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Taliban shot dead a man, woman on adultery charges AT Monitoring Desk

he Taliban militants executed a man and woman to death Ton adultery charges in Daryami district of northeastern Badakhshan province, officials said By Farhad Naibkhel know our plans or believe they can are confident they will. Since approach to dealing with the on Tuesday. wait us out. I will not say when taking office, I have made clear that Afghan neighbor, promising to Police spokesman Ahmad KABUL: The Afghan officials have we are going to attack, but attack our allies and partners must crackdown on Pakistan’s Zahid Omari told Pajhwok Afghan welcomed US new strategy for we will.” contribute much more money to harboring of terrorist and militant News the accused, Gul Ahmad and Afghanistan. A statement issued by “Our troops will fight to win. our collective defense, and they groups. Nigar were married and had illegal AT News Report in the region, not war prolong, Presidential Palace said that We will fight to win. From now have done so.” “They are housing the very relations. They were publicly killing and destruction. President Ashraf Ghani welcomes on, victory will have a clear Afghanistan is fighting to terrorists we are fighting,” Trump the decision by President Donald definition: attacking our enemies, defend and secure their country said, noting that the US gives killed on Monday. KABUL: Former President, Hamid “The US has to help put an Moreover, a member of Karzai in reaction to the US new end to the long war through talks, Trump, which shows an enduring obliterating ISIS, crushing al Qaeda, against the same enemies who Pakistan billions of dollars. “That commitment by Afghanistan’s preventing the Taliban from taking threaten us,” Trumps said, adding, will have to change and that will provincial council, Dr. Ahmad strategy announced by President discussions and other peaceful Basheer Samim, said the executed Donald Trump, said the strategy measures so that the region can live foundational partner in this global over Afghanistan, and stopping the stronger the Afghan security change immediately. We can no conflict. mass terror attacks against America forces become, the less we will longer be silent about Pakistan’s man and woman were neighbors in was against peace as the Afghans’ in peace,” the former president Yamchian village and they had said. “The only milestone in this US President Donald Trump before they emerge.” have to do. Afghans will secure safe havens for terrorist main will. during announcement of new He added: “We will ask our and build their own nation and organizations.” continued meetings in each other’s Trump in a televised speech strategy is that the US is accepting strategy on Tuesday early NATO allies and global partners define their own future. We want President Ghani said, “I am house. early Tuesday, spoke about its old mistakes and says that it morning, did not talk about the to support our new strategy with them to succeed.” grateful to president Trump and He added militants were sending more troops to the war- would not remain silent on the number of troops, but said additional troop and funding On Pakistan issue, Trump the American people for this arrested them at a time when the ravaged country, but did not presence of terrorist hideouts in “America’s enemies must never increases in line with our own. We vowed to change the US’s affirmation of support...P3 man entered into the woman’s detailed on the exact extra number. Pakistan. Though we have house. “We strongly condemn this repeatedly heard this from the The decision to kill them position of the US and oppose the former rulers of the US, but hope openly was taken by a Taliban strategy,” Karzai said in a this time, the US fulfill its sayings.” which is illegal verdict, he slammed statement., adding that the people Karzai said he would declare Taliban of Afghanistan want a lasting peace his stance on the new US strategy “We have repeatedly brought and stability in their country and in upcoming days. Taliban’s presence in the district into the notice of security officials and stressed on the authorities to launch military operation and public uprising members to The Chief Executive of the Afghanistan, Abdullah said: “Our rrorist safe havens for te commitment of the United States eradicate militants from the district National Unity Government, message to our neighbors is that organizations. He also talked to Afghanistan and to our people”. but the provincial officials did not Abdullah Abdullah, at a press the new US policy is a chance for about giving more authority to the “This new chapter opened by entertained our calls, he regretted. conference Tuesday said the them (countries in the region) to troops on the ground. “We will also the new strategy is a unique He came hard over the Afghan government’s message to utilize and benefit from this expand authority for American opportunity to tackle terrorists KABUL : Three Afghan prison Centers General Department had Taliban’s unauthorized act, saying been sent to Colorado for a the Taliban and their supporters is opportunity.” Trump announced armed forces to target the terrorists and achieve our goals for peace,” officials have gone missing in the Gul Ahmad was a 50-year-old man temporary period to undergo a that the new strategy is not an his strategy on Afghanistan and criminal networks that sow he said. He also said the National US’s Colorado state and a search and had a wife and children while for them was underway on training course. “US intelligence is invitation to peace but a chance to Tuesday where he said the United violence and chaos throughout Unity Government must Tuesday, an official said. A credible searching for the missing officers, Afghanistan,” the US president Nigar was of age 40 and had six strengthen the peace process. States should continue fighting in strengthen the security and defense children and their economic source told Pajhwok Afghan News but the men have probably crossed Reacting to US President Afghanistan and that they can no said. In the meantime, Abdullah forces to protect the people against situation was not satisfactory, he the three officers of the Afghan into Canada for seeking asylum”, Donald Trump’s strategy for longer be silent about Pakistan’s said “the strategy renewed the terrorists. (ToloNews) Ministry of Interior’s Detection the source said. (Pajhwok) concluded. WEDNESDAY .AUGUST 23 , 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSI ONS OF I NTEREST (CONSULTI NG SERVI CES– FI RMS SELECTI ON) Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ministry of Energy and Water Organization: Project Coordination Unit (PCU) Project: Irrigation Restoration and Development Project (IRDP) Assignment Title: Consultancy Services for Darunta Dam Rehabilitation (DD-1) Reference No.: MEW/ PCU/ REOI/ 02 Announcement Date: 23-August -17 Closing Date: 23-Sep-17

This request for expressions of interest follows the General Procurement Notice for this project that appeared in Development Business online No...... The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has received a loan/grant from the World Bank toward the cost of the Afghanistan Energy and Water Ministry (Project Coordination Unit), and intends to apply part of the proceeds of the Loan/Grant for consulting services for the rehabilitation of Darunta Dam. Darunta Dam is a large earth-fill type dam constructed on the Kabul River approximately 15 Km north of the city of Jalabad. The dam’s features include multiple outlet structures. The dam was constructed in the 1960’s. Darunta Dam is used to produce electricity for the nearby city of Jalalabad (Hydro-Electric Power Station located immediately downstream of Darunta Dam) and supports and extensive irrigation system. A Dam Safety Inspection undertaken of Darunta dam in November 20161 identified a number of issues with Darunta Dam including some issues that require urgent attention. Overall the dam is considered to be in fair to poor condition only. The Ministry of Energy and Water wishes to employ specialist consultants to review this matter and devise an action plan with the objective of securing the safety of the dam. The objective of this consultancy is to identify all the problems, prepare the detail design and tender documents as well as the contract management and supervision of the rehabilitation works which would be contracted with the selected reputable contractor/s. It is foreseen that the scope of work of the consultant will be as follows: (a) Initial inspection of the dam to verify (or otherwise) the conclusions of the Dam Safety Report. (b) Identification of preliminary measures to expose critical areas and identify issues which pose a threat to the safety of the dam; (c) Prepare a preliminary report setting out the Consultant’s preliminary conclusions in relation to issues affecting dam safety, possible measures to correct the problems and necessary further investigations to allow remedial measures to be designed. (d) If necessary design a geotechnical investigation program appropriate to the resources available within Afghanistan to carry out this program and prepare simplified bidding documents for contractors to carry out the investigations; (e) Supervise the investigation program making adjustments to it as necessary depending on the results of the investigations; (f) On completion of the investigation program prepare a report detailing the results of the investigations, the conclusions arising from it and conceptual design of remedial works; (g) The conceptual design should include various measures for monitoring the performance of the dam after remedial measures are implemented; (h) Prepare bid documents for remedial works based on World Bank applicable standard bidding documents (to be advised by World Bank); (i) Evaluation of bids based on World Bank procedures; (j) Supervision of construction of remedial works; (k) On completion of construction carry out necessary tests and inspections to verify that issues identified in preliminary inspections have been resolve; (l) Prepare a draft report detailing the works carried out in the assignment and the final conclusions. (m) Within four weeks of receiving comments from the MEW the Consultant will prepare the final report. The implementation period (Assignment A) will be approximately 120 days from contract signing and (Assignment B) will be approximately ...... days from contract signing with Contractor. The Ministry of Energy and Water now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are: (i) general qualifications of the Consultant (10 points), (ii) description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions (60 points); and (iii) availability of appropriate skills among staff (30 points) Consultants are encouraged to provide only materials mentioned above and to avoid submitting generic promotional material. Firms may make association(s) or Joint Ventures (JVs) to enhance their qualifications. The “Association” may take the form of a joint venture or sub-consultancy. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers dated January 2011 (“Consultants Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub—consultancy to enhance their qualifications. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection Based on Consultants Qualification (CQS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 08.00 to 16.30 hours from Monday to Thursday and 08.30 to 14.00 on Friday. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) until September 23, 2017. Eng. Nasir Ahmad ”Ahadi” Acting Director of Project Coordination Unit PCU Ministry of Energy and Water Address: Ministry of Energy and water,Darul Aman Road, Kabul, Afghanistan Mobile: 0700686110 Email address: - [email protected] Copy to [email protected] and [email protected] (Footnotes) 1 The Inspection Report is appended to these Terms of Reference

