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www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes WEDNESDAY. MAY 25. 2016 -Jawza 05, 1395 HS

By Akhtar M. Nikzad : A multi-million power Briefing the newsmen, Minis- project, Turkmenistan-Afghani- ter of Economy, Abdul Sattar stan (TA) which is part of the Murad, who is also a member of TUTAP electricity supply project, the commission, said the assigned would pass through Salang route, officials have concluded work on assigned officials to resolve TA 500kV electricity transmission line. controversies, hinted on Tuesday. He added that delegation from Bamyan province was also present during the commission meetings, : Experts on Afghan SHADOW GOVERNOR FOR and accepted to receive adequate affairs and Afghan Taliban sources power. The delegation agreed to suggest Yaqoob, son of late leave the previous route (Salang) Taliban commander Mullah Omar, HELMAND KILLED INAIR STRIKE is likely to lead the militant group unchanged. Mullah Manan, Taliban's shadow governor for southern Helmand province, was killed in an air operation on “The commission laid down following the reported death of Sunday night, police officials confirmed on Tuesday. The air strike took place in Marjeh district of the Afghan Taliban chief Mullah satisfactory demand in front of province in which Mullah Manan was first injured in the attack only to die on Monday, Provincial Police protesting delegation, where they in a US drone Chief Aqa Noor Kentoz said, adding that "Taliban's financer in Marjeh was also killed in the air strike." He strike — but the process will take accepted the decision of the com- time. said that a number of other insurgents were also injured. However, he did not provide more details about the mission,” he said, adding that Pres- Mansour was reportedly airstrike. But local officials said that the strike is part of Khanjar military operation which was launched six ident Ashraf Ghani would an- killed in a drone strike in days ago in the district to clear insurgents in which 30 Talibs were killed and 50 others were injured. Officials nounce final decision on TA route, near the Pak-Afghan said that eight security force members were also injured and the operation still continues to clear all insur- border. US has claimed the killing as soon as possible. gents. The operation comes after Taliban insurgents increased their activities in the district and frequently “The core demand of the dele- but Islamabad has not officially target security outposts. Tolonews confirmed that the man targeted in gation was to receive adequate elec- the air strike was the Taliban chief. tricity, and the government is ready "It would be very difficult for to meet this demand,” he added. the Taliban council to elect any 65 DRUG Killing of Mullah Mansoor The decision comes after TA leader unopposed, as several fac- electricity route had sparked criti- tions exist within the group," a TRAFFICKERS cisms among the Afghan masses. former ISI officer, Brigadier (retd) may lead to more fighting, Mehmood Shah, told DawnNews. ARRESTED Some people staged protests in Mehmood Shah claimed that favor of Salang route, where some selection of the new Taliban leader AT News Report suicide attacks: Noor wanted change in the route. will not be an easy task this time. Mullah Mansour was against the Mansour was declared Tali- The acting provincial governor of peace process initiated by the ban leader on July 31, 2015, af- KABUL: The Criminal Justice "Mansour was very close to Mul- northern Balkh province of Af- lah Omer and ran the movement Quadrilateral Coordination Group ter the militant group confirmed Task Forces (CJTF) on Tuesday secretly for two years in the ab- (QCG). the death of Mullah Omar, who said that 65 drug runners including ghanistan Ata Mohammad Noor India mulling to sence of Omer," he added. "He never refused to partici- led the movement for about two four women were arrested in dif- has said the killing of Taliban su- It was due to Mansour's expe- pate in the peace process as nego- decades. preme leader Mullah Akhtar Man- tiations in Europe, Russia ,China But splits immediately ferent operations in the past one deliver more rience and planning that even Unit- month. The Counter Narcotics soor may lead to more fighting and ed States could not find that Mul- and Murree took place under his emerged in the group, with some suicide attacks in coming weeks. lah Omer had died, said Shah. leadership," said Mohmand. top leaders refusing to pledge al- Police (CNP) detained drug traf- helicopters to fickers in different areas of Kabul, In an interview with , Currently, the four possible "Mullah Omar's son, Yaqoob legiance to Mansour, saying the Noor said “Fighting may well pick nominees before the Taliban cen- is reportedly acceptable to all Tal- process to select him was rushed Herat, Uruzgan, Badakhshan, iban factions, Mullah Rasool fac- and even biased. , Helmand, Faryab, up in some parts of the country tral council for the slot of Taliban after the killing of the Taliban lead- chief are that of Mansour's trust- tion has already hinted that they A breakaway faction of the Balkh, Nangarhar, and The government of India is mull- worthy aide , could rejoin the mainstream Af- Taliban led by Mullah Moham- Farah provinces, a statement is- er, with suicide and bomb attacks ing to deliver more helicopters to Mansour's adviser on political af- ghan Taliban group if Yaqoob is ed Rasool was formed at that sued by the CJTF here said. (used) as a means of downplaying Afghanistan in a bid to help boost fairs Mullah Hebatullah, Mullah chosen the new leader," said Ra- time, which was reportedly the the importance of losing their lead- the airpower of the Afghan Nation- himullah Yusufzai, analyst and ex- first formal division in the once- The statement added the de- Omer's brother Mullah Abdul tained traffickers were handed over er.” al Security and Defense Forces. Manan and Omar's son Mullah pert on Afghan affairs. unified group. Noor further added that the Sources within Taliban circles Since his takeover of the the counter-narcotics court. The Office of the President in Yaqoob. authorities had to brace for a surge a statement said the issue was dis- "Sirajuddin Haqqani will face also suggest that Yaqoob will be movement, Mansour battled oth- Around 70,041 kg of heroin, their new leader as majority of er Taliban commanders. He even- 743 kg morphine, 2278,906 kg in violence as rival candidates es- any impact on the insurgency ac- cussed during a meeting between resistance since he runs his own tablished their claims to the lead- group (Haqqani group), though he Taliban leaders will favour his as- tually enlisted the powerful opium and 250,066 kg hashish re- tivities of the group. President Mohammad Ashraf merged it with Taliban some fac- cend to the slot. semi-independent faction known covered and confiscated from the ership of the insurgency. The statement by Taliban fur- tions within Taliban still do not In the absence of a chief, Man- as the to cajole He also pointed to a spate of ther added that the campaign by sour's advisers Siraj uddin Haqani important commanders back into smugglers, the statement furthered. consider it their part," said Rus- This is worth mentioning that suicide bombings as well as the the Taliban militants is not for a tam Shah Mohmand, the former and Mullah Haibatullah are run- the fold and promised positions intense fighting that led to the tem- single person which would end or ambassador to Afghanistan. ning the Afghan Taliban movement. on the leadership council to en- 52 drug traffickers were arrested past month and their cases are in porary fall of the northern city of become weak by his death, warn- The former diplomat, howev- Mansour's selection and tice Omar's family to his side. Kunduz last year as Mansoor grouping within Taliban the court. ing that the death of their leader er, denied the impression that See P3 looked to consolidate his newly will spark more revolution. On the won position. other hand, reports emerged Mon- Explosion in In the meantime, Noor said day regarding the start of negotia- some of the Taliban militants may tions among the Taliban leadership Kandahar leaves surrender if the government works council to appoint a successor for well pointing towards a scope for Mullah Akhtar Mansoor. The re- 4 civilians dead, the government to exploit a likely ports further added that the leader fracturing in the insurgency. of Haqqani terrorist network Sira- 5 wounded This comes as the Taliban juddin Haqqani, Mullah Omar’s At least four civilians were killed The death of the Taliban's leader indicated that senior Afghan Tali- So far however, the Taliban has group issued a statement late on son and his brother are among the Ghani and Indian Prime Minister and five others were wounded in in a U.S drone strike has scram- ban members met on Monday to not issued a formal statement con- Monday stating that the death of possible successors of Mullah Narendra Modi. an explosion in southern Kanda- bled discussions between the U.S discuss a successor to Mansour. firming his death. the group’s leader will not have Mansoor. KP The statement further added har province of Afghanistan, local military and the White House over President Ghani thanked India’s officials said. whether to let American troops support and cooperation with Af- The incident took place around once again conduct offensive op- ghanistan, specifically in delivery 7 am local time in the vicinity of erations against the insurgent Mi-25 gunship helicopters and Shahwali Kot district targeting a group in Afghanistan, reports the urged the Indian leadership to fur- vehicle of the civilians. Wall Street Journal. ther assist the Afghan forces. Provincial governor’s spokes- According to the newspaper, In response, Prime Minister man Samim Khpolwak said a pas- the American military wants pres- Narendra Modi said the relevant senger mini van struck an Impro- idential permission to use airpow- security sector in the Indian gov- vised Explosive Device (IED) er against the insurgent group. ernment has been instructed to planted by the militants. The report stated that several seek ways for the delivery of more He said an investigation is un- U.S officials said the White House helicopters to Afghanistan. derway regarding the incident and first wants to see what effect the President Ghani also hailed the there are fears that the death toll death of Mullah Akhtar Mansour Indian government for supporting would rise. in will have on the Tali- Afghanistan in implementation of No group including the Tali- ban. key infrastructure projects, includ- ban militants has so far claimed U.S troops carried out a drone ing the Salma dam. responsibility behind the incident. strike in Baluchistan, Pakistan, on He also pointed towards the The Taliban insurgents and Saturday targeting a vehicle Man- construction of the Afghan Parlia- militants belonging to the other sour was believed to be traveling ment Building by India and said insurgent groups are frequently in. such projects will further boost using Improvised Explosive De- On Monday, U.S President bilateral ties between the two na- vice (IED) as the weapon of their confirmed Man- tions. choice to target the security forc- sour had been killed in the attack. Afghanistan received three of es. According to the WSJ report, the four Mi-25 gunship helicop- The IEDs are the main con- his death came amid indications of ters from India late in the month tributors to the casualties of the an impending Taliban offensive. of December last year and days Afghan security forces but are also U.S intelligence agencies re- before the Indian Prime Minister considered as a key factor in grow- portedly warned the White House Narendra Modi’s visit to Kabul. ing civilian casualties. At least 11 that the insurgent group could siege The decision for the delivery civilians belonging to a same fami- more Afghan territory, including of Mi-25 gunship helicopters was ly were killed in a similar attack in cities, during this summer's fight- concluded during the recent visit northern Baghlan province of Af- ing season. of Afghan National Security Ad- ghanistan last week. Tolonews In line with this, the newspa- viser Mohammad Hanif Atmar to per report indicates that U.S mili- New Delhi. tary officials want to use Ameri- India has remained one of the can planes to counter the Taliban US to grant 12 MD530 warplanes toAfghanAir Force key donors for the reconstruction this summer. But in doing so, the Afghanistan Air force commander ground and will defeat insurgents es operations were successfully get tive way. Pilot Aynuddin said,” of Afghanistan following the fall so-called rules of engagement Abdul wahab wardak has stated quickly. the job done.” We play significant role in all op- of the Taliban regime in 2001. would have to be revised. that US Government will hand Afghanistan Air forces com- He also said,” Afghanistan Air erations we attend, we easily de- Since 2002, the Government However, the WSJ reports over 12 MD530 warplanes for mander Abdul wahab wardak said,” Forces are equipped with Super stroy the enemies safe houses.” of India has committed USD 2 bil- that Obama is not inclined to re- Afghan air forces which are US Government will provide 12 Tucano, A22 and MD530 and 17 “We do need more advanced Air lion dollars to the socio-economic start combat operations against the equipped with modern missiles MD530 equipped with modern helicopters fully ready and easily forces equipments, having machine rebuilding of the Afghan state and Taliban. incoming three months. system of missile incoming three attend military operations. guns and missiles will resolve our society in accordance with the de- While global players reacted to He urged that the following months and the donated A22 plane Scores of the Afghan air forc- 50 % problems during the war Pi- velopment priorities of the Gov- the news of Mansour's death on warplanes will improve the moral fighters which were used as air es pilots have stated that we have lot AbdulMalik Koshan said.” ernment and the people of Afghan- Monday, foreign media reports of Afghan security forces on the supports for Afghan security forc- attended within war in an effec- Ariananews istan. KP WEDNESDAY. MAY 25, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Afghan entrepreneur of the

By Dr. Waris Mohammad Wazir month: Fereshteh About the Book and its Author The present work of Dr. Waris Right in the ‘dawn of revolu- er schooling in Khushal Khan Ly- He and other tribal intellectuals events, the Afghan justice cham- Forough Mohammad Wazir on whose re- tion’ when tribal elders, religious cee, formed with the aim of im- could not and cannot dare to ig- pions, supporters of freedom, de- quest I am writing an introduc- scholars and mashaikhs were sub- parting patriotic training and of nore the place and interests of Af- mocracy and progress, above all, tion to is the first academic re- jected to surveillance and purges awakening the frontier Pashtoons. ghanistan in international political the workers of knowledge and search about the impact of Tribal and were being unaccountably sent During this stage of learning, suit- wheeling and dealing and forget public welfare, are turning to real- Region (TR) on the socio-politi- en masse to prisons and execu- ability of educational environment, about their identity and future re- ity instead of myths, evidence and cal development of Afghanistan. tions, he got suspicious over the his personal alertness and tribal lationship. experience instead of speculations, It has been written in accordance correctness and victory of revolu- purity, he fell in love with the po- The current work of Dr. Wazir scientific research and assurances with the modern research meth- tion. His suspicion deepened when litical and social emancipation of which he has prepared and defend- instead of folk beliefs. They study odology and devoted to a centu- ‘friendly forces’ entered Afghani- Pashtoons from the first flicker of ed as his Ph.D. thesis has covered the source, foundation and factors ry long historic introduction of stan in the support of Babrak Kar- consciousness step of the age. With the genuine and original research of historical development and frontier tribes of Afghanistan. mal and by this reason the armed this sense he joined the People’s path. The book is based on facts, lighten lamps in the dark alley- The author has written it in view struggle of counter-revolutionaries Democratic Party of Afghanistan figures and documents and instead ways of minds of their people. of his patriotic disposition under earned the edict of ‘’ (PDPA), supporting of common usage of It has been argued in this work the influence of the ongoing civil and tribes were gravitated to their the”Pashtoonistan freedom move- phraseology paving way to exag- that right from the centralized pow- war. Like tens of thousands of support and questioned the legiti- ment”. In this regard, the general gerations and epic assertion it is er of Amir Abdul Rehman Khan to educated Afghan youth, he hoped macy of the revolutionary state. repeated question regarding the standing on truth and reality and the Khalqi regime of Hafizullah that the 1978 Revolution would Afterward, as a member of the rul- argument behind the predilection does not impose any compromise, Amin, no ruling power of Afghan- shorten the protracted course of ing party he got a chance to work and sympathy of tribal educated subjectivism or personal idiosyn- istan has correctly understood the progress and development in Af- in political representative of Af- pepole and common intellectuals crasy. tribal belt of Afghanistan as per- ghanistan and cover the centuries ghanistan in the Soviet Union to to the pro-Soviet PDPA also finds When I studied the manuscript manent abode of political storms long distance in years and years observe the deeds of the “revolu- its answer. of the work for the first time, de- and military endeavors and has long in months and fulfill the as- tionary” ruling in the development 3. During his schooling in spite some small shortcomings, I grasped the requisite knowledge of pirations of Afghans for justice, of events in the civil war of Af- Khushal Khan Lycee, he got a saluted to the patience, dexterous fibers of its tremors-provoking at- unity, integrity, freedom and pros- ghanistan to the end, and availing chance to attend political gather- pursuance of the subject and un- mosphere, social institutions, na- perity; the people would get well the opportunities to launch aca- ings and meetings of Pashtoon lead- locking of core issues in the analy- tional traditions, tribal codes and off, the wars would be replaced demic research for understanding ers, Bacha Khan, Abdul Samad sis of closed tribal society on the rules. by constructive work, love and the historical and social factors and Khan Achakzai and others; partic- part of author. I could not close In the beginning of his study support would replace the na- thereby explore the answers to his ipated in Pashtoonistan celebra- my mouth and eyes to the com- under the influence of common tional hatred and fissure. But suspicions and political anxieties tions and commemorations and get mendable and road opening labor dramatic changes which toppled these hopes dashed to the ground. about the misdirection of revolu- acquaintance with the outlook and of the writer. I saw that the new the Pahlavi Dynasty in Iran, sent Right with the advent of April tionary upheaval of Afghanistan. thoughts of renowned leaders of educated generation from the Pa- Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to gallows of uprising in 1978 and changes of The selection and research of Pashtoonistan and Afghanistan and shtoon tribes has come out in pur- General Zia-ul-Haq and deposed political situation in and around the topic on the role of tribes of thus become the owner of inde- suit of academic research and ex- the monarchy and republican re- Afghanistan the big powers, (So- Afghanistan in 19th and 20th cen- pendent thinking about Pashtoon- ploration of ambiguities be- placement regime in Afghanistan, viet Union, United States of turies for PhD thesis and