towards a significant crisis." Mr intermittent disruption of radio Zasypkin’s comments, made in an navigation equipment, due consid- interview with a Hizbollah-affili- eration needs to be taken when ated television channel, are the planning flight operations in the sternest Russian warning yet Eastern Mediterranean,” the agen- against American strikes. They go cy said in a statement. The US beyond previous threats that Rus- has two Navy destroyers capable sian troops would use their mis- of firing a barrage of cruise mis- sile defence systems to shield the siles in the eastern Mediterranean Assad regime. The Russian am- already. An American naval strike North Korea's parliament is sched- Kim just completed his first sum- Kim laid out his plans for dialogue bassador spoke as Eurocontrol, the group, led by the aircraft carrier uled to convene on Wednesday mit, with Chinese President Xi Jin- with South Korea and the US at a pan-European air traffic control USS Harry S Truman, is moving amid a series of diplomatic moves ping in Beijing last month. His for- pre-assembly gathering of top rul- agency, warned civilian airliners to towards the area. Meanwhile, by Kim Jong-un that could have a eign minister is currently in Mos- ing party officials on Monday. be cautious above the eastern Med- Theresa May has given her stron- major impact on the direction the cow, reportedly exploring the pos- But even those reports were cau- iterranean because of the possibil- gest signal yet that Britain would Democratic People's Republic of sibility of a summit with President tious: ity of strikes in the next 72 hours. support President Donald Trump Korea (DPRK) takes in the months Vladimir Putin. Kim's seemingly Trump wasn't mentioned by name The agency warned that both mis- in military action against the Syri- and possibly years sudden switch from launching mis- and Kim was said to have talked siles launched from aircraft or from an regime as the two leaders re- ahead.Meetings of the full Supreme siles at a record pace last year to about the "prospect" of dialogue naval forces might be launched be- solved “not to allow the use of People's Assembly are usually exploring dialogue has generally with Washington. It was not im- fore the end of the week. "Due to chemical weapons to continue”. brief, once-a-year affairs intended been welcomed. mediately clear what was on the the possible launch of air strikes to approve budgets, formalise per- But questions remain over how agenda for the assembly or how sonnel changes and rubber-stamp willing Kim might be to make seri- much of it would be made public. Kim's policy priorities. But this ous compromises on his nuclear No media coverage year's session was being watched weapons program in return for se- State media, which only an- more closely because it was to be- curity guarantees and the lifting of nounced the date of the assembly After China's gin just two weeks before Kim is economic sanctions that are taking session last month, do not gener- to meet South Korean President a big bite out of his country's econ- ally report about the meetings un- Moon Jae-in and as Pyongyang and omy. Pyongyang has been careful til they are over. Washington are working out the not to reveal its hand. Foreign media in Pyongyang were details of a summit between Kim The first significant news of the not allowed to cover the session massive and President Donald Trump in overtures in its official media came independently. drill, US late May or early June. this week, when they reported that (BBC) UAEaccuses patrols Somalia Azerbaijan will head to the polls on Wednesday to elect its new presi- dent, who will serve the country for the next seven years. A total of over $9.6 eight candidates, including current President Ilham Aliyev will compete disputed for the presidency. The Azerbaijan Central Election Commission estab- lished 5,641 polling stations in Azerbaijan and abroad. According to official data, there are more than 5 million registered voters in the coun- million try. Citizens living abroad will use the ballot boxes in Azerbaijani em- South China bassies. Physically disabled citizens will also be able to vote using temporary ramps established at 1,455 polling stations. Visually im- seized at paired voters will be able to cast their votes on ballot papers in Braille. Authorities will bring the ballot box to the bedridden, so they can cast Sea their votes at home. (Trend) airport

The United Arab Emirates is con- Kazakhstan plans to continue demning what it calls an "illegal" move by Somalia to seize $9.6 extension of ties with million from an aircraft at the Mogadishu airport. The UAE's Russia - Nazarbayev state news agency, WAM, says 47 Emirati Armed Forces personnel Kazakhstan plans to continue extension of ties with Russia, said Nur- sultan Nazarbayev, president of Kazakhstan. were on board the plane and some "Kazakhstan still plans to continue extension of ties with Russia, both were held at gunpoint and assault- in the bilateral format and within the frameworks of the international ed by Somali security forces. agenda for the sake of our people," said N. Nazarbayev at the ceremo- WAM reports that the money was ny of credentials presentation by the ambassadors of Russia, Italy, allocated to support the Somali Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in Akorda. army and trainees. "The UAE de- In his words, the relations of Kazakhstan with Russia "are an example plores this violation of internation- of interstate ties and strategic partnership". al law and norms at a time when "Thanksgiving to our cooperation the integration union - the Eurasian In a span of 20 minutes, 20 F-18 but professional work out of the the UAE has provided all kinds of economic union successfully operates. Further strengthening of our fighter jets took off and landed on ships we have encountered." Strike political, economic, military and cooperation is widely encouraged by our people," he said. the USS Theodore Roosevelt air- Group Commander Rear Admiral humanitarian support in the dark- (BBC) craft carrier, in a powerful display Steve Koehler gestures while talk- est conditions to establish securi- of military precision and efficien- ing to journalists and Philippine ty and stability in the Somali Fed- cy. The nuclear-powered warship, officials in front of F-18 fighters eral Republic," the statement from Iran, Uzbekistan stress leading a carrier strike group, was at the hangar bay of the USS The- the foreign ministry carried on conducting what the U.S. military odore Roosevelt, transiting the WAM said. Somalia's government called