Eye on the News [email protected] Truthful, Factual and Unbiased Vol:XI Issue No:287 Price: Afs.20

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By Farhad Naibkhel Deputy provincial governor, Ab- dul Wali Sahi also confirmed kill- KABUL: At least three people ing of three people including two were killed and 31 others wound- security forces and wounded of 31 ABUL: Former President Hamid Karzai hosted lunch in honor of Mr. Gulbuddin ed on Saturday when a group of others in the incident over Kabul Hekmatyar, leader of Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan, on Saturday. The discussion armed men attacked the Kabul bank branch in Paktia. President was focused on the importance of returning peace to the country. Bank branch in southern Paktia Mohammad Ashraf Ghani con- province, local officials said. demns the attack on Kabul Bank “Four armed insurgents at- in Gardez and termed it a cynical tacked the Kabul Bank branch in assault on Afghan people living Gardiz city at around 2:30pm,” their lives and doing business. No said provincial spokesman, Abdul- armed group claimed responsibili- lah Hasrat. ty for the attack yet. It is pertained He added that one attacker to mention that often Kabul blew himself up to open way for branches attacked in different prov- his comrades to storm the bank “Four armed insurgents attacked the Kabul inces particularly in Kandahar and JALALABAD: Deputy director was properly used. “I met Afghan returnees are.” The IOM’s depu- building. Shortly after the attack, Nangarhar. Taliban militant had at- general of the International Orga- authorities and humanitarian col- ty director general went on to say Bank branch in Gardiz city at around 2:30pm,” Afghan Special Forces reached and tacked over Kabul bank branch in nization for Migration (IOM), leagues here, reaching a coordina- that Pakistan had promised to sup- killed the three attackers in an Nangarhar in 2011, it was the Laura Thompson, on Saturday said tion is aimed at making more ef- port the IOM in addressing issues hour-long gun battle. “Unfortu- bloodiest incident in which over Pakistan had promised to address forts to address the issues of re- of Afghan refugees. “Our office in nately, two police officers and one 100 killed and wounded mostly Afghan refugees’ issues and to for- turning refugees.” In her a brief visit Pakistan has been in contact with civilian were killed in the incident civilians. Most of the governmen- mally recognize them. Thompson to Torkham Township, she over- the Pakistani government and has and 31 more were injured,” Hasrat tal employees including police and visited Torkham border crossing to saw the assistance provision and submitted suggestions for resolv- said. Meanwhile, head of provin- army salary payment is through oversee the situation of returning called for needed steps. The on- ing Afghan refugees’ problems. Pa- cial health department, Shir Mo- Kabul bank, where despite of dif- Afghan families on Saturday. She line database system for registra- kistan as a member country of hammad, said that the bodies of ferent attack still government failed told reporters that her aim of vis- tion at the zero point area has al- IOM has promised to resolve ref- two police and one civilian as well to boost up security of the Kabul iting Afghanistan was to assess the lowed the returning families to re- ugees’ issues besides officially rec- as 31 wounded people mostly ci- bank and avoid such attack over Afghan refugees’ situation and to ceive aid. “This database enables ognizing them there.” see if the assistance by UNHCR aid organizations to find where the (Pajhwok) president of the Pakhtoonkhwa vilians were shifted to hospital. the bank branches. National Awwami Party, Abdul Rahim Mandokhil passed away due to illness,” Karzai was quoted 139 insurgents as saying by a statement. “Late Mandokhail was a steadfast politician and was con- killed in raids sistent to his beliefs and princi- ples. He spent his life in service of AT News Report his people.” Karzai added that Mandokhail was not only busy in ABUL: At least 139 mili politics, but had been fighting tants were killed and 66 through pen and writing. He had Kothers were wounded in enough information about the Af- different crackdowns within past ghanistan and region history, ac- 24 hours. In a press release issued cording to the former president. here, Ministry of Defense, (MoD) Mandokhail served as member of said that Afghan National Army AT News Report Pakistan’s parliament for several (ANA) in collaboration with Af- ghan National Police (ANP) and KABUL: Former President, Ha- rounds and had fought for his peo- ple’s interests in the parliament National Directorate of Security mid Karzai expressed regrets over (NDS) personal has conducted the death of politician Abdul Ra- sessions. “I wish paradise for late Mandokhail and express my sym- joint operations against insurgents him Mandokhil, calling him a “tire- in different areas of Nangarhar, less political combatant”. pathies and condolences to his family and the leader of the Pakh- Laghman, Kapisa, Paktia, Paktika, “With regrets, I learned that a Khost, Ghazni, Kandahar, Uruz- great political, social and cultural toonkhwa National Awwami Par- ty, Mahmoud Khan Achakzai.” gan, Zabul, Ghor, Farah, Kunduz, figure of Pakhtoonkhwa, and vice Faryab, Sar-e-Pul, Baghlan, Bada- khshan and Helmand province. The statement said that in these Mandokhail’s death a great loss operations 139 insurgents includ- ing two Taliban commanders and AT News Report 12 Daesh fighters were killed member of Balochistan Assembly and66otherswere injured. Two KABUL: The former Senator and in 1997’s general elections. He had insurgents were arrested during sitting member of the National As- served as senior deputy chairman operations and handed over to the sembly (MNA) of Pakhtunkhwa of PkMAP since 1989 and re- judicial organ for further inquiry. Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Ab- mained a senator from 1991 to This joint operation of the Defense dul Rahim Mandokhail passed 1997 and March 1996 to March Security Forces was supporting by away on Saturday after brief ill- 2012. Afghan masses and Pashtuns the artillery and air forces, added ness. He was a great Pashtun na- in both sides of Durand Line deep- statement. ANA discovered and tionalist and intellectual, working ly grieved over the demise of Ab- confiscated weapons and ammu- for regional peace, stability and dul Rahim Mandokhail, who nition in the operations as well. Pashtun unity. His death is a great passed away due to a short illness loss indeed. He was born on 15 he was suffering from. Mandokhail June 1932. He obtained degrees was known for his indefatigable in Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor efforts for the welfare of the peo- of Law. The deceased lawmaker ple livening in both sides of the was Deputy Chairman of Line. The Afghan people are ex- Achakzai-led Pashtun nationalist tending their heartfelt condolenc- party. He served as deputy chair- es to the brave family, party lead- man of Pakhtunkhwa MIlli Awa- ership and workers and pray par- mi Party from 1989 until his death adise for the Mandokhail. His in 2017. He was also elected as death was a great lose indeed.

ABUL: At least 10 Deash fighters were killed and six Kothers wounded during army operation in eastern Nangar- AT Monitoring Desk Eight insurgents were killed in har province, said officials. the overnight gun battles, he said, A press statement issued by KABUL: At least eight Taliban adding that security forces were Nangarhar provincial press office insurgents were killed after they also received casualties, but re- said that 10 Daesh fighters includ- attacked security post, which also strained to give exact figures. The ing a commander were killed and cased security forces casualties, in clashes had ended in all districts six others were wounded during southern Ghazni province, an of- accept Waghaz, Amarkhel, he operations conducted by Afghan ficial said on Saturday. claimed. National Army in Chaparhar dis- Police Chief, Brig. Gen. An inhabitant of the locality, trict of Nangarhar. Statement said Aminullah Amarkhel, told Pajh- who did not want to be named, that the killed commander named wok Afghan News that the Tali- said severe clashes were ongoing Hamza. Different parts of Chapar- ban attacked security check-posts in Waghaz, where the militants had har district were cleared from in Ghazni City, Deh Yak, Ab Band, captured a tank from security forc- Daesh during operation as well, Waghaz, and Zankhan districts. es. noted the statement. SUNDAY . MAY 21 , 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

Apology call after DUP candidate’s ‘false’ Afghanistan claim

Afghanistan veteran Doug Beattie has called on DUP election rival David Simpson to apologise to voters after false claims Mr Simp- son had visited troops in the war torn country. Both men are contesting the Upper Bann seat in next month’s general election. Mr Beattie is a former Army captain with the Royal Irish who is standing as the Ulster Unionist candidate. He served in both Iraq troops, the political and security monize the Islamic State or Al- gas attack that was over-amplified and Afghanistan. situation in Afghanistan will like- Qaeda and draw a whole support in the world media was fabricated The DUP said a printing error ly get worse”. to wage a filthy war against “the and later the ground was prepared led to the mistaken claim, but a In spite of being the most pow- nations” where these terrorists for the US to carry out Tomahawk party spokesman pointed out that erful military in a recent ranking, operate. missile strikes on Syrian Shayrat Mr Simpson had “witnessed the the US casts the Taliban “unbeat- Unrest in Afghanistan is a rec- airbase without finding that the bravery of our soldiers in Iraq” able”. The US officials since long ipe for more US weapons’ sales to Khan Shaikhon chemical attack around the time he was said to have predict each coming year “danger- war-exposed countries, viable drug was launched from this base. been in Afghanistan. ous” for Afghanistan. But how do trafficking that generates a profit According to Afghan Human It remained unclear last night they know that? far beyond measure, unearthing of Rights organization, the Afghan if the leaflets containing the error The other day, the US Joint underground resources worth of war has claimed some 40,000 lives were still being circulated or have Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph several trillion dollars, restraining only between 2009 and 2016. Laal been withdrawn. Dunford speaking at Saint Micha- of the regional military and eco- Gul an Afghan Human Rights ex- Mr Beattie said he was “ex- el’s College in Vermont also fol- nomic rival powers and so others. pert says: tremely disappointed” at the erro- lowed the track of James Mattis The insurgent groups – be it in “The Afghan and NATO se- neous claim. and Daniel Coats and stressed on Afghanistan, Syria or Iraq depend- curity officials never disclose a true “David Simpson should apol- sending more troops to Afghani- ing on the nature of war – have statistic of victims of an attack”. ogise to voters for the false claim stan. While speaking, he hinted at always chanted their slogans It is aimed to simmer down made in his election leaflet that he the latest Afghan Army massacre against the military forces or the public fury. In Afghanistan, anoth- has ‘visited British troops the and raised it as basis to lobby the incumbent governments – not ci- er excuse for civilian causalities is front line in Afghanistan’,” he said. audience. The US never bothers to vilians. But the wars have instead that the Taliban loyalists bury “Many politicians visit troops deliver a statement repeatedly un- largely cost the ordinary people’s IEDs or landmines on public ave- on the front line of any given the- less the issue is concerned for it. lives. nues allegedly for striking Afghan atre of operations but there is no These high-ranks’ back-to- In almost every Taliban attack Army or the NATO’s convoy, but shame on any politician who back rhetoric speech comes as the where the NATO and Afghan forc- in many instances a civilian vehi- doesn’t visit the troops. Howev- US is vigilant of measurable Rus- es or government officials were cle often packed with people has er, there is shame on any politi- sian support of the Taliban fronts targets, quite a few normal people run over the explosives and torn cian who says they have visited in parts of Afghanistan. have fallen victim. Typically, in a apart. In an extremely disturbing troops but in reality have not. In October 2015, the Taliban recent suicide attack on NATO episode, a footage released earlier “I am extremely disappoint- militants rushed into the unseen fleet in Kabul, no international ser- showed that an old man rushes to ed, given that in 2010 and 2011 I mass-killing of civilians on the vicemen died or injured, but dead the scene where his entire family’s was serving and fighting in Afghan- streets of northern Kunduz city were only passersby and passen- car was blown up by a roadside istan with the Royal Irish Regi- and converted it into a ghost city. gers of a minivan running behind bomb and desperately looks to ment.” Afghanistan’s death toll from the pilation of war victims is unfound- unofficial figure put dead between The war analysts believed it was the convoy. women and children’s blood- Mr Beattie added: “One would US-led war is placed at 100,000 ed and impartial and it amounts to 300 and 400 soldiers]. The harrow- the US’s intrigue to send shock- The terrorist groups have left soaked corpses that litter around have thought that Mr Simpson people. This startling figure sparks complicity or clemency towards ing and murderous Balkh carnage waves into the Central Asian coun- almost no public establishment un- the explosion point. Later it fea- would have read his own election the speculation that the US and war instigators – by not disclosing could serve as a best example be- tries and importantly Russia. attacked over this period, from tures that the man burst into tears leaflet prior to publication, realised allies were just watching the peo- the right statistic or just by suffic- hind many civilian and military Following the Kunduz attack, hospitals and TV stations to uni- as he lifts a lifeless child’s body. that he had never been to visit front ple dying over this period. The ing to call on warring sides to heed deaths in Afghanistan. In days af- Sen. John McCain appeared to say versities and restaurants have tast- People of Afghanistan are put to line troops in Afghanistan, and US-based Brown University’s for civilians life. ter the massacre, the US Secretary that: “The Taliban’s strength has ed the undue violent killings. In suffer this way along the one-and- corrected the error. “Costs of War” study finds that at The Brown University’s of Defense James Mattis arrived been fueled by the Obama Admin- March, Kabul’s Sardar Moham- a-half-decade-long US “war on ter- “Mr Simpson needs to explain least 100,000 civilians have lost study concludes that over 370,000 in Kabul and informed of a new istration’s scheduled troop with- mad Daoud Khan hospital was ror”. This is while Trump is con- exactly how this situation has aris- their lives to the war between 2001 people have died due to direct war Washington strategy on the way drawal”. penetrated by several suicide sidering sending more troops to en, apologise and move on.” through 2014. violence in Afghanistan, Iraq and in a press conference with the top He critically directed the Kun- bombers. Every war front includ- Afghanistan. In 2011, there were In November 2010 it emerged It added to the injury when the Pakistan since 2001. It also re- US commander, as a response to duz attack’s blame to Obama ad- ing the Taliban leadership under- 100,000 US soldiers on the ground that Mr Simpson and UUP peer year 2015 ended up with record- vealed that the costly war in terms the incident. ministration’s “untimely” troop stands the immunity and neutrali- with almost the same causality rate Ken Maginnis had a trip to Af- high human casualities than any of life and expenditure didn’t re- The carnage apparently be- drawdown. He wanted the troops ty of hospitals having no issue of present day. Fewer more troops ghanistan cancelled when the MoD single year since 2001. And then sult in inclusive, transparent, dem- came a motive for the likely shift to stay behind and only such a trag- with war, but the armed men in- are not up to making a twist in could not find body armour large at the end of the following year ocratic governments in Afghanistan in US’s policy that might be de- edy was feasible to push the differently set off a killing spree civilian life. Many years ago, an enough to fit them. 2016, United Nations Assistance and Iraq. ployment of further US troops, troop-pullout plan in reverse. and shot dead every one they came Afghan journalist who was not Both men had been due to meet Mission in Afghanistan According to the Syrian Cen- more military hardware and de- Even though McCain and oth- across in the hospital including ail- named over security reasons up with Royal Irish and Irish (UNAMA) described the causali- tre for Policy Research (SCPR), manding additional NATO forces ers have long sought more troops ing and elderly people and chil- learned about a mind blowing fact Guards on the front line. ties “shocking” and “unprecedent- Syrian fatalities caused by war, in Afghanistan. In this context, or continued war on terrorism, dren. The militants are, of course, after contacting a Taliban spokes- At the time, Lord Maginnis ed”. The rate is set to go up as the directly and indirectly, amount to Australia has already said it is Afghanistan loses more inhabitants aided and abetted by external and man and asking about those inno- said he was “absolutely furious” US mulls over sending further re- 470,000 people. It states the num- open to sending more soldiers af- to the fake war with every year internal elements and this is just a cents killed in the Taliban suicide at the MoD’s decision. inforcements and F-16 fighters jets ber is twice the UN’s figure of ter Berlin signaled reservations. going by. show of distorted reality in Afghan- bombing, who replied: “Those “To be told at the last minute that suggest fierce war. 250,000 victims collected nearly a In a single sentence: it was not Even the waves of so-called istan used by war architects to hold Afghans [other than foreign that the British Army has not got The Brown University’s find- year ago. The SCPR’s report esti- the carnage that caused the strate- “terrorists attacks” in Germany, a foot on the ground. While the troops] killed in the blast would two flak jackets with a 54” chest ing seems to be authentic, because mates that 11.5% of the country’s gy change, but it was, indeed, the Holland and France last year un- terrorist groups have nothing in go straight to the heaven along with was just a bit thick,” he told the it is strongly circulated among Af- population has been killed or in- strategy change that caused the derscores that these are the con- mind to achieve by slaughtering the suicide bomber”. The intensi- BBC. Lord Maginnis, who was ghan war experts that an average jured since the crisis erupted in carnage. spiracy theories aimed at continu- innocents, it rather give birth to fying conflict tells that another said to weigh around 18 stone in of 20 people die a day in Afghani- March 2011. Afterwards, in a Senate Intel- ous war in Syria and elsewhere. grounds for the West’s presence huge bulk of people is about to 2010, added: “I wanted to go out stan that constitute the estimated In Afghanistan, civilians are ligence Committee hearing, the US Many Europeans would still keep and drag the fake war well into the perish in the future. The people of and meet the troops and made con- number when calculated. On the killed for certain causes, and it is National Intelligence Chief Daniel faith with the war-mongers’ future. This war is stoked or afloat Afghanistan and other war- siderable efforts to clear my diary. opposite front, the UNAMA re- not by accident. Last month, ten Coats spoke of a downhill securi- cooked-up stories and back the US thanks, in most part, to the “kill wrecked nations can no longer tol- So this made me very cross. I am ports the Afghan fatalities about Taliban suicide infiltrates killed 170 ty in Afghanistan through 2018. and NATO’s intervention in Syr- and then blame” policy. This is erate such a vortex which is put- no giant, neither is Davy Simpson. one third of the Brown Universi- soldiers in a military headquarter He said: ia. The sole purpose of all these well captured in Syria’s Khan ting them on agony. We are both reasonably normal, al- ty’s figure. This UN agency’s com- in northern Balkh province [the “Even if NATO deploys more planned attacks was and is to de- Sheikhon chemical attack. First the (GLOBALRESEARCH) though we are bigger than most. “The reality is that we have young men and women out there fighting for us. They are putting their lives on the line. They de- Afghanistan famous serve a little bit of consideration.” Lord Maginnis also said that he had made the trip to Afghani- for rich historical, stan two years previously – and had lost weight since then. Responding to Lord Maginn- is’s claim at that time, the MoD cultural heritages said: “Nobody is allowed to board an aircraft to Afghanistan without International Museum day is cel- gapore, Malaysia and Hungary get correctly fitting body armour. ebrated worldwide on and around much of their incomes from tour- Despite of low level literacy rate “The MoD provides a wide 18 May every year around the ism industry. Thus, cultural heri- of people in traditional society of range of sizes but regrettably none theme Museums and contested tages have both historical and eco- Afghanistan and lack of sufficient was suitable on this occasion. We histories: Saying the unspeakable nomical values and can expand reading and writing skill, people recognise the importance of poli- in museums. This day is an occa- world tourism industry and pro- have poetical style and have plen- ticians visiting Afghanistan but this sion to raise awareness on how vide employment opportunities. ty of enthusiasm to reading and trip has been postponed while we important museums are in the de- But, unfortunately no govern- hearing of fictions and epic books try to source sufficiently sized velopment of society. Museums ment and non-government institu- which was extensively common in body armour.” (portadowntimes) which are part of historical monu- tions have paid attention to this the past in Afghanistan. ments are in fact showing cultural sector despite that Afghanistan is Shahnama-e- Ferdosi colletion and historical identification of a rich in having historical, valuable of Hafiz, Bedel, yousuf and Ze- society; so, protection and pres- and cultural heritages as the most laikha, Laili and Majnon, Shirin – ervation of historical monuments valuable things in culture, history o-Farhad. Warqa-o-Gulshah, Amir Ronsford are the duty and responsibility of and diplomacy of our country are Arsalan etc were among the books all the people of a country. Afghan- historical monuments and muse- which were often used in most beaton istan is rich in having historical and um. evening parties and read. Skilled cultural heritages as Buddha stat- Organized destructions, irre- readers were asked and invited to ue and remains of Ghulghula and sponsible treatments of the coun- attend these parties and please the called up for Zahak in Bamyan, Ikhtyaruddin try’s previous governments and participants. These readers were Castle and minarets in Herat, Min- dozens of others reasons as three those rare people who had enough Afghanistan aret of Jam in Ghor, nine domes in decades war in the country have skill in book reading. Traditional Balkh, Jamshid Throne in Saman- caused that most of historical mon- book reading is still common in T20Is gan and historical monuments in uments in Afghanistan have been some provinces. Ghazni, all called as cultural heri- destructed. In the wake of development Ronsford Beaton, the 24-year old tages of the country. Moreover, most of our histor- of modern technologies, the night fast bowler from Guyana, is the The respective historical monu- ical monuments and cultural heri- book reading tradition and evening only uncapped member in the West ments and heritages in fact narrate tages have been trafficked by pow- book reading parties were gradual- Indies squad for the three T20Is glory and clear past of our history erful groups and individuals to ly fading as today there are only against Afghanistan in St Kitts and culture. world markets. few enthusiasts. Modernization of from June 2. But, the question is how much the Among these groups and po- connections played great role in Beaton has picked up 31 wick- new generation of our country ben- litical and military fronts in the slow downing of book business ets in 36 T20s, with a best of 4 for efits and has information about the country, Taliban had made most market and people acquaintance 9, and has represented Guyana country’s historical and cultural their efforts for destruction of the with culture of book reading. Be- Amazon Warriors and Trinbago heritages. country’s historical and cultural cause in the past if people wanted Knight Riders in the CPL. What is the impact of this glory heritages. According to Taliban re- to attend evening book reading Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, past on modality of today’s situa- gime’s minister of information and parties, spend their leisure time and no room for book reading. Because on book business and as a result sufficient and book production Lendl Simmons and Marlon Sam- tion? What particular steps have culture, he himself destroyed a enjoy, they had no other option to these people have no time to think prices have increased that causes development process is the basic uels, all of whom played the IPL, been taken by yesterday and to- number of statues in Kabul muse- fill this gap. But today, due to de- on book. its supply. But in recent years, issue and there are a lot of prob- were retained from the squad that day’s generation in connection um. Meanwhile, the order for de- velopment and progress of infor- This problem has caused slow book industries have been quickly lems and shortages in publishing lost 2-1 to Pakistan. Jonathan Cart- with preservation of cultural heri- struction of Bamyan’s Buddhas mation technology in the world and growth of book industry in Af- growing and we have been wit- of high quality books. er, Andre Fletcher and Veerasam- tages in the country? What role and had been also issued by this re- Afghanistan, people are less en- ghanistan. Those who manage and nessing publishing of hundreds Printing press have their own my Permaul were left out. Jason position do museum and histori- gime. Currently, it is anticipated thusiast of evening book reading capable to write, cannot support books inside the country and im- problems. At the moment due to Holder, the ODI captain, was rest- cal heritages have in current cul- that non-government and govern- parties and prefer to listen radio, their families in this way. The chain ports of hundreds thousands books free market, this problem has been ed. "After the T20 series against ture and history of our country? ment institutions in particular min- watch TV or use internet and face- of poor reader, destitute writer and from outside. removed to an extent. In the last Pakistan, we felt that it was im- How many museums have been istry of information and culture book etc. But for most of those no customer printing industry is Although Afghanistan has over one and half decade unprece- portant to keep the same group chosen for preservation of histor- should take effective steps to- who take studying serious, book due to economic backwardness of gained membership of world orga- dented number of books have been together so that the coaches can ical monuments across the coun- wards preservation of historical is the best means of gaining knowl- our country. nization of international standard published. continue developing the young try? In addition to delivering past monuments and renovation of the edge. Like other fields, Afghanistan book number and the MoIC con- In few recent years, several players," the chairman of the se- experiences and values to today’s country’s museums in particular Economic constraint is anoth- is dependent to imports in the field siders it as an achievement (Inter- book fairs have been organized by lection panel Courtney Browne generation, cultural heritages can Kabul museum as well as pay fur- er reason behind non-growth of of culture. Majority of available national Standard Number of book MoIC that play useful role in pro- said. "This coupled with the vast attract tourists and cause expan- ther attention to preservation of book reading in Afghanistan. In books in our domestic markets are has legalized book printing and motion of people cultural level and T20 experience of some of our se- sion of tourism in the country. the country’s historical and cultur- most families whose members are imported from abroad specially publishing and the books published majority of audiences of these book nior players can help us to build a Based on statistics of World al heritages by launching public always involved to meet the most Iran and Pakistan. According to inside the country, enjoy interna- fairs were university lecturers stu- very formidable unit. Tourism Organization, France, It- awareness programs across the essential requirement such as piece some book traders, the Afghan tional reputation) but only mem- dents not ordinary people. (ESPNCRICINFO) aly, Turkey, Thailand, Greece, Sin- country. (BNA) of bread, rent of house etc, there is government has levied high taxes bership in this organization is not (Kabul Times) SUNDAY . MAY 21 , 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