The Ministry of energy and water of Afghanistan (MEW)is The Ministry of energy and water of Afghanistan (MEW)is supposed supposed to award the contract,Rehabilitation of NimatKhil to award the contract,Rehabilitation Works for Bank Protection Worksin Farza district of Kabulprovincethe NagahanIrrigation Schemein Khousraw Arghandab district of contract No,MEW/PCU/IRDP/KR-03/Kabul/NCBwith Afghan Kandaharprovincethe contract No,MEW/PCU/IRDP/Q-176/ Sadaqat Road &Building Construction Company Adjacent Kandahar/NCBwithAriana Hikmat Construction KBLAvistaHaspital, Near Trafic Square, Kolola Afghanistan, CompanyTraffic Square, Kabul, Afghanistan., license ID, D- license ID, D-04-20385in the amount of15,402,170 AFs (Fifteen 24497in the amount of13,191,768.14 Afs (Thirteen million one million four hundred two thousand and one hundred seventy hundred ninety one thousand and seven hundred sixty eight point Afghanis) Bidders who appeal reconsideration or have any fourteen Afghanis only).Bidders who appeal reconsideration or objection, they can submit their application within oneweek have any objection, they can submit their application within totheMinistry of Energy and Water from the date of oneweek totheMinistry of Energy and Water from the date of announcement. announcement. WEDNESDAY .AUGUST 23, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Services being provided to pilgrims without The Afghan war so far has claimed the lives at least 2,400 US military discrimination: personnel while another 20,000 soldiers sustained injuries. Sixteen years have passed since the leader Osama Bin Laden to the US according to the expectations the United States launched a military over his involvement in the 9/11 Bush administration had from the strike in Afghanistan to topple the attacks. But the Taliban failed to war on the Taliban. Thousands of Prince Khalid Taliban regime and destroy al- meet the US demands, a move that Afghan civilians and military Qaeda network and its affiliates. angered the US government and personnel were killed and But the US is still bogged down in paved the way for a military wounded as a result of the its longest war in the country in intervention against the hardline continued insurgency in the the wake of ongoing insurgency movement. country in the post-Taliban era. By EMERGENCY and rising violence. On October 7, 2001 Bush in a 2009, more than one thousand US The Afghan war so far has televised address to the American soldiers had been killed during the CALLS claimed the lives nearly 2,400 US people announced the start of a war and violence in Afghanistan. military personnel while another military strike against the Taliban Later on, Bush successor Police 20,000 soldiers sustained injuries. and al-Qaeda bases in Afghanistan Barack Obama sworn in office as On 11 September 2011, as part of his campaign against US president. The Obama has gained momentum. Al Qaeda 100 - 119 militants associated to al-Qaeda terrorism. administration also inherited a has not re-emerged in Afghanistan network carried out a number of “On my orders, the United totally violent Afghanistan where in the same numbers as before 9/ deadly attacks in the United States States military has begun strikes the Taliban as potent militant 11, but they retain their safe- Hospitals which are described unprecedented against al-Qaeda terrorist training group was trying to gain new havens along the border,” Obama in the U.S history. The attacks on camps and military installations of grounds across the country. said in December 2009. At the FMIC Hospital the World Trade Center (TWO) the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Continued violence in the country same time, Obama had pledged to Behind Kabul Medical twin towers in New York and These carefully targeted actions are forced Obama to bring some start reducing the number of US Washington caused extensive death designed to disrupt the use of changes in the US war strategy on troops in Afghanistan. But, now University: and destruction and triggered an Afghanistan as a terrorist base of Afghanistan. On 30 November the incumbent President Donald 0202500200-+93793275595 enormous US efforts to expedite operations and to attack the 2009, Obama ordered deployment Trump says that the callback of campaign against terrorism. military capability of the Taliban some additional 30,000 troops to US forces from Iraq was a mistake KABUL : Over 2.038 million Custodian of the Two Holy Later on, the then US regime,” Bush said his address to Afghanistan. "There is no Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital pilgrims will perform the Islamic Mosques King Salman bin and that it should not be repeated president Georg W. Bush asked the American public. imminent threat of the government in Afghanistan. (ToloNews) ritual of Hajj this year, The Abdulaziz Al Saud and his deputy the Taliban to handover al-Qaeda But everything did not go being overthrown, but the Taliban Pule Bagh-e- Umomi Governor of Makkah region says for their keenness and interest in 070263672 on Tuesday. everything that serves pilgrims. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal who is He said that the number of also Advisor to the Custodian of pilgrims who arrived in the USunveiled Khairkhana Hospital the Two Holy Mosques and Kingdom until 5 pm on Monday Chairman of the Central Hajj amounted to one million and two 9 rebels dead, 13 wounded 0799-321007 Committee, announced there was hundred and seven thousand Afghanistan 2401352 11 percent increase in the total pilgrims. He highlighted efforts and number of pilgrims this year projects for development of the in Nangarhar clash, airstrike strategy compared to last year. holy places and for serving Indira Gandhi Children He said the number of Qatari pilgrims. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal ....P1 for our efforts to achieve self- JALALABAD : Nine insurgents Markikhel area of Shirzad district children in western Farah province reliance and for our joint struggle Hospital, Wazir Akbar pilgrims who arrived in the stressed that no violator will be were killed and another 13 at about 10am today, said the on Monday afternoon, residents to rid the region from the threat of kingdom through Salwa crossing allowed to bypass the regulations. wounded on Monday during a clash town’s administrative chief, Haji said. The blast took place in Khost terrorism.” Khan, Kabul 2301372 has reached 443 pilgrims until He pointed out that there are no and an airstrike in two districts of Malak Hassan. village of Khak-i-Safaid district, a The new strategy would also today. During a press conference special conditions for the Iranian eastern Nangarhar province. According to him, no civilian resident of Khost village, increase capacity in the Resolute he held at the governorate's pilgrims, but there are general Nangarhar governor’s spokesman, or security member suffered Mohammad, said. He said the Support Mission. It puts Ibn-e- Seena headquarters in Muzdalifah today conditions for organizing the Hajj. Attaullah Khogyani, told Pajhwok casualties both in the clash and the children had been sent to particular emphasis on enhancing following his tour of a number of We receive pilgrims and provide Afghan News Taliban insurgents air raid. There has been so far no neighboring Herat province for Afghan air power, doubling the size Pul-e-Artan, Kabul projects in the holy places, Prince them with services without attacked Special Forces in Batikot word from insurgents in this treatment and their condition was of the Afghan Special Forces, and 2100359 Khalid Al Faisal thanked the discrimination. (Pajhwok) district at about 6am this morning. regard, however, the group’s said to be critical. deepening NATO’s ability to train, Five attackers were killed and spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahdi, With no Taliban spokesmen advice and assist Afghan National four others wounded when the on his twitter said foreign troops immediately available for Defense and Security Forces. Wazir Akbar Khan forces retaliated, he said. carried out an air raid in Naqilo area comment, Farah governor’s This announcement is part of Hospital Separately, an airstrike by of Batikot district on Sunday night, spokesman, Nasar Mihar, said the a package of support enabling foreign forces killed four militants killing three civilians. Elsewhere, a landmine had been planted by Afghans to achieve the goal of 2301741, 2301743 Illegal mining to stability and self-reliance, by and injured nine others in landmine explosion injured two insurgents. (Pajhwok) focusing on efforts for the eradication of poverty, economic Ali Abad produce bad investment and better equipping the ANDSF to achieve its military Shahrara, Kabul objectives. The Afghan 2100439 MRRD signs contracts for government is prioritizing consequences: ASA accelerating its rigorous reform agenda to eradicate corruption, and enhance effectiveness, Malalai Maternity KABUL : The Academy of should be based on strong 130 projects in 17 provinces transparency, and rule of law. Hospital Sciences of Afghanistan (ASA) on management, she said. She asked Following this strategy Monday warned continued illegal the government to prioritize the towards stability allows the region 2201377/ 2301743 extraction of the country’s mineral appointment of profession KABUL : The Ministry of Rural to work together in achieving wealth would produce problematic individuals, rule of law, Rehabilitation and Development mutual goals of peace and Banks security and political strengthening of security forces, (MRRD) on Tuesday signed prosperity, and provides a clear consequences. Suraya Popal, bringing reforms in assigning mines contracts to execute 130 projects pathway for regional countries