routine training in the dis- South China Sea, April 10, 2018. has dismissed such reports and has broadening of mutual puted South China Sea on Tues- Strike Group Commander not responded publicly to the day, headed for a port call in the Rear Admiral Steve Koehler ges- UAE's condemnation. It an- cooperation Philippines, a defense treaty ally. tures while talking to journalists nounced the seizure Sunday, say- ing security forces boarded the Iranian foreign minister’s special there is a claim about the use of The United States is not alone in and Philippine officials in front of assistant for political affairs, chemical weapons, we call for le- Iranian First Vice President Eshagh Jahangiri and Uzbekistan's First carrying out naval patrols in the F-18 fighters at the hangar bay of plane and discovered three un- Deputy Prime Minister Achilbay Rahmatov in a meeting in Tehran marked bags of cash during rou- Hossein Jaberi Ansari, said in Iran’s gal action on the issue,” he stressed. strategic waterway, where Chi- the USS Theodore Roosevelt, tran- view, employing chemical weap- The official said that Syria is underlined the need to expand bilateral relations in different fields. nese, Japanese and some South- siting the South China Sea, April tine checks. A security ministry During the meeting in the Iranian capital on Tuesday, Jahangiri and statement said the bags were full ons by any party is totally unac- undergoing new developments and east Asian navies operate, possi- 10, 2018. Navies in the western ceptable and rejected recent West- the US and some other countries Rahmatov explored avenues for bolstering and reinvigorating mutual bly increasing tensions and risking Pacific, including China and nine of U.S. dollars and an investiga- cooperation. "Tehran and Tashkent are enjoying great potentials to de- tion was under way to determine ern accusations about the Syrian are threating to take action against accidents at sea. "We have seen Southeast Asian countries, have government’s use of such weap- the Syrian government under the velop cooperation and they should tap these potentials for the interests Chinese ships around us," Rear been working on a code of unex- why they had been smuggled into of the two countries and the two nations,” Jahangiri said. The Uzbek the country. Relations between ons as fabricated. Speaking to re- pretext of chemical weapons use. deputy prime minister, for his part, reiterated that the aim of his visit to Admiral Steve Koehler, the strike pected encounters (CUES) at sea porters after an unannounced Jaberi Ansari further emphasized group commander, told a small to avoid conflict. The USS The- Somalia and the UAE have been Tehran was to clear the obstacles on the way of developing bilateral strained since the oil-rich Gulf meeting with Russia’s special en- that the clear and transparent stance relations. "Tashkent’s policy is to boost economic relations with Te- group of reporters on board the odore Roosevelt's presence in the voy on Syria Alexander Lavrentiev of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as three-decade-old carrier. "They are South China Sea comes days after country's Dubai-owned DP World hran increasing the volume of mutual economic transactions to $1 bil- port operator began operating a in Tehran on Tuesday afternoon, the main victim of chemical weap- lion,” Rahmatov said. He added that Uzbekistan is after negotiating one of the navies that operate in China's massive air and naval drills Jaberi Ansari said, “We will not ons, is that using such weapons with the Islamic Republic of Iran on areas of transit, tourism, and trade. the South China Sea but I would in the area, in what some analysts major port in Somalia's breakaway territory of Somaliland last year. accept the instrumental use of the by any country or party is totally (Trend) tell you that we have seen nothing described. issue of chemical weapons.” “If unacceptable. (BBC) Kyrgyzstan: Protesters set fire to gold-processing plant under construction Residents of a town in southern Kyrgyzstan opposed to the construc- tion of a new gold-processing plant have attacked the grounds of the facility and set at least one building alight. Participants in the April 11 unrest have told 24.kg news agency that several thousand people were Germany’s head of domestic intelligence said on Wednesday there was a involved in the protest in the town of Kazarman against the construc- “high likelihood” that the Russian government was behind a cyber at- tion, which is being carried out by Makmal G.L Developing, a Chinese- tack on German computer networks, although he conceded it was diffi- backed company. Turmush news agency reported that three police cult to be 100-percent certain. Hans-Georg Maassen told reporters that officers and a local resident have been hospitalized following clashes. German authorities carefully monitored the attack after it was discov- Some media have reported that rioters pelted police with rocks. An in- ered in December, and it had not caused any damage. He said there was depth report on Kazarman by Eurasianet earlier this month revealed no evidence to link it to APT28, the Russian hacking group blamed for a deep-seated opposition to a factory that many local people believe May 2015 attack on the German lower house of parliament and the U.S. could pose a risk to the environment. The main local investor in the Democratic National Committee ahead of the 2016 U.S. election. How- project has sought to ally concerns, however, insisting that the plant ever, Maassen said the attack was considered an “advanced persistent would only use ecologically sound chemicals. This is not the first time threat (APT)”, a phrase used by experts to describe a cyber attack so that an anti-Makmal G.L Developing rally has escalated into unrest. sophisticated and complex that it can only be carried out by a govern- On March 1, a large group of men descended on the plant and ripped ment entity. “We perceived it as a cyber attack with a Russian origin,” down a perimeter wall. The level of local unhappiness seen on that Maassen said. “A 100-percent attribution ... that the perpetrator is in occasion prompted officials to travel from the capital, Bishkek, to Moscow and that it’s a government agency is not possible, but we can Kazarman to negotiate with residents, but those attempts to salve talk about a high likelihood.” He said a so-called “false flag” operation, tempers appear to have been in vain. Kazarman is already the site of a aimed at intentionally misleading authorities about which country was large gold-processing plant, built