its de- istan and Afghanistan. queathed by the forefathers, who the author presumed that seeming- America, People’s Republic of fense in the Moscow State Insti- 4. After the Second World have defended their prideful land ly all these explosions which have China) and neighboring countries tute of International Relations it- War, during granting of Indian in- and epical culture for centuries happened in sequence with one got directly or indirectly involved self constitutes the study and crit- dependence the British incorporat- amid the bloody winds of history another in time and place, would in the happenings of Afghanistan. icism of the historical roots of the ed the occupied Pashtoons areas from the attacks of various types be links of one chain and synthe- The world diverted its attention said suspicions and anxieties. In without their consent and Afghans of murderers, looters and world sis of single process. This theoret- and history at the very dawn of my view, the author despite his in the newly-born Pakistan and eaters, and have conveyed to our ical guess encouraged the author the rebirth of Afghanistan curved intellectual patriotic fervor encour- then against their vital interests time the shining lamp of Afghan to study the latest changes of situ- the masts. War instead of peace, aging him to write this book is also made Pakistan to join the military culture and treasure amid death- ation at regional level in order to hunger instead of affluence, des- under the influence of other envi- pacts of CENTO and SEATO as a bearing storms. explore the factors behind the civil potism instead of justice and dis- ronmental and learning factors as means of bearing political and eco- I saw that the condemned war in Afghanistan and the basic unity instead of unity became the follow: nomic pressure on Afghanistan. tribesmen, to whom the hard envi- question of Afghan revolution re- order of the daily life. 1. Dr. Wazir is a son of The anti-Pashtoon pro-Pakistan ronment of mountains and tough lated to the state power. Conse- This unwanted process of Asil Khan , an outstanding officer policy of Britain and US became life had given sword, gun and the quently the author is trying to an- historic vicissitudes adversely af- of ‘independence struggle. Asil another buttress, which impelled reins of fighting horse instead of swer the following question: fected the psychology and polit- Khan Ahmadzai belonged to Ah- educated youth of the Pashtoon paper and book, now witness their “What is the secret of sticking to ical position of the change-loving madzai branch of Wazirs of tribes and common intellectuals awakened youth opening their the reign of political power in Af- Fereshteh Forough is the Founder organizations from 16 countries to revolutionary intellectuals and , who has spent his to the left radical politics against wings with opened eyes, enlight- ghanistan?” But during the first and Chief Executive Officer of receive the Google RISE award in gave birth to multiple reactions youth in the struggle against the the American-led pacts. ened minds and in their scholarly preliminary step of his historical Code to Inspire. Fereshteh is from 2016. among them. Some were drowned British colonialism. According to 5. The anti-imperialist na- work and lightened lamps and and social study of frontier tribes Herat, Afghanistan. She received Code to Inspire is a non-prof- into the whirlpool of surprise and my father, tional liberation and emancipation plays their part in the destiny of of Afghanistan, he came to know her bachelor’s degree in computer it that is committed to educating are still swirling around there in Khalifa Abdul Ghani *, Asil movements in the colonies of Asia, Afghan peoples. that development of events in Af- science from Herat University and female students in Afghanistan and an unending circle; some got dis- Khan, over and above his other Africa and Latin America of the I saw that the dumb tribes have ghanistan during 1880-1980 is the a Master’s degree from Technical improving their technical literacy trustful of propounded principles daring exploits, alone had captured second half of 20th century was got the power to speak. They by-product of such specific con- University of Berlin in Germany. by teaching them how to code so of revolution, turned around their alive two British officers during another factor for the Afghan and want to narrate the tale of their ditions of Afghan society which is She taught as a professor in they can find future employment back on struggle and calmed independence war of Afghanistan. Pashtoonistani youth to espouse hard history to the world. They not analogous to the development the Computer Science Faculty of as freelancer and become entrepre- down; some changed position and Asil Khan in his last years was the left-oriented opposition poli- want to say: We, too, are a wave of conditions of the neighboring Herat University for three years. neurs driving innovation. traversed to one and another pro- used to keep his youngest son tics. of Human Ocean. We have got tired countries. Fereshteh was a 2013 TED Talks The program is free of charge cess and some rolled up their Waris Mohmmad Wazir most dear, Under the impact of above our hands and feet in beautifying, The author has studied the role speaker on digital literacy and com- to students . Besides providing sleeves and embarked on apprais- and for his training and upbringing mentioned internal and interna- managing and preservation of land and part of tribes in the develop- munication without borders. technical and professional devel- al. The number of the latter is used to recount to him the stories tional conditions, the decisive ma- and they want be assured that: we ment of socio- political events of Her goal with Code To Inspire opment, CTI teaches students how very small and they are not of his anti-British fights and remi- jority of the tribal educated youth were, are and shall be like all oth- Afghanistan for the exploration of is to spread the message of peace to become strong, confident lead- drowned into water, not burnt in nisces. Actually, it was first school adopted leftist ideas and support- ers. Nobody should conceive to put reasons and orientation of the lat- and empower women everywhere. ers and advocates for change. fire and don’t lose their way in of patriotism and Pashtoonwali for ed the deep radical transformation. out our oil lamp and lit his own est events in Afghanistan. He She is an advocate of using Bitcoin Forough is also a founding darkness. They are fortunate be- Waris Mohammad. Dr. Wazir is also the child of lights instead and would thus writes in the introduction of his and the first to formally promote member of Women’s Annex Foun- ings of God and saintly individu- 2. Using the tribal quota, this anti-colonial national and in- quench his pride on account of the book, “ the present work has the its use in Afghanistan. dation. Her passion is to empow- als. I think Dr. Waris Mohammad Dr. Wazir was brought to Kabul in ternational movement, who has emeralds of our sweat and blood. duty to open the way for the deep Afghanistan’s first female- er young women from Afghanistan Wazir belongs to this category of his childhood for learning. He fin- taken the seeds of his preliminary This is heartening to note that and multidimensional study of all only code school in Herat, Code by improving their technical liter- men. ished his primary, middle and high- consciousness from this process. in the dramatic change of the To be continued to Inspire, became one of the 28 acy.Wadsam Safavid bowl returned to National Museum of Interview: Sudarsan Raghavan on Afghanistan Afghanistan's 'Pivotal Transformations' Christie’s and the British Muse- of the Afghan museum. For a year beginning in late 2014, trustworthy tribal elders, as well the country? Is Afghanistan at all um in London have joined forces Plumbly contacted St John Sudarsan Raghavan wrote a series as Afghan military commanders a better place now than 2001? to return a looted, early 17th-cen- Simpson, the assistant keeper of of dispatches from Afghanistan for and officials, to help get into cer- It’s a mixed picture, leaning tury tinned-copper bowl to the the Middle East department at the the Washington Post that, through tain areas. It also required at times more to the negative than positive. National Museum of Afghanistan British Museum. “The museum their examination of daily life in passing through or near Taliban Speak to the average Afghan, and in Kabul. confirmed the provenance and ne- the country, transcended conven- and ISIS areas. In Helmand Prov- he or she will tell you that they According to a Christie’s state- gotiations were entered into with tional stories of war, poverty, and ince, for example, the Taliban were have seen little impact on their ment, the object, which dates from the current owners and with the instability. In one particularly literally walking distance away lives from America’s billions in re- the Safavid period, was lost dur- National Museum of Afghanistan memorable article, Raghavan pro- from many frontline positions I construction and aid. Instead, the ing the civil war of the 1990s in to return the bowl to Kabul,” a filed Sara Bahayi, Afghanistan's visited. Whenever I traveled, I common refrain is that much of the Afghanistan. In 1994, it was museum statement says. The bowl only female taxi driver; in another, wore an Afghan salwar kameez to money has been wasted or stolen bought in good faith from an Af- was handed over to Ahmad Zia he explained how years of occu- help blend into the landscape. by corrupt officials and contrac- ghan antique dealer in Jeddah, Saudi Siamak, chargé d’affaires at the pation has left a large American The reporting, I believe, was tors. And there’s much truth to Arabia, by a German couple, Afghanistan Embassy in London, cultural footprint in cities like Kab- worth the risk. It was essential to this. Just look at the scores of re- Patrick and Paola von Aulock, who on 10 May. ul. uncovering the truth unfolding on ports from the Special Inspector later decided to sell the bowl. Fahim Rahimi, the director of In recognition of his exempla- the ground, to portraying the dai- General for Afghanistan Recon- Sara Plumbly, the head of the National Museum of Afghani- ry reporting from Afghanistan, Asia ly struggles of ordinary Afghans struction, the U.S. government’s Christie’s Islamic art department, stan, is hopeful that the restitu- Society last month awarded Ragha- and giving them a voice. watchdog agency, which details the says in a statement: “When we tion will lead to the recovery of van with its 2016 Osborn Elliott What surprised you the most immense extent to which U.S. tax- were doing the research for the piec- more artefacts removed from mu- Prize, an honor recognizing excel- from your time in the country? payer dollars have been misspent es in the sale, I found it published seums and archaeological sites in lent reporting on Asia. On Thurs- What’s something that a typical in Afghanistan. in one of the books particularly Afghanistan. day, Raghavan — now the Post's newspaper reader in the United Many Afghans still remember related to this type of material, “I ask those collectors who Cairo bureau chief — will appear States may not realize about Af- with fondness the days of the So- Islamic Metalwork from the Irani- keep artefacts from Afghanistan to in conversation with Marcus ghanistan? viet occupation of the 1980s. an World, eighth-18th Centuries, help us return them, and encour- Brauchli, the Jury Chair for the Oz Good question. I was sur- That’s because the Soviets built by the scholar Assadullah Souren age the auction houses to always Elliott Prize and a veteran journal- prised by the extent to which ur- apartment complexes, factories, What do you think most ac- Afghan war orphans — when I was Melikian-Chirvani.” The book was check their collections for looted ist, and John Hockenberry, host ban Afghans were influenced by universities, and other buildings counts for the resilience of the Tal- working for a French NGO in Pe- published in 1982, and described objects from Afghanistan,” he of The Takeaway for PRI and American culture. It’s quite nor- that still stand today and are used iban? shawar. That was in 1992, and the bowl as being in the collection says. theartnewspaper WYNC, at Asia Society in New mal to hear anti-American senti- by countless Afghans. The Amer- I think Pakistan has provided since then I’ve been making repeat- York. ments, and the collective sense ican intervention, many Afghans the Afghan Taliban with the sanc- ed trips back to the country, cov- Asia Blog recently caught up among Afghans is that they’ve not believe, will not leave anything of tuary and support that allows ering all its pivotal transforma- with Raghavan to talk about the benefited from the tens of billions much permanence, at least visibly. them to be resilient. It’s no sur- tions. So I want to believe that one challenge of reporting in Afghani- spent by the United States to im- However, there has been at least prise that Taliban leader Mullah day Afghanistan will become stan, the resilience of the Taliban prove their lives. Still, I’ve met one positive impact of American Mansour was allegedly killed by a peaceful again. I want to feel opti- and why, despite the country's Afghan teens into skateboarding, aid: a vibrant, free Afghan media. U.S. drone strike inside the Bal- mism. But every time I return, I struggles, he remains optimistic Afghan rappers who love Eminem. In 2001, when the Taliban regime uchistan region of Pakistan. Sec- see new players — and old ones about its future. The conversation There’s a George Bush Market was toppled, there was no inde- ondly, the Afghan security forces, — seeking power and wealth, driv- has been lightly edited for clarity. (named after “W”) where you can pendent media. Today, there are riddled with corruption and low en by tribal and regional loyalties Your dispatches from Afghan- buy wrap-around Oakley sun- hundreds of print, TV, and radio morale, has struggled to fight the with little care for the nation. And istan go beyond military battles glasses. There are even regular Tex- outlets across the country. The Taliban. That has allowed the Tal- by now, 24 years since I first wrote and political intrigue and get into as hold-em poker games run by vast majority were initially fund- iban to launch successful offensives that story, I have met several gen- daily life in the country. What was Afghans in Kabul! ed by U.S. aid, and continue to be and seize areas. Today, the insur- erations of ordinary Afghans shat- the most challenging aspect of re- I was also surprised by how supported today. gents are showing a battle disci- tered by war, corruption, and poor porting in Afghanistan? organized and vocal Afghans have American aid officials consid- pline and initiative far superior leadership. The most challenging aspect is become, especially the long-op- er the independent press to be than the U.S.-trained and equipped At the same time, I’ve met in- getting to the epicenter of the sto- pressed Hazara ethnic minority. among, if the not the most, signif- Afghan forces. The militants are credible Afghans who are struggling ry. With the Taliban controlling or It’s not uncommon these days to icant legacy that the United States also well-funded, deriving revenues to improve their lives against all present in more areas now than at see massive protests in the streets will leave behind. But even this from opium cultivation and smug- odds, like the country’s only fe- any time since 2001, it’s become against government policies and achievement is under threat. Both gling, as well as marble and gem- male taxi driver in Mazar-e-Sharif. increasingly dangerous and risky alleged abuses. But I remember vis- the Taliban and the government are stone mining and exacting taxes in I’ve met young Afghans educated to travel outside Kabul. And with iting Afghanistan when the Tali- increasingly targeting Afghani- areas they control. The Afghan in the U.S. and Europe who are most U.S. troops departed, the ban emerged in the mid-1990s, and stan’s journalists. Many have fled central government’s constant in- now back in their homeland trying availability of military embeds — again after the 9/11 attacks and the the country or have decided to cen- fighting also helps the Taliban sur- to make a difference. I’ve met which most Western journalists 2004 elections, and they were quite sor themselves. And as the U.S. vive. countless others with big dreams. once relied on for reaching remote subdued compared to these days. departs, the money to fund jour- Is there an optimistic case for As long as such Afghans continue areas — has drastically shrunk. Has the 15-year presence of nalism is shrinking. Most of these Afghanistan? to believe in themselves and work Trips outside Kabul required the U.S. Military — as well as bil- media outlets are unlikely to sur- Afghanistan has long been an towards improving their country, careful, often extensive, planning lions of dollars in reconstruction vive, unless they find other sourc- important part of my adult life. I there will always be hope for Af- and research. It meant cultivating and aid — had a positive effect on es of funding. wrote my first-ever story — on ghanistan. asiasociety WEDNESDAY. MAY 25, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