to acting ASA director, said this while to private companies and worth 371 million afghanis in 17 end support for non-state actors. Da Afghanistan Bank addressing an academic- establishing an appropriate provinces of the country. “The US Afghan partnership 2100302, 2100303 investigative seminar “The framework for legal extraction of The contracts were signed is stronger than ever in overcoming challenge of finding resolution and mines. Rahmat Gul Ahmadi, between rural rehabilitation the threat of terrorism that Bakhtar Bank international community’s deputy ASA’s head for natural development minister Nasir threatens us all. The strength of our security forces should show 0776777000 support in preventing illegal sciences, said illegal extraction of Ahmad Durani and a number of the Taliban and others that they extraction of Afghanistan’s mines” mineral had been ongoing over the village council representatives in cannot win a military victory. The Azizi Bank in Kabul. “Illicit mining causes past three decades in the country Kabul. objective of peace is paramount. wasting of national capital and will and its further continuation had a Durani during the contracts Peace remains our priority,” said 0799 700900 have awkward consequences in negative impact on the signing ceremony said the 130 President Ghani. Pashtany Bank security and political arenas,” she environment and had hardly hit the projects included construction of The Afghan government said. “Terrorists and strongmen economy and revenues of the canals, dams, retaining walls, welcomes renewed US emphasis 2102908, 2103868 with illegal extractions and revenues country. Nargis Nehan, MoMP’s bridges and roads that would help on seeing security in Afghanistan from mines weaken the rule of law deputy minister, in her message a large number of people in their as part of a wider regional package. and fund the insurgency. Thus, read out at the seminar, said mines areas. The strategy complements Afghan Air Services extraction of the country’s minerals and natural resources were part of The schemes would be initiatives, including the Kabul should be done in line with the law the huge and untapped capital of implemented in Faryab, Samangan, in rural areas besides benefiting process that seeks to engage the Safi Airways and international standards before Afghanistan that could result in Baghlan, Ghor, Kapisa, Kabul, more than 736,000 people, Durani region in sharing common security it’s too late.” economical development, Laghman, Kunar, Nangarhar, said. He added that 90 percent of EU approves burdens. 020 22 22 222 According to Popal, if mineral prosperity and security and Parwan, Panjsher, Ghazni, Sar-i- the projects cost would be paid While welcoming the new US extraction process is legalized, it stability of the country. According Pul, Jawzjan, Badakhshan, Maidan by the Asian Development Bank €100m strategy, Chief Executive Officer Ariana would not only strengthen the to her, the MoMP had made Wardak and Kunduz provinces at (ADB) and the remaining 10 (CEO) Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, said percent by local development that this is an opportunity to region 020-2100270 country’s budget, but would also serious efforts at issuing contracts a cost of 371.5 million afghanis. package for countries and the Taliban achieve a desirable economy. She for mineral extraction, but due to “Farmers will irrigate their councils. The MRRD would insurgents. said the US Department of Defense insecurity; the ministry’s farms and collect an increased oversee the implementation President Deputy Spokesman Kam Air and the Afghanistan Geological programs couldn’t be fully amount of harvest after process of the projects for ensuring Afghan Shah Husain Murtazawi speaking 0799974422 Survey (AGS) had estimated the implemented. She said the implementation of these projects, quality, he said. Abdul Jabbar, head to a mediamen “on challenges of total value of Afghanistan’s country’s mines in areas having they will transport their products of the development council of reforms media” pointed toward US minerals at $3,000 billion; relatively good security were to market through roads which will Qala-i-Ahmad Khan village in President Trump new strategy for Hotels however, this estimation wasn’t misused by commanders and local be constructed on time,” he said. Charbolak district of northern KABUL : The European Union Afghanistan, said “whatever Safi Landmark complete and accurate because the strongmen and in areas under The projects would also help Balkh province, said construction (EU) on Monday approved a €100 announced in the new strategy is amount might be higher. The Taliban the minerals were looted generate work opportunities for of an 80-meter retaining wall was million package to support at the favor of region.” Ministry of Mines and Petroleum by insurgents with support of more than 207,000 people that the project given to his area. Afghanistan in carrying out He said that it’s more 020-2203131 (MoMP)’s strategy on mining smugglers. (Pajhwok) would help reduce unemployment (Pajhwok) reforms in key sectors. important that the new strategy A joint statement of the EU obliges and remind the region SERENA delegation in Kabul and the countries that dual diplomacy and Ministry of Finance said the division of terrorist to good and 0799654000 package was aimed to improve bad won’t lasting anymore. Afghanistan’s development In the new strategy USA New Rumi Restaurant policies, maintain macroeconomic demand from region countries to stability, advance sound public seriously act against terrorism, he 0776351347 financial management and added. He said that Afghanistan strengthen state budget and USA relation is a strategic and Internet Services transparency. defined relation. He stated that the new UA Telecom The EU's decision follows a strategy which announced is not positive assessment on progress about the discussion over timeline, 0796701701 / 0796702702 in these reform areas over the last the important point is what we twelve months against the achieve in a longest combat against Exchange Rate background of a challenging terrorism and security security situation. The package is reinforcement. part of a State Building Contract Moreover, Taliban in a 1.00 USD (SBC) signed with the Government statement said that finally the 67.60AFN of Afghanistan during the Brussels American president Trump Conference on Afghanistan on announced his strategy and has October 4 2016, the statement called for continued presence of 1000.00 IRR said. Afghan Finance Minister occupying forces while labeling 17.90AFN Eklil Hakimi on the occasion said: Afghanistan as a threat to America. “The approval of this allocation It seems America is not yet means that Afghanistan has been ready to end the longest war in its making significant progress in history. Instead of trying to 1.00 UAE crucial areas such as public policy, understand ground realities, they 18.40AFN still arrogantly believe in their force macroeconomic, financial and might, the statement added. management and budget However the Afghans have transparency and oversight.” 1.00 EUR been tested by the American forces 74.20AFN He said they welcomed over the past sixteen years. So long conditionality-based mechanism, as a single American soldier remains such as the State-Building in our homeland and American Contract, because they gave the leaders continue treading the path 1000.00 INR Government of Afghanistan of war, we shall also sustain our 1030.00AFN flexibility and fiscal space to fight against them with lofty respond quickly to the country’s spirits, absolute determination and evolving development priorities. additional firmness, Taliban read 1000.00 PKR (Pajhwok) in the statement. 635.00AFN WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 23, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES B a n gla desh Gorkhaland Nepal demand:West Parliament cou r t u ph olds fails to pass officer s' death Bengal govt to controversial holdtalkswith constitution sen t en ces political parties amendment

Voting over the amendment bill on29 August to presented long ago in the Nepal Parliament has failed to ga er two- third majority to get it endorsed. restorepeace The new Constitution Amend- ment Bill, which had the provision Kolkata: West Bengal chief minis- of solving the issues regarding the ter Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday delineation by establishing a sepa- announced the state government rate commission, was tu ed down A Bangladesh appeals court on will hold talks with "all major po- by the Opposition lawmakers. The Tuesday upheld the death sen- litical parties" on 29 August in a failed amendment bill on Monday bid to restore peace and normalcy crisis in the Hill areas of Darjeel- sentatives of the development sponding. "Those who think on ga ered 347 votes, out of the 553 tences on a ruling party politician ing" and has "humbly requested for boards will also be called to the the same lines as the GNLF, we and 14 security officers for mur- in the agitation-hit north West Ben- votes of the lawmakers in the par- gal hills. File image of Mamata Ban- talks to restore peace and normal- meeting. I have said it earlier as can invite those parties also," Ban- liamentary meeting. dering political rivals in a case seen cy in the Hills". The Trinamool well that those who are in favour erjee said, adding normalcy is grad- as a test of the government.A trial erjee. PTIFile image of Mamata The agitating parties are now un- Banerjee. PTI Congress supremo said the state of restoration of normalcy, govern- ually being restored in the hills. court had in January sentenced 26 government has decided to "re- ment is ready to talk with them The Darjeeling hills have been on der a single party, the RJP-N men to be hanged over the murder Banerjee said the president of (Rashtriya Janata Party-Nepal), the central committee of the spond positively to the request". anytime. This (request for dialogue the boil for over two months with of seven victims who were suffo- Not only the GNLF but "all major from GNLF) is a constructive and an indefinite shutdown called by which has agreed to accept the re- cated with polythene bags and had Gorkha National Liberation Front sults of the voting over the amend- (GNLF) has written to the state political parties will be called" on positive indication. Since GNLF the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha con- their bellies cut before their bod- 29 August at state secretariat Na- is a very old party and they have tinuing since 12 June to press for a ment bill and promised to partici- ies were dumped in a river. Six- government, asking for a high-lev- pate in the electoral process. India after the killings but was lat- el intervention to end the present banna at 4 pm, she said. "Repre- sent the