NATO laying groundwork

other colleagues assisted me and I to send more too resisted.” Another policewoman, Wahi- troops da, said she had been in police for the past seven years. She was a to Iraq, year ago selected in the police spe- cial unit. Afghanistan Wahida said her had been ap- pointed in her home district but she could not perform her duty BRUSSELS: NATO’s military there due to security and other leaders are laying the groundwork threats. to send thousands of additional “My duty is approved for our troops to Afghanistan and Iraq to district, but I cannot go there be- train local forces locked in fierce EMERGENCY cause our home is there,” she said battles with militants. The move about the reason behind working comes as alliance leaders shape and CALLS in the provincial capital, Taloqan. debate a multi-year plan to pro- She said there were 10 people tect combat gains in those coun- Police in her family and her spouse was tries and eliminate safe havens jobless and she had to bear all the where extremist groups might plan expenses. attacks against the West. 100 - 119 She said policewomen faced “I think what we’ll see is that problems in Taloqan as well, but NATO will continue with a fairly Hospitals such problems would resolve with modest contribution in the near the passage of time and awareness. term and that political leadership FMIC Hospital Women’s rights activist in in the coming months will discuss Taloqan, Shema Sarwish, said the the potential for NATO assuming Behind Kabul Medical government should provide more a greater responsibility in Iraq,” University: facilities to policewomen than po- Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Jo- licemen. seph Dunford told reporters 0202500200-+93793275595 She said policewomen were Wednesday after a day of meet- often subjected to discriminatory ings at the alliance’s headquarters. Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital treatment and their rights were vi- Dunford said specific troop olated. However, she did not go levels were not discussed during Pule Bagh-e- Umomi into details. the meetings, which took place one 070263672 “Still we don’t have police- week before NATO heads of state women in a number of districts and meet here. only a few female police are in the “What I just want to do is try Khairkhana Hospital provincial capital, the government to find a way for each country to 0799-321007 should encourage women into join- optimize the contribution they ing the police and military,” she could make,” he said. 2401352 said. Chief policewoman at the po- NATO leaders hope to know lice headquarters, Nazifa Farhat, how many additional U.S. troops said female police not only faced will be sent to Afghanistan by Indira Gandhi Children problems in Takhar but in the month’s end, allowing the alliance Hospital, Wazir Akbar whole of Afghanistan as she re- to deploy troops to meet the up- ferred to cultural restrictions and tick in fighting that comes with Khan, Kabul 2301372 security threats. “The problems warmer weather. U.S. President were grave five years ago, but now Donald Trump is expected to make they have reduced, currently there a decision after next week’s over- Ibn-e- Seena are 46 female police officers, ser- seas trip to NATO and the Mid- geants and constables in Takhar,” dle East, National Security Advi- Pul-e-Artan, Kabul she said. She said besides Taloqan sor H.R. McMaster said last week. 2100359 policewomen performed duty in At the same time, NATO gen- Farkhar, Kalfagan, Baharak and erals appears to have a consensus Namak Ab districts. She also said that the alliance should take on Wazir Akbar Khan TALOQAN: A number of police- lice personnel in Takhar. One of of problems, if I was not a police- She said policewomen besides se- they planned to appoint police- more responsibility in Iraq. Hospital women in northeastern Takhar them, Gul Nasa, who joined po- woman, I would not have been able curity threats faced many other women in other districts as well. “NATO has the organization- province on Saturday complained lice more than 10 years ago, told to help them. Women come to the problems. “When I joined the po- She urged religious scholars, civil al construct, the processes and so 2301741, 2301743 about problems they faced in line Pajhwok Afghan News that her police headquarters, I help them lice, our mosque imam showed his society activists and the govern- forth to be able to take on a mis- of duty, but hoped things would spirit behind joining the force was and search them as well.” opposition and provoked people ment to play their role in resolving sion like that and do it on an en- improve with the passage of time. to serve the women. She said she supported her into attacking me. They were about problems policewomen faced. during basis,” Dunford said. Ali Abad There are about 50 female po- “Our many sisters face a lot family financially due to her job. to kill me, but the police chief and (Pajhwok) Many NATO nations have Shahrara, Kabul sent forces to battle Islamic State militants, contributing in one way 2100439 or another to airstrikes, the train- Russia should ing of local forces, or both. In Feb- ruary, NATO launched a counter- Malalai Maternity engage with IED training program in Iraq. But Hospital while the fight in Afghanistan re- mains an alliance-led mission 2201377/ 2301743 US to ensure dubbed Operation Resolute Sup- port, the anti-ISIS coalition in Iraq Banks peace in is coordinated by the U.S. military. “[T]here is general agreement Da Afghanistan Bank Afghanistan: that NATO can, and should do more [in Iraq], especially by step- 2100302, 2100303 ping up efforts in training, capaci- Congressman ty building, institution building, Bakhtar Bank exercises to increasing home capa- U.S. Congressman from Virgin’s bilities, that means the kinds of 0776777000 5th district, Tom Garrett says activities where NATO has not Azizi Bank Russia should be engaged with the only a good reputation but also a United States in hoping for stable, lot of expertise and experience,” 0799 700900 secure and peaceful Afghanistan. Czech Gen. Petr Pavel, chairman In a brief interview with Ari- of NATO’s Military Committee, Pashtany Bank ana News in the United States, said at a press conference after the 2102908, 2103868 Garrett said that Russia should meetings. work with the U.S. to ensure se- The alliance is waiting for Ira- curity and stability in Afghanistan, qi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Air Services instead of backing the Taliban in- For more than three years now, to set a long-term requirement for surgent elements in the country. Qishloq Ovozi and the Majlis pod- many areas. The 209th Corps, or um poppy cultivation in north- training security forces. That de- Safi Airways “Russia should be engaged cast have been following events in Shaheen Corps, is responsible for west Afghanistan than any time he cision is expected in the coming with the United States in hoping northern Afghanistan, in the prov- northern Afghanistan. The 209th could remember. months. 020 22 22 222 for stable, secure and peaceful Af- inces that border Central Asia, is stretched thin and that is the rea- According to a 2016 UN re- “When the level of violence is ghanistan, and being engaged with while the situation there went from son militant groups have been able port, Badghis Province, which driven down to the point where Ariana to bring so many districts in north- borders Turkmenistan, is the sec- militant elements as Taliban is not concerning to unstable. law enforcement and local Iraqi 020-2100270 can do so to that end.” This reporting benefited great- ern Afghanistan at least partially ond-largest producer of opium security forces can deal with it, The Garret said that the Unit- ly from the work and dedication under their control. poppies among Afghanistan's 34 presumably there will still be a ed States wants to work with Af- of one person, Shamerdanguly Some people told Myrady the provinces. Badghis is west of mission to continue to build the Kam Air ghan government to make corrup- Myrady, one of our correspon- attack on the Shaheen Corps base Jowzjan and Balkh. where militants are in control, in- capacity of Iraqi security forces,” 0799974422 tion at minimum and to make sure dents in Afghanistan. in Mazar-e Sharif on April 22 that People Myrady encountered cluding districts on the border with Dunford said. his country do everything with At significant personal risk, he left more than 130 soldiers dead told stories of vehicles being Turkmenistan. Dunford said NATO members soft power. has been making trips to northwest shattered the confidence of many stopped by Taliban fighters and Myrady's reporting sheds might contribute to Operation In- Hotels “The United States obviously Afghanistan, his native area, to re- people that government forces some people being taken away, of some small light on the dire situa- herent Resolve — the formal name Safi Landmark intervene in Afghanistan, follow- port on events as the situation there could protect them. insurgents that locals described as tion in northwestern Afghanistan. for the anti-ISIS campaign in Iraq ing the Taliban’s decision to har- deteriorated. He just went again. This has led to an increase of "Daesh" or IS militants beheading Recent reports on fighting in north- — in the areas of logistics, acqui- bor Al-Qaeda who attacked the Myrady spent a week in paramilitary formations in the area, locals. ern Afghanistan came from battle- sition, institutional capacity build- 020-2203131 United States in September 11th; Balkh, Jowzjan, and Sari Pul prov- such as Menan's group. Myrady There were also tales about the fields in Kunduz and Badakhshan ing, leadership schools and acade- I think we intervene successfully inces at the start of May, and this said that based on what people told Taliban collecting money from vil- provinces, in northeastern Afghan- mies. But he said he does not ex- SERENA so now we have a fledgling gov- is some of what he reported to him, it seems paramilitary groups lagers for electricity supplied by istan, along the border with Tajiki- pect the alliance to take control of ernment in place and we want to RFE/RL's Turkmen Service, such as the Arbaky are now doing Turkmenistan, or simply collect- stan. the mission as in Afghanistan. 0799654000 work to ensure that corruption is known locally as Azatlyk. most of the fighting in districts ing "zakat," or taxes, from locals. The situation appears no bet- In Afghanistan, U.S. Army at minimum and the opportunity Myrady said there were many away from the provincial capitals. Myrady said it appeared small ter in northwestern Afghanistan, Gen. John Nicholson, the top New Rumi Restaurant is at maximum, everything we can armed groups operating in north- The lack of government con- bazaars selling weapons and nar- it just doesn't get reported, which NATO commander there, is about do with soft power that is with- western Afghanistan -- "just in the trol has other consequences. cotics are operating in some dis- makes Myrady's trips all the more 3,000 troops short of the number 0776351347 out bombs, bullets and missiles we Shortepa district, there are at least Myrady said there was more opi- tricts of northwestern Afghanistan important. (RFERL) he says he need. As of March, should do.” 10 [different] groups." there were about 13,500 NATO Internet Services The U.S. Congressmen further Shortepa is in the northwest troops in Afghanistan, including UA Telecom said that presence of the Daesh and corner of Balkh Province and it about 9,000 Americans. Al-Qaeda and some insurgent ele- borders Uzbekistan. The people NATO forces first deployed 0796701701 / 0796702702 ments of pre-2001 Taliban have of Shortepa, an area with a mainly Celebrate Ramadan and win at to Afghanistan shortly after the threatened the Afghan government, ethnic Turkmen population, told attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Sixteen Exchange Rate adding that his country has the Myrady the Taliban and militants Kabul Serena Hotel years later, their goal remains the duty to provide stability in Af- from the Islamic State extremist same: to prevent terrorist organi- 1.00 USD ghanistan. He said: “It is mistake Kabul Serena Hotel launches Iftar group were operating in the dis- zations from using the country to 67.60AFN for the United States to perpetu- trict. Locals also said some of the Buffet Dinner at Bagh-e-Firdaus launch attacks on the U.S. and ally try to impose American ideals militants were from north of the Europe. The military leaders could on other nations, we should led border, from Central Asia. not say how long forces would be people have self determination to Myrady met a man in Short- needed in Iraq or Afghanistan. 1000.00 IRR the extent that with that self de- epa who called himself "command- Kabul, 27 May, 2017: Kabul Sere- lucky draws. This Ramadan, guests 2008 – 2017 and eight vouchers Dunford did note that Afghan Pres- 17.90AFN termination there is also tolerance er" Abdul Menan, the leader of one na Hotel announced the launch of will have the chance to win fabu- for grand prizes of free service and ident Ashraf Ghani has set a goal and some peace, there is security of the local "uprising" militias. a lavish Iftar-Dinner Buffet at lous prizes including fifteen round- maintenance for Land Cruiser, to have 80 percent of the popula- and stability that people can live trip air tickets to Almaty, Delhi, Toyota Prado and Toyota Hilux tion secure by local forces within Speaking about the militants, Bagh-e-Firdaus for the Holy 1.00 UAE in the world where they have con- Menan said, "Just in our area they month of Ramadan. The Buffet will Dushanbe and other domestic des- model 2012 – 2017, sponsored by four years. DON'T MISS Chief of trol on their own government and killed at least 27 men and two feature mouthwatering local and tinations sponsored by Kam Habib Gulzar Motors Ltd. distrib- Naval Operations Adm. John Ri- 18.40AFN etc.” In response to a question women." international cuisines the highlights Group on behalf of Kam Air, thir- utor of Toyota in Afghanistan. Four chardson holds an all-hands call whether the U.S. President Donald Menan said that despite ap- of which will be Grade Manger, ty Golden Number SIM cards by hundred and fifty daily door priz- aboard the littoral combat ship USS 1.00 EUR Trump will consider sending more Etisalat), fifteen high quality loud peals to the authorities, no help Chat, Papadi Chat, Mix Fruit Chat, es consist of wall clocks, pens and Coronado (LCS 4), pierside in Sin- 74.20AFN troops to Afghanistan, he said: ” had arrived. "No other choice re- Mix Pakora , Vegetable Samosa, speakers and fifteen smart phones mugs sponsored Ghazanfar Bank. gapore on May 16, 2017.CNO: We We started the mission over there, mained to us," he said, "other than Spring Roll, Chicken Finger, Sheer (sponsored by Bluesonic, thirty The hotel is a favorite amongst Need a Bigger, Better Fleet Far the goal should be peace and sta- selling our property -- carpets, Brinj, Sheer Khurma, Hot Gulab daily gift hampers and four grand locals and expatriates alike for its Sooner Than You Think A Hyper- bility to the extent that we can cows -- to buy weapons and at- Jamun various other items andDin- prizes sponsored (HP Perfumes & delectable cuisine and culturally sub, submarine prototype, on dis- 1000.00 INR achieve it, and that is the right thing tack" the militants. ner dishes. Cosmetics Afghanistan), 150 inspired interiors. This Ramadan, play as part of a Marine exercise, 1030.00AFN to do, have said that at some point Myrady said that in conver- Along with the Iftar Dinner vouchers for daily door prizes for the Kabul Serena Hotel will set the Red Beach, CA. April 26, 2017. you have to say we have done sations with people around the Kabul Serena Hotel has collabo- free labour maintenance for Land bar even higher for tremendous Marines: ‘The First One Through 1000.00 PKR what can do here and consider oth- three provinces it became clear lo- rated with various companies to Cruiser, Toyota Prado, 4runner, varieties of delicious food. the Door Should Be a Lethal Ro- 635.00AFN er alternatives.” (ATN) cal militias were being formed in feature daily door prizes and grand Hilux, Hiace and Corolla model (Press Release ) bot’. (DEFENSEONE) SUNDAY . MAY 21, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Rape in India: Kerala woman As part of broader measures to On the timelines for rolling out castrates prevent human smuggling on the the program, he said the issue of high seas, Australia is working with resettlement was under discussion India and Sri Lanka to rehabilitate for the last six months and could 'rapist refuges interested in going back to begin implementation “probably in the island nation, Australian Bor- the next few months.” der Force Commissioner Roman Mr. Quaedvlieg is accompany- holy man' Quaedvlieg said on Friday. ing the Australian Border Force “There are about 1,00,000 Sri Cutter ‘Ocean Shield’ which is cur- A 23-year-old Indian woman has Lankan people who fled to Tamil rently docked in Chennai. In his cut off the genitals of a Hindu reli- Nadu in the past... There are cer- visit to Tamil Nadu on Thursday, gious teacher in the southern state tain number of them who want to he held discussions with officials of Kerala, claiming he raped her go back. We have an obligation to in Chennai. One of the objectives for years. assist India and Sri Lanka in that of his visit is to continue discus- Police said the suspect, named resettlement,” he said in an inter- sions on the issue of resettlement as Gangeshananda Theerthapada, action with a select group of jour- as well as take forward the counter would come to the woman's house nalists. terrorism cooperation. Australia to perform prayer rituals for her He said that his force has been had seen huge influx of refugees father's health. actively working with the Indian through the sea in the past. Ac- Her mother had hoped the self- Coast Guard in countering smug- cording to Mr. Quaedvlieg, 2013 styled holy man would ease the gling operations to prevent Sri was the year with highest arrivals family's woes. Lankan diaspora in Tamil Nadu into Australia following which the Instead, her daughter claims he from reaching Australia. Australian Government began assaulted her at every opportuni- The resettlement is of interest ‘Operation Sovereign Borders’. In ty. On Friday night, she grabbed a to Australia in the broader efforts the case of India, the last boat was knife and attacked him when he to prevent human smuggling and intercepted in 2014 in which 157 allegedly tried to rape her, and then has committed $1-2 million for the people entered Australian contig- called the police herself. resettlement over the next two uous waters. “The threat still re- The alleged rapist was rushed years. “We want to ensure that the mains… we are not changing our to Thiruvananthapuram Medical money goes for practical outcomes operational posture,” he added. College for emergency surgery. of resettlement and rehabilitation The issue will be part of his dis- The hospital said in a state- and sustain them once they return cussions with officials in New ment: "A 54-year-old man from to Sri Lanka,” he stated. Delhi as well. (THEHINDU.) Kollam was admitted at 12.39am [19:09 GMT] to the hospital on Saturday. His penis had been cut (90%) and was hanging precarious- ly. There was no way it could be stitched back. Pakistan's first "Plastic surgeons who are urol- Building collapse in Sri Lanka's ogy experts in the hospital did emergency surgery to stop the blood loss and to enable him to capital kills 1, injures 22 Chinese weekly pass urine." India child rape vic- tim allowed to abort Rape victim's mother demands swift justice Del- Hundreds of soldiers, police hi gang rapists' death penalty up- and firefighters were searching for amasses held On patrol with India's anti- anyone who might be trapped in- harassment squad side the building. Deputy Commissioner of Po- Dr. Anil Jasinghe, head of Co- large readership lice Arul B Krishna told The Times lombo's main hospital said one of India that the woman's father person rescued from the rubble had been bed-ridden for years. died. His respiratory system and Pakistan's first-ever Chinese lan- Huashang's headquarters re- He said the victim had recount- heartbeat were not functioning guage weekly newspaper, Huas- flects Beijing's atmosphere, ac- ed her abuse to her mother, who when he was admitted to the hos- hang, was recently launched in cording to BBC Urdu. The news- may now face charges for failing pital and efforts to resuscitate him Pakistan and is targeted largely paper's Facebook page states that to report it. failed, Jasinghe said. towards Chinese embassy staff, it was launched following the "One The young woman herself is The reason for the collapse nationals and employees of Chi- Belt One Road" initiative, with an not expected to face a criminal case. was not immediately known. nese companies. aim to advance "enterprise-depth Kerala's Chief Minister Pi- Sarath Wimalawardena, who The weekly also boasts an cooperation between China and narayi Vijayan has praised the vic- works at a nearby construction site, English version to its primarily Pakistan under the China-Pakistan tim's bravery, saying the castration said the building collapsed with a Chinese publication. Economic Corridor". was "a courageous and strong act". loud sound that was followed by With its head office located in Huashang's chief editor told Scrutiny of sexual violence in an enormous cloud of dust. He said Islamabad, Huashang publishes BBC Urdu that the newspaper is India has grown since the 2012 A five-story building under con- injuring at least 22 people, offi- in Colombo have been sent to hos- people in the area helped evacuate 5000 copies every week, with the particularly working on business gang rape and murder of a student struction in Sri Lanka's capital col- cials said. pitals, police spokesman Priyan- the injured before police and fire- publication hitting 60,000 readers in Pakistan and China. on a Delhi bus. Protesters frequent- lapsed Thursday, killing one and Those injured in the collapse tha Jayakody said. fighters arrived. (ABCNEWS) this past week as the newspaper Meanwhile, the newspaper's ly call for rapists to be hanged - released its 21st edition in Paki- editorial policy is also meant to the harshest sentence available for stan, hoping for a bright future for highlight culture, tourism and rec- the crime. VIolent sexual attacks Chinese language journalism in reational activities in both coun- against women and children con- Pakistan. tries. (DAWN) tinue to be reported across the country. (BBC) Naw a z Sh a r if set t o at t en d Bangladesh ‘Ar a b Na t o’ su m m it in Riya d h India's mega police raid mation Minister Awwad bin Saleh granted special permission to the reform GST, set for al Awwad, who visited Islamabad former army chief retired Gen Ra- opposition last week. The official website set heel Sharif to lead the multination- up by the Saudi government in al military force being created by july 1 rollout, leaves leader's office connection with President the Saudis. British journalist Rob- Trump’s trip, while explaining the ert Fisk, an expert on Middle East- Bangladesh police swooped on the objective of the summit, states: ern affairs, in his article in the In- some worried offices of the country's main op- “US President Donald Trump and dependent wrote that Mr Trump’s position leader hunting "anti-state leaders of the world’s Islamic na- visit was for realising “the fantasy documents" on Saturday, sparking tions will meet to address ways of of an Arab Nato”. Mr Sharif, while angry protests by hundreds of building more robust and effective accepting the invitation for the party supporters. security partnerships to counter summit, has reaffirmed Pakistan’s Officials smashed locks to en- and prevent the growing threat of alliance with the Kingdom by re- ter the office of two times former terrorism and violent extremism calling the commonality of views Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in around the globe through promot- of two countries on most regional Dhaka, in what her party claimed ing tolerance and moderation.” The and international issues and their was the latest politically-motivat- Arab-Islamic-American summit is collaboration for achieving com- ed move against the country's em- one of the three Riyadh has mon interests and objectives. It is battled opposition as it prepares ISLAMABADWASH-INGTON: Iran’s growing influence in the planned for President Trump’s unlikely that Prime Minister Sharif for the next general election. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will Middle East as well as combat ter- visit. The other two summits be- would get a one-on-one bilateral Hundreds of supporters of travel to Riyadh on Sunday to at- rorism. Saudis back Pakistan’s re- ing held on this occasion are the meeting with President Trump on Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Par- tend the first-ever Arab-Islamic- quest for PM-Trump meeting; US Saudi-US Summit, and Gulf Co- the sidelines of the summit. At ty (BNP) rushed to the site after American Summit being held to president will deliver a speech on operation Council-US Summit. least, Mr Trump’s schedule does news spread about the raid and develop a security partnership terrorism fight, Islam The decision The purpose of the entire exercise, not show any possibility for such staged a protest outside the two- against a growing threat of violent to choose the Muslim holy lands apparently, is to reassert the King- an interaction. The Foreign Office storey office building in the up- extremism. for Mr Trump’s first foreign visit dom’s position as the main politi- was silent on chances of a specu- Mr Sharif is among the 54 lead- has been noted with interest in NEW DELHI: GST to simplify "For service providers, it is scale Gulshan neighbourhood. cal and security force in the region. lated meeting between the two. The tax structure, compliance; make it going to get troublesome," claims Dozens of police scoured the ers who would join US President Washington but his decision to The eager Saudis have been run- Washington-based Pakistani me- Donald Trump for the summit be- speak about Islam in his address easier to do business Saloni Roy, a senior director at tax building for two hours but later ning a countdown clock on the dia, however, have learned that the Manufacturers, traders to ben- consultancy firm Deloitte Haskins said they "have not found any ing held on Sunday. to the summit in Riyadh has gen- website for the trip, which started Saudis are backing Pakistan’s re- On Friday, President Trump erated even more interest, and efit, but concerns for services sec- & Sells LLP. materials" in the search. late on Friday night. ‘Fantasy of quest for a brief Sharif-Trump tor Telecom and financial services Since services account for more "We entered the office follow- left Washington for Riyadh for a some derisions too. Saudi King Arab Nato’ Pakistan is one of the meeting before the US president visit that he and his allies hope Salman bin Abdulaziz invited Mr may be affected adversely, feel ex- than half of India's $2 trillion econ- ing a court order to search for anti- closest allies of the Kingdom. The flies out to Israel and then to Eu- perts The government, on Friday omy, the complexities run the risk state and anti-government docu- could lay the foundations for an Sharif for the summit. The invita- two maintain a strong defence part- rope for more talks with Ameri- “Arab Nato force” to push back tion was delivered by Saudi Infor- unveiled four rate bands under a of obstructing the sector's growth. ments," Gulshan police chief Abu nership. The Pakistani government ca’s Nato allies. (DAWN) new sales tax for services such as The government, however, defend- Baker Siddique told AFP. telecoms, insurance and restau- ed the move for multiple slabs, The BNP said the drive was rants, a move experts feel could saying different economic classes part of "a conspiracy" against Zia complicate compliance and leave can't be taxed at the same rate. who is facing about three dozen businesses at the mercy of an in- Finance Minister Arun Jaitley cases of alleged graft, treason and trusive tax bureaucracy. also played down concerns that violence. The slippery slope of appeasement in Bangladesh The Goods and Services Tax higher headline rates would inflate "This is a politically motivat- or GST, set to be launched from the tax burden on consumers. Since ed raid by the government. It is a Appeasing hard-line Islamic demics, journalists and a promi- believe this is yet another mani- tional institutions. Following the July 1, will have rates of 5, 12, 18 service providers will get tax in- move to taint our party leader's groups by conceding to their de- nent novelist who shared their mis- festation of what they view as a subsequent Islamic backlash, the and 28 per cent for services, in line put credits, he said, the effective image," BNP spokesman Ruhul mands for what seem like symbol- givings about the current state of conspiracy to destroy Bang- ruling Awami League caved in by with those applying to goods. It is tax rate will be lower. "The actual Kabir Rizvi told AFP. ic reforms or minor policy shifts play. This year the banned reli- ladesh’s Islamic heritage and cul- canceling the party’s participation a big departure from the current incidence on consumers will go Rizvi said police disabled close is a counterproductive dead end. gious-based party Jamaat-e-Islami, ture. The government maintains in the procession. It has backed system, where a single rate of 15 down," Mr Jaitley told reporters circuit cameras in the office during Rather than quelling demands, cler- along with other Islamic groups, that the event has nothing to do down on other fronts as well. The per cent is applied on most servic- after a two-day meeting with fi- the operation as well as breaking ics become emboldened and por- condemned part of the nation’s tra- with religion or promoting alien government issued revised school es. The biggest argument in favour nance ministers of various states. door locks. tray such concessions to follow- ditional April new year celebra- culture. Displaying a large sun, textbooks that cut 17 poems and of the GST - India's biggest tax Under the new system, while In recent months BNP has ers as validating and thus empow- tions known as Pohela Boishakh Dhaka University’s contingent in stories that Islamic hard-liners overhaul since independence - is healthcare and education services held meetings across to mobilise ering. Such unelected religious as haram, or forbidden in Islam. the parade denounced the rise of deem atheistic to appease the rad- that it would make it easier to do will be exempt from tax, services supports and prepare the party for hard-liners are pressuring Bang- These celebrations, recently Islamic militancy and called for ical Hefazat-e-Islam, a group that business by simplifying the tax offered at five-star hotels will be the next general election, which is ladesh’s elected government to awarded UNESCO World Heritage fellow citizens to shun religious has lobbied for such changes since structure and compliance. But the taxed at 28 per cent. Telecoms and due in January 2019, but analysts embrace Islamic values as they status, include the raucous and demagogues. “The sun stands for 2013. The divide between Islam- political challenges of striking a financial services will be taxed at a have said may be held sometime define them, resorting to street colorful procession known as the our call to come to the light shun- ist and secular Bangladeshis ap- compromise between the central standard rate of 18 per cent. An next year. The BNP opted to boy- protests and inciting violence to Mongol Shobhajatara, which fea- ning the darkness,” a university pears to be widening, with vigilan- government and those in the states industry group representing mo- cott the last polls in 2014 over fears achieve their aims. tures dancing and large carnival administrator explained. “Militan- te radicals hacking bloggers to death and union territories has meant bile operators claimed that this it would be rigged, allowing Zia's Secularists may believe that floats depicting animals, dragons cy wants to drag us into the dark- with machetes because they es- that life will get more, not less, would further bleed a sector still bitter rival Sheikh Hasina's party appeasement is a one-way road to and other motifs careening through ness. This time, we are calling for pouse liberal values deemed anti- complicated for some. smarting from a price war triggered to win without even contesting perdition, but the current secular the crowds. This is what Jamaat people to ignore the call of dark- thetical to Islamic precepts. Tar- For example, hotels and res- by the aggressive market entry of most of the parliamentary seats. government lead by Prime Minis- leaders object to, in addition to in- ness and look towards light.”Earlier get lists with names of prominent taurants would be taxed on the Reliance Jio. "This is likely to slow Since then opposition officials ter Sheikh Hasina and her Awami termingling of the sexes, alleging this year, in the wake of the 2016 secularists are also circulating in basis of their room tariff and turn- down the planned roll-out of in- have said tens of thousands of their League party is in election mode that the parade includes “anti-na- UNESCO designation, the govern- efforts to shrink the public space over of business. Air-conditioned frastructure," Rajan S. Mathews, activists and supporters have been and overly eager to make conces- tional cultural elements” because ment awarded public servants a for intellectuals and pundits restaurants will be taxed at a high- director general of the Cellular arrested and prosecuted by the sions to broaden its appeal. Dur- it celebrates Hinduism and the birth festival bonus and made partici- through intimidation. er rate under the new system than Operators Association of India government. (GULF-TIMES) ing a recent visit I met with aca- of Krishna. Religious hard-liners pation mandatory for all educa- (JAPANTIMES.) those without. said. (NDTV) SUNDAY . MAY 20, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES News-in-Brief War with North Korea would be tragic: US military chief