Mohammad Yaqoob, and brother, Mullah Abdul Manan, who recent- ly secured senior positions within the Taliban ranks could also be in the reckoning. The peace talks The faith of the peace talks will depend on who will replaces Mullah Mansoor and how the Tal- iban will manage to come under one command. For now, the talks, which opened with a meeting on July 7, 2015 appeared to be off while the Taliban discussed their future. The Afghan government should get ready for fierce battle The Afghan government confirmed Taliban. only among the Taliban splinter military operations of Taliban since kistan continues to support the in coming months if Haqqani takes that Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Leadership struggle groups but also with the Pakistani last year and maintains close con- Haqqani network. Helping the net- over Mullah Mansoor’s position. Akhtar Mansour has been killed Without an iota of doubt, military establishment, who strug- tacts with many senior Taliban work has not only ensured its sur- Haqqani, who has a $5 million US in a US air strike in a remote bor- Mansoor was gradually tightening gle to unify Taliban under one roof. commanders. Haqqani was also vival but has also enhanced its abil- bounty on his head, has appeared der area between Afghanistan and his control on the Taliban move- The fierce competition for the very instrumental in reconciling ity to launch attacks inside Af- as the most dangerous warlord Pakistan. ment by attracting other leading leadership of Taliban will be among differences amongst Taliban com- ghanistan among the Taliban insurgent Mansour assumed the leader- Taliban members, including a son Sarajuddin Haqqani, a close ally of manders and bringing the spiritual On the other hand, Mullah groups. The hopes of peace talks EMERGENCY ship of the militant organization and a brother the deceased spiritu- Mullah Mansoor and a key com- leader’s family to the Taliban fold. Rasool’s chances of succeeding may collapse and bloodshed may in July 2015 soon after the whistle- al leader and by carrying massive mander of the Haqqani network, Haqqani has been trying to recon- Mullah Mansoor is minimal to increase if Haqqani becomes the CALLS blowers revealed that the Taliban’s attacks on Afghan security forces. and Mullah Abdullah Rasool, the cile splinter groups of Taliban who none since his Taliban faction has successor of Mullah Mansoor. spiritual leader, Mullah Omar, had The vacuum created by the rival of Mullah Mansoor, who refused to accept Mansour’s lead- suffered some shocking battlefield Ahmad Hasib Farhan is a grad- Police actually died two years ago. death of Mansoor will once again openly opposed Mullah Man- ership since last year and actively defeats in southern Afghanistan at uate of Kabul University and holds Mansoor was born in 1965 in trigger a leadership struggle. The soor’s selection. worked in integrating his militant the hands of Mullah Mansoor. a Master’s degree in Public Policy the southern province of Kanda- selection of a new Taliban leader Sarajuddin Haqqani, who be- group, known as the Haqqani Net- Many of his key supporters died and Economics from Japan. Far- 100 - 119 har and served as civil aviation will be disputed, with rival groups came one of two deputy Taliban work. In addition, Pakistan will alongside many of his men in a han is an Afghan analyst and com- minister during the Taliban’s re- in the Taliban ranks lobbying for commanders last year, has the high- most likely support Haqqani as he battle with the Taliban’s main mentator on political and socio- gime in Afghanistan. their own leader and Pakistan est chance of becoming the new remains the most reliable partner group. Mullah Rasool is no longer economic affairs in Afghanistan. Hospitals The death of Mullah Mansoor struggling to appoint their own leader of Taliban because he has of the Pakistani military establish- a strong man among the Taliban. Farhan can be reached at is certainly a major blow to the man. The leadership struggle is not been in charge of the day-to-day ment. Evidence suggests that Pa- Mullah Omar’s son, Mullah [email protected]. FMIC Hospital Behind Kabul Medical Who will lead University: 0202500200-+93793275595 Afghan Taliban Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital after Mullah Pule Bagh-e- Umomi Mansour? 070263672 From P1 Khairkhana Hospital So divisive was Mansour's rise to the leadership of the Taliban that 0799-321007 at the meeting announcing his as- cendancy, several of the move- 2401352 ment's top commanders stormed out, according to one Taliban offi- cial familiar with the proceedings, Indira Gandhi Children but who didn't want to be identi- fied because of orders not to speak Hospital, Wazir Akbar independently to the media. Tayyab Aga, a close ally of Khan, Kabul 2301372 Omar and a former peace negotia- tor on behalf of the Taliban, re- fused to swear allegiance to Man- Ibn-e- Seena sour. In a statement following the announcement that Omar had died Pul-e-Artan, Kabul two years earlier, Aga accused 2100359 Mansour of hiding the founder's death in order to secure his power at the helm. Wazir Akbar Khan Meanwhile Mansour set about trying to buttress his position, Hospital appointing as his vice-president, Sirajuddin Haqqani, the head of the 2301741, 2301743 Haqqani network, which is con- sidered by both Afghanistan and the United States as the strength Ali Abad behind the Taliban. Bringing in the Haqqanis add- Shahrara, Kabul ed both manpower and military 2100439 sophistication to the Taliban op- erations. Mansour also gave Mul- lah Omar's son and brother posi- tions on the leadership council. Malalai Maternity It took several months and Hospital bloody battles inside Afghanistan between warring Taliban factions 2201377/ 2301743 before a semblance of unity was brought to the movement. Under the guiding hand of Banks Haqqani, several key commanders agreed to support Mansour, but Da Afghanistan Bank some also made their support con- ditional - demanding Mansour re- 2100302, 2100303 veal the circumstances around Mullah Omar's death. Bakhtar Bank 0776777000 Azizi Bank 0799 700900 Pashtany Bank 2102908, 2103868 Air Services Safi Airways 020 22 22 222 Ariana Zakir was just 14 when he fled asylum in the UK – 656 out of to the worsening security situation their ability to form new friend- sonal connections and status as that could result in fewer young 020-2100270 pressure from Taliban fighters to 3,043 asylum applications from was successfully overturned by ships or reconnect with family. returnees worked against them. Afghans having their asylum ap- join their ranks and embarked on unaccompanied children made in the Home Office last month. “Other people in society fear Feelings of isolation, stigmati- plications refused or spending long the long and dangerous journey 2015 were Afghan. The majority The ‘After Return’ study they’ll put them at risk,” she said. sation and hopelessness about periods in limbo before ultimately Kam Air from Afghanistan to Britain. are given only temporary leave to found that 12 of the returnees in- Many young people in the their futures meant that 22 of the being returned. 0799974422 In the UK, he found not only remain and are placed with foster terviewed had experienced securi- study hid their status as returnees 25 returnees were struggling emo- Zakir has been offered a place safety but also the opportunity to families or in the care of local au- ty incidents including bomb blasts from new friends while less than tionally and 15 had mental health at university and even a bursary, Hotels pursue the education he could nev- thorities. Reaching 18 means not and targeted attacks. One was beat- half were living with their fami- issues including severe anxiety and but he can’t accept either until his er have in Afghanistan. But his le- only leaving the care system but en unconscious by unknown as- lies. In some cases families were depression. immigration status is resolved. In Safi Landmark gal status was temporary and also losing the right to remain in sailants in Kabul and another wit- still paying off debts incurred from “I have seen my worst days the meantime, he has to sign in shortly before turning 18, he re- the UK. Applications to extend nessed the killing of another young funding their migration to the UK after the return to Afghanistan,” with the Home Office every two 020-2203131 ceived a letter from the Home Of- status or appeal the original deci- returnee. and couldn’t afford to support said one. Another talked about be- weeks and lives in constant fear of fice saying his status would soon sion on their asylum applications “Being a returnee does increase them. Some even resented their ing constantly mocked by people: being detained and deported. SERENA expire and he faced the prospect are rarely successful. their risk,” said Bowerman. “It return. “They say I have wasted my life “I have made friends and a fu- of being returned to Afghanistan. “Most adult Afghans get some makes them stand out and subjects Only a fifth of the returnees and now have returned with emp- ture for myself here in London, but 0799654000 Now aged 23 and still waiting kind of protection status on ap- them to particular targeting by had found stable employment in ty hands. It feels so depressing I am facing having all of that taken for a decision on his final appeal peal, but it’s much more common Taliban groups.” Afghanistan, where jobs are al- from inside.” RSN is hopeful the away from me.” to remain in the UK, Zakir’s life for young people to be refused She added that it also affected ready scarce and their lack of per- findings will be used as evidence Irinnews New Rumi Restaurant has been on hold for the past five because of inconsistencies in their 0776351347 years, but he remains determined stories,” explained Emily Bower- to avoid deportation to his home man, a programme manager with Internet Services country. the Refugees Support Network “There is no way I can go (RSN), which provides educational UA Telecom home,” he said in a pre-recorded and legal support to young unac- 0796701701 / 0796702702 speech played at an event in Lon- companied refugee children in Lon- don on Tuesday night to launch a don and produced ‘After Return’, study into what happens to former the report released on Tuesday. Exchange Rate child asylum seekers forcibly re- “Imagine a 15- or 16-year-old turned to Afghanistan. “People are who’s probably spent a year trav- Purchase: still looking for me [there],” Zakir elling. When they have their initial said. “My culture has changed. I interview after they arrive in the One US$ = feel British.” UK… often they struggle to artic- The research, which followed ulate their claim for asylum,” Bow- 68.62Afs 25 returnees over 18 months, erman told IRIN. One Pound Sterling= shows that Zakir’s fears are well According to Home Office 97.86Afs founded. It discovered that the data, 2,018 young people have young people experience numer- been forcibly returned to Afghani- One Euro = ous severe difficulties after their stan from the UK since 2007. A 77.06Afs return to Afghanistan. These range lack of post-return monitoring 1000 Pak Rs = from insecurity to a lack of social means very little is known about networks, work or education op- their whereabouts or wellbeing, but 642Afs portunities, and mental health there is mounting evidence that Sale: problems. More than half the re- security conditions in Afghanistan One US$ = turnees said they planned to leave have deteriorated over the past Afghanistan again. By the end of year, since the withdrawal of in- 68.82 Afs the research period, six had done ternational forces. Last year saw One Pound Sterling= so, while the whereabouts of 11 the highest number of civilian ca- 98.66Afs others was unknown. sualties since 2009. One Euro= Young Afghans make up the An August 2015 court injunc- second largest group of unaccom- tion that had halted deportations 77.66 Afs panied children who apply for to Afghanistan from the UK due 1000 Pak Rs= 650Afs WEDNESDAY. MAY 25, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Jaish-e-Mohammad 'leader' killed in Indian Kashmir SRINAGAR: A suspected leader of the Pakistani militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad and another suspected militant have been killed in a shootout with security forces in Indian Kashmir, police said Pakistan summoned the US am- Tuesday. bassador on Monday to express The clash happened in the re- concern over the drone strike in- Pakistan gional capital Srinagar late Mon- side its territory, which reported- day, hours after rebels shot dead ly killed Afghan Taliban chief sends three policemen in separate attacks Mullah Akhtar Mansoor. in the city. Mansoor is believed to have Deadly attacks on security been killed in a rare US drone strike medical aid forces are relatively common in the in Kuchaki area of Naushki dis- disputed Indian-controlled Hima- trict, over 200 kilometres from for Sri Lanka layan region, but Srinagar has been , Balochistan. largely free from such incidents in Ambassador David Hale was flood victims recent years. called in by the Special Assistant “Two militants, including a to the Prime Minister on Foreign In line with the directive of Prime JeM (Jaish-e-Mohammad) com- Affairs Tariq Fatemi wherein the Minister , rescue and mander, were killed after a brief latter pointed out that the drone relief operations are being sent to encounter,” Srinagar police chief Sri Lanka following the devastat- strike was a violation of Pakistan’s Amit Kuma told reporters. ing flood and rainfall in Colombo, sovereignty, according to a Foreign Another senior officer, Ghu- which claim nearly 100 lives. A C- Office statement. lam Hassan Bhat, told AFP that 130 Aircraft carrying emergency police had launched an operation The attack is also a breach of relief items has left for Colombo the United Nation’s Charter that against the men after receiving in- on Monday. telligence they were hiding out in guarantees the inviolability of the The Pakistan High Commis- territorial integrity of its member the city. sion in Colombo said the field hos- states, he added. Bhat identified one of the dead pital has operation theatres and X- Fatemi emphasised such ac- as Saifullah, a Pakistani national tions could adversely impact the Ray laboratories, in addition to and senior leader of JeM, one of ongoing efforts by the Quadrilat- 500 tarpaulins, 100 tents, 500 the groups India blames for a 2001 eral Coordination Group (QCG) mats, 20,000 aqua tabs and 40 elec- attack on its parliament. tricity generators. for facilitating peace talks between The operation was apparent- Also, 17 Pakistani doctors the Afghan government and Tali- ly not related to the two attacks would be arriving in Sri Lanka for ban. earlier in the day by gunmen on providing health care assistance. The Special Assistant to PM motorbikes in which three police underlined that Pakistan and the The relief goods are being dis- officers were killed in the heavily United States had been closely patched by the National Disaster militarised city. coordinating in the fight against Management Authority (NDMA) Kashmir has been divided be- terrorism, and that this coopera- in coordination with the Ministry tween India and Pakistan since the of Foreign Affairs under the trans- tion needed to be maintained. end of British colonial rule in 1947. portation arrangements of the Both claim the territory in its en- While the Washington said Ministry of Defence. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was tirety. “The government and the peo- notified of the strike, Islamabad Tens of thousands need aid after deadly An insurgency to end Indian denounced the attack and termed ple of Pakistan stand with the rule in the mainly Muslim region brotherly people of Sri Lanka in it as a violation of its air space, broke out in 1989 and has killed saying only negotiations could cyclone pounds Bangladesh, Sri Lanka this hour of need and will continue tens of thousands of people, many bring a lasting peace to Afghani- to assist in the rehabilitation of of them civilians. those affected by this natural ca- stan. "Prevention measures to com- Half a million people have had ed by the cyclone, particularly India blames Pakistan for back- NEW DELHI: Tens of thousands lamity,” the Foreign Office said in The US has carried out hun- of people in Bangladesh and Sri bat such diseases are essential," it their lives disrupted in Bang- those forced to leave their homes, ing the militants in Kashmir, a ladesh's low-lying coastal areas a statement. charge Islamabad denies. dreds of drone strikes in Pakistan, Lanka need aid including clean added. will most likely be seeking food, Colombo faced the heaviest mainly in the country’s border trib- Roanu is the first cyclone of such as Barisal and Chittagong, and shelter, basic sanitation and access drinking water, dry food rations rains in 25 years, triggering land- al regions with Afghanistan, with the season, which generally lasts over 255,000 people are affected to clean water." and medicines after a deadly cy- slides that have buried victims in leaked documents showing Islam- from April to December, with se- in Sri Lankan districts including Sri Lanka has reported 94 clone hammered the South Asia tonnes of mud. More than 400,000 abad had quietly consented, de- vere storms often causing mass Kegalle, Gamapaha and the capi- deaths and 107 people missing. region, aid agencies said on Tues- people have suffered losses due the spite publicly protesting. evacuations from coastal low-ly- tal Colombo in the west. Bangladesh said at least 24 people day. devastating floods and rainfall in On May 18, senior officials ing villages and widespread crop "We have pre-positioned had died and India reported two With wind speeds reaching 90 Sri Lanka. from Pakistan, Afghanistan, the and property damage. household materials and hygiene deaths. kph (56 mph) and heavy rains, Pakistan has expressed soli- United States and China had agreed Aid agencies in Bangladesh and kits that we can dispatch to af- U.N. emergency officials said cyclone Roanu struck Bangladesh darity with all those who have suf- to give peace a chance, saying talks Sri Lanka said they had begun dis- fected areas and distribute to com- Roanu also brought heavy rains and on Saturday, after buffeting India fered losses due to the heavy rains. remain the only option for bring- tributing relief in the worst affect- munities in urgent need," said flooding to coastal eastern and and Sri Lanka in the Bay of Bengal Both countries have been assist- ing an end to the lingering conflict ed districts and foreign aid had Senait Gebregziabher, country di- southern India and western parts - killing at least 120 people and ing each other in challenging times, in Afghanistan. started arriving in Sri Lanka from rector for Plan International. of Myanmar, but the impact was affecting hundreds of thousands especially in disaster situations. countries including India, Pakistan "These materials will be essen- less severe. more in the region. In the recent years, Pakistan S. Korea to sign Aid workers said Roanu's tor- and Singapore. tial as children and families affect- REUTERS extended its support for the tsu- rential rains triggered flooding, nami victims of Koslanda in Sri deal with Sri landslides and tidal surges mostly Lanka. Similarly, the Sri Lankan Lanka on new in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - rip- government supported victims of ping apart thousands of rickety the deadly earthquake of October town development homes, burying entire villages and 2005 which claimed over 73,000 inundating swathes of farmland. lives in the northern region and South Korea's government said "Tens of thousands of poor Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Tuesday that it plans to sign an families will have lost most of their initial deal with Sri Lanka on the assets - not just their houses, but development of the Sri Lankan also their food stores, seasonal capital of Colombo and adjacent crops and vital livestock such as Nepal PM Oli calls for all areas. Kang Ho-in, minister of land, cows, goats and ducks," said infrastructure and transport, is set Shakeb Nabi, Christian Aid's Bang- to sign a memorandum of under- ladesh head. party meeting standing with his counterpart from "Access to food, safe drinking Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has called a meeting of political Sri Lanka, Patali Champika water, health supplies and sanita- parties including the ruling parties, the main opposition Nepali Con- Ranawaka, at a Seoul hotel later in tion materials is limited in some gress party and the constituents of the United Democratic Madhesi the day, according to the ministry. villages. Water points have been Front today. UDMF leader Upendra Yadav, however, said the agitating The deal calls for, among other ruined, ground water contaminat- forces would not attend the meeting. Minister's Press Adviser Pramod things, South Korea and Sri Lanka ed and agricultural land destroyed." Dahal and Political Adviser Bishnu Rimal said the Prime Minister called to primarily cooperate on projects In Sri Lanka, where more than the all-party meeting to find a negotiated settlement of all the contem- to develop a science and technolo- a week of heavy rains has triggered porary, as well as constitutional issues, reports The Himalayan Times. The Federal Alliance's stated position that it would not hold talks with gy based city in Malabe on the the worst flooding in 25 years, the the government unless environment for talks was created. Rimal said if outskirts of Colombo while pur- United Nations said it was wor- the agitating forces had any grievances against the government, they suing a housing development ried about the spread of diseases should come to the negotiating table and tell the government what mis- project near an airport. The move due to large amounts of standing takes it committed and what they wanted to be done. Yadav said the is part of Sri Lanka's projects worth water. agitating forces held 36 rounds of negotiations in the past without any $63.2 billion to develop nine new The World Health Organiza- outcome and the agitating forces did not want the past experience to zones in Colombo and its adjacent tion said there was an increased repeat. Chair of Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal Upendra Yadav, said areas by 2030. Sri Lankan officials risk of vector borne diseases like that the agitating Madhesi and Janajati forces would not sit for talks also plan to hold a meeting with malaria, water borne and diarrheal with the government unless the latter implemented the past pacts signed South Korean builders on the coun- diseases, the bacterial disease lep- with the agitating forces, expressed commitment to rewrite the constitu- try's development projects later in tospirosis, fungal diseases and tion and released the cadres and leaders of UDMF arrested across the the day. (Yonhap) acute respiratory infections. Tarai.