in the mid-1980s. Residents say that to blame, could not be completely excluded, but he added: “We assume factory has itself damaged the environment. (BBC) it had a Russian origin.” (Reuters) THURSDAY.APRIL 12, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Christine Lagarde, the head of the International Monetary Fund, has warned that the return of protec- tionism risks tearing up the cur- rent rulebook for global trade. Her remarks in Hong Kong Wednesday come after a tit-for-tat outbreak of trade hostilities between the U.S. Foreign direct investment (FDI) and China, raising fears of what a between the US and China declined trade war between the world’s two by almost a third in 2017 from the biggest economies would mean for previous year, mainly because of industries. “The multilateral trade Beijing’ curbs on overseas spend- system has transformed our world ing and Washington’s tighter scru- over the past generation. But that tiny of Chinese investments, a new system of rules and shared respon- report has found. FDI transactions sibility is now in danger of being between the two countries totalled torn apart. This would be an inex- US$43.4 billion, a 28 per cent drop cusable, collective policy failure,” from the US$60 billion recorded Lagarde said, according to media in 2016, according to research car- reports. The IMF’s managing di- ried out by the Rhodium Group rector also warned of “darker and the National Committee on clouds looming” for the global econ- US-China Relations, an American omy, saying while her organization think tank. Will China’s stalling is still optimistic about prospects shopping spree regain its pace in through the end of 2019, growth 2018? Geely and Fosun offer a clue momentum would eventually slow. The main reason for the drop was A raising of trade barriers could of those risks, governments should that a country spends above its fiscal deficits,” Largarde said. Glo- a decline in Chinese investment in weigh on the global economy, as ”steer clear of protectionism,” Lar- income, she said. That means the bal debt has reached an all-time the US to US$29 billion from they “hurt everyone, especially garde urged. Check out: How Chi- best way to rebalance is to intro- high of $164 trillion, according to US$46 billion the year before. The poorer consumers,” Lagarde ar- na’s Xi, without blinking on trade, duce structural reforms or revamp new IMF research. That’s a rise of drop would have been even steep- 2016. Beijing imposed a slew of published a list of “sensitive ar- gued. Higher tariffs lead to more got the stock market to cheer The fiscal policy. “The U.S., for exam- 40% on the level in 2007, with half er if it wasn’t for the US$18 bil- new restrictions on outbound in- eas” where it intends to restrict expensive products and more lim- IMF chief said unfair trade prac- ple, could help tackle excessive glo- of the growth attributed to China. lion in Chinese acquisitions an- vestment last year to address bal- overseas investments, putting a ited choices, she said, and at the tices make little impact on the lev- bal imbalances by curbing gradual- Lagarde suggested high levels of nounced in 2016 but completed ance-of-payment concerns and specific curb on deals related to same time they prevent trade from el of a country’s trade deficit with ly the dynamics of public spend- debt leave governments vulnerable last year, the report said. Ameri- minimise risks to the financial sys- property, hotels, cinemas, enter- spurring productivity and dissem- the rest of the world. Any imbal- ing and by increasing revenue — as interest rates rise, possibly can investment into China was al- tem stemming from debt-fuelled tainment and sports clubs. Weap- inating new technologies. Because ance in trade is driven by the fact which would help reduce future prompting market corrections. most unchanged at US$14 billion overseas spending. In February ons development, manufacturing (AP) compared with US$13.8 billion in China’s top economic planner and maintenance. (AFP) R om a n ia n gover n m en t wa n ts Qatar-US economic to pu t a stop to econ om ic forum gr owth ba sed on con su m ption begins in Consumption is the main element Washington of the Romanian economic growth, and this economic model must be The Qatar-US Economic Forum changed, says the minister of pub- started on Tuesday in Washington lic finance Eugen Teodorovici, at a DC, coinciding with the visit of conference organized by the Euro- His Highness the Emir Sheikh pean Commission Representation Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. The in Romania. “It is true that con- event is organised by the Minis- sumption is the main element for try of Economy and Commerce economic growth. This situation (MEC) in co-operation with Qa- must change urgently, in the short- tar Chamber, American Chamber est term. The change will start at of Commerce, Qatari Businessmen least in the way the Government Association, Qatar-US Business Council and a number of US enti- strategy is defined as we already ties. In a statement issued on the have some measures in the Gov- occasion of the start of the Forum, erning Program that point in this HE the Minister of Economy and direction,” Teodorovici said. He Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jas- specified that there is a need to sim bin Mohamed al-Thani support public investments by stressed the depth and power of changing public procurement the bilateral relationships between legislation. “Our intention is Qatar and the US. “Washington is to change the legislative framework the second stop of the current US on public procurement, to simpli- economic tour, which aims at fo- fy it in the way is defined at Euro- cusing on the role of Qatari invest- pean level. It will be an important ment in enhancing partnerships A new report warns that the hous- even if barriers to increase supply element for accelerating the invest- between the two countries that ing crisis is now the biggest threat were removed. Jim Power, Chief ment side both at local level and in produced more than one million job to our economy. The latest out- Economist with Friends First, big infrastructure projects,” said opportunities in the US,” he said, Kremlin says Russia’s while pointing out that the Qatari look from Friends First predicts said: “The pressure on Ireland’s Teodorovici. According the govern- that average house prices will con- corporate tax system; the inordi- ment official, the budget needs to business community enjoys strong tinue to rise by at least 10% in nate economic and financial depen- be more modern, more logical