US defence chief James Mattis delivered a sombre caution on North Korea saying any military attempts to resolve the crisis Tr u m p ar r ives in Sau d i would be "tragic on an unbeliev- able scale". Mattis was speak- ing on Friday to reporters at the Pentagon, days after North Ko- Ar ab ia in fir st for eign t r ip rea test-fired what analysts say was its longest-range rocket yet. Despite tough talk from top US US President Donald Trump has Arab and Muslim leaders on Sat- Washington's ties with its closest reset of the relationship with the officials in recent weeks and the arrived in Saudi Arabia on the first urday and Sunday, before jetting Arab ally. During the final years US. They were not happy with deployment of an aircraft carrier leg of his first foreign trip since off to Israel, the occupied Pales- of Barack Obama's US presiden- Obama, and they were not happy strike group to the region, Mat- taking office, in a crucial test abroad tinian Territories, the Vatican, Bel- cy, "relations had undergone a pe- with the US policy in Yemen and tis said the best option for North as political scandals mount at gium and Italy in a nine-day tour riod of difference of opinion", ac- in Syria," Bays said. Ahmed Ali- Korea is finding an international home. across the Middle East and Europe. cording to Saudi officials. These brahim, a Saudi political analyst, solution to effectively apply Trump aims to strengthen ties During the two-day visit to the differences were largely centred told Al Jazeera that the Saudis see pressure on Pyongyang. "As in Saudi Arabia visit kingdom, Trump is expected to around the 2015 Iran nuclear deal this as a "great day" for relations Libyan and Italian coastguards pick you know, if this goes to a mili- In a red-carpet airport wel- sign a major weapons deal, give a and the Obama administration's with the US. "We think President tary solution, it is going to be come, Saudi King Salman bin Ab- speech on Islam and discuss the cautions to the kingdom about the Trump's cabinet does understand thousands of people from dozens of boats tragic on an unbelievable scale, dulaziz Al Saud greeted Trump, his battle against "terrorism" with civilian toll of the war in Yemen. the Saudi challenges and does un- in the Mediterranean in 48 hours. and so our effort is to work with wife Melania and his entourage more than 50 leaders. Al Jazeera's Washington editor derstand the challenges the GCC the UN, work with China, work shortly after they landed in the It is the first time a US presi- James Bays, reporting from Riy- [Gulf Cooperation Council] faces." with Japan, work with South capital, Riyadh, around 06:50 dent has chosen Saudi Arabia as adh, said the Saudis were very He added that the kingdom would Korea to try to find a way out of GMT on Saturday. the first stop on a maiden trip. "proud and excited" that the US like to see more "decisive state- this situation," he said. North Trump will hold a series of Trump's visit is seen as highly president chose the Gulf country ments, actions and sanctions on the Korea is accelerating efforts to meetings with the king and other symbolic, as he looks to repair as his first stop. "They want a Iranian regime". (Al Jazeera) develop an intercontinental bal- listic missile capable of deliver- ing a nuclear warhead to the con- tinental United States. Though Michel Mattis said Pyongyang isn't lis- Iraq:Dozens killed in wave tening to cautions from the in- ternational community, he cred- Temer ited China's efforts to apply of suicide car bomb attacks pressure as having some limited accused of influence. "There appears to be late on Friday killed at least 19 some impact by the Chinese people, including security forces, working here," he said. Mattis and wounded 25 others in south- obstruction said the rocket tested Sunday had ern Baghdad. gone extremely high and North Police sources said a suicide of justice Korean scientists likely learned car bomber detonated explosives a lot from the test. But he would at the entrance of a checkpoint, just not say if it was clear the missile as another attacker blew himself made a controlled re-entry from Brazilian presidency up near a police station located denies allegations after outside the atmosphere. about a 100 metres away. (Al Jazeera) The Islamic State of Iraq and prosecutors accuse the Levant (ISIL, also known as Temer of attempting to ISIS) armed group claimed respon- derail 'Car Wash' graft sibility for the Baghdad attacks. About 5,000 refugees bound for working at a car wash, a local man Germany ISIL is under assault in both probe. Italy were rescued in waters off destroyed his passport and work Iraq - in the country's second city the coast of Libya between Thurs- permit, making him an irregular approves More than 50 people have been The first explosion took place of Mosul - and in neighbouring day and Saturday morning by Ital- migrant, and he was forced into killed in a string of suicide car at the Rumeila checkpoint, and the Syria. The armed group took vast ian and Libyan coastguards, ac- hard labour. deportation bomb attacks in Iraq's capital, second around one kilometre away swaths of Iraqi territory north and cording to statements from both In Libya "they believe blacks Baghdad, and the southern prov- at another checkpoint called al- west of Baghdad in 2014. countries. are slaves. That is what they call ince of Basra, police have told Al Sadra. Iraq's South Oil Company Iraqi government forces About 2,900 people were res- us. When they want to beat us, of asylum Jazeera. At least 33 people were said there was no disruption to op- backed by a US-led international cued on Thursday, 2,300 of whom they beat us with pipes," he said, killed on Friday in two separate erations but oil police were put on coalition have since retaken many were found in international waters showing a scar on his left hand. seekers law blasts at checkpoints on a high- maximum alert in response to the cities, including Tikrit and Fallu- and taken to Italy, while 580 "They take us to jobs, force way near oilfields in Basra, accord- attack, officials told the Reuters jah. But as ISIL has lost ground in picked up in Libyan waters were us to do hard labour without pay- The German parliament has ing to police. news agency. Iraq, it has also retained the ability returned to the north African coun- ment ... Sometimes they take you passed legislation making it eas- Ring of Fire: Drone Footage Baghdad attacks to stage regular attacks in areas it try. to a prison where you'll be kept ier to deport failed asylum seek- of the Oil Fires of Iraq Separately, two more attacks does not control. (Al Jazeera) Through Friday until Saturday and beaten up," he said. ers and monitor those deemed morning, coastguards rescued an- More than 30 percent increase dangerous in a move that has other 2,100 refugees packed in 17 The number of refugees arriv- been slammed by opposition vessels, but found the body of one ing in Italy has soared this year by parties and rights groups as an man who drowned, the Italian more than 30 percent in compari- assault on the rights of refugees. China's Xi threatened coastguard said. son with the same period last year, In legislation passed by the Refugees in Libya: 'Smugglers with 46,000 people arriving so far. Bundestag late on Thursday, razil's top prosecutor has have lost all humanity' But of every 39 refugees who German authorities will be able accused President Michel The surviving refugees on Fri- survive the perilous journey across to detain refugees due for depor- 'war' over sea oil: Duterte BTemer of corruption and day told of arbitrary detention, sla- the Mediterranean, one dies, the tation for 10 days rather than obstruction of justice, according to very and beatings in Libya, accord- International Organisation for Mi- four, and monitor by ankle brace- Philippine President Rodrigo Du- an investigation released by the ing to the Reuters news agency gration (IOM) said, adding that let those deemed potentially terte said Chinese counterpart country's supreme court. Attorney report. 1,244 refugees were known to have dangerous. China Xi Jinping warned him there General Rodrigo Janot wrote that "Libya is crazy. They arrest died so far this year. The legislation also restricts would be war if Manila tried to Temer and a senior senator at- us, the police... They put us in Italy has become the hardest- freedom of movement for all enforce an arbitration ruling and tempted to derail a sprawling anti- some place... two, three days no hit European destination for refu- failed asylum seekers. It grants drill for oil in a disputed part of graft probe known as "Car Wash" eat, no drink. They beat us," said gees from Africa this year. the federal refugee agency the South China Sea. by legislative means and influenc- Alseer Issa Ibrahim, 28, from the The UN High Commissioner BAMF and other government In remarks that could infuriate ing police investigators, the court Darfur region of Sudan. for Refugees has estimated that, bodies more leeway to use and China, Duterte hit back on Friday filings made public on Friday said. John Osifo, a 29-year-old Ni- of the 55,000 people who have share data retrieved from mi- at domestic critics who said he has "In this way, there is evidence gerian, spent 11 months in Libya. reached Europe this year, 83 per grants' mobile phones. gone soft on Beijing by refusing to of possibly committing the crime He said he did not plan to go to cent of them went to Italy. (Al Jazeera) push it to comply with an award of obstructing justice," Janot said. Europe, but after a few months (Al Jazeera) last year by the Permanent Court The formal accusation is the of Arbitration in The Hague, which latest revelation related to a secret- Sweden drops ruled largely in favour of the Phil- ly-recorded audio, which purport- ippines. Duterte said he discussed edly captured Temer endorsing the Julian it with Xi when the two met in quarrel with you, we want to main- Exclusive Economic Zone to ac- paying of hush money to a former Yemen rebel missile Beijing on Monday, and got a firm tain the presence of warm relation- cess offshore oil and gas fields, in- politician jailed on corruption Assange rape but friendly warning. ship. But if you force the issue, cluding the Reed Bank, 85 nautical charges. "We intend to drill oil there, if we'll go to war'." Duterte has long miles off its coast. It also invali- Brazil's supreme court orders shot down 200km investigation it's yours, well, that's your view, expressed his admiration for Xi and dated China's nine-dash line claim probe against president but my view is, I can drill the oil, if said he would raise the arbitration on its maps denoting sovereignty The court also released plea- there is some inside the bowels of ruling with him eventually, but over most of the South China Sea. bargain testimony by the same man from Saudi capital Swedish prosecutors on Friday the earth because it is ours," Du- needed first to strengthen relations Duterte has a reputation for his who recorded Temer - Joesley dropped a rape investigation into terte said in a speech, recalling his between the two countries, which candid, at times incendiary, re- Batista, chairman of meat packing Yemen's Houthi rebels fired a bal- whose country provides weapons, Julian Assange, the founder of conversation with Xi. the Philippines is hoping will yield marks and his office typically back- giant JBS - which accused the pres- listic missile towards the Saudi intelligence and aerial refuelling for anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks, Philippines: Duterte wel- billions of dollars in Chinese loans pedals on his behalf and blames ident and his two predecessors of capital Riyadh and the Arab coali- the Arab coalition, is due to arrive bringing to an end a seven-year comes visiting Chinese navy ships and infrastructure investments. the media for distorting his most taking millions of dollars in bribes. tion waging war in the country said on Saturday for two days of talks legal stand-off. in Davao "His response to me, The Hague award clarifies Philip- controversial comments. Batista said the company paid it intercepted and destroyed a pro- with Saudi, Gulf, and Muslim lead- Yet, British police said he 'we're friends, we don't want to pine sovereign rights in its 322km (Al Jazeera) Temer 15m reais ($4.6m) in bribes. jectile about 200km west of the ers. Riyadh and Washington ac- would still be arrested if he left Temer's office denied in a state- city. cuse Iran of supplying weapons the Ecuadorean embassy in the ment that he obstructed justice by The incident on Friday oc- to the Houthis, but a United Na- UK capital, London, where he interfering in the probe and also curred a day before US President tions Panel of Experts in January has been holed up since 2012. denied accusations he took bribes. Donald Trump was expected in reported that it "has not seen suf- Assange, 45, took refuge The scandal has sparked pro- Riyadh at the start of his first for- ficient evidence to confirm any di- there to avoid extradition to Swe- tests and prompted eight impeach- eign trip since taking office in Jan- rect large-scale supply of arms" den amid fears that he would ment filings, raising serious doubts uary. from Iran, Riyadh's regional rival. have been handed over to the US whether Temer, 76, can remain as The Iran-allied Houthis In October the rebels launched one to face prosecution over the pub- president. launched a Burkan-1 missile to- of their longest-range strikes lication of classified military and Temer on Thursday said he ward Riyadh, a statement by their against Saudi Arabia, firing a bal- diplomatic documents by Cecile Kyenge, a black, Italian al traditions from the Congo," he killing at least 77 people, most of would not resign, adding that he official news agency said. listic missile that was brought WikiLeaks. "The investigation is member of the European parlia- told Radio 24. them adolescents. Nisha Agarwal, wanted the investigation to pro- Yemen: Protesters march as down near the holy Muslim city discontinued," Marianne Ny, the ment and ex-minister for integra- Borghezio also said Kyenge - a lawyer and the commissioner of ceed as fast as possible. US intensifies air strikes of Mecca, an attack condemned by director of public prosecution, tion, has welcomed a Milan court's a qualified ophthalmologist - "took the New York City mayor's office "I have nothing to hide," he The Saudi-led coalition said Riyadh's Gulf allies. (Al Jazeera) told reporters in Sweden's capi- decision ordering a white suprem- away a job from an Italian doc- of immigrant affairs, tweeted her told an audience in the capital, Bra- later it downed a Houthi missile in tal, Stockholm. "In order to pro- acist MEP pay her 50,000 euro tor". support for Kyenge. "[Kyenge] is silia. Temer took office in Sep- the southern Saudi province of Ar ceed with the case, Julian As- ($56,000) for making repeated He also said, among other such a dynamic int'l leader and ad- tember, promising a "new era" for Rayn, well to the west of Riyadh. sange would have to be formally slurs against her. things, that "Africans are differ- vocate for migrants, among many Brazil following the impeachment The area is open desert and there notified of the criminal suspi- Kyenge, Italy's first black min- ent. They belong to an ethnicity others - this is justice long due," of ex-President Dilma Rousseff were no casualties, the official Sau- cions against him. We cannot ex- ister, tweeted that the judges' de- much different from ours. They she said. (ALJAZEERA) over accusations of taking illegal di news agency SPA said. pect to receive assistance from cision on Thursday showed that haven't produced great genes". state loans to patch budget holes Saudi Arabia has deployed Ecuador regarding this," Ny said. "racism is a crime, not just a polit- Borghezio, whose Facebook in 2014. Millions in bribes Patriot missiles to counter such "We are not making a state- ical opinion". page shows him sat with a smiling Prosecutors wrote they had attacks. ment about his guilt." "Racial hatred can never be an Marine Le Pen, a far-right politi- proof that Aecio Nevesa, a sena- Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV 'An important victory' instrument of political struggle," cian who recently lost France's tor accused of corruption, collab- said the Arab coalition that inter- "Today is an important vic- she wrote in another message post- presidential election, once said he orated with Temer in attempts to vened in Yemen's civil war against tory for me," said Assange, giv- ed to the social media platform. agreed with parts of Anders Brei- slow or halt the Car Wash probe, the Houthis in 2015 were "mas- ing a clenched fist salute as he In a 2013 radio interview, vik's manifesto. He was briefly which centres on political kick- sively" bombing a missile base emerged onto the balcony of the Mario Borghezio, a member of the suspended by his Northern League backs in exchange for firms win- outside the Yemeni capital Sanaa, embassy on Friday. "The road is xenophobic Northern League, made party over those remarks. ning contracts at state-run enter- which is controlled by the Houthis. far from over. The war, the prop- racist remarks about Kyenge's in- In violence that shocked Nor- prises, especially at oil company The missile would be the long- er war, is just commencing," a clusion in the government of then- way on July 22, 2011, Breivik set Petrobras. According to the testi- est range attempted by the Houthi pale-looking Assange told a Prime Minister Enrico Letta. off a bomb in Oslo's government mony, JBS had paid Neves to sup- rebels and their allies - former crowd of reporters and a hand- "This is a bonga bonga gov- district and then carried out the port a new "abuse of authority" members of Yemen's security forc- ful of supporters brandishing ernment, they want to change massacre at the annual summer law that seeks to make it easier for es linked to ex-president Ali Ab- placards assembled under the birthright citizenship laws and camp of the left-wing Labor Par- suspects and defendants to sue dullah Saleh - since they began re- balcony. (Al Jazeera) Kyenge wants to impose her trib- ty's youth organisation on Utoya, investigators, prosecutors and judg- taliatory attacks against the king- es. (Al Jazeera) dom two years ago. Trump, SUNDAY. MAY 21, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