first request... we are re- separate state of Gorkhaland. teen were members of the Rapid (Hindustan Times) (BBC) Action Battalion (RAB), an elite er arrested and extradited. The oth- security force that rights activists er 14 were from the RAB, prose- say has been implicated in other cutor Bashir Ahmed told AFP. unlawful killings in the country. "They were the protectors of life On Tuesday the High Court in and property of the people, in- Dhaka upheld the death sentenc- stead they became the predators," es of 15 defendants and commut- Ahmed said, quoting the verdict. ed the rest to life in prison, Dep- Convictions of security force uty Attorney General Jahid Sar- members are rare in Bangladesh and war Kazal told AFP. Those con- rights activists say they operate victed can now make a final ap- in a climate of impunity. A lawyer peal to the country's highest court, who filmed the abductions outside he said. The case had been seen as the stadium on his mobile phone a test for Prime Minister Sheikh was then himself kidnapped, along Hasina's government, which with his driver. Opposition par- stands accused of using the secu- ties say hundreds of their activists rity forces for the unlawful killing have been abducted during and enforced "disappearances" of Hasina´s nearly nine years in pow- scores of opposition activists. er and never seen again, although Among the defendants was Nur the government denies any in- Hossain, a former local represen- volvement by the security forces. tative of Hasina's Awami League Local rights groups say at least 326 who hired RAB officers to kill a people have disappeared since political rival and four of his aides. January 2009, many of whom were Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, on Tuesday, said the matter of great pride for all of us Hossain, whose death sentence members or supporters of oppo- ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has set a that not a single case of corruption was upheld, fled to neighbouring sition parties. precedent of “corruption free government” as not a single in developmental projects has sur- (DailyMail) such case surfaced during the past four years. “It is indeed a faced during the past four years,” the prime minister told PML-N senators who had called on the former at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad. During the meeting, the prime minister went on to claim that under the leader- ship of deposed premier Nawaz Sharif the ruling party put the coun- try back on track, enabling it to return to the path of progress and prosperity. “The performance of the present government is far bet- ter than the past governments,” a statement quoted Abbasi as say- The United Nations Development dro and biomass plants providing other countries. Priyantha Wijaya- ing. Discussing various policy ini- Programme (UNDP) and the Asian extra capacity to help balance the tunga, Director of ADB’s South tiatives relating to the security, Development Bank (ADB) have grid. The researchers expect the Asia Energy Division, said is in- economy and development of the released a report forecasting a 100 transition from fossil fuels to clean stitution would continue to be in- country, the prime minister said per cent green energy future for power sources will reduce Sri Lan- strumental in helping Sri Lanka the government focused on much Sri Lanka. Fully green by 2050, ka’s fuel import bill by a total of towards a low carbon future. needed developmental projects the financial analysts also predict $18bn and have a range of other “Recent proposals including a that catered to the needs of the that the country’s installed elec- financial benefits. rooftop solar programme and a people and ensured their timely tricity generation capacity will in- However, the final investment large-scale wind power project completion. “The policies have crease from around 3.7 GW to 34 is expected to total around $50bn. demonstrate ADB’s commitment also projects our positive image at GW over the period. The nation adopted the ambi- in this regard. This assessment re- the international level and restored Asian Development Bank tious voluntary goal at the UN port can serve as a comprehensive the confidence of the international Of this, 15 GW is expected to Climate Change Conference in example for future utilities global- community and especially foreign be wind energy and about 16 GW Marrakesh a year after signing the ly on how decentralised clean en- investors in Pakistan,” he said. would come from solar, with hy- Paris Agreement, along with 42 ergy services can be governed.” “This has been acknowledged by (Reuters) the leading international organisa- tions.” Abbasi seeks plan to extend PM’s health programme The delegation of senators who and even denied the existence of his called on the premier included Raja own bank accounts. In its report, Muhammad Zafar ul Haq, Leader the JIT had requested the SC to in- of the House, Mushahid Ullah clude his name in the list of accused Khan, Minister for Climate Panamagatecase:Kiyani, in the Panamagate case. “In the light Change, Lt-Gen (retd) Salahuddin of Ahmad’s statement, it can be con- Tirmizi, Minister for Narcotics cluded that statement made by him Control, Kamran Michael, Minis- before the JIT were factually incor- ter for Statistics, Syed Asif Saeed SaeedquizzedbyNABas rect and misleading,” the JIT had Kirmani, SAPM, Pervaiz Rasheed stated. Meanwhile, the NAB Lahore and others. has also sent a questionnaire con- CJCSC calls on PM taining some 35 questions related Earlier, Chairman Joint Chiefs Dar seeksSCreview to the ongoing investigations into of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Gen- the accumulation of wealth and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) titious accounts and fraudulent Dar. He managed a number of trans- funds beyond known sources of in- eral Zubair Mahmood Hayat also President Saeed Ahmad and former transactions. NBP President Saeed actions for firms owned by the Dar come by Dar. The NAB has direct- called on the prime minister at his chairman Pakistan Sugar Mills Ahmad, according to the JIT re- family. Before the JIT, Ahmad had ed Dar to appear before its investi- office and discussed matters per- Association (PSMA) Javaid Kiy- port, is a UK national and a close denied most of the facts related to gation team on Tuesday (today). taining to the armed forces with ani on Monday recorded state- friend of Finance Minister Ishaq his alleged banking transactions (Dwan) the premier. (Tribune) ments before the National Ac- countability Bureau (NAB) as part of the ongoing investigations into the Sharif family’s offshore assets. The Supreme Court had di- Sri Lanka’s main ruling United Minister Kabir Hashim said Raja- UNP working committee last rected the NAB to include in the UNP calls President National Party on Tuesday said paksa has failed to act according week decided to allow Rajapaksa proceedings all persons, including the party leadership has urged the to the decision taken by the UNP till yesterday to correct, false state- Ahmad and Kiyani, who have any President to remove Minister of working committee. Hashim add- ments made by him. direct or indirect connection with Justice and Buddha Sasana Wije- ed that Rajapaksa is still criticiz- Rajapaksa however says that the actions of Sharif family mem- to rem ove Wijedasa dasa Rajapaksa from all his cabi- ing ministers and government pol- he does not have any intention of bers leading to the acquisition of net portfolios. Issuing a statement, icies by violating the collective re- resigning from the ministerial post assets and funds beyond their General Secretary of the UNP sponsibility of a cabinet minister. just because of allegations. known sources of income. Javaid Kiyani was a co-accused in the from all cabinet posts Hudabiya Mills case, which had a link with the Al Towfeeq case and a possible link with the Sharif fam- ily’s London flats. In its final re- port submitted to the SC, the Pan- amagate JIT had, after recording Punjab on high alert ahead of DeraSacha Kiyani’s statement, concluded that his blatant admission to opening and operating fictitious bank ac- Saudachief verdict:CMAmarinder Singh counts on the directions of anoth- Punjab is on high alert ahead of a Haryana court verdict this week in a er accused in the case – Kiyani’s has lakhs of followers in Punjab, Haryana, and other states, has been rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief and has received 75 companies accused by a former female follower of raping her more than once uncle Sheikh Saeed – for fraudu- of central forces to maintain law and order, Chief Minister Amarinder lent transactions, acquiring loans, inside the sprawling Dera campus on the outskirts of Sirsa town in Singh said on Tuesday. Warning against any attempts to disrupt peace, Haryana, 260 km from Chandigarh. Meanwhile, Punjab Director Gen- and transferring funds to foreign he told reporters in New Delhi that his government would not allow any bank accounts, were all criminal eral of Police Suresh Arora on Tuesday visited Bathinda and other offenses in and of themselves. disruption of law and order at any count and directed the state police to sensitive districts bordering Haryana for a first-hand assessment of “The shady role of Javaid Kiyani thwart any attempt to destroy peace. the security arrangements. He reviewed the arrangements in the dis- in opening and operating fictitious “We have received 75 companies of central forces to maintain secu- trict and instructed all police personnel to remain alert to any at- accounts for illegally making fraud- rity and all steps were being taken to ensure that law and order is not tempt to disturb the harmony of the state, an official statement said. ulent transactions has been prov- disturbed in any way in the wake of the court orders,” he said. The Besides Bhatinda, Arora also visited Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Lu- en beyond doubt through available people should accept any court judgment, said Amarinder Singh, ap- dhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib and Mohali towns. Heavy police deploy- certified banking records,” the JIT pealing to all to maintain peace. A Special Central Bureau of Investiga- ment has been made in Bathinda, which shares its border with Sirsa, concluded in its report, adding that tion court in Haryana’s Panchkula will pronounce its verdict in the rape where the headquarters of Dera Sacha Sauda are located. Nawaz Sharif and his family were case against Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on August 25. (Hindustan Times) the actual beneficiaries of these fic- The case hearing has been going on since 2007. The sect chief, who WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 23, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES News-in-Brief Chemical shipments intercepted en route from North Korea The Foreign Minister of the Unit- to Syria ed Arab Emirate has insisted that a political path remains the basis for Two shipments sent by North a solution in Yemen which prevents Korea to a Syrian government Iranian influence, Al Arabiya re- chemical weapons agency have ported yesterday. Anwar Gargash been intercepted in the past six said that the future state of Yemen months, according to a UN re- must include a political process that port. The 37-page report, seen pays heed to the will of the Yeme- by Reuters yesterday, gave no ni people. details of when or where the con- The political make-up of Ye- signments were seized, but stat- men, suggested Gargash, cannot be ed that the transfers were being based on the coup carried out by investigated. “Two member the Iranian-backed Houthi group states interdicted shipments des- in 2014. “The political path re- tined for Syria,” the document mains the basis of any solution in revealed. “Another member state the Yemeni crisis,” he explained. informed the panel that it had “An agreement that brings togeth- reasons to believe that the goods er Yemenis, prevents Iranian inter- were part of a KOMID contract vention, and addresses the issues with Syria.” KOMID refers to of terrorism, the future of the south the Korea Mining Development and the nature of the government.” Trade Cooperation, an organisa- The UAE is supporting the South- tion that has been blacklisted by ern Transitional Council in its bid the UN Security Council since to secede from the rest of Yemen. 