and relationships in Washington City. 2019. It comes as those hoping to dence on a small number of very more pragmatic. “Next year, the HE Sheikh Ahmed pointed out economic system has that Qatar increased its investment get on the property ladder queued large companies; the damage that 2019 budget must be thought in overnight in the hope of buying a the housing situation is doing to modern and pragmatic ways. There in the US over the years, which home in Hansfield in Dublin 15 competitiveness; and the impact are many areas where unnecessar- contributed to the creation of thou- days before they go on sale. PJ that inflated measures of GDP are ily large amounts of money are sizable margin of safety sands of jobs across the country Delaney, owns the local news- having on the fiscal parameters are and investments through partner- spent instead of being targeted in ships with many American com- agents in nearby Ongar Village, key risks and challenges that will areas where spending is needed,” The situation in the Russian econ- says it is a sign of the times. Mr need to be monitored and managed omy is exposed to emotional reac- panies such as ExxonMobil, Cono- Teodorovici pointed out. Accord- coPhillips, and Raytheon. Delaney said: "I think it's sad real- very carefully in 2018 and beyond. ing to the latest data from the Na- tion of market participants to ly that people are in such a des- "A proper risk assessment is re- changes, but it has a sufficient The minister noted there are tional Institute of Statistics, Gross about 15,000 Americans working perate want for a roof over their quired, and one which ignores po- Domestic Product estimated for margin of safety, Presidential head, but unfortunately that is the litical imperatives.” They high- spokesman Dmitry Peskov told in Qatar, of whom about 5,000 are 2017 climbed 6.9 percent in real in jobs that require high skills with- times we live in now. "With the lighted a shortage of labour in the terms compared to the previous reporters. "The current fluctuations lack of so many developments at construction sector as one of the are emotional, partly speculative," in the private sector. Sheikh year. From the point of view of Ahmed stressed the role of the the moment, this just what people main issues for the economy. The GDP use, the increase was mainly he said. have to do in order to get a roof report said: "Without adequate la- "A calm, rational assessment Qatar Investment Authority, over their head." The Friends First bour supply, housing needs will due to household final consump- of the situation is needed," Pesk- which has allocated $45bn of in- report cited the housing shortage not be met. Housing is a key ele- tion expenditure, which increased ov said. "Volatility happens, the vestments in the US between 2015 as the biggest economic and social ment of national competitiveness, by 10.3 percent, contributing with system has a fair safety margin," and 2020, of which $10bn will be issue in the country, and said it is a fact that has been highlighted by 6.4 percent to GDP growth. Putin's spokesman added. directed for investment in the in- likely to continue for some time, recent CSO data." (BBC) (AFP) (BBC) frastructure sector. “These invest- ments constitute 23% of Qatar’s GDP,” he asserted. Referring to Qatari investments in the US, HE Sheikh Ahmed said Qatar Airways has allocated about $92bn to sup- Kenya:Economyisour major headache, German exports port the US economy by purchas- ing 332 US-made aircraft, support- ing more than 527,000 jobs. High- plunge as euro lighting the Qatari private sector’s investments in the US, the minis- ter stressed that the latter injected strengthens, tariffs more than $5bn in technology, hos- A majority of Kenyans feel that Jubilee who are at 42 per cent with pitality, real estate and home trade, their general economic conditions the national average hitting 60 per cloud outlook which contributed to supporting have not improved in the last three cent. This is reflected in the per- the US economy. US-Qatari bilat- months, a survey has revealed. The ceived Opposition strongholds of eral economic relations have grown study released on Friday showed Nyanza, Nairobi, Western and significantly since the signing of that 58 per cent of Kenyans feel partly in Eastern with 80 per cent, the Trade and Investment Frame- that economic conditions for their 71 per cent and 60 per cent re- work Agreement, back in 2004. family had worsened in the last spectively. "Only 24 per cent of Today, the US is a strong trading three months with only 14 per cent Kenyans said that the country is partner and a primary source for saying that it has improved, while heading in the right direction against Qatari imports. During the past 28 per cent of respondents said it Jubilee supporters 35 per cent and five years, the volume of goods remained the same. A total of 70 a paltry 8 per cent," said Tom Wolf, trade between the two countries per cent of Nasa supporters said the lead researcher Ipsos Synovate German exports plunged unexpectedly in February, posting their big- amounted to about $24bn. There their economic state had worsened last week. The survey, conducted gest monthly drop in more than two years and narrowing the country’s are currently about 650 US com- with only eight per cent giving it a between March 4 and 12, further trade surplus, data showed on Monday, another sign that growth in panies operating in Qatar, includ- thumbs up. This was different revealed that hunger, high cost of Europe’s biggest economy may have peaked. Commentators blamed the ing about 117 wholly owned by among Jubilee with only 48 per living and unemployment are some recent strengthening of the euro, which makes German goods more ex- the US as well as 55 US compa- cent saying that it had worsened of the most serious problems men- pensive outside the euro zone. A trade dispute between China and the nies operating under the umbrella and 19 per cent noting that it had tioned by Kenyans as facing them, United States is also clouding the outlook for exporters. Seasonally of the Qatar Financial Centre. The improved. About 83 per cent of hunger at the top with most Ken- adjusted exports fell by 3.2 percent on the month, the steepest decline volume of US investments in Qa- Nasa backers think that the coun- yans at 33 per cent complaining of since August 2015, data from the Federal Statistics Office showed. tar amounted to QR26.3bn. The try is headed in the wrong direc- food scarcity as a problem in their Imports dropped by 1.3 percent. Forum was attended by HE Sheikh tion, almost double those