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

AFGHANISTAN TIMES Editor: Mansoor Faizy Phone No: +93-797070563 E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.afghanistantimes.af Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi Advisory editorial board By Muhammad Rabbani Muhammad Rabbani is the international Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, director of the campaign group CAGE. Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal, Saboor Sarir where individuals are stopped, Graphic-Designers: searched and questioned about their Bilal Yusufi and Basir Qazizada In November I was arbitrarily de- lives and views, in an exercise de- tained in London's Heathrow air- signed to gather intelligence on Mar ket i ng & Adver t i si ng: port. The police asked me to hand them. Though it is currently applied over the passwords to all my elec- in the framework of the so-called Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 tronic devices. Not wanting to "War on Terror", its reach can eas- breach client confidentiality, I de- ily be expanded more broadly, as we Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan clined. This was not the first time have witnessed through the David Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 that I have been stopped at an air- Miranda case. What is clear from port. On previous occasions, I had my experience is that authorities are Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press not given my passwords and had trying to get a sense of an individu- been permitted to go on my way. So al's beliefs. Not only is this a viola- after refusing to give my passwords, tion of the fundamental right to sort of a crime and I could be con- destroyed. We have to ask ourselves I was expecting the police to let me freedom of thought and belief, but cerned in terrorism. I could be any- how much we value these principles. go. I thought I was operating within there is no link between an individ- body. During a Schedule 7 detain- This is about taking a risk to pro- The constitution says the law and in line with my rights to ual's political and religious views and ment a person may be shown pho- tect the rule of law. This is every- privacy. But this time I wasn't al- "terrorism". Yet this information is tographs of other individuals and thing I have learned from CAGE. Article 148: lowed to go on my way. I am now recorded and connections are drawn. asked to give information about CAGE is built on the principle that facing three months in prison if There is no transparency at all about them. They often have to face un- the rule of law should apply to ev- Article One Hundred Forty-Eight: At the termination of the state of emergency, found guilty of an offence under a how the information gathered un- founded, fearful allegations of being erybody. This is a central theme of measures adopted under Article One Hundred Forty-Four and One Hundred Forty-Five counterterrorism power called der Schedule 7 will be used. We don't linked to "terrorism". It is nothing our work. When it comes to the of this Constitution shall be void immediately. Schedule 7. On the day that I was know if it will be used to profile cer- short of injustice and intimidation. fight against terrorism, this has been stopped in Heathrow airport, I was tain communities, or to design and This has broad implications for peo- hijacked and the dialogue has been placed in a very difficult position: I develop policies, or to assist the state ple who need to protect their data twisted so people don't think the was either going to hand over pass- in criminal trials, or as secret evi- This case is not only about me or rule of law is necessary. words to my devices or I was going dence. We also do not know wheth- CAGE. If I give in, this has broad Equal laws for all? to risk ending up in prison. I decided er this information is shared with implications for others who want The 20th-century philosopher to risk ending up in prison. At the other agencies. For this reason, and to protect similar relationships and John Rawls imagined a scene in his time, there were two reasons behind because the powers given to the ethics in the face of an encroaching book, A Theory of Justice, where a my decision. First, if I handed over police under Schedule 7 lead to situ- security state. For this reason, my group of people would be required my passwords I knew that I would ations that resemble an interroga- case will set a crucial precedent not to design laws for the benefit of a be in breach of client confidentiali- tion and detention-without-charge, just for Muslims, but for all society. future society - the catch being that ty. Everyone recognises the need this legislative measure is a viola- But beyond the effects on the indi- they would die at the end of the pro- for trust in professional relation- tion of the rule of law and our basic vidual, it is astonishing that this law cess and be woken up not knowing ships between doctors and patients, rights. When the rule of law is disre- has been in power, with little chal- what their position in the new soci- lawyers and clients, teachers and stu- garded or applied selectively to only lenge, for 15 years. Authorities have ety would be. The reality of coun- dents. My professional relationship a few, we need to ask ourselves what been gathering data on individuals terterrorism policy is that the peo- with my clients also requires trust we are willing to risk for a more for this long, at the rate of between ple who are making the laws would and confidentiality. Had I been asked equal and just society – for the sake 20,000 and 50,000 people a year. never allow for themselves to be to disclose my personal information of all. Schedule 7 is one law in a Such excessive surveillance and in- subjected to the same treatment - only, I could have made a different broader web of counter-terrorism timidation must be challenged. This no one would wish to wake up one decision. However, I was being asked measures that complement one an- is affecting the lives of thousands day with all the suspicion that ac- to surrender information that may other to criminalise ordinary peo- and thousands of people. The pre- companies being a Muslim. I men- aving a sharp look on history of various conflicts in the country, we be related to others - many of whom ple, and which can, owing to the sumption of innocence is a basic tioned earlier that I refused to give are vulnerable people seeking legal broad language used in these texts, right and Schedule 7 needs to be my passwords to the police for two observe highest record of civilian casualties without any creed and remedies to abuses they may have also be used to criminalise innocent brought in line with the rule of law. reasons: to protect my clients' con- cast. Wars in the country results into destroying human live as a suffered. I felt I couldn't agree to people beyond the Muslim commu- I am disappointed that not more has fidentiality and to protect a torture hand over information about my nity. The evidence threshold for the been done. Sometimes the right thing survivor. Those were the two things result of direct consequences of violence, and the conflicts-induced break- clients without their consent. Sec- implementation of Schedule 7 is so to do is to say the law is wrong. in my mind when I was arrested. down of public health, security and infrastructures. Civilians are losing their ond, if I had handed over my pass- low that it gives police the right to Therefore the only correct thing to Now, after having gone through the words, it would have resulted in a stop you without having any reason do is to resist. Privacy is something experience of being treated like a precious lives and sustain injuries by crossfire, improvised explosive de- breach of confidence in a particu- to be suspicious of you. The word- that lies close to my heart. As a criminal, I feel differently. The ex- larly sensitive case that my organi- ing of the measure is vague and broad Muslim, I know that privacy is much perience has made me think that vices (IED), assassinations, night raids into houses of suspected militants, sation, CAGE, is currently investi- - for example, it doesn't say you valued in Islam and we are com- the problem is more fundamental bombing and forcefully usage of civilian’s homes as shelter by insurgents. gating. This case can lead to the can be stopped if you are "suspected manded not to spy on others. The than that: password protection prosecution of perpetrators of tor- of" terrorism. It doesn't even say if presumption of innocence before should be a basic right and no one Even in the absence of direct fighting, unexploded ordnance from previous ture and link a number of authori- you are "involved with" terrorism, guilt is also a founding principle of should be required to reveal their wars and the cluster bombs of the United States continue to kill our inno- ties with abuses. By confiscating my it says you can be stopped and in- my religion. With everything digit- passwords if they have not been for- devices, the police have already in- terrogated under this act if you are alised now, and with increasing mally accused or charged with a cent civilians. During the Soviet-Afghan war, between millions of civilians terfered with this ongoing investi- someone "who appears to be a per- threats to individual rights around crime. I hope by taking this stand, I gation and if this is not resolved, it son who is or has been concerned in the world, we have a right to de- will inspire others to follow my lead. were killed and millions of Afghan fled their country as refugees. Unfortu- could lead to the suppression of cru- terrorism" (pdf). Now "concern" - mand and protect our privacy, es- When the rule of law is disregarded nately, the war was not ended after the withdrawal of Soviet Army. Civil war cial information that could bring what does that word mean in this pecially responsible for protecting or applied selectively to only a few, accountability in torture cases. context? I mean, I could be an aca- the rights of others in the face of we need to ask ourselves what we also killed a large number of civilians in the 1990s. The Soviet-Afghan war Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act demic studying conflict, and I could oppressive authority. This notion are willing to risk for a more equal 2000 is a draconian legislative mea- be concerned in terrorism. I could goes to the heart of British values. and just society - for the sake of all. was followed by the sudden emergence of the Taliban, designed in Pakistan Yet, it is those values that are being (Aljazeera) as a prominent faction of civil war in 1994. During the unauthorized Tali- sure implemented at UK airports, be a journalist investigating some ban’s regime from 1996 to 2001, they enforced a strict interpretation of Sharia (Islamic Law) of which the international community and leading Muslims were highly critical. Many Afghans especially women faced brutal treatment. Taliban and their allies carried out massacres against Afghan ci- vilians, denied United Nations food supplies to 16,000 starving civilians By Mashari Althaydi political, intelligence, military, le- in which many details are already Trump, will be a special message and exercised a policy of deserted land, burning vast areas of fertile land and gal and media levels. Trump en- announced. and a pledge of commitment to the tered the house from its main door The American official praised whole world, mainly the Muslim destruction of tens of thousands of homes. The deadly terrorist attacks of We are waiting for the grand sum- and went to the right address. The the Saudi position and described it world that has been under the fire September 11 in the United States put an end to the barbaric regime of the mit between the west led by establishment of an alliance with as frontrunner. He said that there of Shiite and Sunni terrorism. Riy- Donald Trump and the Arab and the Muslims to defeat terrorist is a real desire from the US side to adh is aware of the greatness of Taliban, but civilian casualties still continue. Recently, eleven people of a Muslim world in Riyadh the cap- networks, emerging cultures and work with Saudi Arabia. Yes, it is the goal and Saudi Foreign Minis- ital of Saudi Arabia, led by the policies that protect or use terror- not only about ISIS, but also about ter Adel al-Jubeir said that the family lost their lives in Logar province when their vehicle hit with a road- Custodian of the Two Holy ism, is the right way to succeed in all those who promote chaos, mi- Arab-American Islamic Summit is side bomb. It would be simple news for many, but it is more than a dooms- Mosques King Salman. As Ameri- this battle. A senior White House litias and the mobilization of establishing a partnership against can and Saudi officials said, the official told al-Arabiya that Presi- crowds, as it is the core of the terrorism between the Arabs and day for the affected family. Being a part of the country and international purpose of this summit is to launch dent Trump wants to create a se- Khomeinist policies. The great al- the West. Thus, this is the most human family we must have to realize the pain by taking preventive measure. a strong and ambitious strategic curity organization in the Middle liance in Riyadh is aimed at com- important goal behind the Ameri- alliance to defeat extremism and East similar to the NATO. He will bating all the sources of terrorism can summit with the Arabs and Prior to this, since, 2001-14, more than 26,000 civilian deaths due to war- terrorism for the prevalence of announce it during his visit to Sau- and its cultures: al-Qaeda, al-Nus- Muslims that will be held in Saudi peace and life. These are not mere di Arabia. The goal of this great ra, Ansar al-Sharia, the Khomeini Arabia. related violence have been reported. In addition to that, 29,900 civilians aesthetic words, but rather pro- meeting between the President of Revolutionary Guards, the In the end, I am still convinced sustained injuries. According to a report of the United Nations Assistance grams on which specialists have the United States and the leaders Khomeini masses in Iraq, the that the triumph of religious re- worked for long. Choosing Saudi of Muslim and Arab countries in Khomeini Party in Lebanon and forms and the fight against Mus- Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), 3,498 civilians had been killed and 7,920 Arabia as the first stop in the visit Riyadh is to defeat ISIS and other the Houthi militias in Yemen. All lim extremism is a global issue, were wounded during the year of 2016, the highest record. The reports fur- of the US President Trump is a organizations. It aims at forming of these are the goals of the new similar to the global warming issue message in itself; Saudi Arabia is a an Islamic alliance to defeat this alliance, without distinction. that is affecting all human beings. ther underlines with nearly 11,500 non combatants-one third of them were destination for all Muslims and the ideology and spread true Islam. It Therefore, the inauguration of the This is good news, because the starting point of Islam. It is after also aims at deepening the military, International Center against Ter- cooperation on good issues is... children, being killed or wounded. Recently the World body has expressed all, a major global contributor to political and economic cooperation rorism and Extremism in the Saudi good. its deep concerns over civilian death tools. Hospitals across the country are the war against terrorism on the between Washington and Riyadh, capital, in honor of President (Alarabiya) treating a large number of war wounded, comprising amputees and burn vic- tims. The ongoing war in the country also inflicted invisible wounds. In 2009, the ministry of Public Health reported that 2/3 of Afghans suffer from men- tal and health problems, caused by the conflict-related violence. Elevated rates of disease due to lack of clean drinking water, malnutrition and re- duced access to health care are other burning problems of the Afghans. All the war parties must put an end to civilian casualties which gives birth to anger and rebels among the Afghans. In May 2007, the former President Hamid Karzai summoned foreign military commanders to warn them of the consequences of further Afghan civilian deaths. Afghan government should adopt effective strategy to overcome the civilian death tools to spread smiles and hopes in the country. Subscription Rates Note: The following rates will apply from January 01, 2017. Fee Categories Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 5400 at your door step Taliban For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 2700 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $240 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. SUNDAY. MAY 21, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