KATHMANDU: Rescuers susceptible to altitude sickness. searching for two Indian climbers More than 350 climbers in- missing on Mount Everest said cluding 140 foreigners have sum- Tuesday there was little hope of mitted Everest this season after finding the pair alive after losing two consecutive years of deadly contact with them over the week- disasters that led to almost all at- end. tempts being abandoned. The two men — identified by US climber Melissa Arnot the Indian embassy as Paresh Nath Monday became the first Ameri- and Goutam Ghosh — were near can woman to successfully sum- the summit of the 8,848-metre mit and descend Everest without (29,029-foot) mountain on Satur- using extra oxygen. day when they lost contact with Climbers near Everest summit the rest of their team. for first time in three years Indian climber dies, two oth- “Climbing Everest without ers missing, on Everest supplemental oxygen has been a The missing climbers were goal of mine for a long time… I’m part of a team of four, one of whom incredibly fortunate,” Arnot said — Subhash Pal — died after fall- in a statement. ing ill on Sunday. The fourth team Since the first summit of the member, a woman, was rescued world’s highest peak in 1953 more and taken to hospital. than 300 people have died on Ever- “We are trying to locate them est and neighbouring Lhotse, and pray they are okay, but they which share the same route until were very high up and it has been Camp 3 at 7,200 metres. over two days. It is difficult to keep Despite the risks and recent hope alive,” Wangchu Sherpa of disasters, Everest’s allure remains Trekking Camp Nepal told AFP. undimmed, with Nepal issuing 289 Three officials from India have permits to foreigners for this year’s arrived in Kathmandu to coordi- spring climbing season. nate searches and another moun- Hundreds of climbers fled tain rescue team will be deployed Everest last year after an earth- Wednesday, Sherpa said. quake-triggered avalanche at base Subhash Pal was the third camp killed 18 people. mountaineer to die on Everest in Only one climber reached the recent days after an Australian and top in 2014 after an avalanche killed a Dutch climber succumbed to al- 16 Nepali guides that year. titude sickness. Mountaineering is a major rev- As climbers ascend above enue-earner for impoverished Ne- 8,000 metres, they enter the “death pal. But last year’s earthquake, zone” — notorious for its difficult which killed almost 9,000 people, terrain and thin air — where oxy- threatened the future of the Hima- gen supplies fall to dangerously layan nation’s climbing and trek- low levels and make mountaineers king industry. WEDNESDAY. MAY 25, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES News-in-Brief Yemen demands EgyptAir release of human remains defense ‘suggest blast minister, onboard’ prisoners A senior Egyptian forensics official says human remains Yemen’s government delegates to retrieved from the crash site of peace talks in Kuwait have de- EgyptAir flight 804 suggest manded that militias release De- there was an explosion on fense Minister Maj. Gen. Mah- board that may have brought moud al-Subaihi and other politi- down the aircraft. cal prisoners. The official is part of the Subaihi was leading a counter- Egyptian investigative team offensive against the Houthis in and has personally examined the remains at a Cairo morgue. Lahij governorate in March last He spoke on condition of ano- year when he was captured by nymity because he isn’t autho- militia forces along with Faisal rized to release the information. Rajab, commander of the pro-Hadi He says all 80 pieces 119th Armored Brigade. brought to Cairo so far are small The delegation has also de- and that “there isn’t even a manded the immediate release of whole body part, like an arm journalists imprisoned in Houthi or a head.” The official adds militia prisons, who have report- that “the logical explanation is edly been on hunger strike while that it was an explosion.” All 66 people on board in custody. were killed when the Airbus Peace talks in Kuwait ended 320 crashed in the Mediterra- with no resolutions as yet after the nean early Thursday while en government representatives re- route from Paris to Cairo. turned to the negotiating table, with close sources reporting that Brazil minister no topics of major disagreements and controversial topics being dis- Romero Juca quits cussed during the last meeting. over leaked call UN envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said in a state- An important minister in Bra- ment that a joint meeting was held zil's interim government has between the two delegations which stepped aside over a leaked re- have gathered in Kuwait and later cording in which he appears to he met with them separately. discuss using Dilma Rousseff's He urged the two parties “to impeachment to derail a cor- ruption investigation. exert all efforts to achieve a sus- tainable solution for the sake of Romero Juca, planning The United Nations called Mon- paign against ISIS fighters by the "It is important that they have the city in January 2014. The UN jah and men to central Anbar for minister, said on Monday he easing the suffering of Yemenis.” day for "safe corridors" to be set Iraqi army backed by militias, said some safe corridors they could spokesman said some civilians security screening, said the spokes- “Any delay, retreat or boycott would step aside from the next up to allow Iraqi civilians to flee a UN spokesman Stephane Dujar- use." were able to flee and were receiv- man. The United Nations is "very day. Although he did not re- military offensive against ISIS in ric. Iraqi forces on Monday ing emergency assistance, shelter concerned" about the fate of civil- will take us backward and slow sign, he was not expected to Fallujah. "One of the problems is that launched an offensive to retake and water, but he did not provide ians and mobilizing its aid part- down the solution Yemenis are return, the Globo news site re- Some 50,000 civilians in the civilians are under grave danger as Fallujah, which became an ISIS figures. Women and children were ners to assess the situation and waiting for,” Ould Cheikh Ahmed ported quoting sources close to city are at "great risk" during a cam- they try to flee," he said. stronghold after its fighters seized taken to a location south of Fallu- send help, he added. said. Michel Temer, the acting pres- ident. The scandal threatens Te- mer only 11 days after taking power from Rousseff, whom Greece starts evacuating GCC, Canada to cooperate the Senate suspended as presi- dent on May 12 at the start of an impeachment trial on charg- in anti-ISIS fight es of breaking government ac- migrant border camp Gulf Arab foreign ministers agreed a “strategic dialogue” between ground from ISIS while also facing counting rules. with their Canadian counterpart Dion and GCC ministers in the a major financial crisis. Juca, who is Temer's right- Monday to strengthen “coopera- Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah. The ministers also reaffirmed hand man, had been due to help tion” in the fight against ISIS and The statement, which came their “rejection of Iran’s support lead the team asking Congress other extremist organizations, they after deadly ISIS attacks on Mon- for terrorism and its actions that to approve urgent measures said in a statement. day in Syria and Yemen, con- undermine stability in the region, aimed at pulling Brazil out of Ministers from the six-nation demned the “barbarian crimes com- including acts by Hezbollah”, the recession. Gulf Cooperation Council agreed mitted by ISIS and other terrorist Lebanese militia whose support- He said that he would re- with Canadian Foreign Minister groups”. ers are fighting alongside the Te- turn to his seat in the Senate Stephane Dion on the need to “dry It also comes after Dion on hran-backed regime in Syria and instead. up” sources of finance for extrem- Saturday announced the start of a which is listed as a “terrorist The Folha newspaper re- ists. Canadian security pact with Tu- group” by GCC countries. leased what it said were record- “The campaign against Daesh nisia, initially for three years, to The ministers vowed to work ings of conversations in March (an Arabic acronym for ISIS) and support the North African coun- together “to confront (Iran’s) in- between Juca and Sergio other terrorist organizations is not try in its fight against “terrorism”. terferences in the region”. Machado, a former oil execu- religious or linked to a religion or The ministers also voiced sup- In addition to Iran’s arch-rival tive. sect but rather a ,” port for the Iraqi government’s Saudi Arabia, the GCC includes The recordings were alleg- they added in a statement. “efforts to preserve security and Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and edly made secretly by They agreed to “strengthen stability”, urging the creation of a the United Arab Emirates. Machado who, like Juca, is the joint cooperation... to eradicate “comprehensive” government Riyadh severed diplomatic re- target of an investigation into terrorism”, including by “doubling there to “strengthen the capabili- lations with Tehran in January af- massive embezzlement centred efforts to stop the flow of foreign ties of Iraqi security forces in their ter Iranian demonstrators burned on state oil company Petrobras. terrorist fighters” to Syria and Iraq, war on ISIS”. Saudi Arabia’s embassy and a con- In the conversations, Juca where the group has seized terri- Iraq has been hit by a months- sulate following the Saudi execu- is heard calling for a "national tory. long political crisis that has para- tion of a prominent Shiite cleric. pact" that he appears to sug- The joint Arabic-language lyzed the legislature, as the coun- Several other GCC members gest would stop the investiga- statement was released following try’s forces battle to regain more followed suit in cutting ties. tion, known as Operation Car Wash, in which dozens of top- ranking politicians from a vari- ety of parties, as well as busi- ness executives, have been charged or already convicted for involvement in the Petrobras scheme. At least 200 police started clear- Officials have said 6,000 spots debt-hit Greece. Syria civil war: ing Greece's squalid Idomeni camp are available at reception centers, The leftist government of Russia calls for Tuesday on the border with Mace- and that most of the migrants are Greek Prime Minister Alexis donia, where over 8,400 migrants to be moved to camps at former Tsipras has for months been try- 'regime of calm' are living, according to Agence industrial facilities near Greece's ing to persuade many of the mi- France-Presse. second city Thessaloniki over 10 grants to move away from make- Russia has called for a tempo- A helicopter hovered over the days. shift tent cities at Idomeni and the rary truce to begin in two towns camp, where some 20 police vans The migrants have spent a bru- port of Piraeus for their own com- in the Damascus countryside and dozens of plainclothes police tal winter in the freezing rain and fort and safety. after multiple attacks in north- officers were on site as the opera- mud, with aid groups struggling to Through persuasion, the num- western Syria killed at least tion got under way after a harsh keep them fed and healthy. ber of migrants at Piraeus was 150 people. winter prompted many to try to Many of the camp's residents brought down from around 5,000 The Russian defence min- force their way across the border. are women and children keen to be people in March to 1,500. istry wants the truce in the No force was used as officers, reunited with male relatives who But many are wary of relocat- towns of Daraya and Eastern who started to arrive at the camp have pushed ahead on their own - ing to organized camps away from Ghouta to begin on Tuesday Monday, urged migrants to leave - with the aid of smugglers -- hop- the border or the city of Athens, and last for 72 hours. their tents and board buses to take ing to find a place of refuge in EU because it could be harder to find Monday's announcement them to shelters. states more financially viable than people-smuggling contacts. came as the US continued to urged Russia to pressure Pres- ident Bashar al-Assad's gov- ernment to stop bombing op- position forces and civilians in Obama in Vietnam backs peaceful South China Sea Damascus and Aleppo. The US is not trying to impose its islets. na," he said. "The US believes that allow- On Monday, Obama an- defences against its giant northern , the US secre- form of government on Vietnam Vietnam and four other coun- "Obama also talked about fo- ing Vietnam now to buy weapons nounced that he was removing a neighbour. tary of state, spoke to his Rus- and territorial disputes in the South tries also have claims to parts of cusing on future and part of that will perhaps embolden Vietnam in Cold War-era ban on weapons sales "Vietnam will have greater ac- sian counterpart, Sergey China Sea have to be "resolved the sea. future is what is happening now pressing its claims. That is certain- to Vietnam, seen as a major boost cess to the military equipment you Lavrov, by phone and urged peacefully", President Barack The US takes no position on in the South China Sea. ly what China fears." for Hanoi as it tries to bolster its need to ensure your security," he him to press the Syrian gov- Obama has said during a three-day the competing territorial claims but told delegates. ernment to halt its attacks on visit to the country. asserts freedom of navigation and He said the US would contin- Aleppo in the north and In a speech at the National flights in the sea and has sent war- ue to train Vietnam's coastguard to Daraya near Damascus. Convention Centre in Hanoi on ships near Chinese-held islets. "enhance maritime capabilities". The attacks were claimed Tuesday, Obama also called for "As we go forward the United Obama spoke to 10 activists by the of Iraq and better human rights that would States will continue to fly, sail and on Tuesday, including advocates the Levant (ISIL, also known boost the country's economy, sta- operate wherever international law for the disabled, sexual minorities, as ISIS) group. bility and regional power, for open- allows and we will support the a pastor and advocates for free- ISIL said it was also be- ing a new chapter in their relations right of all countries to do the dom of speech, press and the in- hind Monday's twin bombings and for helping both countries to same," Obama said. ternet, but he said that several oth- in Yemen's second city, Aden, move on from a history of war four 's Adrian Brown, ers were prevented from coming. that killed at least 45 people . decades ago. reporting from Beijing, quoted the "Vietnam has made remarkable At least 150 people were "Big nations should not bully Chinese media as accusing Obama strides in many ways," Obama killed on Monday in seven smaller ones, disputes should be of engaging in a strategy to try to said, but "there are still areas of near-simultaneous explosions resolved peacefully," he said, re- contain China. significant concern". targeting bus stations, hospi- ferring to the disputed maritime "Yesterday the spokeswoman During a Monday news con- tals and other civilian sites in region. at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ference with Vietnam's president, the seaside cities of Jableh and The US and Vietnam have during her daily press briefing, said Obama traced the arc of the US- Tartus, which are Assad strong- drawn closer together through their that China welcomes the fact that Vietnamese relationship through holds. The deadliest attack oc- mutual concern at China's increas- the Vietnam and US were now en- cooperation, conflict, "painful sep- curred in Jableh, where 43 peo- ing assertiveness in the sea. joying better relations, but I think, aration" and a long reconciliation. ple were killed when a suicide China claims almost all the in a roundabout diplomatic way, "If you consider where we bomber detonated his explo- South China Sea and has upset China was basically saying if the have been and where we are now, sives at the Jableh National neighbours with a series of recla- US is going to lift the arms embar- the transformation in the relations Hospital. mation and construction projects go against Vietnam, then why not between our two countries is re- - including airstrips - on reefs and lift the arms embargo against Chi- markable," Obama said.