from locality. (CNN) (Reuters) Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani. THURSDAY.APRIL 12, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES 'Student of The Year 2': Ananya and merican president Donald Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama will not attend the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Tara join AMeghan Markle on May 19 as the couple have decided not to invite world leaders in their official capacities, US media reported today. Harry, 33, fifth-in-line to the British throne, and Markle, 36, an American actor and humanitarian, are set to get married on May 19. Tiger for The royal couple have decided not to invite world leaders and politi- cal figures in their official capacities, Kensington Palace said. CNN reported that a White House official confirmed that Trump and first lady Melania were not invited; neither was British Prime Minister the Class Theresa May, Downing Street said. A royal source said Barack and Michelle Obama, who are close to the couple, will not be at the wedding, the report said. “It has been decided that an official list of political leaders -- both UK and international -- is not required for of 2018! Prince Harry and Ms. Markle’s wedding,” a Kensington Palace spokes- man said. “Her Majesty’s Government was consulted on this deci- sion, which was taken by the royal household.” Unlike the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011, this royal wedding is not an official state occasion and is regarded as a private ceremony, so there is no onus on the couple to invite political leaders. CNN said that some world leaders may be invited on the basis of their personal relationships with Harry and Meghan. The ceremony, which will take place in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, is being held in a much smaller venue than Westminster Abbey, where Harry’s older brother, Prince William, married Kate Middleton. (Hindustan Times) Disha Patani on Jacqueline’s Ek Do Teen: You can’t compare it with Madhuri Dixit; she’s a legend

Actor Disha Patani is basking in queline performed the remake of the success of her latest film, the iconic Ek Do Teen, originally Baaghi 2, which continues to have featuring Madhuri Dixit. Howev- a strong run at the box office after er, Disha has only good things to crossing the ?100 crore mark. say about the track and Jacque- While the film created the maxi- line’s sizzling moves. “I think Jac- as a team, negative comments How can you think of comparing It’s for the people who were not mum buzz for Tiger Shroff and queline has done a great job and didn’t bother or harm them in any anything with Madhuri Dixit? born in that era, for the new gener- 'Student of The Year 2' is one movie which has created lots of buzz and Disha’s onscreen chemistry, it had the song is doing so well; she’s way. “Well, you always get mixed She’s an icon, a legend! She’s the ation. So, people should just en- curiosity among fans and cine-goers. Ever since its announcement, there its share of unpleasant attention looking so good. Honestly, if some- reviews for what you do. What’s best dancer we have ever had and joy it like any other song, and not are many speculations about the film and its cast. Now finally the when the dance number starring one asks me, I don’t even want to wrong in this case is the fact that we can never get another Madhu- make it sound like a big deal,” main- makers have revealed the complete cast of the film and suspense around Jacqueline Fernandez, faced a lot think of doing it. She has just killed people are comparing the old and ri. So, there is no comparison. It’s tains Disha. the leading ladies of the film is also over. Chunky Pandey's daughter of backlash on social media. Jac- it,” she says. The actor adds that the new. You can’t. just a tribute, a remix. (Hindustan Times) Ananya Pandey and Tara Sutaria have joined the cast of SOTY2. Mak- ing the announcement on social media Dharma Productions wrote, "Give a warm welcome to the Class of 2018 at Saint Teresa! Ready or not, Priyanka Chopra says she was denied a Hollywood film due to her brown skin Priyanka Chopra may just be the does ‘wrong physicality’ mean?... biggest star India has exported to And then my agent broke it down Hollywood but even she can some- for me. Like, ‘I think, Priy, they times experience injustice out meant that they wanted someone there. In a recent interview to In- who’s not brown.’ It affected me,” style magazine, the actor recount- she said. As the interview notes, ed how she was once denied a role Priyanka is the first South Asian in a movie simply because of the actor to get her own big Hollywood Tough Time colour of her skin. When asked television show as the lead. Quan- about how Hollywood is treating tico, which will soon air its third her when it comes to equal pay season, has been greatly loved by for Kapil for women or for people of all eth- fans since it aired two years ago. nicities, she recalled an incident The show’s popularity made Priy- Sharma: from last year. “I was out for a anka a big celebrity in Hollywood. movie, and somebody [from the She was seen on the covers of al- studio] called one of my agents and most all magazines, at all big league 'Family said, ‘She’s the wrong—what award functions like the Emmys, word did they used?— physicali- the Oscars or the Golden Globes. ty.’ So in my defence as an actor, She also made her big Hollywood Time With I’m like, ‘Do I need to be skinni- debut with Dwayne Johnson in er? Do I need to get in shape? Do Baywatch as the movie’s villain, Kapil I need to have abs?’ Like, what in 2017. (Hindustan Times) Sharma' to Alia Bhatt impressed Kartik Aaryan go off air! everyone with Raazi, but thought girls Controversies and Kapil Sharma this isn’t her first time are synonyms with each other. Since last year he has been in news for all the wrong reasons. It all be- would hate him gan when his famous mid-air spat HERE WE GO! See you in theatres on 23rd November 2018!?? #SOTY2 with his team came out in open @karanjohar @apoorvamehta18 @iTIGERSHROFF Tara Ananya and ever since then he has been after his infamous @punitdmalhotra @foxstarhindi @SOTYOfficial". Earlier in the day, facing many issues. It seems that Dharma Productions announced the name of the leading ladies releasing problems for actor-comedian are the new posters of the film. 