By Feyisa Lilesa By Hamad Althunayyan tric artist Frank Archibald Went- works, including exact reproduc- Hamad Althunayyan is a PhD Researcher in Polit- By M Neelika Jayawardane worth Walter, the self-styled 7th tions of Ori Olokun, one of the cop- ical Science at University of Maryland, College Park. Prince of the West Indies, Lord of per-alloy heads from Ife, Nigeria, M Neelika Jayawardane is an Associate Follies and the Ding-a-Ding Nook, which date back to the 14th centu- born in Antigua in 1926. Many of ry. Qudus Onikeku, the Nigerian men, they launched a military cam- Professor of English at the State University of his enormous body of work were choreographer and dance virtuoso, paign to degrade the Iranian-backed New York-Oswego. executed on unconventional canvas- noted, wryly: "When you name Feyisa Lilesa is a long- Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, will Houthi rebel's capabilities, and to re- es, including the backs of Polaroid things, you invoke them, when you be the first foreign destination store the internationally recognized film boxes. His work includes sculp- give attention to things, you direct distance runner from Ethiopia The politics of the Venice Biennale do some old-fashioned wrangling to and a member of the Oromo Donald Trump visits as the Presi- Hadi-led government. The Saudis finance flight tickets and visas to be tures and an extensive genealogy of energies towards them, and thus the dent of the United States on May will be pushing for a US support on might best be seen through the spa- his family, which was written by thing exists, so I have decided not people. tial geography of pavilions: The able to come to Venice and partici- 20. This trip signals that the Trump these three fronts to circumvent the pate in the biennale. They were glued hand using ink. In the pavilion, to mention the name of that fraud- Iranian influence in the region. If well-financed are situated close to among the brilliant colours of his ulent miscreant that appropriated My name is Feyisa Lilesa. I am an administration acknowledges Riyadh the main exhibition in the Arsenale to their phones the day before they exiled marathon runner from Ethi- as a crucial US strategic partner in these objectives were to be met, it - and all their artworks - were due to portraits of island life, there was also the IFE HEAD at the Venice Bien- will provide the Saudi government and Giardini sections where Bien- a map of Walter’s family tree, which nale." Heeding Onikeku's political opia. I have not been back to my maintaining regional stability and nale curator Christine Macel's vi- fly, still making calls to the Italian country since winning a silver med- world economic security. Trump's with more leverage to engage Te- embassy to get visas. By some mir- traces his lineage from the slaves as and spiritual imperative, I will not sion is laid out, while others are scat- well as the European owners of a name this artist. However, assem- al at the Rio Olympic Games last decision to visit Saudi Arabia should hran diplomatically. For Riyadh, it acle, they arrived in Venice in time August. In Rio, as I approached the is equally important that the US tered in the hinterlands of the city. sugar cane plantation down to him- bly-line copies of historic sculptures not come as a big surprise. Saudi In many ways, the location of na- and set up their pavilion the day finish line, I crossed my wrists above Arabia had a prominent role in the continues its support in strengthen- before the official opening - an un- self - the first black man on the is- that he created - that are as authen- tional pavilions replicates the land to own a sugar cane plantation. tic as "antiqued" metal bits pur- my head in solidarity with the men, national security doctrine of every ing the Saudi military capabilities. world's political and economic power heard-of situation for their first- women and children who have died US president, from Roosevelt to Also the US should be firm in deal- world counterparts who arrived Walter suffered from mental illness chased at a Restoration Hardware structures: Powerful European and exacerbated by a move in the 1950s shop - did not bother the horde of fighting for their rights and those Obama. It all started in 1931, when ing with Iran's destabilising activi- North American nations, which weeks before to set up. Artists and who are still suffering under the bru- the US officially recognised the ties in the region. This will reassure pavilions alike questioned this year's from Antigua to London, where - collectors stampeding into his ex- tal regime in Ethiopia. It was a sign know the value of this platform, despite his white aristocratic lineage hibition and snapping up all copies Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by extend- the Saudis and it will decrease the maintain permanent pavilions paid edition's pretences about the aes- of nonviolent resistance used by ing full diplomatic recognition. The likelihood of a direct military con- thetic not having anything to do on which he had been taught to in- of his pieces. The centrality and protesters in my native Oromia re- for with state funds. But many oth- vest his identity - he encountered popularity of this white star-artist relations were bolstered when the frontation with Iran. A war between er nations do not support their art- with the political, and the Biennale's gion, the largest of Ethiopia's nine US President Roosevelt met with the the Saudis and Iranians will destabi- ongoing obsession with using the racism so damaging to his psyche in this biennale and his reductive re- ethnic-based states. Much has ists and pay for their presence in that upon his return he retreated to productions reflect more about the Saudi King Abdul-Aziz bin Saud on lise the region more, disrupt the oil the biennale. If neither a govern- nation state as the singular unit to changed since my Olympic protest board the USS Quincy in the Suez markets, and possibly drag the US categorise art and artists and to make a hermitage above the Antiguan art world's networks of interdepen- in Rio. I now live and train in exile ment nor private funders support a coastline - with no running water or dencies between billionaire collec- Canal of Egypt in 1945. The US- into a third major war in the region. pavilion, it is forced to rent (cheap- sense of the world. Though the hand- in the United States. Last February, Saudi relations were cemented on Something the current US govern- ful of black artists and African Pa- electricity - to paint. I only found tors, big-name galleries, and the I was reunited with my wife and two er) space in the outer neighbour- this pavilion by chance. As I was handful of favoured star-artists. one core doctrine, oil for security. ment would like to avoid. While hoods of Venice to which only die- vilions at the biennale more accu- children. Meanwhile, despite the The Saudis guaranteed continued Riyadh and Washington will not al- rately lived up to the Venice Bien- walking along the canals of Venice These "celebrities" do not produce global spotlight my protest attract- hard art professionals and a curious looking for the Nigerian Pavilion, I anything that may actually inno- access to oil, and President ways - and should not expect to - few are willing to venture out to - nale director's message about cen- ed, the killings, imprisonment and Roosevelt declared that the "de- have aligned policies in the region, tring our focus on the artists' beau- saw Frank Walter’s name on a board vate on technique or aesthetics, or harassment of my people by Ethio- trekking through mazes of streets, outside a building. It is in serendipi- be too critical of the demeaning re- fense of Saudi Arabia was vital to I believe they do share similar stra- canals, and picturesque bridges. In tiful labour, it was not they who re- pian security forces have only wors- the defense of the United States". tegic interests in many of the is- ceived accolades. Yet they created tous moments like this that an un- lationships that make it impossible ened. This is why I continue to pro- using "Viva Arte Viva!" as the theme wieldy and inelegant creature like to shout "emperor is not only butt- The US-Saudi relations, however, sues. As for the Trump administra- for the biennale, curator Macel powerful, self-recognising spaces for test, after every race and at every went through many ups and downs. tion, this visit is a chance for the themselves - without needing ac- the Venice Biennale becomes mem- naked but butt-ugly, too". Though media event. In a few days, the World wished to stress the significance of orable. the handful of black artists and Af- Back in 2009, the Saudi leadership president to roll-back on his anti- regarding "art for art's sake". She knowledgement from Europe. Ma- Health Organization (WHO) mem- conveyed to John Brennan, Presi- Islam campaign narrative and en- lian artist Abdoulaye Konate's joy- Appropriating African art rican Pavilions at the biennale more ber states will elect a new director wanted to say that art should be rep- Biennales are supposed to have accurately lived up to the Venice dent Barack Obama's advisor on gage the Muslim world constructive- resentative of more than what it is ful homage to Brazil, for example, general at the 70th World Health counter terrorism that "President ly to combat violent extremism in acknowledges the significance of different goals from commercial art Biennale director's message about Assembly. One of the top three can- commercially worth. But even fairs, which are unapologetically centring our focus on the artists' Bush [junior] didn't take his advice the region and beyond. Islamic State though the biennale is meant to pro- both football and Catholicism for didates is Tedros Adhanom, current of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also the country, but also gently mocks driven by sales. But in this year's beautiful labour, it was not they who special adviser to the Ethiopian on dealing with issues in the region, vide a view of cutting-edge practic- Venice biennale the big buzz is received accolades. Yet they creat- and they found their problems com- known as ISIS) and Al-Qaeda brought es, it seemed as though black artists, these obsessions, which were used prime minister and Ethiopia's more harm to Muslims than any- to manufacture a national identity. around the multimillion-dollar sale- ed powerful, self-recognising spaces former foreign and health minister. pounded". The Saudis perceived that and African artists in particular, were sof a well-known British artist's for themselves - without needing US policy in Iraq after the 2003 war one else. The US and Saudis as well either absent from that picture, or There is a tiny, embroidered foot- Adhanom is travelling the world dis- as the other Muslim leaders have a ball and a fiery-feathered parrot in gaudy, and conceptually shaky acknowledgement from Europe. cussing human rights (while comi- was emboldening Iranian influence relegated to the peripheries. Despite (Aljazeera) in Baghdad. According to documents shared goal in degrading and elimi- the vocal activism of black artists his work made up of carefully lay- cally admitting Ethiopia's record is released by Wikileaks, the Saudi king nating the threat of these groups. and women of colour in women art- ered tiles of cloth. There is also an "not perfect") as part of his cam- even said in his meeting with Bren- On this trip, President Trump will ists groups such as Guerrilla Girls, easy-to-miss Christ the Redeemer paign to lead WHO. Adhanom is nan that "thank God for bringing join King Salman in inaugurating the statue - a massive art-deco statue, one of the chief architects of Ethi- the breakdown of the racial demo- The US’ never-ending opia's repressive regime. He has been Obama to the Presidency [to restore Global Center for Combating Ex- graphics of the 2017 Venice Bien- which is one of the most easily rec- tremist Ideology in Riyadh. But the ognised national symbols of Brazil, a cabinet minister for more than a US credibility in the region]". Yet, nale by Artsy's editorial team re- decade. In 2015 and 2016, accord- the relations between the Kingdom Trump administration is also ex- vealed that of the 120 artists Macel designed by the French sculptor Paul Landowski and the Romanian sculp- days of reckoning ing to human rights organisations and the US deteriorated even fur- pected to push for what White chose to participate in the central security forces killed hundreds of ther under the Obama administra- House officials call an "Arab exhibition representing her vision tor Gheorghe Leonida, and built by the Brazilian engineer Heitor da Sil- authority - Richard Nixon. Right peaceful protesters; the number in tion. The Saudis were angry when NATO". The actual plans in terms for "Viva Arte Viva!", a "mere five By Andrew Mitrovica my opinion might be more than Obama told Egypt's Hosni Mubar- of the structural organisation, mem- artists are black", and of that num- va Costa. Along with Konate's work, on cue, The New York Times' Aman- the collaborative effort that went Today, the United States is facing, da Taub reached instinctively for the 1000. Adhanom, then the country's ak, a long-time ally to Washington bership, and goals are yet to be an- ber, Senga Nengudi, an American, foreign minister, downplayed the and Riyadh, that he needs to step- nounced. However, it is clear that was the only black, female artist. If into this iconic statue itself speaks yet again, a historic day of reckon- "test" trope in a piece exploring the volumes about the fantasy of "the ing. This latest day of reckoning was potential institutional consequenc- extent of the problem and de- down during the 2011 Arab Spring the US wants closer security coordi- it were not for the handful of Afri- nounced even the scant internation- nation between key Arab states and can national pavilions, the 57th nation". Tunisia, which presented a triggered by news that during a tete- es of Comey's curt dismissal. Taub protests. They were frustrated with pavilion at the biennale for the first al scrutiny of Ethiopia's human Obama's inaction on the "Assad more burden-sharing to maintain the edition of the Venice Biennale would a-tete with former FBI director, wrote that several US academics saw time since 1958, developed a pow- James Comey, President Donald "the Comey firing as the latest in a rights record. In an op-ed last Octo- must go" policy in Syria. They were security of the region. I expect the have looked mostly like a Europe ber, Adhanom targeted Human Saudis and many others to be sup- that had closed its borders. Angola, erful yet simply and elegantly exe- Trump may have encouraged - to string of norm violations, by Mr. wary that the Iran nuclear deal is cuted political performance. Its cu- Rights Watch - blaming the New the beginning of an American pivot portive of this plan. But the US is Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Kenya, Nige- put it charitably - America's top cop Trump as well as others, that have rator, Lina Lazaar's concept, The to halt an investigation into his dear- been slowly escalating - and as a test York-based nonprofit and the Ethi- toward their regional rival, Iran. And expected to play an active role in ria, South Africa, Tunisia, Zimba- opian diaspora for whipping up anti- bwe were the only representatives Absence of Paths, involves "immi- ly departed national security advis- of whether today's polarized politi- Obama's statement that Saudi Ara- this "alliance" if it was to be gration offices" at several locations government protests. Having sys- achieved. Also it should be clear of Africa in the biennale. Scram- er General Michael Flynn's cob-web cal system will halt that escalation bia should "share the region" with in the Arsenale section of Venice, connections to Russia. Not surpris- tematically decimated domestic op- Iran shredded the relations between that the intention of such alliance bling for visas To make a place for or accelerate it". As we know, de- where cheery but officious un-bu- ingly, word of Trump's possible ob- spite all the huffing and puffing by position, the civil society and inde- the White House and Riyadh. The is to solely defend member states themselves at this edition of the bi- pendent press, this was part of his ennale, and to raise the funds neces- reaucrats (who are "aspirant mi- struction of justice unleashed anoth- the Times, political scientists and Saudis felt that the US administra- from external threats and to defeat grants" rather than artists) process regime's attempt to intimidate and terrorism. This will encourage more sary for a national pavilion, Afri- er round of apron-over-the-head- others, Trump was able to emerge tion was abandoning its 70 years al- "freesas" within minutes to anyone like consternation that the US was silence critics abroad. Like the gov- regional members to join the secu- can pavilion curators had to be adept from that seemingly stiff test rela- liance with the Kingdom. Now, with willing to line up. This "free visa" confronting a defining national mo- tively unscathed with the consent ernment he served, which spends Trump's visit to Riyadh, the hope rity pact, and the alliance will more at networking with politicians and millions of dollars on lobbying to the business community, and per- allows movement based only on ment: will its democratic institutions of much of the Republican Congres- to restore US commitments is re- likely be successful overall. Anoth- one's human will to be mobile, seek prevail over a president that, by his shore up international support, Adh- suading powerful people at home sional leadership and caucus who anom has turned to PR agencies to vived in the Saudi capital. The Sau- er major aspect of Trump's visit is safety and self-betterment, rather word and conduct, has made a mock- insisted the president is permitted di King, Salman Bin Abdul-Aziz, said- economic. During the GCC-US that financing art and artists' pas- whitewash his image. Adhanom is sage is a socially, politically and fi- than permitting mobility based on ery of those same democratic insti- to fire anyone, at anytime, for any this historic summit will hopefully meetings, I think Trump will offer one's existing privileges, class, and/ now travelling around the world nancially lucrative investment. tutions? It's an all too familiar reason. hypocritically talking about health lead to a new partnership "in con- more military sales to the Gulf or racial markings. In a time when rhetorical question since, if memo- Mother of all tests fronting extremism and terrorism, States. It is already expected that Each African pavilion's set of cura- as a human right. But when he was tors and artists have tales of chal- the Mediterranean border is a loca- ry serves, America faced the same Fast forward a week, and the disseminating the values of toler- Trump will announce a new US arms tion that launches so many dreams health minister, his office refused lenges met and surmounted that art- historic day of reckoning yesterday brouhaha over Comey's axing had to acknowledge large cholera out- ance and coexistence, and bolster- package for Saudi Arabia valued and deaths, the Tunisian Pavilion's and the day before that and the week already lost its supposed political ing security, stability and coopera- around $100bn in Riyadh. I also ists from "first-world" pavilions breaks, which cost many lives. To- would not dream of encountering. performance art was a painfully real before that and the month before potency. Another signature test day Ethiopia is also covering up yet tion to serve the present and future suspect that Trump will ask the Gulf and politically astute necessary of- that and the year before that and quickly emerged that, according, this of our peoples". But the Saudis are States to financially support his $1 For example, after it was revealed another cholera outbreak, using the that two Malindi-based Italian busi- fering that questioned the concept the year before that. time, to ex-Harvard law professor euphemism of acute watery diar- expecting more concrete actions trillion infrastructure plan. Reports of national borders. Another pavil- Fact is, America has faced one and ubiquitous TV talking head, Alan from the Trump administration. For speculate that the Saudis will com- nessmen and a Chinese property rhoea. Adhanom has also been tout- developer hijacked the Kenya pa- ion that refutes the privileged posi- historic day of reckoning after an- Dershowitz, made the Comey "test" ing his success with Ethiopia's na- the Trump administration, this vis- mit $40bn to this plan. In addition, tion that the nation state is given at other since Trump first became a look like a pimple on the scale of it is a chance for the president to a US-Saudi economic program val- vilion to show a collection of works tional Health Extension Program. I by one Italian, six Chinese and just the Venice Biennale and challenges candidate for president in early June tests marking the magnitude of have friends who worked as exten- roll-back on his anti-Islam cam- ued at more than $200bn is to be the depressing number of black art- 2015. By my admittedly unscien- America's historic days of reckon- paign narrative and engage the Mus- implemented over the next 4 years. two Kenyan artists at the 2015 Bi- sion workers and know communi- ennale, Kenyan artists and writers ists in Christine Macel's vision is the tific count, we've reached Trump ing. Reportedly, during his meet- ties that were supposed to benefit lim world constructively to combat The Trump administration will ex- Diaspora Pavilion, which is present- "test" 106. You could call it: Amer- ing with Lavrov et al. Trump be- violent extremism in the region and pect other rich Gulf States to chip- attempted to shame their govern- from this much-hyped initiative. ment into taking a stand and fund- ed by the International Curators ica's historic "Groundhog Day" of trayed secret information to the Particularly in Oromo areas, the beyond. In Iraq, they want to see a in as well. However, JASTA should Forum and University of the Arts reckoning. Of course, despite every Russians about ISIL terror plans that be scrapped to assure investments ing a "real" Kenyan pavilion in the services never reached the people more inclusive - and less-sectarian- 2017 biennale. Unfortunately, their London. A total of 19 artists came egregious insult, demeaning remark, may have come from Israeli or Jor- who needed them the most. In some government in Baghdad. In Syria, from the Gulf. The Saudi govern- together under the banner of the sinister and overt act of racism, xe- danian intelligence sources. Trump's towns, poorly supplied health cen- ment will extend a warm and heart- heroic efforts to right this wrong they support a political transition and reclaim the Kenya Pavillion did Diaspora Pavilion to create a living nophobia, misogyny and stupefying national security adviser, HR Mc- tres were built and extension work- that will eventually lead to the de- felt welcome to President Trump. testament to what it means to house expression of ignorance on Twitter Master vehemently denied the sto- ers with 10th grade education - who (Aljazeera) not translate into funds. This year, parture of Bashar Al-Assad. In Ye- Kenyan curators and artists had to many nations within one's body, and elsewhere, Trump has not only ry in a brief statement made outside had only a year of medical training psyche, and practice as an artist, and passed each of these so-called the White House. Shortly after, - were assigned to staff the facili- to question the trust and loyalty that "tests", but he's been emboldened and Trump fatally undercut McMaster's ties. However, the poor training, those with more stable national nar- promoted along the long, odious way ironclad denials by confirming the distance the workers had to travel ratives place on the nation state. by Fox News and more than 63 mil- main thrust of the Washington to get to the satellite offices and LETTER TO THE EDITOR This is a pavilion created because lion Americans whose support for Post's spy scoop on Twitter. Echo- the lack of medical equipment and artists of complex, multinational him remains largely steadfast. While ing scores of other instant analysis supplies meant the majority still backgrounds - and black women art- Trump has succeeded time and again, pundits, Dershowitz also took to don't have access to quality health ists, especially - find that the doors America's democratic institutions Twitter to decry Trump's reckless services. Moreover, admission into of high art are closed to them. The have failed spectacularly time and actions. "This is the most serious the programme requires party mem- Substandard healthcare Diaspora Pavilion had one of the again, permitting a man - who, by charge ever made against a sitting bership and mandatory political in- most ebullient opening ceremonies any sentient measure - should have president. Let's not minimize it. doctrination. In other words, Adha- - and a kicking party afterwards, with been permanently disqualified from Comey affair now in the wastebas- nom's health ministry used the do- a long queue of jostling hopefuls considering, let alone competing for ket of history", he wrote. So, let's nor-funded health extension pro- centers in Kabul spilling out on to the street, much and ultimately winning, the office recap: Comey getting canned by the gramme as a coercive political re- to the ire of cursing locals who sim- of president of the United States. man whose administration he was cruitment tool for the ruling Ethio- ply wanted to pass through. But A cautionary tale probing was briefly the mother of pian People's Revolutionary Dem- when those who are marginalised and This is the glaring prism through all "tests". That is until Dershowitz ocratic Front (EPRDF). In some There is no state-of-the-art healthcare centers in Afghanistan, as patients are going excluded create space for themselves which the bizarre events in Wash- and company dumped that test into cases, people were denied access or abroad to receive medical treatments. Afghan masses are suffering from one of the in an environment that would oth- ington DC over the past two weeks the wastebasket to crown the latest were asked to join EPRDF in order worst healthcare system as they don’t have access to the basic medical care. On daily erwise be inhospitable to their per- must be considered. Buttressed by mother of all tests. Well, Trump's to access even the measly services bases more than hundreds of people are traveling abroad for treatment due to lack of sons and their work, the response is the maniacal, reality-defying sup- loyal Republican lemmings in Con- provided by extension workers. That bewilderment at first, and then re- port of his followers and a propa- gress batted away Dershowitz's hy- is not all. Ethiopia has gained inter- standardized facilities at home. sistance. I know of at least one per- ganda outfit masquerading as a cable perbole like a pesky mosquito, claim- national praise for reaching the The relevant Afghan official should take necessary measures to provide standard son who asked "Is this necessary?" news network, Trump will continue ing the president can declassify and United Nations Millennium Devel- medical care for the Afghan masses here at home and free the Afghans from going about the Diaspora Pavilion. For to survive any current and future share intelligencewhenever he wants opment Goals. However, in Oromia them, "this" is black artists taking "tests" - including the tepid calls for to, and with whomever he wants. So today, babies often still die in great abroad for treatment. up too much space, playing music impeachment - to his presidency. much for America's vaunted demo- numbers from preventable diseases Asif Khan, Kabul, Afghanistan too loudly, being just too much. Per- It's a cautionary tale that should warn cratic institutions. Turns out, Mr. like diarrhoea. The true child mor- haps "this" is also creating discom- against any suggestion, from any Dershowitz, that you were not only tality rate is never recorded since fiture for those who believed, for a quarter, that, suddenly and remark- wrong, but a little premature, in the statistics are falsified with the minute, that the art world, along ably, America's institutions will fi- awarding the prize for prompting aim of meeting global development with the Millennial generation, had nally, albeit belatedly, assert them- the most serious day of reckoning goals and keeping foreign aid com- Letter to editor will be edited for policy, content and clarity. All letters must become "colour-blind" - so over race selves to remove this ugly, meta- in US history to the Washington ing. This practice has so far escaped have the writer’s name and address. You may send your letters to: that racism is no longer a real threat. static cancer from the Oval Office. Post for its story about Trump's international scrutiny given the lack [email protected] But the fact that Diaspora artists I'm old enough to remember when perpetually loose lips. A day later, of independent press, organised op- had to create an alternate space for last week, America's institutions the New York Times appeared to position and robust civil society in themselves - to counter the erasures apparently faced the test of all tests claim the teeter-totter-like title af- Ethiopia. After years of authoritar- that that they encounter - meant after Trump summarily fired Com- ter the paper revealed that Trump ian backsliding, Ethiopia is now ef- that those who purport not to see ey on the eve of a visit to the White pressured Comey to drop the Flynn fectively a military state, ruled by a Disclaimer: colour, race, ethnicity, or difference House of senior Russian diplomats, inquiry. In responding to the stun- Command Post that was setup to could not support their fantasy. And led by Foreign Minister Sergey ning revelations, Senate Democrat- oversee the country's now 8-month- that is embarrassing. Lavrov. Just days ago, Trump was ic leader, Chuck Schumer dipped into long state of emergency, declared in The views and opinions expressed in the articles are A chance discovery being excoriated by the establish- the "test" cliches like clockwork. October. Despite these crimes, there those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views or In Venice, I also came across ment media and beyond for this na- "Our country is being tested in is still an opportunity for Adhanom the small Antigua and Barbuda pa- ked abuse of power and authority unprecedented ways," Schumer said. and the Ethiopian regime to do the opinions of the Afghanistan Times. vilion, which presents the narrative reminiscent of the poster president "History is watching." right thing. of a forgotten local son - the eccen- of presidential abuses of power and (Truthout) (Aljazeera) SUNDAY. MAY 21, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES Ukraine declares war on Russian social media — and some say it’s long overdue