WEDNESDAY. MAY 25, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES How to prevent the collapse of Egyptian tourism Faisal J. Abbas byRami G Khouri Firstly, it is important to voice my return by providing special offers someone’s "connections" can pose solidarity with the families of the and discounts. serious threats to security. Anoth- victims of last week's horrific All it takes is for one incident er problem is the practice of em- EgyptAir crash. It is also impor- caused by a single security breach ployees who can be unprofessional tant to voice my solidarity with to paralyze tourism for months, and not fulfill their duties, such as the people of Egypt and its gov- or even years not searching a passenger either ernment during this tough time, Faisal J. Abbas out of kindness, at best, or negli- which is indeed expected to aggra- Indeed, some might argue that gence and laziness, at worst. vate the economic crisis that has these incidents are fated and could These practices may not seem hit the country since the 2011 rev- happen anywhere in the world. disastrous to an employee whose olution. Others may believe in a conspira- logic is "so, what could possibly However, I don't think the cy against Egypt to destroy it and happen?" But the consequences Egyptians expect their loyal impoverish its people (including are almost always bigger than one friends to only share sympathy. recent reports of an alien attack!) can imagine. All it takes is for one After all, the media must also play Of course, I won’t comment on incident caused by a single securi- its role of constructive criticism, speculation or conspiracy theories, ty breach to paralyze tourism for and when needed a spade must be but at the same time I must urge months, or even years. called a spade. Egyptians to take immediate ac- What is now required is an im- Following three aviation inci- tion to save this crucial industry. mediate review of all security and dents in less than one year – the ‘Connections’ and negligence safety procedures in airports and Russian plane bombing in Sinai, the To explain what I mean, here’s planes. There must also be a mech- EgyptAir hijacking in Cyprus, and something I experienced two days anism to control and assess the last week's crash in the Mediterra- after the Russian plane crashed in performance of security and cus- nean - we cannot but say that the Sinai in October 2015, at a time toms employees and put an end to overall situation has become dis- when security procedures were negligence. turbing. supposedly tighter. ______It is sad, but true, that Egyp- I was invited to Cairo to at- Faisal J. Abbas is the Editor- tAir may now face the same un- tend an event and I chose Egyp- in-Chief of Al Arabiya English, he fortunate fate of Malaysia Airlines. tAir to travel there. Before board- is a renowned blogger and an The risk to tourism ing the plane, a young woman was award-winning journalist. Faisal Of course, the bigger issue is screaming at an airline employee covered the Middle East extensive- that Egypt’s tourism is now in a on the first class counter because ly working for Future Television dire state. Despite the country he refused to allow her to ship a of Lebanon and both Al-Hayat and being rich in antiques and ancient huge package to Egypt. She then Asharq Al-Awsat pan-Arab dailies. sites, as well as the charming at- picked up her phone, called some- He blogs for The Huffington Post mosphere of popular venues such one, then gave her phone to the since 2008, and is a recipient of Sharm al- and Hurghada, employee who was frightened out many media awards and a member tourists can't be expected to risk of his wits once he realized who of the British Society of Authors, their lives to go there. This is a he was talking to. It all ended in National Union of Journalists, the reality that can't be changed by the woman's favor without further John Adams Society as well as an anything except by the facts on inspection and without her pay- associate member of the Cam- the ground, as such, it simply ing for the extra luggage, as far as I bridge Union Society. He can be doesn't matter how much the tour- could see. reached on @FaisalJAbbas on A series of coordinated at- should be a high-security also are being launched to also to coordinate in cases ism authorities encourages them to This is an example of how Twitter. tacks in three cities in Syria area reaffirms its substantial drive ISIL out of Fallujah in like Monday's multi-country, and Yemen Monday by the attack capabilities and ex- Iraq, and Raqqa in Syria, multi-city attacks and the Islamic State of Iraq and the poses gaps in the Assad re- which has been ISIL's infor- recent attacks in Paris and Levant (ISIL, also known as gime's Russian- and Iranian- mal capital for nearly two Brussels. ISIS) provides important bolstered security systems. years. Its foothold in Sirte, This should come as no new insights into the group's The same factors apply in Libya, which has expand- surprise, given the experi- current capabilities and in the two attacks that killed ed to more than 6,000 fight- ence of many of ISIL's se- strategy, suggesting that the 45 army recruits and civil- ers in the past six months, is nior commanders in militant months ahead will be in- ians in Aden, the temporary simultaneously being chal- movements during the past creasingly violent in the Mid- capital of Yemen that hosts lenged by a combination of two decades or so, as well dle East and perhaps further the government of President Libyan forces assisted by in- as the presence of some afield. Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. ternational air power and hardened former Iraqi intel- At least five distinct as- ISIL obviously has sup- special forces on the ligence officers in ISIL's for- pects of the Monday attacks porters, small bases, and ground. mative core group. should raise eyebrows and fighters in the Latakiya re- The attacks follow sev- These political and mili- security concerns in many gion, but does not yet con- eral devastating bombings tary leaders have learned countries: their locations, si- trol sufficient land to claim that killed more than 100 the lessons of both their own multaneity, logistical prow- any kind of sovereign author- people in Baghdad in the past experiences as well as ess, multi-country coordina- ity. past week. These recent the fate of other militant tak- tion and ISIL's evolving The fact that ISIL can military actions seem aimed firi-salafists, like many se- strategy in its wider political- attack a military recruiting at showing that ISIL can at- nior al-Qaeda personnel, military context. centre near a general's home tack multiple targets and who were killed or captured. in the capital of Yemen does countries almost at will, and This would seem to au- ISIL bomb attacks kill 45 not bode well for the coun- can expand - given its an- gur badly for the immediate army recruits in Yemen try's immediate future, espe- nouncement Monday of the future, should coordinated The most noteworthy cially after other attacks on new Wilayat al-Sahil (the military action already under aspect of the attacks was the high-profile targets in Aden coastal province). way contain ISIL in a few Netanyahu, Lieberman deal combination of multiple, in recent months. Heretical apostates small areas in Iraq and Syr- large-scale bombings in the Hadi's government only ISIL obviously has sup- ia and smash its headquar- political hearts of the Syrian holds sway in parts of the porters, small bases, and ters in Raqqa. meant to derail French plan and Yemeni governments, country, and is negotiating in fighters in the Latakia region, ISIL presumably antici- Daoud Kuttab which both appear more vul- Kuwait with Houthi rebels but does not yet control suf- pates this, and will set in If the French diplomatic machine work of a solution to the conflict, If the French are serious about nerable than assumed. linked to former President ficient land to claim any kind motion continuing guerrilla had a hard time scheduling a con- there is an absence of political will their peace effort, they must not ference with US Secretary of State and muscle needed to force Israel allow yet another conference with- The Syria attacks of sev- Ali Abdullah Saleh to return of sovereign authority. and terror tactics by perhaps John Kerry, it will soon find out to take the peace process serious- out teeth. Former French Foreign en simultaneous suicide and to the capital Sanaa and re- But perhaps that is sec- scores of decentralised units that its effort to arrange an inter- ly. Minister Laurent Fabious had said car bomb attacks in the cit- sume the quest for a pow- ondary to the main point of organised in small cells national conference on the Israeli- What made the Iran nuclear if Israel balked at peace, France ies of Tartus and Jableh er-sharing system via a na- showing that it continues to across the Arab world and Palestinian conflict will be that deal possible was tough sanctions would recognize Palestine. How- killed between 80 and 120 tional constitutional confer- fight and kill those it deems Europe. Monday may have much harder. In a three-day spat, a by the international community. ever, that statement was retracted behind-the-scenes effort by Ker- Nothing of the sort is on the table by his successor Jean-Marc people, according to govern- ence. The expansion of ISIL heretical apostates and en- been a preview of what it ry and former British Prime Min- regarding Israel. In fact, the inter- Ayrault. ment and opposition reports. and al-Qaeda support, capa- emies of its version of Sunni can do, and how it can do it, ister Tony Blair to move the Israe- national community - including It will take much more than a This happened in the bilities and territorial control Islam, especially Shia and when and where it wants. li government toward peace back- France - is fighting tooth and nail shy, hesitant threat of recognizing Latakia governorate in the in southern parts of Yemen related groups such as the Rami G Khouri is a se- fired. against attempts by their own cit- Palestine to make the forthcoming Alawite-majority heartland has been an unintended di- Alawite. nior public policy fellow at The plan included Zionist izens to divest from companies peace conference work. Paris Union leader Isaac Herzog joining that deal with Israel and help per- needs to understand that if occu- of the Assad regime that mension of the 14-month- One lesson from this the Issam Fares Institute at the government of Israeli Prime petuate its occupation and settle- pation and settlements are illegal rules Syria, and to add insult long war that has raged week's events, following the the American University of Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ments regime. under international law, their per- to injury the two attacks also there. The dramatic ISIL at- pattern of its attacks in the Beirut and a nonresident se- give it more muscle against right- If the French are serious about petuation must have consequenc- occurred near Russian sea tacks occur at a time when past six months in Europe nior fellow at Harvard wing settler ideologues. To make their peace effort, they must not es. Until and unless Israel has to and air bases. it has been losing control of and Egypt, is to recognise Univeristy Kennedy School. it more acceptable, Egyptian Pres- allow yet another conference with- pay a price for its actions, there is ident Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, one of out teeth no chance for any process to bring Sophisticated logistical parts of its territory in Syria ISIL's use of decentralised The views expressed in the more popular Arab figures in Daoud Kuttab about true peace in the Middle operations and Iraq to Syrian, Iraqi, cells and support systems in this article are the author's Israel today, gave a pro-peace Boycotts, divestments and East. The ability of ISIL to car- Kurdish, Iranian, and inter- many countries. own and do not necessarily speech and said he was willing to sanctions (BDS) are what caused ______ry out such sophisticated lo- national military forces. These seem to be able to reflect Al Jazeera's editorial help. Netanyahu and Herzog were South Africa to end its apartheid Daoud Kuttab, an award win- gistical operations in what Major new offensives operate independently, but policy. supposed to head to Cairo to meet system, but the United States, ning Palestinian journalist who re- with Sisi. Canada, Australia and Europe are sides in Jerusalem and Amman. However, instead of adding 25 violating freedom of expression by Mr. Kuttab is the director general members to his one-seat parlia- trying to criminalize BDS efforts of Community Media Network a mentary majority, the prime min- against Israel. media NGO that runs a radio sta- LETTER TO THE EDITOR ister offered the Defense Minis- The absurdity of this position tion in Amman (al balad radio try to settler Avigdor Lieberman, was best exposed in a Twitter ex- 92.4fm) a newsweb site whose right-wing Jewish Home change between Palestinian-Amer- ammannet.net and a TV produc- party only won six seats in last ican Ali Abu Nimeh and an EU of- tion operation in Palestine Penme- year’s elections. This turn of events ficial opposed to BDS. The ex- dia (penmedia.ps) which is pro- Never give-up produced many reactions in Isra- change ended with a logical ques- ducing the Palestinian version of The Afghan masses are unabashed optimist when it comes to Afghanistan’s future. They never give-up in term of building their country el, including in the army, but the tion to the official: What form of Sesame street. You can read his and nor they slowdown the path of progress. It is a stark fact that forces that are against Afghanistan will not be happy to see a strong biggest potential loser in this cab- resistance to the occupation will blogs on DaoudKuttab.com and and united Afghanistan, and will do everything in their power to create divides. But, the three decades of war has taught a lot Afghan inet reshuffle will be the French be accepted by the international find him on Twitter @DaoudKut- people how to deal with such games playing by the state enemies to create divides. plan to hold an international con- community? tab. Recent breakthrough shows that Afghanistan is heading toward peace, stability, security and prosperity. ference. Israel is skeptical about The killing the Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, the Taliban leader, and the trilateral agreement on Chabahar port can be taken as a good example, the multilateral event, preferring to showing Afghanistan is moving toward progress. keep control of peace talks bilat- Chabahar agreement considered as the beginning of regional cooperation to bring stability to the region. The agreement is aimed at bringing erally. Palestinians, who have tired about a considerable increase in transit via Chabahar, linking India to central Asia via Afghanistan, and helping Afghanistan have access to of 20 years of direct talks that pro- the sea. duce nothing but photo opportu- Another reason to be optimistic about Afghanistan’s future is the dead report of Taliban leader, Mullah Mansoor. By killing their leader, nities, have for some time vowed Taliban insurgent’s morale is already downed and no more capable to conduct mass attacks across Afghanistan. to shun a process that gives Israel Aziz Khanzai, Kabul, Afghanistan a PR badge without producing any results. The sudden Israeli cabinet shift further to the right has not less- Letter to editor will be edited for policy, content and clarity. All letters must have the writer’s name and ened French enthusiasm. A revisit address. You may send your letters to: [email protected] to Kerry’s schedule produced a window on June 3, and the prepa- ratory meeting is back on, irrespec- tive of the changes in Israel’s gov- ernment. Israel and the Palestin- ians are not invited to the meeting, Disclaimer: which aims to consolidate the will of the international community. Political will The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the author(s) The problem is that while and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Afghanistan Times. there is general agreement on what needs to happen and the frame- WEDNESDAY. MAY 25, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES Hadi al-Abdallah: The man documenting Syria's Civil War Aleppo, Syria - A figure is running through a cloud of smoke and brick-dust, his panting audible through the camera just keeping up behind him. Sirens are heard. Pil- lars of smoke rise up from behind residential buildings. Another air strike. Hadi al-Abdullah, a prominent Syrian journalist and activist, has been documenting the devastation left behind by Syrian and Russian air strikes on Aleppo, since a ma- jor flare-up in fighting weeks ago. Since the outbreak of the up- rising, Abdullah has made a name for himself - first, as an anti-re- gime activist in his home city of Homs, and later as a citizen jour- nalist working in fraught, often in- credibly dangerous conditions on some of Syria's major battlefields: Qusayr, Idlib and now Aleppo. Abdullah has made himself unpopular with both the Syrian government and al-Nusra Front, which detained him and another prominent Syrian activist, Raed Fares, in Kafranbel earlier this year. Abdullah's recent videos have shown air strikes falling on neigh- bourhoods in the east of Aleppo, as well as the devastation they cause: Bombed-out homes and market-places, children caught up in the violence. Al Jazeera speaks to Abdullah to find out more about the situa- tion on the ground in Aleppo after the ceasefire. Al Jazeera: In recent weeks, international media has focused on the escalating situation in Aleppo. What have you seen so far? I've seen civilians under the rubble of destroyed buildings; a father looking for his children un- der the rubble, a mother searching for her kids. The situation is very difficult. main presence in the city is the FSA. Hadi Abdullah: I've been film- Al Jazeera: In some of your recent videos, you're reporting in neighbourhoods of Aleppo while air strikes are falling nearby. What's it actually like to report in those sorts of conditions? ing everything in Aleppo since the Abdullah: You're in a neighbourhood and it might be attacked by rockets from aircraft, barrel bombs or shells. I've seen civilians under the rubble of destroyed buildings; a father looking for his children under the rubble, beginning of the military campaign a mother searching for her kids. The situation is very difficult. launched by the Syrian and Rus- Al Jazeera: What hopes do you have for the short-term truce? sian air forces. I have documented Abdullah: Right now, I can hear military aircraft flying over Aleppo. That's just proof of how fragile the ceasefire is. I'm not hopeful at all. many massacres committed by both forces including the one in Al- Quds hospital, the hospital run by Doctors Without Borders. OLDHAM: UNITING However, since the beginning of the ceasefire, the situation in ACROSS RACIAL DIVIDES Aleppo has become quieter. The city isn't being exposed to intense TO FIGHT POVERTY bombing in the way it was before. "I walk three miles from Shaw to He started looking into the There are still ceasefire violations Oldham every week no matter how support that was already being by the regime every day, mainly the weather is, to come and collect offered to Oldham's impoverished bombing from artillery, but it's Bogota, Colombia - Since it was roles. about young women's organisa- sibility [for] and that is also some- the food here. I have to, I don't and noticed that people were of- quieter than before. formed in 2010, UN Women has I think that is something that tions. We have a whole rainbow thing that we are pushing [for]. have anything else," says a mid- ten being turned away from food But, we have to distinguish carried the mandate of promoting is already happening and that's the and a whole spectrum of women's Al Jazeera: What about when dle-aged man in worn-out clothes banks because they didn't have a between Aleppo and the country- gender equality and women's em- movement we are driving through organisations representing differ- governments and their soldiers as he devours his second portion referral that entitled them to food side. The Aleppo countryside powerment across the globe. Suc- the "He for She" campaign [and] ent themes, representing different