2009 and is considered to be This is in stark contrast to the other North Korea’s primary arms members of the Saudi-led coalition dealer and exporter of ballistic which aims to reinstate President missiles. “The consignees were Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi’s gov- Syrian entities designated by the ernment in a united Yemen. European Union. (independent) (BBC)

Kurdish Palestinian Authority (PA) Presi- them to say the same thing to Net- dent Mahmoud Abbas has told Is- anyahu, but they refrained. They referendum raeli politicians that he cannot un- said they would consider it but derstand US President Donald then they didn’t get back to me.” to go ahead Kenyan opposition Trump’s proposed peace plan, He also referenced the ongoing tur- despite having met US envoys bulence in the White House: “In- in defiance some 20 times. side [Trump’s] country, there is to tell court that In a meeting with the left-wing chaos in the administration.” Ab- of US party Meretz on Sunday in Ra- bas was unsure as to whether the te chnolog y mallah, Abbas expressed confusion upcoming American delegation vis- Iraq’s Kurds have announced that at the Trump administration’s al- it, which includes his son-in-law the independence referendum leged support for PA demands be- and senior adviser Jared Kushner, will go ahead as planned on 25 e nable d hind closed doors, but their unwill- would see any further progress on September despite US demands ingness to go against the Israeli gov- a deal, but vowed that he would to postpone the vote. Kurdish ernment, according to Haaretz. “I ask again for the US to express it’s leaders reiterated their intention election fraud can’t understand how they are a commitment to a two-state solu- to hold the referendum on the conducting themselves with us,” tion and demand a halt to Israeli independence of the Kurdish re- he said, according to one partici- settlement construction. Earlier this gion from Iraq. Over the week- Kenya's opposition will argue be- tion-related violence after the vote, pant’s notes. “Every time they [US month leaked footage revealed end, head of the autonomous envoys] repeatedly stressed to me Kushner, who has been charged fore the Supreme Court that tech- mainly in areas where Odinga has "This election failed in exactly the vit as part of the petition. The role Kurdish region, Masrour Barza- nology enabled rather than curbed strong support, according to the how much they believe and are with spearheading the Middle East same way as the previous election," of technology has been to obfus- committed to a two-state solution peace process, expressing doubt as ni, denied that he told US Secre- election fraud, as it seeks to over- Kenya Commission on Human said George Kegoro, the head of cate failures in accountability by tary of State Rex Tillerson that turn a vote this month won by Rights. "The series of gaps, wheth- and a halt to construction in the to whether there was any solution the Kenya Human Rights Com- the." settlements. I have pleaded with to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. he agreed to delay the referen- President Uhuru Kenyatta. Oppo- er deliberate or product of negli- mission, who submitted an affida- (BBC) dum. Postponing the referendum sition leader Raila Odinga's Nation- gence, frustrated the use of tech- (Reuters) is “absolutely impossible,” Bar- al Super Alliance (NASA) said in a nology to deliver an accountable zani told the Saudi newspaper petition filed on Friday that results results transmission process," Okaz. US officials are opposed from more than a third of polling reads one of the documents. "Ma- to the September referendum stations were "fatally flawed", in nipulation and distortion of results believing it to be a destabilising some cases because of irregulari- renders it impossible to tell who move at a time when the fight ties in electronic transmission of actually won." The commission against Daesh is ongoing. The paper results forms. The docu- and Kenyatta must respond to the United States and other Western ments suggest the opposition will petition by the end of Friday and I ran says can governments fear the referendum link alleged irregularities to the proceedings are to begin on Satur- could ignite a new conflict with murder of Chris Msando, the elec- day. Odinga lost in a 2013 election Baghdad and perhaps with neigh- tion official overseeing information and also challenged the result in technology, days before the Aug. court. His lawyers argued then the produce highly bouring countries, diverting at- 8 election. Kenyatta won a second failure of the electronic system to tention from the war on Daesh term by 1.4 million votes, election transmit numbers from polling sta- and Syria. authorities said. A parallel tally by tions to a tallying centre hurt the enriched (Middleeastmonitor) independent monitors based on a chances of a fair vote. Some other sample of around 2,000 polling critics of the commission's perfor- stations produced a similar result. mance this time said technology At least 28 people died in elec- has again hindered transparency. uranium in Somali forces days if US retake key Egypt constitutional town in quits deal Al-Shabaab amendment to stronghold increase presidential

term retracted Iran can resume production of high- powers led to the lifting of most Rouhani warned last week that Iran within five days in Fordow (un- ly enriched uranium within five sanctions against Tehran in return could abandon the nuclear agree- derground nuclear plant),” he add- days if the nuclear deal it struck for curbs on its nuclear pro- ment “within hours” if the United ed. with world powers in 2015 is re- gramme. Rouhani has intensified States imposes any more new However, Salehi who was reap- voked, Iran’s atomic chief was efforts to protect the deal, also sanctions. “The president’s warn- pointed this month as vice presi- quoted by state media as saying known by its acronym JCPOA, ing was not baseless,” Head of dent and the head of the Atomic on Tuesday. The deal that Iranian against Washington’s return to an Atomic Energy Organization of Energy Organisation said his main President Hassan Rouhani cham- aggressive Iran policy, after U.S. Iran, Ali Akbar Salehi said on Tues- priority would be to protect the pioned with the United States, President Donald Trump ap- day. “If we decide, we can reach JCPOA. Russia, China and three European proved new sanctions on Tehran. 20 percent (uranium) enrichment (REUTERS) UStopbrass stress diplomacy

African Union and Somali forces first,force second,in dealing have captured a strategic town in Somalia, All Africa reported yes- OSAN AIR FORCE BASE, South Adm. Harry Harris, chief of the terday. Korea — Diplomacy and economic Hawaii-based Pacific Command, The town of Bariire, 27 miles with North Koreaactions are the first tools to be de- said at a news conference Tues- from Mogadishu, was retaken ployed against North Korea,, two day at Osan Air Force base, south along with a strategic military top U.S. military commanders said of Seoul. With Patriot missile bat- base in the Al-Shabaab strong- Tuesday, with military force used teries lined up behind him, Harris hold. A fierce gun-battle with Al- only when the other measures said: “We hope and we work for a Shabaab forced the group to re- don’t work. As joint exercises be- diplomatic solution to the challenge treat after the African Union and tween the American and South presented by [North Korean lead- Somali national army attacked Korean militaries take place this er] Kim Jong Un. A strong diplo- from three different sides of the week, some analysts expect that matic effort backed by a strong town. North Korea may launch another military effort is key. Critical com- Seven civilians were killed and missile or take some other provoc- bat power should be supporting four injured in the operation to An Egyptian lawmaker who called term and has urged Egyptians to ative action to register its disap- diplomacy and not the other way recapture the town of Bariire. for the constitution to be amended vote next year. The amendment to proval. around.” Harris is in South Korea There were no reports of involve- to extend the president’s term by the relevant clause in the 2014 char- On the second day of the Ul- for the start of the annual exercis- ment by the United States Spe- two more years has retracted his ter would have to be approved by chi Freedom Guardian drills, which es, along with Gen. John Hyten, cial Forces. comments following growing op- a national referendum. Nasred- mainly involve computer simula- head of U.S. Strategic Command, Baiire was a key town to retake position to the idea. Lawmaker Is- dine’s proposal was initially sus- tions, North Korea’s state media and Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, di- for the African Union and Somali mail Nasreddine’s comments were pended and then renewed this issued another sharp warning to rector of the Missile Defense troops as Al-Shabaab was using published in Egyptian daily Al- month. Despite being embraced by the United States. “The U.S. will Agency. Together they have been the strategic military base to Shorouk and stated that the idea parliament’s largest pro-govern- be wholly held accountable for the underscoring