The president of Ukraine did an extraordinary thing this week: He Iran has sanctioned nine more U.S.- issued a decree banning several linked businesses, organizations Russian social media networks. and people over America's sanc- The free-speech liberal in me ini- tions over its ballistic missile pro- tially flinched at the news. Ukraine gram. Iran's Foreign Ministry pub- is struggling with its efforts at re- lished a new sanctions list on its form, and the last thing it needs is website Saturday, which added another unforced error by Presi- nine targets. The sanctions means dent Petro Poroshenko, who has Iran could seize local assets of the been under fire lately for his fail- companies targeted and bar its em- ure to follow through on the war ployees from the country. Those against corruption. Though free- targets include Booz Allen Hamil- dom of expression in Ukraine is in ton of McLean, Virginia; shipbuild- far better shape than in Russia, its er Huntington Ingalls Industries of neighbor and adversary, Ukrainian Newport News, Virginia; cyber- journalists still have plenty of their security firm Kingfisher Systems own problems to worry about, of Falls Church, Virginia; and Dyn- from interference by oligarchs to Corp International, also of the occasional killing. So I was McLean. dreading the thought that the lead- the country’s east. More than 10,000 people have died in the conflict so Booz Allen Hamilton said it ers in Kiev were once again send- far. Throughout the fighting, one of Moscow’s most effective weapons had no comment. The other firms ing the wrong signal. Take a closer has been information – or, more precisely, the extremely sophisticated did not immediately answer re- look, though, and matters don’t deployment of disinformation. Early on, the Russians systematically quests for comment. look quite so clear-cut. It’s impor- worked to fan the fears of Russian-speakers in the east by painting the The Trump administration in tant to remember that Ukraine and Ukrainians as bloodthirsty “fascists” with a penchant for random atroc- February sanctioned more than Russia are in a de facto state of ities. In the summer of 2014, most notoriously, Russian media widely two dozen people and companies war. Russia has illegally seized and disseminated the story of a young boy who was allegedly crucified by in retaliation for a ballistic missile annexed part of Ukrainian territo- Ukrainian soldiers. The story quickly proved to be false, but the damage test. Iran responded by announc- ry (Crimea), an act that remains was already done. When pro-Russian forces shot down a civilian airliner ing similar sanctions in March . unparalleled in the postwar histo- over the conflict zone that same year, Kremlin-controlled media quickly (AP) ry of Europe, and forces under its churned out a series of alternate versions of the episode aimed at deflect- control occupy a large chunk of ing responsibility from the real culprits. (WP) WannaCry kill switch China deploys surface-to-air Top leader missiles on Hainan I sland in of Malaysia under nonstop botnet bid to create South China attack by hackers Sea no-fly zone: Report opposition attempting to reignite party PKR ransomware says to step Daughter of former Tajik police Hackers are trying to funnel junk traffic to WannaCry's down in commander who joined IS says kill switch web address in an attempt to start the ransomware epidemic once again. surprise life ‘turned into nightmare’ Life has "turned into a nightmare" agencies would come to our home move for the family of a former Tajik to interrogate us, asking all sorts police colonel who left the Central of questions. I was frightened," Asian country two years ago and Halimova said. "We still live in joined the extremist group Islamic constant fear." Sitting beside her State (IS), his daughter says, the mother in the family home in a RFE/RL reports. Gulmorod Hali- suburb, the teenager said that jour- mov's wife, Nazokat Murodova, nalists and the authorities "still and their eldest daughter, Nilufar come to ask questions." Mother WASHINGTON – China has de- Beijing, is also claimed by Taiwan Halimova, 15, spoke to RFE/RL and daughter told RFE/RL that the ployed HQ-9 surface-to-air mis- and Vietnam. The aggregate cover- on May 18 in the most extensive family's financial problems deep- siles on Hainan Island in the north- age from Woody and Hainan is- public comments yet from the fam- ened after what the family says ern part of the South China Sea, an lands “creates a significant no-fly A senior politician in opposition ily Halimov left behind. They said was the arrest last month of the Israeli satellite imagery company zone area above the largest mari- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), they had faced persistent psycho- eldest son of Halimov and Muro- has learned, citing analysis of re- time trade route in the area,” the Zuraida Kamaruddin, said she will logical and social pressure, police dova, 18-year-old Behruz, who cently captured images. Amid con- report said. “ISI experts estimate not defend her post as Women questioning, and financial hardship had become "the breadwinner of cern about Beijing’s militarization that in the future we will see more wing’s chief at the next party polls since Halimov left. Halimov, 42, the family." "We can't afford meat and island-building campaign in such batteries in the large artificial in a surprise announcement on Sat- who was commander of the Tajik even once a week," Halimova said. disputed areas of the strategic wa- islands recently constructed by urday (May 20). Her announce- Interior Ministry's special forces, After Halimov left, Behruz had to After crippling computers across cidentally), and later registered the terway, the observation that “Chi- China” in an apparent attempt to ment was made in a speech at the disappeared in April 2015. He lat- abandon his dream of becoming a various sectors ranging from domain to dramatically slow the na is apparently beginning to build step up its territorial claims in the wing's annual congress in the meet- er appeared in the Internet, saying doctor and worked at a market to healthcare to transportation in as worm down. Since then, hackers a no-fly zone in the South China South China Sea, it said. Separate- ing hall in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. he had joined IS and threatening provide for the family, said Muro- many as 150 countries, the Wan- are in retaliation, by launching non- Sea” was put forward by Image- ly, ISI has found that China ap- The announcement followed a cor- the Tajik government. "When the dova, who had four children with naCry ransomware is now in a stop distributed denial of service Sat International N.V. in a report pears to be installing anti-ship mis- ruption probe into a Youth leader news of my father's departure Halimov. dormant state after an accidental (DDoS) attacks from Internet of made available to Kyodo News. siles in the Yulin Naval Base in the in her PKR division in Selangor. spread, officials from all kinds of (Akpress) "kill switch" pulled the plug on its Things devices infected by the Satellite imagery taken May 8 south of Hainan Island. Madama Zuraida, 59, is into spread. Now, some devious hack- Mirai botnet. The attacks have captured two HQ-9 launchers, a Such missiles have a range of her 10th year as chief of the wing. ers are launching punishing assault peaked at 20 gigabits per second, radar center and three launchpads about 400 km, according to the re- She helped PKR grew from its Azerbaijan President on that kill switch with variants of and are trending up. The latest on a controlling hill located in the port. Referring to the possibility birth in 1999 following the Refor- the infamous Mirai botnet, which unique IPs count from the Wanna- south of Hainan Island, according that Beijing is seeking to establish masi street protests after the sack- congratulates Rouhani knocked off major websites last Cry sinkhole is 416,989 (not in- to the report. The center is likely a no-sail area in the South China ing of then-deputy prime minister year, including Spotify, Reddit and cluding the 604,102 unique IPs to be used to deploy early detec- Sea, ISI said: “If we consider the Anwar Ibrahim. The party today The New York Times. Cyber-se- from manual visits to the domain). tion radar and fire control radar, it deployment of anti-aircraft and leads in governing Malaysia’s rich- on re-election curity experts have managed to The reason behind the DDoS said. Imagery dated March 15, anti-ship batteries in the area of est state Selangor and helps in run- Hassan Rouhani, leading the May Azerbaijani president also empha- defend against the attacks so far. attack is apparently to reactivate however, showed no launchers or the Yulin base and the Paracel Is- ning the Penang and Kelantan 19 presidential election, over- sized the importance of his coun- However, if successful, the hack- WannaCry's dormant infections radars on the same location. lands, we can see that China has states. She is the most powerful whelmingly won the majority of try’s ties with Islamic Republic of ers could make the WannaCry ran- and fire up the epidemic anew. China has already deployed begun building a maritime and aeri- woman in PKR after its president votes cast on Friday by Iranians Iran, and expressed his satisfaction somware start spreading once "The ones that were success- HQ-9 missiles on Woody Island al control corridor in the South Wan Azizah Ismail, and Wan and was re-elected as the new pres- with the enhanced relations to the again. The WannaCry kill switch fully encrypted are in this zombie in the South China Sea’s Paracel China Sea.” Azizah’s daughter and PKR vice- ident of the country. In his mes- strategic level. was nothing but a random-looking state, where they're waiting to be chain. Woody Island, controlled by (Japantimes) president Nurul Izzah Anwar. sage, Ilham Aliyev said that the Aliyev added that the ties had ex- web address, which was included reactivated if that domain goes Madam Zuraida said in her speech choice is an indication of Iranian panded through meetings and talks in the malware's code. Whenever away," Matt Olney, a security re- at the wing’s meeting: “It is time people’s trust in President Rou- with his Iranian counterpart in re- WannaCry infects a computer, it searcher with Cisco's Talos team, for me to hand over the tasks of hani and a sign of appreciation for cent years, and the agreements first tries to reach out to the do- told Wired. According to Marcus Australia to push PKR Women’s chief to Haniza to his attempts to boost the nation’s signed by two countries as the re- main to check whether it is active, Hutchins, the 22-year-old cyber- continue the fight for the women prosperity. Interior Minister Ab- sult of the talks had played an im- and if it is, the ransomware as- security researcher who discovered in Keadilan,” referring to deputy dolreza Rahmani-Fazli announced portant role in the expansion. He sumes it is being inspected, and the WannaCry kill switch domain, for TPPconsensus Women’s chief, Madam Haniza on Saturday that Rouhani obtained also expressed assurance that the becomes inactive. It's still unclear attackers behind the botnet assault Mohamed Talha, 55. “I believe 23,549,616 votes out the total attempts in line with both nations’ whether including the kill switch are not the ones who created the Haniza would give a breath of fresh 41,220,131, while his rival Ebra- interests would continue in the was a sloppy mistake by those ransomware, but other group of air and her name would be at par him Raeisi, a principlist candidate, future. behind the ransomware attack, or hackers trying to reignite the virus among remaining with all the international female received 15,786,449 ballots. The (IRNA) whether it was an intentional move just for fun. leaders in the world.” PKR Youth to check that the malware is not "They've obviously got no fi- leader Adam Rosly, 29, in the running in a "sandbox," set up by nancial incentive. They're not the countries Ampang PKR division in Selangor Presidents of Uzbekistan, security researchers to test mal- ransomware developers," Hutch- is being probed by the anti-cor- ware samples securely. Whatever ins said. "They're just doing it to ruption commission after his bun- the motive, a security researcher cause pain." galow with Disneyland turrets and Turkmenistan vow to did spot the kill switch (albeit ac- (IBTIMES) flashy cars grabbed public atten- tion. Madam Zuraida is not any boost cooperation under any government or party probe. President Uzbekistan Shavkat of mutual trust, respect and inter- 500 children complete first She had denied that Mr Adam, Mirziyoyev and President of Turk- est and will serve to bring the rela- who is facing six charges under the menistan Gurbanguly Berdimu- tions to a higher level,” the press half of Google coding Anti-Money Laundering, Anti- hamedov discussed further devel- service says. The heads of states Terrorism Financing and Proceeds opment of bilateral cooperation of exchanged views on the current of Unlawful Activities Act, had the two countries during the state state and prospects of cooperation programme in pilot year worked as her aide after growing visit of Mirziyoyev to Turkmen- between the countries, regional and Australia will push for agreement ferent plans for the TPP, including among the remaining 11 signato- pushing ahead with smaller group- claims that the accused was a bashi, the press service of the international issues of mutual in- SINGAPORE - After attending a sociation, Singapore Indian Devel- proxy for her. Asked at a news con- Uzbek President reports. The talks terest. The two underlined that 10-week coding course, 15-year- opment Association (SINDA) and ries of the Trans-Pacific Partner- ings of countries. But there are dif- ship (TPP) at a meeting of trade ferent levels of enthusiasm to- ference later on Saturday if she was focused on the consistent devel- both countries have everything to old Celeste Low believes she is one Yayasan Mendaki. The coding skills stepping down due to the contro- opment of cooperation between expand the practical results of the step closer to her childhood dream that the children have picked up will ministers in Hanoi on Sunday wards the future of the trade deal. (May 21) aimed at reviving the deal “It’s still relatively early days, but versy surrounding Mr Adam, the countries in all spheres. “This agreements reached in the frame- of being a spy. With the help of better prepare them for the future, Madam Zuraida replied: “It has visit of the President of Uzbeki- work of the state visit of Mirziy- instructors from Google's Code in said Google's director of people op- after the United States pulled out we want to move as efficiently, as the Community programme, the erations D. N. Prasad, at the gradu- of the agreement. “The real focus quickly as we can to lock in the nothing to do with him. It is time.” stan will give a new impetus to oyev to Turkmenistan in March PKR holds its internal elec- bilateral partnership on the basis 2017. (Trend) Secondary 3 student from the ation ceremony at the Google Asia for us is to build consensus to build gains of the TPP-11,” Mr Ciobo School of Science and Technology Pacific office in Pasir Panjang on a pathway or pathways forward said. “We have an agreement be- tions every three years, with the developed from scratch a pro- Saturday (May 20). "We're truly in- for a TPP-11,” Australia Minister tween 11 countries. I think we next party polls expected to be held gramme that can encrypt secret spired by what the first cohort of for Trade, Tourism and Investment should as much as possible bring next year. Mr Adam had claimed Kyrgyzstan to publish list of messages so that they are unread- kids to graduate from Code in the Steven Ciobo told Channel News- into effect that agreement between that he made his wealth through able to prying eyes. Celeste is one Community has achieved. They're Asia on Saturday. The TPP that 11 countries. My focus is on noth- business and a family inheritance. terrorist organizations of about 500 children aged 8 to 15 having fun while learning, and pick- originally included 12 members was ing else." New Zealand, Australia The PKR annual congress is widely seen as a significant agree- and Japan have been among the Kyrgyz President Almazbek Ata- of ensuring national security are years old that have completed the ing up skills that will prepare them closely watched as observers are first half of a 20-week coding pro- for jobs of the future," said Mr Pras- ment as it would facilitate trade most active countries wanting to keen to know how the party will mbayev has amended Kyr- obliged to make a single list of or- among countries accounting for 40 push ahead with the TPP, while gyzstan's anti-terrorism laws, ganizations recognized as terror- gramme funded by Google. The ad. The ceremony was also attend- handle the move by ally Parti Is- programme, which was launched ed by Senior Minister of State for per cent of global GDP. However, also negotiating their part in the lam SeMalaysia (PAS) to cut po- which now call for the official pub- ists and publish it annually in print a decision by US President Donald Regional Comprehensive Econom- lication of a list of terrorist organi- media and on official government in January, is conducted in part- Finance and Law and President of litical ties in governing Selangor, nership with the four self-help SINDA Executive Committee, In- Trump early in his administration ic Partnership (RCEP), a rival trade yet having its three state Cabinet zations, the president's press ser- websites. The purpose is to coun- to withdraw the US has left the deal to the TPP that includes Chi- vice reported on Thursday. Under teract the influence of radical ex- groups - Chinese Development dranee Rajah, who viewed demon- ministers to continue as usual. Assistance Council, Eurasian As- strations of some student projects. future of the TPP in doubt. Ac- na and excludes the US. the amendments, those in charge tremist ideology on young people. cording to reports, there are dif- (Channelnewsasia) (Straitstimes) SUNDAY . MAY 21, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES

The political chaos in Washington is making it less urgent for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates next month, which would ease pressure on Beijing to tighten monetary policy at home While China may be disappointed yuan’s value against the dollar has to see the impeachment of US Pres- remained mostly steady in the past ident Donald Trump with whom months. At the same time, China’s N-Korea’s dual the country just built trust, the debt mountain is still growing and chaos in Washington could help its financial system remains vul- Beijing to slow down yuan depre- nerable to policy tightening. Eco- strategy to ciation, curb capital outflows and nomic activity showed softening safeguard domestic market stabili- in April. Zhang Jun, chief econo- ty. The continuing drama in Wash- mist of Huaxin Securities, said the ington about whether the US pres- Federal Reserve’s rate increase and develop both ident committed wrongdoings by downsizing the balance sheet will attempting to intervene in state continue to make it difficult for investigations has rattled the US China. Zhang said the Fed was still stock market – the Dow Jones In- likely to raise rates in June. military, economy dustrial Average plunged 373 The election of Trump last points on Wednesday, its biggest November and the Federal Re- From carrot-flavoured toothpaste controlled Air Koryo, the opera- single day fall in eight months. US serve’s interest rate rise drove up and charcoal facemasks to motor- tor of the national airline, and the dollar in worst trading week in a the US dollar index to a high level cycles and solar panels, visitors to Naegohyang conglomerate have year as Trump’s political woes of 103, which put huge pressure North Korea say they are seeing diversified into manufacturing con- hound greenback. The political on China. The Chinese government more and more locally made prod- sumer goods including cigarettes chaos in Washington is making it had to spend much of its hard- ucts in the isolated country's shops and sports clothing. North Korea less urgent for the Federal Reserve earned foreign exchange reserves to and supermarkets, replacing most- is one of the most insular coun- to raise interest rates next month, prop up the yuan and take certain ly Chinese imports. As the Trump tries in the world and visits by for- a development that would take administrative measures to control administration considers tougher eigners are highly regulated. A Re- pressure off Beijing to tighten capital outflows late last year. The World Bank faults FG’s optimism economic sanctions to push the uters team that was in the capital monetary policy at home. dollar index fell below 98 on Fri- isolated country towards disman- Pyongyang last month was al- “The political troubles of the day in the wake of political gyra- tling its weapons programs, North lowed to go to a grocery store, ac- Trump administration will hit the tions in the US. Guotai Junan Se- Korea is pursuing a dual strategy companied by government mind- US dollar index and accordingly curities analyst Xie Yunliang on economic recovery of developing both its military and ers, where shelves were filled with ease pressure on the yuan exchange wrote in a note that Trump’s trou- economy. The majority of con- locally made drinks, biscuits and rate and capital outflows,” said Liu ble may affect his tax cut plans The World Bank yesterday fault- sumer products in North Korea other basic food items. Jian, a senior researcher at the Bank and accordingly slow the Fed’s ed the federal government’s opti- still come from China. But under Other visitors have seen local- of Communications, China’s fifth pace of raising interest rates. mism about the nation’s recovery leader Kim Jong Un, there's been ly made canned goods, coffee, li- biggest lender based in Shanghai. “It will significantly ease pres- from economic recession, saying an attempt to sell more domesti- quor, toothpaste, cosmetics, soap, A file photo from 2004 shows sure on yuan depreciation… and Nigeria’s economic recovery re- cally made goods, to avoid any bicycles and other goods on sale in recently sacked FBI director James alleviate the pressure on China’s mains fragile with a high degree of outflow of currency and to rein- the city. "As new factories open, Comey, left, and former director monetary policy,” Xie wrote. “If risk. Four days ago, the Minister force the national ideology of juche, the branding, packaging and ingre- Robert Mueller, who was named the US dollar index remains weak, of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun or self-reliance, visiting business- dients of our food products have to lead the investigation into the its yuan counterpart may even averred that the nation’s economy men say. There is no available data improved," said shop assistant Trump presidential campaign’s turn positive in coming months and was already coming out of the eco- to show how much is being pro- Rhee Kyong-sook, 33. Kim Chul- ties to Russia. Photo: AFP this will improve domestic liquid- nomic recession. Speaking at a duced domestically. Export data ung, a 39-year old physical educa- On the surface, the world’s ity.” That will buy time for China town hall meeting held in Abuja, from countries like China and Ma- tion teacher visiting the store, said: second largest economy has left it to clean up its domestic financial Adeosun said: “Nigeria is coming laysia, which sell consumer goods "I can taste real fruit in the drinks worst days behind. China’s head- market. Liu from the Bank of Com- out of recession; we are beginning to North Korea, may not be an ac- that are made in North Korea, com- line growth was stronger than ex- munication said that the biggest to see the signs and we will come curate reflection. China's com- pared to drinks from other coun- pected in the first quarter, and an pressure was actually from Chi- out to become stronger,” wold merce ministry declined to com- tries." exodus of funds was suspended na’s commitment to eliminate fi- bank A similar optimism was ex- ment when asked whether China's Visitors say locally-made con- thanks to rigid capital controls. nancial risks and ensure financial pressed last month by the Gover- exports to North Korea were de- sumer goods are becoming increas- The official foreign exchange re- security, as highlighted by Presi- nor, Central Bank of Nigeria creasing due to an increase in lo- ingly sophisticated and QR or serves climbed for the third con- dent Xi Jinping in late April. (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele cally-made products. matrix barcodes can been found on secutive month in April, while the (SCMP) while speaking to journalists after Visitors say that with the im- a wide range of products from a closed door meeting with Senate petus from the top, large North make-up to soft drinks. President, Bukola Saraki, and the Korean companies like military- (FIJITIMES) entire leadership of the Senate. He India’s foreign direct said: “We are very much optimis- tic that by the end of the second quarter or latest third quarter this ther unrest in the Niger Delta, public institutions, and improved Italy first EU trade investment inflows year, we should be out of reces- which is not yet fully stabilized, transparency and anti-corrup- sion that we are in right now”. The as well as from the incomplete tion.” The World Bank economic World Bank however faulted this implementation of new JV cash call update on Nigeria also noted that optimism in Bi-annual Economic arrangements.” The Bank howev- over the last four decades, Nige- partner of Iran hit record $60.1b in Update released yesterday. The er pointed out that: “Nigeria can ria’s GDP growth rate has failed Bank said that while it maintains build on the oil-driven economic to keep pace with those of more its forecast that Nigeria could re- recovery anticipated for it in 2017 developed economies, an experi- 2016-17 turn to positive economic growth by strengthening its macroeco- ence common among commodity in 2017, it believes the recovery is nomic policy framework and im- exporters. More so, oil has con- fragile due to risk associated with plementing the structural reforms tinued to dominate its growth pat- the nation’s oil sector. It stated: needed to diversify the economy tern but the volatility of oil-depen- “Growth is forecast to return into and break out of a boom and bust dent growth imposes welfare costs, positive territory in 2017, largely cycle.” Speaking on the Economic which impede progress in social on the back of recovery in the oil Recovery and Growth Plan and economic development, as was sector as the government intensi- (ERGP), according to the World very clear over the last year. A cross- fies efforts to restore peace and Bank statement, Rachid Benmes- country analysis of the determi- stability in the Niger Delta, im- saoud, Country Director for Nige- nants of growth carried out for the prove its Joint Venture (JV) rela- ria opined that: “The ERGP, if report underscores the importance tionships with international oil implemented successfully, would of sound macroeconomic manage- companies while strong growth in lead to expanded transportation ment and stability for growth, the agricultural sector continues. infrastructure, the increased reli- while confirming that inflation, However, given the risks associat- ability of supply of power by re- government consumption, and cur- ed with the oil sector, recovery is storing financial viability to the rency misalignment (over-valua- fraught with a high degree of fra- power sector, an improved busi- tion) are negatively correlated with gility and risks; notably from fu- ness environment, improved edu- growth. Eurostat has announced that, in the trade volume stood at 1.7 billion ture shocks to the oil price or fur- cational attainment, strengthened (Vanguardngr) first quarter of 2017, Italy was the euros of which 500 million euros first trade partner of Iran among belonged to Iran’s export to the members of the European Union European side while the rest per- (EU). Eurostat, the statistical of- tained to its imports. Iran remains Foreign direct investment (FDI) struction sectors. FDI rules were fice of the European Union, an- as an invaluable opportunity for Household debt burden nounced that Iran and Italy ex- the European industries who are inflows hit an all-time high of $60.1 radically overhauled across sectors billion in 2016-17, the commerce such as broadcasting, retail trading changed products worth 1.2 bil- after new markets enthusiastical- and industry ministry said on Fri- and air transport. The Modi gov- lion euros in the first season of 2017 ly. day, as the Narendra Modi gov- ernment amended legislation to with 800 million euros pertaining Until last year, Italy fell be- in Taiwan heavier than to Iran's exports to Italy and 400 hind Germany as Iran's trade part- ernment eased rules to lure global hike the foreign investment cap to conglomerates to set up shop in 49 per cent in insurance and pen- million euros to its imports from ner in Europe. Volume of trade be- sectors such as defence and rail- sion from the earlier 26 per cent. the European country. As such, It- tween Iran and Italy has set the ways. In the last three years, the "The momentum of positive busi- aly is marked as the first trade part- record high figure of seven billion in China, Hong Kong ner of Iran ahead of France and dollars in 2011 while it dropped government has eased 87 FDI rules ness climate was further ignited across 21 sectors to accelerate eco- with launch of Make in India ini- The debt burden shouldered by Germany who have occupied sec- to 1.2 billion euros in 2013 once nomic growth and boost jobs. tiative in September 2014," the Taiwan's households was heavier ond and third positions. Over the international sanctions were im- "The country has now become the ministry said. than their counterparts in China past two years, volume of Iran's posed against the Iranian econo- topmost attractive destination for In addition, initiatives such as and Hong Kong largely because of trade with the EU member states my. Nevertheless, the trade vol- foreign investment," the ministry introduction of composite caps in massive home mortgages, U.S.- has increased significantly espe- ume between Tehran and Rome said in a statement. the FDI policy and raising the based ratings agency Fitch said cially as regards exchanges with have taken up an upward trend FDI inflows were at $55.6 billion FIPB approval limit were also un- Saturday. In a report, Fitch said Italy which have catapulted by 200 again as evidenced by the figure for the year ending March 2016, dertaken to promote ease of doing that Taiwan's household debt ac- per cent during the same period. for 2015 which surpassed 1.6 bil- which was a record. In 2016-17, business in the country. For retail counted for 82.6 percent of the Tehran and Rome’s positive lion euros. Eurostat is the statisti- the FDI inflows were even higher trading of food products, the gov- country's gross domestic product trade balance had always in favor cal office of the European Union at $60.08 billion. Since 2014, the ernment permitted 100 per cent (GDP) in the first half of 2016, far of Italy in the past 10 years while situated in Luxembourg. Its mis- Modi government opened up "con- FDI with unqualified condition higher than the 66.4 percent re- the figure turned positive in favor sion is to provide high quality sta- servative" sectors like rail infra- that such food products have to corded in Hong Kong and 41.8 of Iran in the first quarter of the tistics for Europe. structure and defence. FDI reforms be manufactured or produced in percent in China. present year. In 2015, Iran-Italy (Mehrnews) were also carried out in financial India. Compared with other neigh- sector, medical devices and con- (BBC) boring countries, only South Ko- rea beat Taiwan with a ratio of 90 Saudi Arabia’s new military percent, according to Fitch. Jenni- fer Chou (???), an analyst from Travelex owner UAE Exchange Fitch, said that since 2005, home company to localize 50pc of mortgages have made up more than Group targets up to $300m 50 percent of the total household military spending debt in Taiwan with the ratio even in acquisitions hitting a high of 73 percent in 2010, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment the powerful deputy crown prince when home prices had been soar- Fund (PIF) on Wednesday an- and defense minister, Prince Mo- UAE Exchange Group, owner of Travelex and other money transfer busi- ing, but the economic growth had nounced the launch of a state- hammed bin Salman, launched his nesses, aims to spend between $250 million and $300 million on acquisi- been slowing. After Taiwan's prop- owned military industrial compa- Vision 2030 reform scheme to tions to build its global market share, its chief executive said. The group erty market weakened at a more ny aimed at contributing more than boost jobs and revenue to prepare aims to increase its share of the $575 billion global remittance industry to visible pace in 2014, the ratio of home mortgages, Taiwan's house- country's economic growth. It 14 billion riyals ($3.7 billion) to for a future with lower oil income. more than 10 percent by 2020, from 6.75 percent currently, Promoth home mortgages to household debt holds also shouldered a financial added that such an unfavorable cir- the Kingdom’s gross domestic “The company will seek to be a Manghat said. “The group is exploring multiple bolt-on acquisition oppor- started to drop. The current ratio burden from other leverages like cumstance could act as a headwind product by 2030. The new Saudi key catalyst ... to localize 50 per- tunities as well as strategic investments in remittances and payments space came closer to 60 percent, Chou consumer loans, while many own- to further improvements in the fi- Arabian Military Industries will cent of total government military with a specific focus on fintech (and) digital,” Manghat said. Exchange said. In comparison, Fitch said that ers of small and medium-sized en- nancial profiles of Taiwanese seek to provide over 40,000 jobs spending in the Kingdom by the houses and other traditional payment processors such as banks are facing a home mortgages made up about 70 terprises secured loans for their banks. Household debt is expect- by 2030, the PIF - the kingdom’s year 2030,” up from just 2 per- challenge from fintech companies, which can increasingly transfer pay- percent of household debt in Hong business operations under their ed to keep rising this year. Fitch top sovereign wealth fund - said in cent now, bin Salman was quoted ments at more competitive rates. UAE Exchange’s majority shareholders Kong and 54 percent in China, but own name or a family member's said that the ratio of Taiwan's a statement. The move could alter as saying by state news agency bought Travelex in January 2015 for 800 million pounds ($1.1 billion). the ratios of household debt to name instead of a company, which household debt to GDP is expect- decades of practice in which Saudi SPA. “It will lead the military in- Manghat said UAE Exchange was working with unidentified boutique firms GDP in the two markets were low- also boosted the entire household ed to grow to 84 percent during Arabia - one of the world’s largest dustries sector to increase local and banks to advise it on two to three potential acquisitions in 2017. Global er than Taiwan's. In particular, Chi- debt, Chou said. In an earlier re- the period of 2017-2018 since buyers of foreign arms - and other content, increase exports and bring remittances to developing countries fell for a second year in a row in 2016 na's 41.8 percent seen in the first port released in March, Fitch banks have been aggressive in ex- Gulf Arab states recycled a major foreign investment to the kingdom to $429 billion, a trend not seen in three decades, according to World Bank half of 2016 was the lowest among warned that Taiwan's high house- tending working-capital loans to part of their oil wealth back into by entering into joint ventures data, due in part to low oil prices and weak economic growth in the Gulf and the markets in the Asia Pacific re- hold debt and rising debt-servicing individuals and entrepreneurs. Western economies via arms pur- with major international military Russia taking a toll on remittances to Asia. (Alarabiya) gion, Fitch said. In addition to pressures are expected to affect the (Focustaiwan) chases and investments. Last year, industry companies,” he added. SUNDAY. MAY 21, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES Elli Avram: Filmmakers arenot keenon