'Student of The Year 2' is the second not going to be over anytime soon. monologues installment of 'Student of The Year' released in 2012 which starred Recently the actor once again Varun Dhawan, Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt in lead roles and was hogged the limelight due to all the directed by Karan Johar. Now after the long hiatus of almost 4 years wrong reasons. According to some in Pyaar Ka Dharma Productions is back with the project. The film is slated to media reports, the actor who made release on 23rd November 2018. a comeback on small screen with (Santa Banta) his new show 'Family Time With Kapil Sharma', has been on a spree Punchnama films of canceling shoots due to his "health issues or personal issues". This didn't go well with channel and channel has decided not to air Alia Bhatt is only 25, but her fil- special is her ability to strike a any new episodes of the show. mography is good enough to make balance between the commercial Kapil's new show 'Family Time even veterans jealous. Though she and offbeat roles, or so to say, her With Kapil Sharma' didn't impress started as a child actor with Sang- desire to find a middle ground. many and failed to take off, and harsh (1999), but her debut in Bol- Here, we chart her astounding ca- Kapil who was supposed to shoot lywood happened with Karan Jo- reer graph with the roles she has an episode with Rani Mukerji can- har’s Student Of The Year in 2012. done. Just two years after Student celed the shoot at last minute and After six years and 10 films, she is of The Year, which was a regular the channel has to air reruns the now among the favourites of the starry launch, she was seen as a old shows of Kapil Sharma. Re- filmmakers who look beyond reg- girl coping with the trauma of sex- cently Kapil has filed a case against ular roles for women. The trailer ual abuse during her childhood in an editor of online entertainment of Meghna Gulzar’s Raazi, which Highway. Portraying a character portal and managers of his last sees Alia as an Indian spy who with a hint of Stockholm Syndrome show. In his complaint, Kapil said marries a Pakistani soldier for the made the role even more tough, but that they are trying to extort mon- love of her country has again she lifted the Imtiaz Ali film and If there was one person every heartbroken guy looked up to, it was ey from him which led to mental proved the actor’s skills. She looks her credibility. This was the right actor Kartik Aaryan, who made such an impact with his debut film stress to the actor. Now amidst all determined yet extremely vulner- kind of beginning for a star-kid Pyaar Ka Punchnama, especially with his five-minute-long monologue these controversies the channel able in the trailer -- showing a per- looking for attractive opportunity — a rant against girlfriends, which received thunderous applause by with Kapil is associated has de- son caught in a difficult place but and challenging roles. There were fans. Strangely though, Kartik thought that the consequences would cided not to shoot or air any new refusing to give up. The audience debates about nepotism in Bolly- land him up with an angry army of girls, but instead, he garnered mas- episodes of his new show for the loved the Raazi trailer and Alia wood, but none actually pointed sive female fan following. “[Initially]I was afraid that this monologue whole month of April. spent Tuesday accepting acco- towards Alia Bhatt as she proved will make have an anti image among girls. But, I?think I got lucky be- (Santa Banta) lades from colleagues and fans alike. her calibre film after film. cause I portrayed a character who became the voice of youngsters. What makes Alia Bhatt even more (Hindustan Times) THURSDAY.APRIL 12, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES EnglandWomen's AnyaShrubsole, Heather Knight andNat Sciver namedin Wisden'sFive Cricketersof theYear

As Andrew Johnston prepares to back, the travelling was too diffi- England Women's World Cup win- 16.82 as Essex won their first four- defend his Spanish Open title, Ri- cult," he said. "You either have to ners Anya Shrubsole, Heather day title since 1992 in their maid- chard Kaufman gets some insight play one side or the other. I said Knight and Natalie Sciver have been en season back in the top flight. with the fan favourite on his form, this year I am going to concentrate named among Wisden's Five Crick- Wisden editor Lawrence Booth his PGA Tour experience, and his on Europe. "I nearly played a cou- eters of the Year for 2017. Shrub- wrote: "This year, Wisden includes near-miss in India. On Thursday, ple in America in the time I have With the battle to avoid relegation points above the drop zone and sons to be optimistic: Four of their Andrew Johnston will tee it up as just had off. But I thought you sole, Knight and Sciver helped three women among its Five Crick- intensifying, we look at the rea- now only five off the magical 40- last six matches are at home. Mean- England to World Cup victory on eters - all members of England's a defending champion on the Eu- know what, I am just going to prac- sons to be both optimistic and con- point mark. Reasons to be con- while, the Hammers have also ropean Tour for the first time, al- tice, go to the gym, relax. Because home soil last July, with the hosts World Cup-winning squad. Previ- cerned for those Premier League cerned: They still have to play picked up four points from their beating India by nine runs in a ously, only two women have been though he's had to wait a little long- I've got Madrid, then Morocco, and sides hoping to beat the drop. With Tottenham Hotspur (April 17), last two matches, including an im- er than usual for the opportunity Wentworth and it's going to get thrilling, sold-out final at Lord's. chosen: Claire Taylor in 2009 and games fast running out and nerves Manchester United (May 5), Liv- pressive draw at champions Shrubsole, the first woman to Charlotte Edwards in 2014. "When since claiming the 2016 Spanish really busy." Since telling Sky jangling by a thread, there are still erpool (May 13) and Manchester Chelsea on Sunday. Key playmak- Open, with the tournament absent Sports' John Morgan he was going appear on the cover of the Wisden Heather Knight lifted the World a number of teams facing the pros- City (date TBA). Chris Hughton's er Manuel Lanzini should also be Cricketers' Almanack, brought En- Cup at Lord's in late July, it was from the schedule last year. to "get hammered" after his victo- pect of playing Championship side also face tough away games at back from injury in time to face Johnston comes into this week re- ry at Valderrama, life changed big gland back from the brink of de- the culmination of a personal tour football next season. However, Burnley (April 28) and fellow Arsenal at the Emirates on April feat against India, taking