commit sexual offences? of curry with egg. donations. Such referrals come in never went through any truce or He clutches a parcel of donat- the form of "food vouchers" from ceasefire, either from the side of cess has been mostly patchy for through our partnerships with the intersectionalities, like indigenous Puri: That is zero tolerance - it ed food - cereal, pasta and tinned registered organisations, such as the an agency that must navigate so- "Men Engage" movement, [and] women, rural women, all of these. should not happen. This is an is- the rebels or the regime forces, so goods. social services, medical profession- cial and cultural barriers and the the "Promundo"movement. These So all of these we claim not to rep- sue of dignity and it is an issue of fighting is still going on there. Like many others, the man als, schools or even religious lead- sensitivities of member states. movements are really trying to resent but to serve. human rights and it should not hap- Al Jazeera: And what's the sit- who asked not to be named makes ers. Critics say that its focus on change the social norms which also Al Jazeera: Are your hands tied pen and we are working very much uation south of Aleppo? the weekly pilgrimage to the Old- It troubled him that these or- running high-level campaigns and then help men regard their partici- when it comes to approaching gov- with the rest of the UN system Abdullah: When civilians were ham Unitarian Church every Mon- ganisations were getting to decide building partnerships is insufficient pation in the gender equality move- ernments? and with all our partners, civil so- being bombed in the city, there was day morning. The church, in part- whether somebody qualified for and misguided when, for half of ment as a privilege. Puri: Our hands are not tied in ciety included, on the ground to pressure on the Free Syrian Army nership with the Islamic charita- emergency food parcels. the world's population, economic Al Jazeera: Are you able to supporting governments, urging make sure that this is prevented, (FSA) and Islamic factions to open ble organisation UK Education Nasim says he "understands and social equality remains an elu- confront member states over their governments to do the right [thing], that women are protected, that and Faith Foundation (UKEFF), that these organisations have to up a front with the regime so that sive dream. policies or if, for example, their at the same time mobilising all the when this happens, that they get runs a weekly "food and support" follow certain remits to prevent the civilians wouldn't be bombed any Almost 40,000 girls are child leader uses sexist language? actors to support them in imple- justice. It's very important that service. flood gates from opening", but he more. brides today. Rape, harassment and Puri: Well, we do indeed have menting and to also support them perpetrators are prosecuted and The service provides free food, wanted his organisation to be more Many believed that if a new clothes and toys as well as legal, open. front opened up, the Russian and sexual violence, by state and non- this very important role of being a [in] holding themselves to account. convicted. state actors, remains a weapon of global advocate for women's rights, The Sustainable Development Al Jazeera: But none of this welfare and housing assistance, "I just couldn't bear it, so we Syrian air forces would strike there, choice in conflicts worldwide - one and we will continue to play that Goals provide a frame and there is seems to be taking place. enabling a network of volunteers knew we had to set up another and the bombing on civilians would even United Nations peacekeep- role in every way. a commitment and the UN system Puri: In all of these areas there and support groups to reach out food bank - somewhere that would stop. So, Jaish al-Fateh [a rebel ers stand accused of wielding. But of course we are also an has asked to do it, so it's not only is action being taken but it's not to local people in need of help. be completely open to all of these coalition that includes a number of The One World Cafe at the cases. You don't have to be referred, Al Jazeera asked Lakshmi Puri, intergovernmental organisation. So, that we are asking. enough and there's so much more Islamist factions including al-Nusra church serves a free meal to around you don't have to be means-tested the deputy executive director of what we have to do is to be the Al Jazeera: What is the posi- that needs to be done. 70 people every Monday, while or prove to anybody that you are Front] took the town of Khan tion of UN Women on violence Touman, and then the town of UN Women, what her organisation voice, but also be the platform from Al Jazeera: Has UN Women the food parcels help to sustain worthy of some aid. It already Khaldiya, from regime forces, as is doing to improve the plight of where voices can be amplified, and against women in conflict zones? ever issued a statement on the al- them throughout the week. takes a lot in order to use a food the world's women. voices of women from all constit- Puri: We have a stance of zero leged involvement of UN peace- well as a series of hills close by. The most deprived town in bank - you have to kill off your Al Jazeera: Name five chal- uencies and all causes can be am- tolerance and we have been high- keepers in sexual violence? I went there [earlier this England pride - so we will take anybody lenges facing women today. plified. lighting through our advocacy that Puri: Absolutely. We are in month] to cover the military oper- Oldham, a town in the north- on." Lakshmi Puri: I would say the And of course our assertion on this is unacceptable. We also bring sync with whatever [the] secre- ations. Since then, the fighting west of England, came to promi- 'We are not 'you and us' we are discrimination, inequality and vi- human rights is across the board. out how, in conflicts, it has been tary-general has also said on this nence during Britain's industrial just 'us'' hasn't calmed down. olence that women face on a per- Al Jazeera: Does UN Women said that, more than soldiers, wom- and he is very committed and he era, becoming, at one point, the The Rev Bob Pounder is the The bombing is not only over sistent basis. For women around represent member states or wom- en are most at risk of violence of has also said that the actions of a cotton-spinning capital of the Oldham Unitarian Church's leader Khan Touman, but over all the the world, without any exception, en? various kinds, including sexual vi- few should not overshadow the world. and minister. A staunch trade western and southern areas in the [this] is the No 1 challenge. Puri: We are an intergovern- olence in conflicts and in post-con- commitment and the good work During the 1950s and 1960s, unionist and workers' rights activ- Aleppo countryside. There, the The other challenge is social mental organisation created by the flict situations. that the rest of the UN is doing. migrants from Pakistan and Bang- ist, he used to be the secretary of bombing never stops. and cultural norms that really hold General Assembly. We are the only Sexual violence is often used So, in fact, he has taken a very prin- ladesh arrived - destined for the the Greater Manchester Fire Bri- Al Jazeera: How are civilians back gender equality, women's 21st century UN entity that has as a weapon of war by the parties cipled stance and we are all com- mills and factories, where they gades Union and once went to Iraq in rebel-held Aleppo faring since empowerment and the full realisa- been created as a reform model - concerned and we have been, mitted to supporting that. And UN were often employed for lower while the country was enduring the ceasefire came in? wages than the locals. international sanctions to show tion of women's human rights. an innovative, young, dynamic re- therefore, advocating for a pact by Women has been a very vocal and Abdullah: Civilians are begin- But the country's industrial solidarity with Iraqi workers. Changing this is really critical, form model. all concerned to make sure that this ... very proactive actor on the decline during the 1960s and 1970s With his sleeves rolled up, he ning to restore their normal life, ground in terms of preventing and the marketplaces are becom- [so is] the project of changing so- The secretary-general recent- is prevented. The prevention pol- was sorely felt here and when most stacks cans of food with UKEFF cial norms, gender stereotypes and ly said how we had made our mark icy is very important. We worked these incidents. ing busier, bit-by-bit. Some of the of the mills shut down, few job volunteers and explains: "Nasim gendered roles. but having said that, of course, our with many of these parties on the Al Jazeera: There seems to be electricity cables that were cut opportunities were left for the and Hafizan's project is exactly We need men and boys on our mission and what we represent is ground - there are at least 22 con- a lack of transparency when it during the last two weeks of mili- town's indigenous or migrant pop- what we wanted to do with the side and to be partners, getting men about every woman, every girl. It flict countries where we work on comes to the crimes committed tary campaigns are being repaired. ulation. church. The two parties may be and boys to give up their position is their realities that we advocate the ground to train forces, engage against women by UN peacekeep- Oldham, which a study by the from different religions but we are The streets are being cleared of Office for National Statistics re- at one with our goals and we feel rubble. But people are still afraid of privilege. Cutting across this is for, it is the change that we see is with all parties and combatants … ers. Puri: We have to [look] at the the role of the state. to empower them, to give them on the ground. architecture of peacekeeping and cently found to be the most de- this cross-culture unity is show- that the regime may carry out more Another challenge is address- equal rights, and also it is about Al Jazeera: Is it working? peace-making and political mis- prived town in England, still hasn't ing how it should be done." ceasefire violations. ing issues such as formal workforce partnering with all those other ac- Puri: It is a very difficult issue sions and all of that; how [all] that been able to rejuvenate its econo- At first, Nasim had tried to es- Inside Story - Are Syria war- participation. Most women, par- tors who either represent them di- but we have to act and we are act- is done. And I think the secretary- my and many of its residents live tablish the food bank within the ring sides serious on political pro- ticularly in developing countries, rectly or indirectly. ing and this is now something that general has recognised that. in poverty. Asian community. cess? Al- work in the informal sector and are I talked about civil society ... governments have to take respon- Feeding 'the needy and desti- "Naturally I first approached al Jazeera: Who are the main jazeera in vulnerable employment and face tute' the ," he explains. "There rebel groups now in Aleppo? - even those who are qualified, ed- Forty-four-year-old Nasim were 36 mosques in the area at the Abdullah: Most of the bri- Ashraf works at a local technolo- time and I went to quite a lot of ucated - what is called the glass gades in Aleppo belong to the Free gy and online development com- them to set this up. [I] spoke to pyramid and the wage gap. Syrian Army - groups like Jabhat pany. He started UKEFF in 2009 the leaders and none of them were The other area is parity - gen- al-Sham (al-Sham Front), the Nour to address "the concerns and is- interested. Many of them said der parity in voice, participation al-Din al-Zinki Movement as well sues in society but from an Islam- they would have to take it to the [and] leadership .That's something as the Army. Those ic ethos". committees but it's probably [a] are the most prominent groups, that we really need to address in Inspired by his understanding no, because a mosque is a mosque; although there are some Islamist country after country, including of Islam, he says he wanted to it's a blessed place of worship and the countries of the democratic "help and feed the needy and des- needs to be kept clean and we don't factions from Ahrar al-Sham, Jaish West, who are leaders in gender titute". want people traipsing in and out. al-Islam and so on, however, it's equality; they have not reached So, with his wife Hafizan, he "I think they had this vision mainly FSA forces. parity in parliament [nor] parity started collecting food donations of a constant stream of alcoholics Al Jazeera: At the same time, in their executive leadership to distribute to local people from and drug addicts coming to the there's been some debate on wheth- Al Jazeera: How do you get their family home - a modern but mosque and this is because I stat- er or not al-Nusra Front maintains men to give up their privilege? modest detached house on the out- ed my views on an open-door pol- a presence in Aleppo - something Puri: It's already happening. skirts of Oldham. icy." the Russians and Syrians have Men have to take leadership and "It was a very simple choice But Bob encouraged him to used to justify recent air strikes inspire other men to understand for me to work with people in use the church, a 1970s-built build- on urban areas. Oldham because I live here," he ing beside the busy ring road. that mutually respectful relation- says. Now UKEFF's open-door Abdullah: Al-Nusra is rarely ships [where] you share the bur- seen inside Aleppo. There are some "It is my and our collective policy is on full view in the bright- den of child-rearing and parenting individuals from al-Nusra who hail responsibility to look after our lo- ly lit, well-organised part of the … [are] something that is equally originally from Aleppo and live cality. I would see people in our church that serves as a cafe. White, joyful for a man. inside the city, but there's no head- town and think 'this person is des- Asian and black users sit together. It is also about the idea of mas- quarters for al-Nusra and they titute, this person is hungry and There are locals and refugees, old don't have a significant presence culinity: unpacking the negative this person hasn't got anything to people and young, homeless peo- ideas of machismo and masculini- inside Aleppo. They exist more as eat. They may have children to feed ple and substance abusers, Mus- ty, bringing down those gendered and are struggling to cope.' This is lims and Christians all eating to- part of Jaish al-Fateh in the coun- divisions of labour and gender- where I wanted to lend my sup- gether. tryside to the south. As I said, the driven roles and unpacking those port." Aljazeera WEDNESDAY. MAY 25, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES Private consumption, construction investment China's richest man propel German first quarter growth just picked a fight with Disneyland Wang Jianlin’s Wanda Group is By the end of 2015, Wanda had also building amusement parks. closed 35 plazas, a third of the to- Over the weekend, China’s tal, according to estimates by In- richest man, Dalian Wanda Group site Research. founder Wang Jianlin, took to the It has focused on entertainment state airwaves to pick a public fight with deals such as its $3.5 billion with Disney. His target was Dis- purchase of movie production ney’s biggest one-time investment company Legendary Entertain- in China so far, the $5.5 billion ment earlier this year and the AMC Shanghai Disneyland opening in movie theater chain in 2012. mid-June. Disney’s DIS -0.60% Its biggest new venture is cre- Chinese partner on the project ex- ating amusement parks for China’s pects 10 million annual visits to growing middle class. the Shanghai resort, which is a less By the end of 2020, Wanda than three-hour commute for more says its goal is to amass 200 mil- than 300 million Chinese. lion tourist visits and $15.5 billion “The frenzy of Mickey in tourism revenue from potential- Mouse and Donald Duck and the ly 15 to 20 new amusement parks era of blindly following them have in mainland China. This weekend passed. [They are] entirely clon- is the grand opening of Wanda’s ing previous IP, cloning previous first theme park in the southern products, with no more innova- city of Nanchang. tion,” Wang said a nearly hour-long “Disney didn’t believe that interview on CCTV on Sunday. He China has Wanda,” Wang said in added that competition from his the CCTV interview. “They company would ensure that Dis- shouldn’t have entered China. We ney China would be unprofitable have a [saying]: one tiger is no over the next 10 to 20 years. match for a pack of wolves. Shang- Wanda didn’t shy away from hai has one Disney, while Wanda, its founder’s comments: today the across the nation, will open 15 to company’s public relations team 20.” sent a transcript of Wang’s state- “Moreover there’s another is- ments to reporters. sue,” he said. “The most impor- Wang’s comments come as tant problem, and that is their high Wanda is in the midst of a spectac- cost to open the park. With the ularly dramatic turnaround for a scale similar to our Nanchang park, company that almost qualifies for their Shanghai park costs $5.5 bil- Fortune’s Global 500 list. Wanda lion. I have no way to even com- says overall revenue rose 19% in prehend this. We internally ana- 2015 to $45 billion, and most was lyzed why they spend so much driven by real estate. At the end of money on it, and we can’t explain 2014, Wanda counted 99 Wanda it in a sentence or two.” plazas around China, sprawling Wang’s comments ring both Strong private consumption and this year, in addition to 6.3 billion billion euros by 2020 while keep- growth as an economic slowdown upswing to continue, albeit at a higher construction investment euros on combating the root caus- ing a balanced budget. in emerging markets such as China slower pace. For 2016 as a whole, drove a 0.7 percent rise in German es of migration from the Middle On top of this come several is clouding the outlook. The data Berlin predicts a GDP growth rate gross domestic product in the first East and beyond. billion euros of spending on refu- showed that net foreign trade was of 1.7 percent, on a par with last quarter, more than offsetting the The total sum of 16 billion gees by the federal states and mu- a drag of 0.1 points as exports rose year, when expansion was driven effects of weaker foreign trade, data euros is expected to rise in the com- nicipalities. Germany's strong do- at a weaker pace than imports. The mainly by strong private con- showed on Tuesday. ing years, with Berlin planning to mestic demand is more than com- government and the central bank sumption and higher state spend- The German government's in- spend an overall amount of 93.6 pensating for sluggish export both expect Germany's economic ing. creased spending on refugees and the European Central Bank's ul- tra-low interest rates were among Toll Brothers beats expectations as second-quarter profit jumps factors singled out by analysts to explain the biggest quarterly ex- Toll Brothers (TOL) beat analysts' had solid growth. The company's est 3% growth in dollar terms but ing impact on our Porter Ranch pansion in two years for Europe's expectations by reporting earnings New York City living communi- a decline in unit sales. Yearley said community of a leak from a near- largest economy. of 51 cents a shares on revenue of ties were up 26% in dollar terms he still considers the state to be an by natural gas storage facility, "The calculation of consumers $1.12 billion in its fiscal second and 18% in units the second quar- area of growth for the company. which appears to be heading to- is pretty simple: If there are no quarter. ter. "Our drop in California con- ward a positive resolution," Year- interest rates on the bank account, Wall Street was expecting earn- The apartment living division tracts reflects a temporary lack of ley said. then let's just fill the shopping bag," ings of 46 cents a share on revenue exceeded expectations, CEO Dou- inventory for sale; strategic price Toll Brothers closed down VP Bank economist Thomas Git- of $1.04 billion. glas Yearley said in a statement. increases we have implemented to 1.7% to $27.10 on Tuesday. The zel said, adding that companies A year earlier, the Horsham, However, sales in California meter out sales in communities shares fell further in after-hours also increased investment in the Pa.