the U.S. military’s launch attacks in the capital to amend the constitution would ment bloc as it has faced opposi- catastrophic consequences to be readiness to act, but at the same Mogadishu. not apply to President Abdel Fat- tion. Since taking office Al-Sisi has entailed by such reckless aggres- time have been echoing the mea- Al-Shabaab calls for the imple- tah Al-Sisi’s current four-year term overseen an increased crackdown sive war maneuvers,” it said. But sured words of U.S. Defense Sec- mentation of a strict version of but to the next president. Once Al- on dissent and mass arrests of op- top military brass arriving in South retary Jim Mattis and Chairman Islamic law. The group regularly Sisi completes his term in office in position members. There have Korea for the exercises tried to of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. conducts improvised explosive 10 months’ time he will be barred been reports that the presidency take the heat out of some of the Joseph F. Dunford Jr., who was in attacks across the country to de- by the constitution to serve more is seeking a closed election with- recent rhetoric that has been fly- Seoul last week. The tempered talk stabilise the government and se- than two four-year terms. Al-Sisi out an independent electoral com- ing back and forth between Py- contrasts sharply with President curity forces. is expected to run in next year’s mittee so that Al-Sisi is likely to ongyang and Washington. “The Trump’s warning to North Korea (CNN) elections despite declining to state clinch a majority without any op- most important starting point is that the U.S. military was “locked whether he would run for a second position. (AA) the diplomatic starting point,” and loaded”. (WP) WEDNESDAY . AUGUST 23, 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 Ahmad Faizy Phone No: +93-797070563 E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.afghanistantimes.af Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi Washington and Seoul are running in Seoul, South Korea. Indeed, ac- expert warned. People watch news order to start a constructive dia- the risk of inflaming conflict on the cording to Yonhap, North Korea report showing North Korea's Hwa- logue. Ahead of the drills, Chinese Korean peninsula, Chinese expert threatened Washington and Seoul song-14 missile launch on electron- Foreign Ministry urged the US and Advisory editorial board Liu Zhao and Russian academic with "ruthless retaliation" over the ic screen at Pyongyang station, South Korea to suspend the Ulchi Konstantin Asmolov told Sputnik, ongoing Ulchi-Freedom Guardian North Korea in this photo taken by Freedom Guardian military maneu- Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, referring to the fact that the US and military drills. "The US should take Kyodo on July 29, 2017 Konstan- vers, citing security concerns. "The Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal, Saboor Sarir South Korea have obviously chosen the whole responsibility for cata- tin Asmolov, an expert at the Insti- current situation on the Korean pen- a bad time for their Ulchi Freedom strophic results from its reckless war tute for Far Eastern Studies at the insula is highly sensitive and fragile, Guardian military drills. Given the game as it chooses to make a mili- Russian Academy of Sciences, ech- which requires the directly con- Graphic-Designers: high level of tension between Wash- tary confrontation with us," the oes Liu. "Usually Pyongyang reacts cerned parties including South Ko- ington and Pyongyang the US-South state-owned Korean Central News with a wave of statements," As- rea and the US to make joint efforts Edriss Akbari, Bilal Yusufi and Basir Qazizada Korean military drills may trigger Agency (KCNA) warned, as quoted molov told Sputnik, "Sometimes, to ease the tensions," Chinese For- Mar ket i ng & Adver t i si ng: conflict, experts told Sputnik Chi- by Yonhap. On Monday South Ko- [North Korea] responds with mis- eign Ministry spokeswoman Hua na. "The ongoing joint exercises are rea and the US kicked off their an- sile tests and shooting at the US- Chunying said. To further compli- Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 being held amid high tension on the nual 10-day joint military exercises South Korean military exercises. cate matters, the ongoing drills ap- Korean peninsula, when the quarrel which brought together up to 17,500 Let's see what will happen, nothing pear to be grossly excessive in scope, Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan between the United States and the US servicemen and 50,000 South Ko- can be ruled out." The situation in Asmolov pointed out. "One can Democratic People's Republic of rean troops. "Although the US- the region will worsen due to the compare [the Ulchi Freedom Guard- Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 Korea (DPRK) has reached a criti- South Korean exercises are called ongoing drills, the Russian expert ian] with the Russo-Belarussian mil- Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press cal point," expert on Korean affairs 'regular,' they have undergone sub- believes. During the 2015 Ulchi itary exercises 'Zapad' [West], in Liu Zhao of Liaoning Academy of stantive changes the recent years," Freedom Guardian drills, Seoul and which at least half the number of Social Sciences highlighted in an in- Liu said, "The number of forces in- Pyongyang exchanged artillery and servicemen are involved," the Rus- terview with Sputnik. "If the scale volved in the joint maneuvers has rocket fire. The incident occurred sian expert noted. "Meanwhile, both of the exercises causes a new surge been growing steadily. That gives the after two South Korean soldiers were Ukraine and the Baltic countries The constitution says of anger on the part of the DPRK, DPRK certain grounds to consider injured, having blown up on mines have raised alarm over the [Russo- it may further aggravate tensions them a threat to national security in the demilitarized zone. South Belorussian] drills. If the [Zapad] on the Korean peninsula and this and launch new tests of nuclear de- Korea accused North Korean sol- exercises on Russia's western bor- Article 37: cannot but be a source of alarm," vices and missiles more assertive- diers of mining the territory. China ders were of the same scale as the Freedom and confidentiality of correspondence, as well as communications of individuals, whether in Liu stressed. In this Aug. 10, 2017, ly." "You could say that both US- and Russia have repeatedly called South Korean-American drills… the form of a letter or via telephone, telegraph, as well as other means, shall be secure from intrusion. The file photo, a man watches a televi- South Korean military drills and the upon Washington and Seoul to con- then I think this issue would have state shall not have the right to inspect personal correspondence and communications, unless authorized by sion screen showing U.S. President DPRK's nuclear missile tests pose a sider the "double-freeze" plan that been already actively discussed in the provisions of the law. Donald Trump and North Korean challenge to the security and stabil- envisaged bringing both North Ko- UN Security Council," Asmolov un- leader Kim Jong-un during a news ity of the Korean peninsula, these rean missile tests and US-South Ko- derscored. program at the Seoul Train Station are very risky actions," the Chinese rean military exercises to a halt in (Spuntak) Indiavs China:Clash of thetitans border dispute high in the Himalayas puts the decades long "cold peace" between India and China under severe strain.

jarat, a booming Indian state that By Richard Javad Heydarian The so-called Line of Actual ritories) close to so-called "chick- has benefited from large-scale Chi- Control (LAC), which separates In- en's neck", a strategic corridor that nese investments. Few months into dia from China, is a potentially ex- connects India's heartland to its office, he cordially welcomed Chi- plosive oxymoron. It is neither a eight northeastern states. New Del- nese President Xi Jinping to the lux- clear line nor is anyone fully in con- hi is worried about losing strategic urious Hyderabad House, where the trol. The murky territorial bound- high ground to its rival-neighbour, two leaders indulged in personal di- aries are the poisonous legacy of which has a military budget that is plomacy with bonhomie amid much 19th-century colonialism, when the four times larger and is bent on buy- media fanfare. The following year, British Raj and Qing Dynasty sought ing friends and allies throughout the Modi visited China, where he signed to negotiate their overlapping im- region with major infrastructure in- multibillion-dollar business deals, Richard Javad Heydarian perial boundaries under fluid geopo- vestment deals. The situation re- visited key cultural sites of China here has been always suffering and destruction, but now it seems to is a specialist in Asian litical circumstances. With their flects the perils of Beijing's rising and, along the way, took an inti- get rid of it with destroying hideouts of terrorists that causes these geopolitical/economic affairs. economies and military capabilities assertiveness, which is rattling both mate selfie with Chinese Premier Li expanding, both modern India and its continental neighbours such as Keqiang, which flooded the social miseries. The Afghan masses have lost their dearest and nearest one post-Qing China have been pushing India as well as maritime neighbours media landscape with thousands of in the past 16 years. Militants carried out several attacks, in which killed a "It is true that we have a border dis- the envelope to maximise and mark in the East and South China Sea, shares. It's selfie time! Thanks Pre- pute with China. But in the last 40 their territory in the area. At the namely Japan, Vietnam, the Philip- mier Li. pic.twitter.com/DSCTszS- large number of Afghan men, women, children and military personnel. Ter- years, not a single bullet has been heart of the new round of tensions pines and Malaysia. nq3 He also shared on Chinese so- rorists infiltrating to Afghanistan from Pakistan—a hostile neighbor that fired because of it", exclaimed Indi- is the Doklam plateau, which lies at Throughout the decades, con- cial media platform Weibo portraits an Prime Minister Narendra Modi a junction between China, the north- tinental-size China, with 14 land of his gifts to Xi, including a Bud- has been supporting and harboring insurgency. One thing is very much clear during his visit to Russia in June. He eastern Indian state of Sikkim and neighbours and six sea neighbours, dhist relic and a millennium-old stat- that Afghan people will never let insurgents to turn Afghanistan into terror- hailed the 21st century as "the cen- Bhutan, is currently disputed be- has been embroiled in 