five wick- de force that helped change wom- freshed after turning down the time for the golfer, known to his much can change between now and strugglers Crystal Palace in what 22. Reasons to be concerned: Three chance to play in a couple of friends and fans as Beef. Fame and ets in 19 balls to end with match en's cricket for ever. Not only had the climax to the campaign, so who is sure to be a fiercely fought M23 of their remaining fixtures are figures of 6-36 as Mithali Raj's side she captained England with events on the PGA Tour. After a notoriety followed, especially af- is currently looking in pole posi- derby (April 14th). Charlie Nicho- against in-form Arsenal (April 22), disappointing 2017, trying to split ter finishing top 10 at The Open slipped from 191-3 to 219 all out. aplomb throughout the tourna- tion to stay in the top flight, and las is worried for the Seagulls, who champions-elect Manchester City England captain Knight con- ment, but her 364 runs at an aver- his time between two tours, at Royal Troon and then claiming whose time is looking up? Reasons "are in trouble because they seem (April 29) and second-placed Unit- Johnston says he has learned his his PGA Tour card. tributed over 350 runs during the age of 45 - including a century to be optimistic: They're seven to be running out of legs". Rea- ed (May 10). (Sky Sport) tournament, including a maiden against Pakistan - were central to lessons. "Playing America, coming (BBC Sport) ODI century against Pakistan, their success. "No stroke in 2017 while all-rounder Sciver scored two was more memorable than Nat hundreds, a fifty in the final and Sciver's deliberate deflection be- earned headlines for playing a de- tween her legs, instantly christened liberate shot through her legs, the 'Natmeg'. But she was more named the 'Natmeg'. Windies bats- than a one-trick pony. She hit 369 man Shai Hope and Essex seamer runs in the tournament at an aver- Jamie Porter complete Wisden's age of 46 and a strike-rate of 107, top five. Hope became the first including hundreds against Paki- batsman to score two tons in the stan and New Zealand, took three same first-class game at Heading- for three against West Indies, and ley as his side recovered from a scored a half-century in the final With three Paralympics already on her CV, para-swimmer Ellen Keane crushing defeat to England in the against India. "The World Cup was knows what she's doing in the pool. Sky Sports News reporter and day-night first Test at Edgbaston slipping away from England when presenter Orla Chennaoui is unlikely to be passing on her butterfly or to win the second. Porter, mean- Anya Shrubsole embarked on a breaststroke tips. But dealing with nosy journalists, coping with pres- while, claimed 75 Specsavers trophy-winning spell of five for sures of competition or picking up digital skills for a career in media? County Championship wickets at 11. (BBC Sport) Orla is on hand as Ellen's Sky Sports Scholar mentor. As Orla reveals, the pair have already started learning from each other... When I found out I was mentoring Ellen, I was delighted. Partly because she is Irish and it's nice to have that connection, and partly because, with her level of achievement from such a young age, I felt certain she would be some- England cyclist Melissa one interesting and dynamic, and thought she'd be great to get to know and to work with. When I was first asked to be a mentor, I had no idea Lowther ruled out of what it would entail but I immediately said yes. I felt from the start it could be something incredibly interesting, and that myself and the ath- lete could hopefully learn something from each other. Plus, as a huge Commonwealth Games sports fan, I was obviously excited about being a small part of some- one's sporting journey. Throughout my own career over the years, I've picked up lots of best practices - from different coaches to sporting time trial after admin error federations. My experiences are broad and very varied, whereas if you're an elite athlete, your experience and knowledge is in-depth but very specific. I thought I could bring other things from other disciplines that might spark an idea with an athlete. Ellen and I first spoke on the phone when I was waiting for my daughter to finish her swimming lesson, and Ellen was stuck in traffic on her way to swim training. Kyle Edmund Frazer Clarke into Commonwealth beats Jiri Games super-heavyweight semi-finals Vesely in England’s Frazer Clarke has guar- anteed himself at least a bronze first round of medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Super-heavyweight Clar- Grand Prix England cyclist Melissa Lowther was ruled out of the Commonwealth ke won a unanimous decision Games road time trial on Tuesday hours before it began due to an against Australia's Toese Vou Siu- Hassan II administrative error. A Team England official failed to tick a box on her tu in the final eight on Tuesday, to entry form, meaning Lowther was not formally entered for the race. move into the semi-finals which Team England lost an appeal to have Lowther included. The 21-year- ensures a medal. The 26-year-old old was informed of the mistake the day before the race and is "gutted" will next face New Zealand's to have missed out. "While Team England has apologised, I'm still gut- Patrick Mailata - both amateurs ted not to have the opportunity to represent my country after all the were recently used by Anthony hard miles I've put in," said Lowther. "I can't put into words how Joshua as sparring partners for his disappointed I am to have been missed off the start list due to an admin world heavyweight title unification error." England's chef de mission Sarah Winckless apologised to Lowther fight against Joseph Parker. Clar- and the cycling coaches. "Melissa has trained hard for and focused on ke was among nine home nations Kyle Edmund was handed a place this race and it should never be the case that an error on our part boxers to reach the semi-finals and in the Grand Prix Hassan II sec- prevents an athlete showing what she can do," Winckless said. The guarantee at least bronze at the ond round after opponent Jiri Ve- Commonwealth Games Federation said there had been no chance of the Commonwealth Games. Twins Pat sely retired when trailing the first decision being overturned. "The rules are very strict," CGF chief exec- and Luke McCormack, Cheavon set 5-0. The British No 1 is getting utive David Grevemberg said. "England has a very big team. These Clarke, Galal Yafai and Peter his clay-court season underway in things happen." Lowther will still be eligible to compete