-based luxury homebuilder re- disappointed. There was a mod- with large backlogs; and the linger- trading. first quarter. ported earnings of 37 cents a share Confirming a preliminary read- on revenue of $852.6 million. ing for growth, the Federal Statis- Toll Brothers delivered 1,304 prideful and nationalistic. His com- tics Office said consumer spend- homes in the second quarter, rep- complexes complete with luxury ing and construction investment resenting a 31% increase in dollar apartments, movie theaters, restau- pany is switching from a real es- rant chains, and shopping. tate developer to a services com- had each contributed 0.2 percent- terms and a 9% increase in units Now Wanda is switching from pany catering to China’s middle age points to GDP in the January- from the second quarter of fiscal a real estate developer to an enter- class, a segment Disney also has March period. 2015. Record-low borrowing costs The builders' average price of tainment and tourism company. squarely in its sights. are encouraging a growing number homes delivered in the second quar- of Germans to overcome a tradi- ter was $855,500, compared with tional aversion to buying their own $713,500 in the second quarter last American capital flats and houses, with some also year. regarding property as an attractive Exclusive Look Inside: You see investment. Jim Cramer on TV. Now, see where shareholders should take State spending -- including the he invests his money. Check out costs of accommodating and inte- his multi-million dollar portfolio ares' money and run grating last year's record influx of and discover which stocks he is more the one million migrants -- trading. Click here to see the hold- Based on the announced terms of the deal, I think this is the end of the and company investment in equip- ings for 14-days FREE. road for American Capital shareholders. While the IRR for holding on is ment and plants each contributed Toll Brothers updated its guid- favorable if the deal closes in six months, everything about this compa- ance. The company is expecting 0.1 percentage point to growth. ny has dragged out for years, and there's downside risk here. If I were BayernLB economist Stefan to deliver between 5,800 and 6,300 Kipar pointed out that spending in the current fiscal year with an still a shareholder, I would take my money and run for the hills. Some on migrants is also trickling into average price range of $820,000 companies go out with a bang, others go out with a whimper. After years other components of the GDP and $850,000. The company de- of trading for a big discount to book value and talking up the hidden growth statistics. livered 5,525 homes in 2015 at an value of its permanent capital asset management operations, American average price of $755,000. Project- "The higher state spending on Capital (NASDAQ:ACAS) has ended up deciding to sell itself to Ares refugees is lifting private consump- ed revenue is expected to be be- tion through the payout of social tween $4.76 billion and $5.36 bil- Capital (NASDAQ:ARCC) in a cash-and-stock deal worth $17.40 per benefits," he said. "And it's also lion in fiscal 2016 with gross mar- diluted share - less than NAV, and certainly far less than the company giving the construction sector an gin of between 25.8% and 26.2%. originally intimated it was worth. While I'll leave it up to the merger arb additional push because more ref- The western U.S., particular- guys to determine what the proper deal spread should be, my view is ly Denver, Seattle, Reno, Nev. and ugee shelters are being built." that without credible prospects of significant upside, long-suffering The German government plans Las Vegas saw strong sales. In the to spend 9.7 billion euros on sup- east, New Jersey, Northern Virgin- shareholders should consider taking their money and hitting the pave- porting and integrating refugees ia, Maryland and Pennsylvania ment. Here's why. I've previously discussed where I screwed up on American Capital and why, but from a high level, one of the big issues here is that ACAS management - led by CEO and major shareholder Malon Wilkus - basically incinerated their credibility over the course of a few short months. While constantly reorganizing their holdings in an effort to prepare themselves for an ever-shifting spin-off plan, they weren't earning a return on equity that the market deemed acceptable enough to justify shares trading at book value. Shareholders were con- stantly promised that a spin-off of the asset management business would unlock value above and beyond NAV. LONDON: Oil prices fell for a ongoing market uncertainty. 0.7 percent apiece, leading Asian St. Louis Fed President James growth. "We are seeing more dol- Then, Elliott hit the scene, and the speed at which management fifth consecutive day on Tuesday "Everyone is worried about a markets down, though some inves- Bullard said holding rates too low lar strength and a lot of it against capitulated to their demands was almost scary. I'm usually not a fan of and financial markets were vola- June hike from the Fed so we are tors were wary of chasing markets for too long could cause financial the smaller currencies," said Saxo tile as investors wait to see whether in a bit of a directionless market at lower after their recent retreat. instability. Bank FX strategist John Hardy. companies pooh-poohing activists, but when you immediately tuck U.S. interest rates will be raised the moment," said Allianz Global Yang Hai, analyst at Kaiyuan Fed Chair Janet Yellen will "The Chinese authorities are keep- your tail between your legs and say "Sorry, we'll do exactly what you next month. Investors' Shahzad Hasan. Securities, said trading is likely to appear at a panel at Harvard Uni- ing the yuan exchange rate quiet, say," that doesn't exactly convey a lot of confidence in the plan. Indeed, Asian shares stumbled to near "I think what is more impor- remain dull for a while amid eco- versity on Friday, a day on which too, which is giving the Fed the while the buyout price has to be disappointing for patient long-term 2-1/2-month lows overnight tant is the language if they do hike. nomic sluggishness. investors will also see the second room to wax lyrical and be as hawk- shareholders, it's not clear that ACAS, on its own, was ever going to get though Europe was in better form Do they continue or do they stop "The current economic envi- estimate of U.S. first-quarter ish as they are being." as confirmation that Germany's after June, and what is the trajec- ronment doesn't justify a sustain- anything higher. economy had a solid start to the tory for the Fed funds rate in able rebound. In addition, regula- year added to hopes that talks in 2017." tors are reducing leverage in the Saudi Arabia confirms General Brussels will secure an unusually Europe's government bond asset management industry so VEGAS BUSINESS LINKED swift aid deal for Greece. markets saw a broad fall in yields. money is not flowing in." Electric deals worth $2b Britain's FTSE 100, Germa- Greek yields hovered at six-month Oil prices fell for a fifth day in Saudi Arabia has entered into agreements with General Electric (GE) TO PANAMA PAPERS ny's DAX and France's CAC lows on hopes that euro zone fi- thin trade as the dollar's strength with $2 billion as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan. climbed 0.8 to 1 percent as even nance ministers may be able to and talk of Iran upping produc- GE is also manufacturing heavy duty gas turbines for the Saudi markets like Russia shrugged off agree a new aid plan for Athens tion kept them under downwards Electricity Company (SEC). This is part of the contract from SEC for FIRM DROPS CLIENTS the dip in commodity prices to without any last minute panics. pressure. the EPC contract for gas turbine services for its Waad Al-Shamal com- A Nevada business linked to the law firm at the center of the Panama carve out gains. Greek lawmakers on Sunday The strong dollar also took its bined cycle power plant project. GE’s 7F.05 heavy duty gas turbines In currency markets, the dol- approved tax increases and a new toll on gold, which dipped to a 3- Papers leak has paid a state fine and dropped its clients. bring flexibility to the Waad Al-Shamal plant with a 10-minute start time The Nevada Secretary of State's Office says the staff member at Las lar continued to feed off revived privatisation fund to pave the way 1/2 week low and industrial metal to an 80 percent load. They can accommodate a wide range of fuels U.S. rate hike bets although it was for a deal, leaving the onus on the copper, which neared a three- Vegas-based M.F. Corporate Services filed paperwork Monday resign- lending greater flexibility to operations while providing customers with ing as the registered agent for the 1,025 entities the business represent- the Aussie dollar that caught the rest of the bloc as the Internation- month low. lower fuel costs compared to previous technology. eye as speculation about more rate al Monetary Fund reiterated its The U.S. currency clawed back ed. “The localized manufacturing will also help build a local talent pool The business also paid a $10,000 fine for failing to maintain records cuts there triggered its heftiest fall demands for full-blooded debt re- some of Monday's 1 percent loss- of Saudi professionals and develop more local suppliers and SMEs,” in 4-1/2 years. lief. es against the yen and was last up required by state law. said Zaher Ibrahim, CEO, GE Oil & Gas Saudi Arabia. A U.S. magistrate judge previously described M.F. Corporate Ser- New Zealand's dollar, which "Providing an up-front, uncon- 0.3 percent at 109.50 yen and at All 12 of the gas compression trains, including the highly efficient tends to follow the Aussie's move- ditional component to debt relief $1.11 to the euro. vices as an agent for Mossack Fonseca, a Panamanian law firm that set aeroderivative turbines, are manufactured at GEMTEC, which now has up offshore financial accounts and anonymous shell companies. ments, also fell 0.7 percent to a is critical to provide a strong and Philadelphia Fed President over 500 employees, 70 percent of them Saudi technical professionals. two-month low of $0.6706 , while credible signal to markets," a re- Patrick Harker said on Monday a The secretary of state fined M.F. Corporate Services after investi- Over the past two years, GEMTEC has also evolved as a strong sup- gators checked with the business twice in April and found records were oil exporter Canada's dollar hit a port from the Fund's staff said. rate hike in June would be appro- porter of the Saudi SME sector. seven-week low to underscore the Stocks in China and Japan lost priate unless data weakens, while incomplete for many of the entities it represented. WEDNESDAY. MAY 25, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES

France’s most sought after invita- tion-only event, the Cannes Film Festival, is the perfect opportuni- ty for celebrities to showcase their art to the world — be it through their films or their wardrobe. Some celebs graced the red car- pet in gorgeous attire, while oth- ers failed miserably. From sparkles and ruffles to old Hollywood glam- our, stars tried their hand at just about everything. We’ve rounded up the winners at the red carpet as well as the losers (who unques- tionably need a dash of Anna Win- tour in their lives). Let’s take a look at the best dressed celebs. 1. Blake Lively If there’s one celeb who can never go wrong on the red carpet, it is the triumphant Blake Lively. The Gossip Girl star wore a beau- Aishwarya and Abhishek tiful sequins and cutout Atelier Bachchan always find a way Versace crsytal mesh gown which to give us relationship goals! was entirely beaded with Swarovs- Angelina Jolie is While promoting Sarbjit with ki crystals at the opening night gala. an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session She looks ethereal with her loose for her fans, Aishwarya was locks and Lorraine Schwartz jew- asked a super adorable ques- els. now a professor tion by her biggest fan, Abh- 2. Julia Roberts ishek on Twitter. The Pretty Woman walked the The Happy New Year star red carpet barefoot to take a stand asked his wife how she man- against organisers who previously at LSE aged to make such an emotion- haven’t allowed women to enter Angelina Jolie, Oscar-winning ac- tionately affect women, such as aly draining film, and still come film screenings unless they were tor and special envoy to the Unit- sexual violence in conflict. in heels. The Hollywood beauty home with a smile on her face. ed Nations High Commissioner for “I am looking forward to teach- For which, Aishwarya had donned a classic black Armani refugees, is now stepping into the ing and to learning from the stu- Privé gown paired with a Red Car- an even more adorable re- field of academia as a Professor. dents as well as to sharing my own sponse. pet Collection necklace by Chop- One of Britain’s most presti- experiences of working alongside ard. Needless to say, she never Earlier, rumours had spi- gious universities, The London governments and the United Na- raled out of control concerning seems to age! School of Economics has appoint- tions,” she added. 3. Amal Clooney the couple’s marital troubles Effortless and fresh, Amal ed Jolie as a visiting faculty along- Jolie has been a goodwill am- when Abhishek walked away Clooney looks like a million bucks side former foreign secretary Wil- bassador for the UNHRC and she from Aish during the premiere in this yellow, silk chiffon, shoul- liam Hague. has been an avid campaigner for of Sarbjit. der-bearing gown by Atelier Angelina will serve as a lectur- the fight against female genital With this sweet exchange Versace. The style guru acces- er for a one year course, which will mutilation, refugee rights and vio- between the two however, the sorised with Cartier Etourdissant include modules such as ‘Women, lation of women’s rights. rumours can finally be put to earrings and Jimmy Choo Sandals Peace and Security,’ ‘Gender and Now there’s a psychological rest. — and George Clooney. Militarisation’ as well as ‘Gender condition called ‘Angelina Jolie 4. Chanel Iman and Human Rights.’ syndrome’! Victoria Secret model Chanel The Independent reports Jo- Lord Hague who hosted a four- Iman joined the thigh-high club lie as saying, “I am very encour- day summit two years ago in Lon- wearing a stunning silver and pink aged by the creation of this mas- don on ending sexual violence in 10 reasons SRK is the ultimate life coach cut-out gown by KaufmanFranco. ter’s programme. I hope other aca- war, with Jolie said, he was “de- Talk about time flying! Fifteen Iman worked her magic as she demic institutions will follow this lighted” to be appointed. Angelina years after Shah Rukh Khan’s showed off her naturally beautiful example, as it is vital that we broad- has recently been vocal about the first-born child played his mini- features with her hair pulled back en the discussion on how to ad- refugee crisis, and the failure of me in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, into a sleek, high ponytail compli- vance women’s rights and end im- European governments to address Aryan Khan has graduated high mented with a subtle smokey-eye punity for crimes that dispropor- it. school. look. Being the devoted dad that he 5. Ryan Gosling is, SRK has reached London to Hollywood heartthrob Ryan celebrate this milestone in Aryan’s Gosling, always knows how to life. look on point. The Notebook star This adorable photo of SRK’s sported a white dinner jacket — a daughter and son at the beach has classic, yet daring piece. His mid- gone viral night blue trousers and bow-tie The king of Bollywood also break from the usual black-tie, got a little sentimental and poured making his whole attire edgy and classy. So dapper, Mr. Gosling! his heart out on Twitter. “Today Now that the best have come the only negative is that my kids to rest, let’s have a look at the ones have grown up…now to wait till who failed to impress on the red they start believing in fairy tales carpet. again… Awww, quite touching, 1. Kristen Stewart isn’t it?” Kristen looked like everything Today the only negative is that she shouldn’t have at Cannes in my kids have grown up…now to this outfit. The pleated, Chanel wait till they start believing in fairy skirt looks a tad too sleazy for the tales again… pic.twitter.com/ red carpet. She’s managed to pull XKJCWV4bd0 off eccentric looks in the past, but Since SRK has proven his im- this one’s clearly not working for mense love for Aryan, Suhana and The only reason fathers were 6. Hugs 5 reasons you need to watch her. AbRam time and again, we look made was to convince you that’s The not too loose or tight phi- Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Fan’ The Twilight star failed to im- back at 10 times the superstar ‘Its okay’ even when it’s not….and losophy of life doesn’t apply to 9. Knowledge press with her Chanel skirt. PHO- No respite: Madonna shared his wisdom using his kids to warm frozen hands, these hugs. These ones tighter the The proof is in the TO: FILE as prime examples. pic.twitter.com/wmcvQPHJcr better!!! pic.twitter.com/ reading.“Books r no more threat- 2. Elena Lenina slammed for Prince tribute Here’s what he has taught us: — Shah Rukh Khan (@iam- As5vnlvqi3 Russian reality TV star and ened by Kindle than stairs by ele- LAS VEGAS: Madonna came un- guitar, a key element of the late 1. Ups and downs srk) June 21, 2015 — Shah Rukh Khan (@iam- vators” Stephen Fry. & so it is. author Elena Lenina went for a Sumtimes u have 2 let Life turn der fire for her tribute to Prince Minneapolis singer’s repertoire, 4. Truth srk) January 28, 2014 pic.twitter.com/i2yg2jQMpo Lady Gaga inspired look, but end- u upside down, so u can learn how The long and short of 7. Past, present and future ed up looking frightening. More is during the Billboard Music Awards and far removed from a typical — Shah Rukh Khan (@iam- ceremony, which critics saw as too 2 live, rite side up.Or Big Brother it….truth has a beauty if it's own. My little son has turned 16 more for Lenina and this over ac- is always there pic.twitter.com/ pic.twitter.com/gijWSze7qC today & I hope he learns fast that srk) March 20, 2015 cessorised look with her gravity- distant from the late artist himself. 10. Imperfections Wearing a shimmering lilac- fuZQwXXEfS — Shah Rukh Khan (@iam- "Tomorrow always comes and to- defying cone-head makes us ques- — Shah Rukh Khan (@iam- srk) February 15, 2015 day is never yesterday" Lessons from my littlest tion if this is experimental fashion colored suit, she took to the stage one…“Just because it’s broken at the end of the evening and sang srk) September 13, 2015 Aryan Khan’s Hoverboard pic.twitter.com/vshxOvLvRL or just an attempt at grabbing at- 2. The three roots of virtue does not mean it’s not beautiful….” tention. Nothing Compares 2 U followed stunt proves he’s cooler than his — Shah Rukh Khan (@iam- by Purple Rain as she held the hand The 3 roots of virtue r : Lack dad srk) November 12, 2013 pic.twitter.com/ypJRCSJCpe 3. Mallika Sherawat of greed, Lack of hatred, Lack of Clad in a Georgeshobeika of surprise guest Stevie Wonder. 