23 border dis- ue of Buddha excavated from his tury of Asia", with India and China tween Beijing and Thimphu. India putes. Many have been resolved, home state of Gujarat. Quick to un- ist launch pad once again. It is as clear as day light that Pakistan providing poised to "influence the situation supports Bhutan's claim. India and particularly with Russia and central derscore the shared Buddhist legacy shelter, food, weapon and other accommodates to the insurgents to keep of the world in the coming decades." China already fought a war over the Asian republics, but those with the of both neighbours, the Indian lead- The situation on the ground, how- border in 1962, and disputes remain likes of India, Vietnam and Japan er visited the ancient city of Xi'an, flame of war in Afghanistan and also undermine US mission here. However, ever, suggests otherwise. The de- unresolved in several areas. The sit- have festered in recent years. the cradle of ancient Silk Road, soon not only these safe hideouts, but Pakistan’s evil designs as whole will cades-long "cold peace" between uation reflects the perils of Beijing's All Fall Down where he received a gift from a Bud- India and China is actually under rising assertiveness, which is rattling Following India's decision to dhist monk. Modi's cultural diplo- be dashed to the ground. In his new policy for Afghanistan and the region, severe strain. For the last two both its continental neighbours such send its soldiers to the Doklam pla- macy efforts and personal invest- President Donald Trump said: “We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s months, hundreds of Indian and as India as well as maritime neigh- teau, an incensed China has warned ment in bilateral relations, howev- Chinese soldiers have been squaring bours in the East and South China of direct military confrontation and er, have been torpedoed by age-old safe havens for terrorist organizations”. He added that Pakistan often gives off over a "tri-juncture", which ten- Sea, namely Japan, Vietnam, the a repeat of India's humiliating de- territorial disputes. The standoff in safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror. According to Trump, uously separates India, Bhutan and Philippines and Malaysia. feat during the 1962 border conflict. the Himalayas underpins the fragile China thousands of kilometres In mid-June, Indian soldiers Amid deteriorating diplomatic rela- nature of bilateral relations between Pakistan has also sheltered the same organizations that try every single day above sea level. There have report- crossed into the plateau to prevent tions, Indian and Chinese leaders the world's two most populous na- to kill our people. “We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of edly been clashes between the two Chinese border guards from bring- have been refusing to meet each tions. It also reveals growing terri- dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are sides, with Chinese and Indian sol- ing in road-building equipment into other on the sidelines of major sum- torial nationalism and strongman diers throwing stones at each other, the contested area. New Delhi mits in recent months. Meanwhile, brinkmanship on both sides, as Pres- fighting. But that will have to change, and that will change immediately. No but so far stopping just short of fir- claimed that its latest action was in hawks and sensationalist media on ident Xi Jinping and Prime Minister partnership can survive a country’s harboring of militants and terrorists who ing their guns. But tensions are ris- defence of its ally, the tiny king- both sides have been sabre-rattling Narendra Modi tap into ethnocen- ing every day, with diplomatic pa- dom of Bhutan, which has no direct and engaging in bitter and acrimo- tric sentiments for domestic politi- target US service members and officials. It is time for Pakistan to demon- tience wearing thin. The two Asian diplomatic relations with China and nious exchanges in recent weeks. All cal purposes. At this point, both strate its commitment to civilization, order, and to peace.” This is another giants, collectively home to a third is a de facto protectorate on India. this marks a dramatic turnabout in men, who have promised to make of humanity, are once again on the But the South Asian powerhouse was the direction of bilateral ties. Since their countries "great again", are in chance for Pakistan to mend its ways by shunning supporting militants and verge of direct military conflict with likely more worried by the prospect coming to power in 2014, Mr Modi no position to back down. Given the stand sincerely with Afghanistan in fight against terror. We appreciate tough- frightening implications for the re- of China extending its strategic has tirelessly sought to upgrade bi- high stakes involved, the fate of gion and beyond. reach (via construction of new road lateral relations with Beijing. After peace in Asia could very well be de- er approach against Pakistan as the country at all times betrayed Interna- Troubled Borders systems across Bhutan-claimed ter- all, he was a former minister of Gu- cided by their next moves. tional Community and the US directly. The country’s physical approach is (Aljazeera) very peaceful, but at reality Pakistan is the mother of terrorist outfits—it has to be kneeled down. We do applaud the new strategy because there would be no peace unless safe hideouts not destroyed. Persisting in duplicity, would bear worse consequence for Pakistan. Anyways, President Ashraf Ghani welcomes the decision by President Donald Trump, which shows an endur- ing commitment by Afghanistan’s foundational partner in this global con- flict. The Afghan masses appreciate US and international community’s sup- port for effort to achieve self-reliance and for a joint struggle to ride the region from the threat of terrorism. But there are no sentences in the entire strategy to show strong commitment to end the war. We appreciate tougher approach against Pakistan. But, how will the US kill terrorists? Because it has been for 16 years that US is engaged in Afghan war. We are yet to win the war—instead militants are getting stronger each day. Afghans wanted US to announce big development projects, and also to work in infrastruc- tures to stand Afghanistan in its food. We just heard about war, no peace and no development initiatives at all. Beside war strategy, we want US to focus on development issues as well. Anyways, the number one supporter of ter- rorists, and enemy of Afghanistan, Pakistan has been given hot potato in the new strategy, would definitely lay down positive result in the war on terror. Once hideouts destroyed in Pakistan, winging war become very much easy, as terrorist sans Pakistan’s support can’t last a week. Subscription Rates Note: The following rates will apply from January 01, 2017. Fee Categories Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 5400 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 2700 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $240 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. WEDNESDAY . AUGUST 23, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES N u clea r a p oca lyp se: T r u m p a n d

o avoid another deadly landslide in a coastal town, Africa needs to a long-term solution to the climate take collective action against climate change. change threat Africa is currently K im sh ou ld By Richard Munang facing. A collective undertaking Africa has the fastest pace of urban n ot h old t h e population growth globally. This growth, however, does not reflect positively on economic growth, which is a key enabler to building wor ld h ost a ge climate resilience. For example, the Dr. Richard Munang is World Bank notes that African cit- ies are almost 30 percent more ex- By Ramzy Baroud discussed separately, they must be the United Nations Envi- pensive than other countries at sim- linked for various reasons. One of ronment Africa Regional these reasons is that North Korea, ilar income levels. Housing is 55 Not too far away from Seattle, Climate Change Pro- percent more costly and food pric- too, reached several understandings Washington there are eight ballis- with the US through mediators in gramme Coordinator. es are 35 percent higher than in oth- tic-missile submarines carrying the er low and middle-income countries. the 1990s and 2000s to curb its nu- world’s large shipments of nuclear clear program. In 2005, it agreed to Unemployment is also high and, as weapons. The 560-foot-long black a result, over 50 percent of urban ditch “all nuclear weapons and ex- Last week, disaster hit Sierra Leone, submarines are docked at the Naval isting nuclear programs.” The issue one of the jewels of Africa. At least dwellers are Africa is living in slums. Base Kitsap-Bangor, hauling what Sierra Leone is facing an urbanisa- was never pursued with the neces- 500 people were killed after a mud- is described by Rick Anderson in a sary seriousness, partly because the slide tore through a suburb of the tion rate of 2.9 percent, and 75.6 recent Los Angeles Times article as percent of its urban population is US requires some kind of threat to capital Freetown. Hundreds of peo- “the largest concentration of de- justify its military presence in East ple are still missing and thousands currently living in informal settle- ployed nuclear weapons in the US.” ments. These urban poor stand out Asia, in order to challenge the ris- more are left homeless. This is a “If it were a sovereign nation,” ing Chinese influence there. But the moment of pain that will forever be as most vulnerable to climate Anderson wrote, quoting govern- change and this needs to be urgently cost of that policy comes at a high etched in our memories as Africans, ment estimates, “Washington State price, as the nuclear menace is once but simply remembering this trage- addressed. To address this, we need would be the third-largest nuclear- to diversify and decentralise socio- again emerging, repeating previous dy is not enough. We need to learn weapons power in the world.” One scenarios and setting the stage for from it. Let's put things in perspec- economic growth opportunities and is often haunted by this manifest eradicate the allure of cities as the an all-out conflict. Iran has no nu- tive. In Sierra Leone and across Af- reality, especially whenever a nu- clear weapons. The nuclear deal it rica, the science is unequivocal: Cli- Coastal vulnerability continent need to take urgent ac- fish and vegetation. They were de- only areas where one can access in- clear crisis between the US and North In this trend, the vulnerability of tion. Successful projects The good pending on fish activity for their come opportunities. It is vital to reached with the west – officially mate change, alongside other man- Korea flares up, such as the one called the Joint