Dixit have been approached. casting Stop everything because Aish- warya Rai’s latest photoshoot will leave you breathless! newactors A source from the channel in- formed a tabloid, “Mr Bachchan’s daughter-in-law Aishwarya is among those who has been ap- from proached to take over as quiz mas- ter for season nine. But the chan- nel is in talks with both Madhuri outside and Aishwarya.” When the tabloid tried to reach out to the spokes- persons of both Aishwarya and India Madhuri, they refrained from commenting on the same. Shraddha’s Actor Elli Avram says that it’s If this news is indeed true, then unfair on part of filmmakers to this will be the first time in so many not let a newcomer audition for a years of KBC that it would be Mother role due to his or her origin and hosted by a female. Interestingly, mother tongue. this is not the first time that Big B organizes a would step down from his posi- Actor Elli Avram might still be find- Needless to say, Kaun Banega time slot now as the makers of the tion on the popular show. Shah special Meet the “destructor ing her feet in Bollywood, but she Crorepati is one game based show show gear up for its ninth season. Rukh Khan had hosted for one sea- doesn’t like being referred to as an that has captured the audience’s However, this time the audience son before it went back to Bach- outsider. The 26-year-old actor, attention for years now. The eighth will experience a major change, re- chan. On the work front, Aish- screening of who has worked in films such as season of the Indian version of the ported Pinkvilla. The makers of the warya Rai Bachchan, along with and youth corrupter, Mickey Virus (2013), Kis Kisko show ended back in 2014 and since game show are set to replace its her daughter Aaradhya, has just Pyaar Karoon (2015) and Naam then, its fans have anxiously been host Amitabh Bachchan with a new headed to Cannes and will be walk- Shraddha’s Shabana (2017), says, “I guess, I’m waiting for their favourite show to female one and in this connection, ing the red carpet on May 19 and Ranveer Singh very much a part of the industry. come back on the air. Reportedly, both Bollywood beauties Aish- May 20. Half When you get work in Bollywood, KBC is all set to occupy the prime warya Rai Bachchan and Madhuri (Tribune) Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh, who was recently in you automatically become a part Girlfriend! trouble over an ad for Jack & Jones, has unveiled new of it.” The Swedish-Greek actor got popular after she took part in look and a video for the company. the reality show Bigg Boss 7 Shivangi Kolhapure has organized (2013) as a contestant, and her in- a special screening of her daugh- Aishwarya is the ter's movie Half girlfriend. Arjun nocence won her many fans. How- ever, making a mark in Bollywood Kapoor- Shraddha Kapoor starrer still seems to be a long journey for Half girlfriend releases this Friday her. Asked why she hasn’t been and so before it's release Shradh- ultimate Cannes Icon for ha's mother has organised a spe- getting enough offers, the 26-year- old actor says that she has often cial screening for the movie on noticed that Bollywood filmmak- Thursday, 18th May. ers are not too keen on casting new Bollywood: Amy Jackson Half Girlfriend has created actors from outside India. “It is huge buzz owing to Shraddha Kapoor's distinct looks. Infact thie easy to have a perception of peo- Actor Amy J ackson says ple but I feel that filmmakers movie sets out to be special for is looking forward to her the actress as it's the first titular should give the actor a chance to second innings at Cannes audition for a role, and after that, role of Shraddha! if they feel that one can’t play the Film Festival this year; Shraddha Kapoor plays the character, they are more than wel- says she can’t wait to see role of Riya Somani, based on the come to reject them,” says Elli. She what Aishwarya Rai book Half girlfriend written by Chetan Bhagat. Riya's character Ranveer Singh, who is known for case — home. Clad in a “sharp adds that a lot of people in the Bachchan will wear at the industry don’t even know that she festival. sketch is that of an elite, high soci- his quirky nature and dressing office shirt”, he is seen standing in ety girl from Delhi, fond of play- style, is all set to cause mayhem front of an elevator holding a wom- speaks Hindi fluently. “I’m very comfortable with the language and ing basketball and passionate now, with his new avatar. The 31- an, dressed in casual western of- Actor Amy Jackson, who will be about singing. Friends and close year-old actor took to Instagram fice wear, on his shoulder. The el- understand it very well. Rather, for walking the red carpet at the all my script narrations, I get it family members have been invited and shared some photos of his new evator operator smirks as Singh Cannes Film Festival on May 20, to the screening. Half girlfriend ‘devilish’ look for an ad campaign. winks while the woman on his done in Hindi only because it gives is looking forward to the event to more clarity. If you narrate any- hits screen on 19th May, 2017. He captioned the snap, “De- shoulder is laughing, as the board see how actor Aishwarya Rai (Santa Banta) structor. Disruptor. Youth cor- shouts out, “Don’t hold back. thing to me in English and I have Bachchan will look. “Aishwarya rupter.” In the pic, the ‘Befikre’ Take your work home.” Ranveer to play the character in Hindi, it is the ultimate Cannes Icon for star can be seen wearing a blue suit Singh will also be seen playing the makes no sense,” adds the actor, Bollywood and I can’t wait to see and holding a cane. The actor also role of a rapper in Zoya Akhtar’s who has shared screen space with how she looks on the red carpet,” shared a video promo video of his Gully Boy, alongside Alia Bhatt. actors Maniesh Paul, Kapil Shar- says the actor, who will walk for Vidya new ad where raps in Hindi. On the work front, Ranveer ma and Akshay Kumar. Elli shares her English film Boogie Man, di- charity galas this time. Plus, I will also be meeting the distributors of Recently, Ranveer was in trou- Singh will be next seen in Sanjay that directors impressed with her rected by Andrew Morahan. The Boogie Man,”she says. In 2016, Amy made her debut at the prestigious ble over an ad for Jack & Jones. A Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati, along- dialect often enquire, ‘Hindi aati promo of the film will be unveiled film festival for a dinner organised by the luxury label Chopard. Not billboard for Jack & Jones, that side Deepika Padukone and Sha- hai?’ “And I keep looking at their at the festival. Amy’s childhood keen to reveal much about her outfit, Amy says that she trusts Kirsty’s Balan was put up in 12 Indian cities, hid Kapoor. The movie is sched- faces because I don’t [understand] friend Kirsty is styling her for the sensibility when it comes to deciding the look for her. “She is my best shows Ranveer urging men to take uled to release on November 17. why they have this perception, event. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan friend who knows me inside out. I love her personal style and trust her work — a female secretary in this (Hindustan Times) especially when I have been here arrives in style at Cannes Film Fes- implicitly. There are outfits by Versace, Zuhair Murad, Emilio Pucci for so long. I usually respond to tival with Aaradhya. “I can’t wait. and Chanel. I am yet to try them and decide which one to finally wear,” learns them in Hindi and they get Last year was my first at Cannes, she adds. While at Cannes, Amy will be attending a dinner hosted by shocked,” says Elli, admitting that but this year I feel so much more Eva Longoria on May 19 and the Positive Planet Gala dinner, which The first song of ‘Guest it does get irritating. prepared. It’s a full week of helps charities all over the world, on May 24. (Hindustan Times) events, red carpets, dinners and (Hindustan Times) hip-hop Iin London’- ‘Frankly Tu Vidya Balan, who plays a radio jockey in her next film is learning Sona Nachdi’ Out Now! H o w VFX w izardry the dance form, hip-hop. tran sfo rm ed Baahubali into a visual extravaganza

After her last release Begum Jaan, Vidya Balan dived headlong into The makers of Guest Iin London tainment Ltd (UK) production, Salman Khan’s her next project, Tumhari Sulu. have released the first song from produced by Kumar Mangat After Lage Raho Munabhai (2006), the film titled Frankly Tu Sona Pathak and Abhishek Pathak, this film which is a slice-of-life Nachdi. The song has been Guest Iin London is written and comedy, will see Vidya play a ra- ‘suicide disease’: dio jockey once again on screen. crooned by Raghav Sachar and directed by Ashwni Dhir. Starring What makes Baahubali truly epic? recreated these sets with rocks Tarannum Mallik and composed Paresh Rawal, Kartik Aaryan, Kriti The film went on floors on May 1 In the first movie, it was the scene made of fibre. High pressure wa- and Vidya, who is currently shoot- by Raghav Sachar, with lyrics Kharbanda and Tanvi Azmi, Guest with the waterfall, where a ripped, ter pumps were used to recreate penned by Kumaar. Panorama Iin London is slated to release on Here’s everything ing for it, is also simultaneously wet Prabhas emerges carrying a the waterfall and the visuals from Studios presents, A Kiaan Enter- June 16th, 2017. (Santa Banta) training in hip-hop for a few huge Shiva lingam towards it. It both the spots were matched seam- scenes in the film. While details of was the scene that set the pace for lessly. Clouds and other enhance- whether she will be dancing in a you need to know the movie and it was veteran art ments were added using VFX. song or a few scenes still remain director Sabu Cyril who made it Baahubali 2 makes Rs 100 crore in unknown, sources reveal that the Priorities undergo a come to life. One of the most Tamil Nadu, only second film to actress has been practicing under about it sought after art designers in India, do so after Enthiran. As his work the guidance of a Mumbai-based complete change post especially for visual effects-inten- as a production designer became choreographer. The source reveals, Bollywood star Salman Khan told it’s not because I am drunk , I don’t sive projects like Ra One, Krissh more demanding, Sabu chose to “Vidya has been religiously re- the media present at the Dubai drink during Ramadan , it’s because 3 and Robot, Cyril was undoubt- relocate to Hyderabad from Mum- hearsing at a Mumbai-based cho- marriage, fatherhood: launch of Tubelight’s first song, of this ailment. I’m doing fine. It’s edly the first choice for director bai for the entire duration of the reographer’s studio. She has been Radio, that he was suffering from just that now, I had no choice but SS Rajamouli. Sabu’s initial mis- project. “I asked him, how many putting in extra hours for rehears- a painful facial nerve disorder, to pay attention to my health.” To givings were about the size and days of work were involved. He als before the shoot and sometimes Shahid Kapoor Trigeminal neuralgia. The disease understand the medical condition scale of the project. “The produc- said around 200 days of shoot in even post the shoot as she wants is also called the suicide disease better, we spoke to Dr. Mohsin er (Shobu Yarlagadda) said it was one and half years for both the to master the dance form. For now It has been over 14 years since self. The nature of the [film] busi- because many patients develop Wali, cardiologist and physician, going to be a big-budget project of parts together. So I told him, I’d the makers don’t want to talk Shahid Kapoor appeared on the ness is such that there are lots of suicidal tendencies. He shared that and Dr. Deepak Agarwal, a con- international scale. When he nar- give two and half years from my at one point he himself felt suicid- sultant neurosurgeon, who provide about why she is training in the Bollywood horizon with Ishq ‘flavours of the season’. You can rated the script, I knew this could side,” he remembers. “But it ulti- dance form as they want it to be a Vishk (2003). After a series of ups win the battle and become the al, although he channelled his en- the details on the disorder. be done in a smaller scale. But Ra- mately took 5 years.” Sabu Cyril ergies and worked harder. He said, What is Trigeminal neuralgia big surprise in the film. Vidya, who and downs, the actor — now a player of the season, but you must jamouli showed me a picture of a is one of the most-sought after art has always been viewed as a pow- happily married man with a daugh- be around for 24-25 years to win “That’s one disease that basically Salman Khan suffers from facial waterfall which he had worked director in India. The Guardian’s has the highest rates of nerve disorder, called Trigeminal erhouse performer for her intense ter — is in a “good space” but giv- the war. To sustain that long, you with someone using Photoshop Mike McCahill called it “a jaw- roles on screen, will have her play suicides...There is so much of neuralgia. The disorder occurs due and told me, ‘If I’m doing this film, dropping blockbuster that com- en an option, he would change require a different approach, a pain...I suffered that,” and added, to the inflammation of trigeminal a lighter role this time.” The last “most of the things” that he did in unique mindset, a lot of luck and, “So at that point of time, I realised nerve in the face. And this inflam- this is going to be there in the mov- bines nimble action with genuine time Vidya trained in dancing was the last 14 years. HT catches up of course, hard work. I feel fortu- that I need to work really hard. No mation can cause intense pain. The ie.’ It was the picture of a 1,200 heart”. Simon Abrams doled out for a lavani number in Ferrari Ki with the actor who talks about life, nate that I have been here for 14 matter how much pain you are pain can be so severe that the dis- feet waterfall. I understood the four generous stars for the movie Sawaari (2012). Before that she career, marriage and more. Ex- years and I hope to sustain for going through.” Salman first made ease often causes depression in scale he wanted. He guaranteed while exclaiming that “it is every- performed Bharatanatyam for a cerpts from an interview: I think, another 15-20 years. Shahid the revelation about his medical patients, according to Facial Pain time and money,” Cyril says. The thing I want but rarely get from song sequence in Bhool Bhulaiyaa as time goes by, it’s becoming in- Kapoor got a lot of critical acclaim condition in 2001,saying, “There Assosiation. original waterfall was shot in the superhero and big-budget fantasy (2007). creasingly difficult to sustain your- for his outing in Haider. is a flex and hoarseness in my voice, (Hindustan Times) Athirapally falls in Kerala. Cyril movies”. (Tribune) (Hindustan Times) SUNDAY . MAY 21, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES Quinton de Kock scores century as South Africa beat Sussex in tour