5. Faith 8. Love — Shah Rukh Khan (@iam- dress, Mallika Sherawat walked Despite the tangible emotion, delusion…I have all three by de- The beat u can do for ur sons …there really are places in the srk) May 6, 2015 But we believe the red carpet looking absolutely critics said her performance was fault not by deeds. is to instill the faith that they nev- heart you don’t even know exist the best is yet to come, as he boring. Her figure-hugging gown disappointing, panning it on so- pic.twitter.com/hXKjyhIGlO er feel fear coming home. until you love a child… says… I haven’t shown u every- left an unmemorable mark this year cial media. — Shah Rukh Khan (@iam- pic.twitter.com/3QGy0HLQV2 pic.twitter.com/MutKos4dAz thing a father can do…stay with for the Murder actor. We’re disap- Her interpretation was full of Prince performance and its unique srk) September 12, 2015 — Shah Rukh Khan (@iam- — Shah Rukh Khan (@iam- me cos I have plans for you… pointed to say the least. languor and devoid of any solo brand of danceable funk. 3. Fatherhood srk) August 2, 2014 srk) December 8, 2015 pic.twitter.com/WKCxxjGRfW WEDNESDAY. MAY 25, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES The Raptors show they belong, and the Cavs now face real adversity Whether this series winds up go- ing four games or five — and it's really tough to envision it lasting The idea of a potential bout – a around like sheep. Nothing, of course, is further ing for the easiest possible fight to professional boxing match? Any “But if there are red flags or longer than that — the [Cleveland] boxing match – between Floyd It’s been one of the most prom- from the truth, but that hasn’t make the most possible money. athletic commission worth its salt concerns I see, I will say no.” Cavaliers are just in a different Mayweather and Conor McGre- inent topics in the fight game since stopped people from talking about This is not meant to dog McGre- would not approve McGregor as UFC president Dana White, class than the [Toronto] Raptors, gor is sheer lunacy. It’s almost cer- a tabloid “broke” the news a few it and acting like it's going to hap- gor, the UFC featherweight cham- an opponent for Mayweather in a who is in Mexico on a short vaca- especially with [Kyle] Lowry flail- tainly not going to happen and yet weeks ago that a bout between the pen. pion and one of the finest mixed boxing match, but sadly, the state tion after meeting with McGregor ing like this and with [Jonas] Val- anciunas in a suit. Unless both Mayweather is leading many superstars was done. Mayweather is simply look- martial arts fighters in the world. of regulation in the fight game is and Nate Diaz last week, said if those things change dramatically It’s reality, though. McGregor such that it would, in fact, be ap- there is to be a Mayweather- in time for Saturday's Game 3 at is not a boxer. Boxing and MMA proved somewhere. McGregor bout, Mayweather’s Air Canada Centre, the Cavs will are like cousins, but they are not Essentially, what fans who team would have to reach out to not face real adversity, the kind the same sports by any stretch. believe this idiocy should consid- him. presented by an opponent that can An elite boxer will destroy an elite er is if they’d want to see a boxing “I haven’t talked to Floyd at take your best shot and return one MMA fighter in a boxing match. match between a guy who won an all [about this],” White said, add- in kind, until they reach their sec- And an elite MMA fighter would Olympic bronze medal and then ing a quick no when asked if he’d ond straight NBA Finals. destroy a boxer in an MMA fight. went 49-0 as a pro going up against spoken to Mayweather Promo- Well, four nights later, Valan- So when Mayweather talks a 0-0 boxer. tions CEO Leonard Ellerbe, May- ciunas is back in uniform, but not about a $100 million payday to If you thought the Mayweath- weather advisor Al Haymon or yet back on the court; he was ac- fight McGregor, what he’s really er-Manny Pacquiao fight was bad anyone else connected with the tive for Monday's Game 4, but the saying is that he doesn’t want any- – and it was horrid – Mayweath- boxer about a potential bout with Raptors didn't need him. Not with one remotely in his class to fight er-McGregor would be far worse. Mayweather. “If there is going to Lowry and DeMar DeRozan play- him, but he wants to paid like he’s I asked Bob Bennett, the exec- be a fight between Floyd and ing like All-Stars, and with Bis- facing his greatest challenge. utive director of the Nevada Ath- Conor, at some point, they need mack Biyombo wreaking havoc on Mayweather routinely dis- letic Commission, whether he’d to talk to me. the interior. The Raptors are in the misses a potential fight between approve a boxing match between “But here’s the thing: Floyd Eastern Conference finals ... and himself and Gennady Golovkin, Mayweather and McGregor. He and [Manny] Pacquiao are in the maybe, for the first time in a while, the IBF/WBA/WBC middleweight declined to answer what he called same sport, and look how long it the Cavs are in trouble. champion, saying Golovkin is too a hypothetical, but his answer is took for them to fight each other. The Raptors picked up where they left off in Game 3, taking the big. OK, fair enough. telling nonetheless. It took six years for them to fight, fight to the Cavs early and holding But then he turns around in “The best I can tell you is that and they didn’t have to negotiate off a furious push late to earn a the same breath and he wants to our No. 1 priority is the safety of the rules or anything else. If Floyd 105-99 win in Game 4 to get level fight a guy who hasn’t had a single the fighters,” Bennett said. calls me, we’ll start with knees, at two games apiece. Toronto “Whenever a matchmaker submits kicks and elbows and go from dropped the first two games of the a bout to me, I look to see if it is there.” series in blowouts but stormed approvable. There are a litany of White told Yahoo Sports that back on its home court, turning this databases I’ll look at, as well as he plans to begin working on into a best-of-three contest that YouTube, to evaluate how the peo- McGregor’s next bout when he will resume at Quicken Loans Are- ple involved fight. There is a pro- returns to Las Vegas on Tuesday. na in Cleveland with Game 5 on cess I go through and if a fight is It’s likely he’ll fight in August, Wednesday. approvable, I’ll give it the green White said. Whether it is against After facing widespread criti- light. Nate Diaz remains in the air. cism following an 8-for-28 start to the series capped by a somewhat curious second-quarter siesta, Former champion Vincenzo Niba- Italian a massive 2min 51sec be- "If Kruijswijk doesn't collape, to a summit finish in Risoul, where Lowry followed up a strong Game li said he is ready to bite into his hind his Dutch rival. it's a no-brainer. He will win the the Italian won a stage on the 2014 Andy Murray feels 3 with an all-around masterpiece deficit to Giro d'Italia leader Steven Nibali says there is now only Giro." Tour de France. in Game 4. The All-Star point Kruijswijk on his way to stopping one option if he is to wrest back But the 31-year-old Italian, The decider will likely be stage guard torched the first line of the Dutchman making history in the pink jersey. one of only six riders to have won 20 next Saturday, when the pelo- Cleveland's defense — typically Turin next Sunday. "I will attack as I have done all the Grand Tours of Italy, France ton tackles the Vars, Bonette and ‘embarrassed’ by Kyrie Irving, though Matthew Lotto team leader Kruijswijk before," said the Sicilian, who none- and Spain, said he's not defeated Lombarda climbs in an otherwise Dellavedova got some too — ear- is poised to become the first theless admitted he is hoping fate yet. short but intense 132 km penulti- ly and often, popping for 35 points Dutch winner of the three-week will play a hand. Following the race's final rest mate stage. With Spaniard Alejan- on-court behavior on 14-for-20 shooting to go with five rebounds, five assists, three Italian race after stretching his "Things can change every day day on Monday, another hard day dro Valverde in fourth place and steals and just two turnovers in 44 overall lead on pre-race favourite on this race: (Tom) Dumoulin was in the mountains awaits Tuesday. 38secs behind Nibali, the Italian brilliant minutes. Nibali to nearly three minutes. really strong and now he's gone Although stages 17 and 18 hold could find a willing ally to help "I'm a confident player," said Nibali (Astana), nicknamed home. So has (Mikel) Landa." little opportunity for Nibali to him unseat Kruijswijk. But despite Lowry, who now owns the Rap- 'Lo Squalo' (The Shark), was in Dutchman Dumoulin (Giant) claw back time, stages 19 and 20 their "mutual respect" of each oth- tors' franchise record for 35-point second place at only 41secs be- spent several days in the pink jer- will be decisive before the final, er, Nibali admitted: "Let's say it postseason performances, to ES- hind Kruijswijk after Saturday's sey before pulling out on the 11th celebratory ride into Turin next wouldn't be easy." Instead, Nibali PN's Doris Burke after the game. 'Queen Stage' in the Dolomites stage with saddle sores, while Span- Sunday. hopes to turn his hurt pride -- fol- "I go out there and do my job. My mountains. ish contender Landa (Sky) retired Stage 19 is a 162 km run from lowing his dismal time trial per- teammates believe in me. My fam- But a mediocre performance in through sickness last week. Pinerolo which takes the peloton formance -- to his advantage. ily, my friends believe in me. I just Sunday's 15th stage uphill time Nibali virtually admitted the over the tough Col d'Agnello - the "My pride's been hurt but I'm go out there and play basketball. trial, when he lost further time due pink jersey could be heading to the highest peak in this year's 99th still confident," he added. "I've al- At the end of the day, I can live to a mechanical problem and a sub- Netherlands for the first time if edition - before a long descent into ways achieved my best successes with the critics and everything. I sequent bike change, has left the Kruijswijk holds firm. France and the subsequent climb after a defeat." can live with it. I'm gonna keep working. I know how hard I work on my game, so that's all that real- ly matters." After seeing a long jumper go through the net on the game's first possession, Lowry got engaged all over the court — pulling down re- bounds, lofting a lob for Biyom- bo, and working hard on the de- fensive end as part of a scrambling Toronto attack that held Cleveland to 9-for-23 shooting in the open- ing frame. Lowry cranked up the offensive output in the second quarter, finding his shooting touch with deep 3-pointers off both the bounce and the catch, pouring in Andy Murray, the world No. 2, which you react is not necessarily 15 of Toronto's 30 second-quarter has admitted feeling “embar- linked to what you really think, points to help stake the Raps to a rassed” about the way he acts while on reflection. That’s sport. It’s 57-41 lead at halftime. on the tennis court. tough, there’s pressure, it’s not On the other sideline, the Cavs After Murray’s former coach perfect. faced many of the same issues in Amelie Mauresmo parted compa- “And then, when I say what I Game 4 as they did in Game 3. ny with the Scot earlier this month, say, just because I am speaking in After selling out to run the hot- she described him as “complex” the direction of my box, it doesn’t shooting Cavaliers off the 3-point and said his on-court actions could mean it’s against my coach or my line early in the series resulted in a be “confusing.” team. It’s very often self-criticism. steady stream of drives to the rim, This comes from Murray’s I am abusing myself. But I’m not the Raptors have focused more on tendency to yell abuse in the di- resigning myself to this being un- packing the paint and forcing rection of his box during matches changeable. I’ve been working on Cleveland to prove the blistering that contains coaches and support. it for years, I am trying to be bet- shooting of Rounds 1 and 2 could “Sometimes I am embar- ter.” Murray is due to face Czech continue. It hasn't. rassed,” Murray told L’Équipe. Radek Stepanek on Monday in his The Cavs shot 18-for-54 out- “You have to try to understand opening match of the French side the paint in Game 3, and again that, on the court, a lot of things Open, but play has delayed the struggled mightily to knock down are happening to us. The way in match by two hours. perimeter shots early in Game 4. They shot a dismal 3-for-22 from 3-point land in the first two quar- ters, with Kevin Love, J.R. Smith and Kyrie Irving missing 13 of their 15 long-ball looks. During an interview between the first and second quarters, Cavaliers coach World number two Jordan Spi- Tyronn Lue told Burke that his eth was far from downbeat af- Cavs were "getting every shot we ter another final-round collapse want; we've just got to knock them saw him fall from second to down." equal 18th at the AT&T Byron It took a long time — and a Nelson on Sunday. Spieth - third quarter in which Lue rode all seeking his first win on the PGA five of his starters for all 12 min- utes, with Irving scoring 12 points Tour since the Tournament of on some ridiculously tough jump- Champions in January - was in ers to keep Cleveland close — but touching distance at Byron Nel- the Cavs finally did start cashing son as he entered the final round in on the looks they wanted early just two strokes off the lead. in the fourth. But a final round of four- After getting his rotation a bit over-par 74, which included six disjointed in the first half, Lue went bogeys, ended any hopes he had back to the lineup of James, Della- of winning the title - eventually vedova, Channing Frye, Richard taken by Sergio Garcia, who Jefferson and Iman Shumpert, prevailed in a play-off against which has become something of a Brooks Koepka. However, Spi- hammer second-unit lineup for the eth insisted he was not going to Cavs in this postseason. Lue sta- let one bad day get him down, tioned the veteran shooter Frye in adding he felt good over the ball. the weak-side corner, pulling rim- "I hit really solid swings," protector Biyombo out of the Spieth told CBS. "I was aggres- paint, and ran HORNS sets with sive through the ball today. I James and Jefferson stationed at wasn't hesitant at the ball, the elbows, Dellavedova handling which is what I was the last the ball up top, and running sim- couple of days trying to guide ple dribble handoff plays with James. Out of that alignment, the shots. I put nice, fluid solid Cavs' second unit (plus Irving, who swings on the golf ball. checked back in for Shumpert with "I don't know exactly what 6:40 remaining in the quarter) got happened. A break here, break absolutely everything it wanted, there, you know, gust of wind scoring on 12 straight possessions here or there that just let it push to start the fourth by generating the balls to roll into tough loca- eight dunks or layups, three open tions. 3-pointers and a pair of free throws. WEDNESDAY. MAY 25. 2016-Jawza 05, 1395 H.S Vol:X Issue No:294 Price: Afs.15

The Presidential Palace announced regarding the peace agreement. negotiatiosn between the High that there will be no negligence in Tuesday that there is no specific Hashemi further added that Peace Council and Hezb-e-Islami this regard. He also emphasized timeframe for the conclusion of small and big changes normally are underway. that anyone joining peace process peace deal with Hezb-e-Islami led takes place everyday, in every sec- However, he insisted that the should lay down arms, stop insur- by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. onds and at the final seconds of national interests of the country gency activities, respect the Afghan Deputy presidential spokes- peace process. and the Afghan people are a top constitution and reach to an agree- man Syed Zafar Hashemi told re- He said the Afghan government priority in all key issues, insisting ment with the government. porters that peace process is al- will update the Afghan people once ways complicated and it would be the two sides reach to an agree- a mistake to confirm a timeframe ment. This comes as the Afghan gov- The supreme leader of the Taliban from 2006 to 2012. 5th December 2008, 2nd January ernment signed the draft peace group Mullah Akhtar Mansoor Muallah Mansoor first landed 2010, 24th January 2010. Capital flight agreement with Hezb-e-Islami last was frequently using Karachi air- in Karachi via a private airline flight His last travelled has been re- week. port to travel to other countries on the 12th of March 2006 from ported to take place in 2012 when result of Deputy Chief Executive Mo- with reports suggesting he trav- and approximately five he caught a flight to Dubai on the hammad Khan told reporters last elled abroad through Jinnah Inter- months later caught a flight with 26th of January. inadequate week that the draft agreement has national airport for at least 18 the same airline to Dubai on the 23 The records available show, been signed and will become en- times. August 2006 only to return on the forceable once the Hezb-e-Islami pictures of Mullah Mansour aka facilities: MoE However, a local news chan- 4th of October the same year, ac- Wali Muhammad taken at the im- party signs it. nel in Pakistan has reported that cording to his travel history. AT News Report Meanwhile, the Chief Execu- Mullah Mansoor travelled to He was among the prominent migration counter, as well as in the tive Officer Abdullah Abdullah said Dubai 9 times using the airport and commanders of the group when he airport premises. KABUL: The Ministry of Econ- Mullah Mansoor was killed in omy on Tuesday claimed that Af- Sunday that the Afghan govern- once to Bahrain. was travelling to the other coun- ghan investors have invested ment is close to conclude a peace Citing the travel history of tries and his flights have been re- an airstrike carried out by the US around $80 billion abroad due to deal with Hezb-e-Islami led by Mullah Mansoor, the local Geo.tv ported to be in September of 2007, forces in the vicinity of lack of required facilities, includ- Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. reported Mullah Mansoor trav- 3rd of October 2007, 11th Janu- Balochistan province late on Sat- ing adequate power. Abdullah further added that elled between the three countries ary 2008, 23rd November 2008, urday afternoon. Speaking at the joint seminar with Da Afghanistan Breshna Sher- kat (DABS), the Minister of Econ- omy, Abdul Sattar Murad, said that there is no sufficient power to en- courage private sectors to invest, and give new life to the national Indian Prime Minister Narendra megawatts of electricity for 40,000 and can bring welfare to the peo- economy. Modi is expected to inaugurate families and will irrigate 80,000 ple," said Abdul Rauf Enami, sec- “The government should pay Salma Dam, a massive dam built hectares of farmland, belonging to retary of the Wolesi (Lower heed to domestic productions if it and funded by India in Herat prov- 50,000 families. House of Parliament). wants to see Afghanistan self-suf- ince. "It (Salma Dam) is needed and $300 million USD, funded by ficient in terms of economy,” he Located in the Chesth-e-Sharif will provide facilities to our peo- India, was spent on the construc- said. district, the hydro-electric project, ple in Herat province," said Ah- tion of Salma Dam over the past Moreover, he termed corrup- which is on the Hari Rud river, is mad Farhad Khademi, Chesht-e- tion in public sectors another rea- one decade. expected to benefit almost 100,000 Sharif district chief. The dam was originally con- son behind lack of investment in families in four districts of the However, it's not only Herat the country. structed in 1976 on the Hari river province, by providing them with residents who will benefit from the basin, but was badly damaged dur- “Existence of corruption in al- electricity and irrigation water. dam but people in other areas will most everywhere is the main rea- Experts meanwhile stand firm also in time feel the results. ing the civil war in Afghanistan. son behind government failure to- that if government undertakes such "If we manage to extend the The reconstruction of the dam wards development and economic big hydro-electric dam construc- power line till Ghor province, we was first initiated by an Indian growth in the country,” he said. tion projects, they will not only will be able to provide electricity company in 1988, but the project “The endemic corruption is a benefit the country economically (generated by Salma Dam) to a was left incomplete for a signifi- great challenge against the path of but will also help create jobs for number of districts there as well," cant period of time due to the on- economic progress, and hindering the people. said Abdul Basir Azimi, spokes- going instability caused by the civil government efforts to strengthen The dam, which is 20 km in man for the Ministry of Energy war. national economy,” he said. length and three kilometers in and Water. In 2006, India committed to Hinging to the widespread cor- width, has a water storage capaci- "The implementation of devel- funding the completion of the Sal- ruption, he asked the DABS to ty of 640 million cubic meters. opment projects is a solution; it is ma Dam. produce electricity from domestic This will be utilized to generate 43 a way that can support security sources. Tolonews