in Saturday's McGrail all also won their bouts Marrakech and had little in the way road race. and progressed, representing En- of opposition as Vesely was (Sky Sport) gland, while Aidan Walsh. forced to withdraw. Edmund en- joyed a thrilling start this year, reaching the Australian Open semi- final in Melbourne, but a hip inju- ry has hampered the rest of his hard-court campaign. He has lost Might Bite tops field for Betway Bowl at Aintree his two matches since defeat to Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up trained gelding had earlier won the Williams' Tea For Two will try to while Paul Nicholls' Clan Des Marin Cilic in Australia with a sec- Might Bite heads a field of eight King George VI Chase at Kemp- repeat last year's success in this Obeaux and Sizing Codelco, from ond-round defeat at both Indian declared for the Betway Bowl ton. Tom George's Double Shuf- race. Colin Tizzard's stable, complete Wells and Miami but he is fully fit Chase at Aintree on Thursday. fle, who was only beaten a length Brian Ellison's Cotswold Chase the list of runners. and aiming for a strong year on his The highly-talented nine-year-old by Might Bite in the Boxing Day victor Definitly Red will attempt Balko Des Flos, Cloudy preferred surface. Edmund, who is seeded second in Morocco, raced lost out to Native River in a battle feature, reopposes. Also in the line- Dream and Shantou Flyer were the to bounce back to form after fin- out of the traps with an early break royal for the blue riband last month up is Bristol De Mai, runaway ishing sixth in the Gold Cup The three withdrawals at the 48-hour against his Czech opponent and but is sure to be a warm order for winner of the Betfair Chase for sole Irish-trained challenger is Hen- final declaration stage. never looked back, using his fear- the three-mile-one-furlong show- Nigel Twiston-Davies while Nick ry de Bromhead's Sub Lieutenant (BBC Sport) some forehand to break twice. piece. The Nicky Henderson- THURSDAY . APRIL 12. 2018-Hamal 23, 1397 H.S Vol:XI Issue No: 253 Price: Afs.20

AT News Report a press statement issued by Faryab half an hour clash with the Police public outreach. kidnapers and rescued Taj KABUL: A kidnapped teenager Taj Mohammad was Mohammad. was rescued from abductors kidnapped from near his house in The police also arrested a during operation in northern 3r district in the city of Maimana kidnaper in Afghan Kot in Faryab province, said officials. at around 10:30pm. But, shortly 5thdistrict of the city. The A 16-year-old teen was after police was informed, law kidnaper, Haseebullah,confessedin rescued and his kidnaper was enforcement cops immediately the primary investigations, said arrested in Faryab province, said reacted. Police engaged in a nearly the statement.

AT News Report

KABUL: Some 300 pilots are being trained in different countries, said the Afghan air force, envisaging an enhancement in the military aviation operations upon their return. An Afghan air official confided at a meeting in the US that the Afghan air force is training 300 pilots. In the seminar where several senior officials from defense and interior ministries attended on Monday, the Afghan Ambassador Dr. HamdullahMohib commended Afghan and coalition forces for their counterterrorism campaign. He said reforms at the Afghan defense ministry had helped bolster battlefield capabilities of the Afghan forcesin their fight against insurgency. In needed to increase the strength of Afghan forces had recaptured large Afghanistan, the US and some the Afghan embassy in Afghan security forces, calling the areas from the Taliban. He said other countries. The AAF would Washington,several US officials antiterrorism drive, a global Afghan Air Force was being be beefed up with the return of came together were present. The endeavor. Gen. ShoaibSalarzai, an strengthened and currently 300 trained pilots, the commander Afghan diplomat said it was AAF commander, told the meeting pilots were receiving training in concluded.

AT News Report to arrest nine suspects, who were handed over to judicial organs for KABUL: In a series of anti-terror further inquiry. Afghan National raids across the country in the past and Defense Security forces days, as many as 40militants have shelled and bombed the enemies’ PUL-I-ALAM: Unidentified A probe may be launched today been killed and35others wounded. positions and sanctuaries by gunmen have torched a girls’ school (Wednesday) into allegations that In a press release issued here, artilleries and air forces. During in the Mohammad Agha district of these operations in the past 24 New Zealand’s elite soldiers killed Ministry of Defense, (MoD) said central Logar province, an official civilians in Afghanistan, says a that Afghan NationalArmy (ANA) hours, 10 Taliban fighters were said on Wednesday. Salim Saleh, in collaboration with Afghan killed, 11 wounded, nine suspects media report. the governor’s spokesman, told Attorney General David NationalPolice (ANP) and arrested and three stronghold Pajhwok Afghan News the National Directorate of Security belonged to the enemy were attackers set aflame the school in Parker is expected to make a formal (NDS) personal has conducted destroyed in Balablok district of the Moghulkhel area of the district announcement about the New joint operations against insurgents Farah, 10 armed insurgents were late on Tuesday night. He said: Zealand Special Air Service (SAS) in different areasNangarhar, killed and 17 others wounded in “The gunmen entered the school raid at a press conference, the Kapisa, Ghazni, Logar, Khost, KhasUrzgan district of Urzgan, and set alight building. Fortunately, Otago Daily Times reported. Urzgan, Zabul, Farah, Badghis, eight Daesh fighters were killed and the building did not suffer much Codenamed as Operation Faryab, Kunduz and Helmand three others wounded in Darzab damage and students attended Burnham, the SAS raid was provinces. Statement said that in district of Jawzjan, four rebels classes this morning.” No one had detailed in a book by Nicky Hager these operations40 insurgents were killed and three others been arrested so far in connection and John Stephenson. Six Afghan including a Taliban local wounded in Kohistan district of with the arson attack, but security civilians were allegedly killed and commander were killed and Faryab province. Similar, three force had launched a search for the 15 others injured in the 2010 attack 35others wounded. During militant including a Taliban perpetrators, Saleh added. on two Afghan villages. operations Afghan forces succeeded commander named... P2 (Pajhwok) (Pajhwok)