opener Quinton de Kock scored a quick- fire century as South Africa con- vincingly beat Sussex by 66 runs at Hove as they warmed up for their ODI series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy. Falkirk 1 In a match reduced to 32 overs because of rain, De Kock scored 104 off 78 balls while Wayne Par- nell and JP Duminy struck half- 2 Dundee centuries as South Africa ran up a appeared to have taken control minute when referee Kevin Clan- Brook vs Spence Jr: Dominic formidable 289 for four in their before Simon Murray levelled with cy blew for a very soft free-kick opening tour match. Sussex were United: 14 minutes left after the hosts failed just as William Edjenguele volleyed seriously never in the chase after to deal with a simple ball forward. in off the bar following a corner. Ingle reveals extent of Kell Brook’s losing both their openers for ducks And United completed the come- Mikkelsen had placed his hand on but batted respectably to finish on Paul back with three minutes left to set Watson before heading the ball on 223 for nine against a Proteas side up another two-legged affair next but the defender went down very injuries after Gennady Golovkin loss missing captain AB de Villiers week against either Inverness or easily. United kept up the pres- through illness. Hamilton. Substitute Alex Nicholls sure and Andreu stabbed wide fol- Trainer Dominic Ingle has revealed The hosts could hardly have Dixon’s collected the ball from a throw-in lowing a cutback by Murray, who the extent of Kell Brook's facial suffered a worse start to their re- on the right and had space to cross soon had a header saved by Rob- injuries after the Gennady ply as Kagiso Rabada dismissed to the back post, where Dixon beat bie Thomson. Falkirk responded Golovkin defeat, comparing them captain Chris Nash and Luke Wells late goal Tom Taiwo to loop a header into and Craigen and Luke Leahy twice to damage sustained in a car crash. - making his first appearance of the far corner. The hosts had taken linked up well to threaten. Thom- Brook moved up to middleweight the season after injury - in the first the lead for the first time in the tie son got down well to save from to challenge Golovkin last Septem- over. Stiaan van Zyl, who played fires after a crisp move. Right-back Murray but the Bairns were now ber, suffering a broken eye socket 12 Tests for South Africa, looked Aaron Muirhead played it into keeping United at arm's length and in a stoppage defeat, and has in the mood to make a point, with John Baird's feet and the striker visiting manager Ray McKinnon vowed to return stronger in his IBF 16 off 10 balls, but was then ath- laid it off to Craigen, who arrowed made a tactical switch midway welterweight title defence against letically caught by Farhaan Behar- United a 20-yard drive which went in off through the half, taking off striker Errol Spence Jr on May 27, live dien at backward-point. Phil Salt the far post. Falkirk were buoyed Mikkelsen and bringing on mid- on Sky Sports Box Office. Trainer provided a bright feature of the by the goal and had some good fielder Scot Fraser and moving to a Ingle signalled the end of the fight Sussex innings with a 33-ball 37, into final passages of play inside the United 4-2-3-1. The equaliser came from at the end of the fifth round after which included a remarkable re- half with former Tannadice mid- a simple diagonal ball from Fraser growing increasingly concerned verse flick over backward square- fielder Mark Kerr making them tick from inside his own half. Blair about the condition of Brook's eye. leg for six off the bowling of Paul Dixon headed a late winner as but United were getting forward Spittal won it in the air and Mur- "It's a common injury you have Dwaine Pretorius. In the next over, Dundee United came from behind too and they created their first clear ray got the ball amid some hesi- in car crashes, because your face bowled by Morne Morkel, he to beat Falkirk and reach the Scot- chance when Dixon's cross found tant defending from Muirhead be- hits the dashboard and cracks the struck the first two deliveries for tish Premiership play-off final. Thomas Mikkelsen in space. The fore calmly slotting home. Spittal bone in the front of your face," four but was out to the final deliv- Dixon's goal sealed a 2-1 victory Dane headed over from 10 yards. took a yellow card to stop Myles Ingle told Sky Sports. "I've had one ery, caught behind playing a ramp at a sold-out Falkirk Stadium and Murray twice fluffed chances Hippolyte on a dangerous break other fighter with that injury a few Fernando Gaviria shot, to end a spirited fourth-wick- a 4-3 aggregate triumph to keep to shoot from about 18 yards be- and the Falkirk substitute could years back and he said the same et partnership of 57 with Harry alive United's hopes of returning fore some balls over the top caught not clear the wall from the free- thing. He said he felt his eye drop- Finch. After Salt's dismissal, Finch to the top flight at the first time of out Falkirk, but Mikkelsen could kick. Extra time looked likely but ping into his socket, so when you and Delray Rawlins continued to asking. James Craigen fired home not find Murray from the first Dixon soon struck to spark wild hear someone saying that in the claims fourth Giro take the attack to the South Africa his second goal of the tie inside 11 break and curled not far over from celebrations among the visiting corner you think this sounds fa- bowlers. Rawlins was run out for minutes and the game remained 20 yards from another opening. fans. miliar.You've got an idea that some- 41 but Finch went on to top score nicely poised, although Falkirk There was controversy in the 50th (BBC Sport) thing serious is going on. It's not a d’Italia stage, Tom for Sussex with 62 before he mis- thump or a bump in the eye, there cued to mid-off. Earlier De Kock, is something more to it than that. playing his first game in two Kevin Pillar suspended Dominic Ingle Dumoulin leads months, struck a superb century "He said it feels like my eyes to power South Africa to a com- dropping and he kept trying to manding total. by Toronto Blue push it back up and it was going The 24-year-old, who missed blurry. You have got an idea that overall standings the Indian Premier League after something serious is going on. It's suffering a finger injury in New Jays for use of not just a thump or a bump in the Zealand in March, retired after eye, there is something more to it striking five fours and seven sixes. than that." He and Parnell put on 121 for the homophobic slur Brook has made a full recov- first wicket before the equally ag- ery after undergoing surgery and gressive Parnell, who hit 61 off 42 moved back down to welterweight deliveries with seven fours and to defend his IBF belt against dan- three sixes, was out in the 15th gerous mandatory challenger Spen- over, lbw to Van Zyl. But there ce Jr. But Ingle admits his fighter was no let-off for the Sussex Jason could have suffered permanent bowlers even after they had seen damage if the brutal battle with the back of the openers. Duminy Golovkin had been allowed to last scored 68 off 46 balls, hitting suc- Kokrak longer. He said: "When he got to cessive sixes off spinner Danny the hospital I think the doctor said Briggs, as the tourists finished with that anymore punches on that and what proved to be a winning total. opens up it could have been, not fatal, but it South Africa have another could have cost you your eye Colombia’s Fernando Gaviria is third, 2mins 38secs behind. warm-up game at Northampton on five-shot sight." claimed a fourth victory of the Team Sky's Geraint Thomas Sunday before facing England in (Sky Sport) Giro d'Italia on Friday's 13th stage is no longer in contention, how- the opening ODI at Headingley on to Tortona. The 167km stage from ever, after he was forced to with- Wednesday. advantage Reggio Emilia finished as expected draw ahead of Friday's stage as he (Sky Sport) The Toronto Blue Jays have sus- road game 8-4. Pillar later apolo- in a mass sprint and Gaviria continues to struggle with knee pended center fielder Kevin Pillar gised via social media before the (QuickStep Floors) once again and shoulder injuries following at AT&T for his use of a homophobic slur in Blue Jays released a statement. proved his pedigree as the fastest last Sunday's crash caused by a a game with the Atlanta Braves. The Blue Jays took the deci- man in the race. Ireland's Sam Ben- stationary police motorbike. That Phil Taylor Pillar - the leading hitter on the Blue sion to suspend the 28-year-old nett (Bora-Hansgrohe) was second saw Thomas enhance his hopes Byron Jays team this season - directed for two matches after talks with and Belgium's Jasper Stuyven of a top-five finish, or possibly the slur at Braves reliever Jason Pillar, Major League Baseball (Trek-Segafredo) third as Gaviria even a podium, but the pain was admits to Motte following a strikeout in the [MLB] and the MLB Players' As- added to his victories on the third, too much and he has now refo- Nelson top of the seventh inning. The de- sociation. Pillar's salary for the two fifth and 12th stages. The top of cused on supporting Chris Jason Kokrak fired a round-of-the- rogatory comment made by Pillar games in addition to an undisclosed the general classification was un- Froome in July's Tour de France. nerves day 62 to open up a commanding resulted in the dugouts on both fine will also be donated to LG- changed, with Holland's Tom Du- The race against the clock also five-shot lead after the second sides emptying as tempers flared. BTQ community organisations. moulin (Team Sunweb) in the pink saw Dumoulin prove his creden- round of the AT&T Byron Nel- Toronto lost Wednesday night's (Fox News) jersey. Dumoulin has a lead of two tials for overall victory in Milan during son. minutes, 23 seconds over Colom- on May 28. But the overall hope- Kokrak, without a top-10 fin- bia's Nairo Quintana (Movistar) fuls were able to keep their coun- ish all season on the PGA Tour, ahead of Saturday's 14th stage. The sel on Friday as the sprint trains semi-final posted eight birdies in a blemish- Simona Halep 131km route from Castellania to controlled the peloton. And Gavir- free display at TPC Four Seasons Oropa features a summit finish, ia came from behind to go up the defeat to to pull clear of the chasing pack. when Dumoulin's rivals could seek right-hand side of the road and win Billy Horschel is Kokrak's nearest books Kiki Bertens to regain some valuable time. by half a bike length from Ben- challenger on seven under after fin- Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) nett. (Fox News) ishing his round with three con- Peter secutive birdies, with world No 1 "I'm lucky Mr (Steve) Parkin Dustin Johnson in the group a fur- semi-final in Rome sent her to me as he has a few train- ther stroke off the pace. Jason Day ers. We'll fancy our chances (at Wright birdied three of his final five holes Royal Ascot) unless Wesley Ward to move inside the top 20, while brings another monster over." Texas native Jordan Spieth missed Tomyris produced a neat turn Phil Taylor admitted Peter Wright deserved to prevail in their tense cut after carding an ugly quadru- of foot in the difficult conditions ple-bogey late in his round. Begin- to land the Longines Irish Cham- Premier League semi-final at The O2 on Thursday. Taylor, a six-time ning the day two strokes off the pions Weekend Fillies' Stakes. pace, Kokrak birdied the first and Leading a furlong out under winner of the event, has confirmed 2017 is his final year on the tour, rolled in from 15 feet at the third Andrea Atzeni, the Roger Varian- to move into a share of the advan- trained filly held the late challenge and was bidding to reach the final for the second consecutive year. tage. The world No 128 posted a of On Her Toes by three-quarters two-putt birdie at the seventh and of a length. The Power battled back from 4-0 and 6-3 down on the night but was picked up a shot at the ninth to Simona Halep progressed to the Open semi-finalist, proved to have Sibilance, who made most of reach the turn in 31, before pulling semi-finals of the Internazionali too many weapons and experience the running with Dancing Breeze, unable to set up a final with even- tual champion Michael van Ger- clear of the chasing back with back- BNL D'Italia with a resounding for the 23-year-old Gavrilova. stuck on for third place behind the to-back gains from the 12th. victory over valiant qualifier Anett Ukraine's Elina Svitolina faught off Main Desire followed up her debut success by taking the Listed ho- 5-1 winner. wen, who earlier overcame Gary Anderson. Horschel briefly moved within Kontaveit. The Romanian sixth a fightback by Czech favourite nours in the Langleys Solicitors British EBF Marygate Fillies' Stakes at Varian said: "I liked her at three of the lead after his treble seed surged through in Rome after Karolina Pliskova to book her York. After breaking the course record at Nottingham, the Michael Bell- Newmarket when she won, but I "I had my chances. I didn't take them," Taylor told Sky Sports. birdie finish, only for Kokrak to a 6-2 6-4 win over Estonia's Kon- semi-final place. The eighth seed trained yougnster encountered much slower conditions this time but wasn't sure how she'd handle the leave himself a tap-in at the 16th taveit on Friday. The world no 4 is secured her first victory over Plisk- handled the ground well enough to retain her unbeaten record. The field ground today. "The people behind me were giv- ing me so much inspiration, trust and post a seven-foot gain at the coming off the back of a victory at ova, the second seed, in a 6-2 7-6 were in two groups with Mount Victoria and Neola leading the far side, "Andrea said she didn't love it next. The American then missed the Madrid Masters last week and triumph. Svitolina had raced into a with Main Desire fairly close up on the stands side. Main Desire (4-1 and she'd be better on a bit of good me, some of the lads on the front tables. "They were making me the final fairway and pitched from is making a strong claim to be one 4-0 first set lead over the big-serv- joint-favourite) quickened the best to land the spoils by half a length ground. Andrea also said he thought the rough back on to the fairway, of the favourites for the French ing Pliskova despite having never from her market rival Neola in the hands of Danny Tudhope. Mistress he hit the front too soon but be- laugh as well as cheering me on. They were so involved in the game. before getting up-and-down to Open later this month. Halep, who tasted victory during the pair's pre- Of Venice was a length and a quarter back in third. Bell said: "She's gone cause of the ground, once he had maintain his bogey-free day. Over- reached the French Open final at vious matches. The Ukranian's re- really well at home since Nottingham. Prior to that run, she'd looked like her momentum up he didn't want It was brilliant, it really was. "It was just a couple of shots that I night joint-leader James Hahn tem- Roland Garros in 2014, will next silience and defence from the back a natural from day one and she's a rocket. "She's worked very nicely on to disappoint her. porarily got to seven under after meet Kiki Bertens who overcame of the court neutralised the Plisk- the watered gallop at Newmarket. We were worried about the ground, "What he felt was pleasing was missed. I could actually feel my heart beating. Honestly, I was so following a gain at the sixth with Australia's Daria Gavrilova 6-3 6- ova serve and the world no 11 se- but she's coped with it. "It will either be the Queen Mary or the Albany that when the second came at her an eagle-three at the next, only to 3. "Today was a good match, but I cured the victory in an hour and at Royal Ascot. My gut feeling is the Queen Mary." she picked up again, so she was nervous. I went in front and went nervous, bogey his penultimate hole to join can say that I could finish earlier 32 minutes after saving three set He went on: "I've not had a filly like her since Margot Did, she'd be probably idling. the group on six under. in the second set," said Halep, who points in the second set. American the closest. From the very first day, she's looked exciting. "She's in the Coronation Stakes I don't know why. Every time I was behind I seemed to win the leg Cameron Tringale, Bud Cau- raced to a 3-0 lead in the first set Venus Williams, who beat Britain's "We won't duck away from soft ground in future, but she's definite- and we'll have a chat, but I'd have ley, Jhonattan Vegas and Byeong and broke Kontaveit in the open- Johanna Konta, was knocked out ly better on faster ground. thought it would be jolly tempt- comfortably and then went ner- vous. Hun An join Hahn in a share of ing game of the second before win- by Spanish third seed Garbine "I thought the second would be the danger looking at her in the ing. third, with Johnson also six off the ning. "But she turned it a little bit Muguruza, who progressed to face paddock, she looked a monster. "She's an exciting filly for the "It doesn't make sense but maybe it's because it was my last one but pace following a final-hole blem- around... she came back for a few Svitolina in the last four with a "That's the first time she's been off the bridle in her life as she's done rest of the year." ish. games, and she played really, real- hard-fought 6-2 3-6 6-2 win. everything so easy up to now. (Sky Sport) I don't know. I am shattered now." (Sky Sport) (BBC Sport) ly well." Bertens, a former French (Sky Sport) SUNDAY . MAY 21. 2017-Sawar 31, 1396 H.S Vol:XI Issue No: 287 Price: Afs.20

AT Monitoring Desk

ABUL: The legal advisor for the Raghistan district of Kthe northeastern Badakhs- han province have been kidnapped by the Taliban insurgents, officials said on Saturday. Mulavi Abdul Hameed Shahab was forced down his car and taken to an undisclosed location by the insurgent on Fri- day afternoon, a district chief said. President Ashraf Ghani flew out after U.S President Donald Trump Amam Ali Hamdard, administra- of Kabul on Saturday afternoon for touched down in the kingdom, in tive head of Yaftal Payan, told Pa- Saudi Arabia, where he will join his first foreign trip as president. jhwok Afghan News that Shahab leaders from 20 other Muslim- On arrival in Riyadh, Trump was kidnapped on his way from majority nations – a trip that coin- was met at the airport by the Sau- Faizabad to Raghistan district in cides with U.S President Donald di king and later awarded the king- Shaiber area.“I don’t think he is Trump’s visit to Riyadh. dom's highest civilian honor the being held in Yaftal. In a day or In a press release issued on gold King Abdulaziz al-Saud Med- two, it will become clear whether Saturday afternoon, the Presiden- al. During Trump’s two days in or not the Taliban intend to release tial Palace said Ghani would be in the Middle East kingdom, a weap- him,” a member of the provincial Riyadh for two days and will meet ons deal worth more than $100 council, Mahboob Rahman Tulat with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, billion USD is set to be unveiled. said. Despite hectic and repeated Saudi royals as well as leaders from Trump will spend most of the AT Monitoring Desk “What I’ve done is I’ve gone to efforts by Pajhwok, provincial se- other countries. first day of his trip meeting with Afghanistan. I’ve met with (the curity officials refused to comment The president is accompanied King Salman and other members KABUL: There is no any recom- Afghan) President (Ashraf) Ghani. on the legal advisor’s kidnapping. by Finance Minister Eklil Hakimi, of the royal family before an mendation made to the President I have met with the NATO repre- the head of his administrative af- evening banquet. Donald Trump on the number of sentatives and I’ve met with our fairs department Abdul Salam Ra- On Sunday, he will meet with troops in Afghanistan, said James commander in the field,” he said. The president left Kabul on Saturday for Saudi Arabia himi, presidential adviser Moham- Arab and Muslim leaders for the Mattis, the US Defense Secretary, Mattis had also been in Brussels hopping that the ongoing review where he talked to counterparts to where he will take part in the Arab Islamic American mad Humayun Qayumi, and oth- Arab Islamic American Summit , ers. which will focus on combating ex- would be completed soon. “On collect allied input. “That recom- Summit that will also be attended by Donald Trump. Ghani left Kabul just hours tremism. (ToloNews) the number of troops, no, I have mendation is being put together by not made a recommendation yet,” the chairman and myself, and I ex- Mattis told reporters at a joint pect it’ll go to decision very, very Pentagon news conference with soon. But, no, it has not been made Gen Joseph Dunford, Chairman yet,” Mattis said in response to a Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday. question. KABUL: Military analysts on Saturday said recent appoint- ments in the Ministry of Interior (MoI) were ‘an appropriate step. Exactly a week back, 13 indi- Rumors on VP Dostum’s viduals were appointed on high positions in the MoI in line with the ministry’s suggestions and exile into Turkey are approval of the president. Ten other high ranking officers were employed on ‘precautionary’ Baseless:Presidency posts. Janan Barakzai has been Presidential Palace rejects rumors appointed as first deputy interi- on Abdul Rashid Dostum’s exile or minister, Murad Ali Murad as into Turkey, reiterates the First assistant security, Maj. Gen. Vice-President left the country for Aminullah Karim as finance and medical treatment purposes and administrative assistant, Maj. soon will return. General Dostum Gen. Abdul Khalil as counternar- left Kabul for Ankara on Friday cotics assistant. night, following the allegations that Former finance and adminis- he illegally detained and raped a trative assistant Lt. Gen. Ikra- political rival, Ahmad Eshchi. muddin Yawar, counternarcotics resident Hassan Rouhani will on Saturday, Iranian Interior Min- reported. Fazli said that a total of 15,786,449 votes, or 38.5 percent. “First Vice-President went for assistant Lt. Gen. Baz Moham- serve another four years in ister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli de- 41,220,131 votes had been cast. Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim and Mo- medical treatment and thereafter, mad Ahmadi, MoI intelligence Poffice after winning Friday’s clared Rouhani the winner with The candidate with the second larg- stafa Hashemi-Taba, the other two will return to Kabul. Rumors about chief Sayed Abdul Ghafar election – in a landslide victory. over 23.5 million votes, or 57 per- est number of votes was Seyyed candidates, received 478,215 and [his exile] are baseless and false,” Sayedzada and crime branch chief Addressing a press conference cent of the total ballots, Press TV Ebrahim Raeisi, who garnered 215,450 votes respectively. said media advisor of Vice-Presi- at the ministry, Lt. Gen. Moham- dent’s Office, Mohammad Yasin mad Zahir Zahir, had been ap- Khamosh. Dostum was rarely seen pointed to the precaution posts. in his office at the Presidential Pal- The new appointments come Survey, ace after the claims made by Ish- after President Ashraf Ghani re- chi, a former governor of the north- Acting Spokesman of President cently called the MoI as the cen- mapping of ern Jowzjan province, who was Ghani’s Office, Shah Hussian ter of corruption and said he kidnapped in November last year Murtazawi. It comes as recently, would eradicate the problem in TAPI project to while attending a traditional game the Attorney General assured of the ministry. of buzkashi. “General Dostum vis- “serious” investigation of the First Some analysts call the new be completed its Turkey and we expect him to Vice-President’s case. employments ‘a right action’ and return after getting treatment,” said (ATN) hoped corruption in the ministry would be controlled to some ex- within tent. Gen. Attiqullah Amarkhel, a providing its budget. “The Inde- military experts, told Pajhwok pendent Election Commission coming months Afghan News: “Appointments should assess the number of elec- UNDP stresses transparency and replacements in security or- toral sites which they consider in Survey and mapping of Turkmen- gans are a routine practice, so provinces. It should assess that istan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India qualified and experienced people whether voters will vote with old (TAPI) Pipeline Project is to be in Afghanistan election completed within next four must be hired to high positions.” voter cards or with the new cards. United Nations Development Pro- ture elections on their own with- He believed in the MoI was And more importantly, it should months, officials said Saturday. gram (UNDP) Afghanistan coun- out any involvement of the inter- not alone being notorious for cor- assess that how they should de- The TAPI project has been try director, Douglas Keh in an national community, especially ruption but all public depart- cide on their local employees and launched by Turkmenistan since exclusive interview with Ari- technically or logistically.” UNDP ments were rife the menace which how they will organize the date of the 1990s. But starting work on ananews emphasized on transpar- senior official considers finding a needed a decisive action. the election,” he said in a press the pipeline has been delayed re- ency of Afghanistan election. solution of the current security sit- The recent appointments conference on Saturday. Mean- portedly because of the problem UNDP country director said the uation of Afghanistan is very dif- were a timely action because the while, a number of electoral watch- of crossing Afghanistan. Its con- effectiveness and transparency of ficult, saying it requires domestic selected individuals were quali- dog organizations said government struction work re-begun by Turk- Afghanistan election depends on and foreign confidence. Douglas fied, he added. and the IEC will be blamed for de- menistan in 2015. leading and management of Afghan Keh added, “there is no simple “I do not know all of them, lay in elections if the polls are not Officials at Ministry of Mines government without the involve- solution to the security challenges but three or four of them I know held this year. “The commission and Petroleum said that prepara- ment of the International Commu- facing Afghanistan right now. It is including Gen. Murad Ali Murad Head of Secretariat of the Indepen- tion budget and meanwhile it has wants to blame government. The tion is ongoing for the construc- nity. Douglas Keh said, “I defines complicated. I do think that most are experienced and honest peo- IEC is happy with preparing the tion of the project. “Work on sur- success when the country itself is everyone would agree that any dent Election Commission (IEC), not assured the IEC of upcoming in the lead or the authorities are in solution would require partnership ple, they can play a bigger role if Imam Mohammad Warimach, said polls’ safety. “The commission is draft and they say they are wait- vey and design of the project is underway. International firms the lead in managing, in carrying and confidence building among the not influenced by corrupt offi- government is killing time in hold- serious in this respect and it is con- ing for government’s approval. out transparent incredible election government of Afghanistan, the cials,” he said. ing the upcoming parliamentary and cerned about losing the time. Un- This issue affects the IEC’s inde- from TAPI Ltd led by Turkmeni- stan have been hired and based on with the voice of the people is re- countries throughout the region the Another military expert, Jav- district councils elections therefore fortunately, decisions are not made pendence and meanwhile govern- flected in the outcome. I think neighboring countries as well as id Kohistani, also said that the the parliamentary polls will not be on time and seriously,” he stated. ment uses this situation as a tool,” our schedule it will be completed moving forward, we need to do many the donor and politically new appointments in the MoI held this year. Warimach told Meanwhile, the Presidential Pal- said Yusuf Rasheed, CEO of Trans- within next four or six months,” better, UN is supporting the gov- active countries who have interest were appropriate. (Pajhwok) TOLOnews that government has ace said government is committed parent Election Foundation of Af- said an official of TAPI project in ernment and the independent elec- in peace in Afghanistan.” not managed to prepare the elec- to ensuring elections’ safety and ghanistan. (ToloNews) Afghanistan, Haroon Zarif. (ATN) tion commissions in managing fu- (ATN)