Comprehensive Plan made elements like deforestation Africa's coastal cities, such as Free- news is that practical solutions have survival and experiencing months decongesting African cities and cur- which started late July. At the time, town, is unprecedented. The sea- already been successfully applied of food shortage every year. These tailing the growth of informal set- for Action – required the lifting of and encroachment, is a contribut- US President Donald Trump threat- most sanctions on Tehran, in ex- ing factor in such disasters. Accord- level-rise caused by climate change across Africa. In Rwanda's Geshwati activities were also harming the tlements that are vulnerability hot ened Pyongyang with “fire and fury is projected to expose millions of area, a UN project that mapped and mangroves - a natural buffer against spots. change for the latter curbing its nu- ing to the US National Weather Ser- like the world has never seen be- clear program. However, following vice's Climate Prediction Center, Africans, who live in the continent's developed a comprehensive plan for flooding - and putting the region at By focusing on EBA-driven, agri- fore”, while Kim Jong-un seemed un- coastal cities, to an increased risk land suitability is helping vulnerable an elevated risk of coastal floods. culture-led industrialisation projects the agreement, a short-lived period Sierra Leone has received three daunted. Americans are assured by of relative calm between Tehran and times the normal seasonal rainfall of flooding. By around 2050, five communities to relocate from pre- To help save the mangroves and powered by clean energy we can cre- their military power – both conven- million people in coastal cities of viously encroached high-risk natu- ensure food security, UNEP invest- ate an opportunity to diversify in- Washington ended with renewed this year and such torrential rains tional and nuclear. Most people here hostility. US Ambassador to the UN, are a direct consequence of climate Mozambique, two million in Tanza- ral environments to safer habitation ed in a community-led fish-farm- come opportunities. Cumulatively, are either not aware, or simply do nia, two million in Cameroon, one areas. As agriculture is the main live- ing, crab-farming and mangrove re- this amalgamation can create an Nikki Haley, is pushing for more change. This extreme rainfall, com- not care, about the disparity be- sanctions against Iran, prompting bined with the encroachment of million in Egypt, and another mil- lihood of these communities, this forestation project. The project agro-industrial sector worth up to tween their country’s nuclear capa- lion people in Senegal and Morocco plan is also helping them learn about proved to be highly successful in $1 trillion by 2030 while ensuring Iranian President, Hasan Rouhani, creeks and wetlands that act as a bilities and the miniscule nuclear to warn that his country is ready to natural drainage system for flood are going to be exposed to the risk Ecosystems Based Adaptation increasing local communities resil- ecosystems are taken care of. It is weapons program operated by North of flooding if the current climate (EBA) techniques, which allow them ience to climate change. Sierra Le- such diversification that will open cancel the nuclear deal ‘within hours’ water and construction on flood- Korea. Visiting Kitsap-Bangor ear- if new sanctions are imposed. Rou- prone areas cumulatively precipitat- trend continues. Such flooding would to safely work the land without de- one and other at-risk countries can up rural Africa - where 70 percent ly August, US Defense Secretary, significantly reverse economic and grading the area. Simultaneously, the benefit from similar strategies com- of the continent's agricultural ac- hani dubbed Washington “not a good ed this disaster. In early 2017, new James N. Mattis, toured the USS partner.” Having also reached their data from the UK Met Office and development gains in the region with plan is guiding the restoration of bining restoration of degraded eco- tivity takes place - to industrialisa- Kentucky and declared that the sub- the ensuing health impacts and dam- previously degraded catchment ar- systems to buffer against the com- tion and create economic opportu- own conclusions that Washington the US National Aeronautics and marine is ready for action, if need- is “not a good partner”, the North Space Administration (NASA) age to infrastructure. Also, several eas using EBA techniques such as pounding climate change effects and nities that would relieve the pres- ed. The nuclear load that the USS touristic sites would be lost and the agro-forestry. These efforts have allocation of sustainable alternative sure off of urban areas. Actualisa- Koreans seem determine to acquire showed that earth's temperature has Kentucky alone carries is equal to the ICBM-class ballistic missiles, increased to about 1.1 degree Cel- food supply chain disrupted, expos- already eradicated landslides that livelihood activities away from risk tion of this paradigm is a collective 1,400 bombs, the size of which the ing thousands of people to elevated were a common phenomenon in the prone areas. Such projects will pre- undertaking. It will take the inter- needed to miniaturize nuclear weap- sius above pre-industrial levels. This US dropped and subsequently de- ons to fit warheads. By achieving is dangerously close, just 0.4C away food prices, loss of livelihoods and area. A similar two-pronged strate- vent possible future encroachment, vention of both state and non-state stroyed Hiroshima, Japan in 1945. strife. The science on climate change gy has also been successfully applied thus prevent degradation of natural actors as called for in section five this disturbing milestone, Pyongy- from, to the 1.5C threshold set by North Korea’s saber-rattling in re- ang would feel that it has a good the Paris Climate Change Agree- is clear. To avoid witnessing a re- to build resilience in Mozambique's ecosystems that are our best bet of the Paris Climate Agreement, cent weeks – which are a repeat of peat of last week's devastating di- coastal communities. Here, coastal against mounting climate change forming mutual partnerships to chance to reach a more concrete ment to prevent worsening climate previous episodes such as in April of agreement in future negotiations change effects. saster, and the demise of Africa's communities have long been en- driven disasters. But such projects bridge policy and operational gaps. this year and twice last year – should coastal cities, countries across the croaching on mangroves to harvest alone will not be enough to provide (Aljazeera) with Washington. The latter, at least be cause for alarm. But far scarier is for now, is using the flare-up with the fact that North Korea’s entire North Korea to further advance its Taken together, these developments of Russian-sponsored deconfliction nuclear stockpiles consist of 60 nu- spell the end of a credible armed op- agreements, the Syrian army has ‘pivot to Asia’, a thus-far failed pro- clear weapons, compared with 6,970 cess that began under the adminis- position to the Syrian government. again gone on the offensive in the owned by the US, out of which More importantly, these develop- areas to the east of Damascus with a tration of Barack Obama. The mo- 1,750 are operational. To place tive behind the policy is encircling ments are generating shifts at the view to retaking the Jobar district and these numbers in a global perspec- geopolitical level. Whilst greater the town of Ain Tarma. Once Jobar China with US allies and military tive, there are an estimated 15,000 hardware that would prevent the Russian and American cooperation falls the SAA is expected to press nuclear weapons, worldwide. While in Syria has been underway for home its advantage by moving on Chinese military from expanding its the North Koreans require a sixth influence past its immediate terri- months and predates the collapse Eastern Ghouta. The fall of the lat- successful test to put a nuclear war- of Ahrar Al-Sham, the ascendance ter will spell the definitive end of the torial waters. Certainly, China has head on an intercontinental ballis- been frustrated by North Korea’s of jihadists in Idlib is likely to elicit rebellion in the Damascus region. On tic missiles (ICBM), the US had con- tacit US approval of a Russian-led the basis of the current trajectory, behavior for some time and has, in ducting 1,030 such nuclear tests, fact, joined Russia and others to assault on the province. Turkey and the SAA and its allies will be in a po- starting in July 1945. Surely, one T h e S yr ia n Iran also appear to be moving to- sition to launch a major offensive mount more UN sanctions on Py- cannot excuse the foolish and des- ongyang. However, considering that ward some serious cooperation. against Idlib possibly as soon as the perate behavior of Pyongyang and The coming assault on Idlib end of this year. Whilst the offen- China fully understands that Wash- its ‘beloved leader’. But the truth is ington’s behavior is largely moti- Not surprisingly the takeover sive against Idlib is likely to be the Kim Jong-un is behaving in a way of Idlib province by HTS, formerly last major military engagement of the vated by its desire to halt an expan- r eb ellion consistent with the legacy of his sionist China, Beijing knows that the known as the Nusra Front, has Syrian conflict (at least in terms of forefathers – paranoid dictators, touched off speculation about the the conflict between the regime and battle for North Korea is also a fight desperate to survive amid global ri- for China’s own regional leadership. increasing likelihood of a Russian- non-Kurdish and non-Daesh rebels), valries and an old regional war that led assault on the province. After it is also likely to prove to be one of In a recent editorial, the Global has never truly ended. Indeed, there Times, published by the Chinese en t er s it s all, HTS (despite its denials) is linked its fiercest and costliest. To that end, is more to this crisis than Kim Jong- Communist Party’s official People’s organically to Al-Qaeda and as a the offensive will require clear Rus- un and his unpredictable antics. In consequence it is blacklisted as a ter- sian direction, and by extension a Daily had this message for both mainstream media, North Korea is Washington and Pyongyang: “If rorist group by much of the inter- degree of US acquiescence. often referred to as a ‘highly secre- national community. The collapse Geopolitical shifts North Korea launches missiles that tive nation’. Such references give threaten US soil first and the US en d ga m e of Ahrar Al-Sham and allied groups As expected, the endgame of the pundits and politicians an uncon- retaliates, China will stay neutral,” decreases US sensitivity to a mas- Syrian conflict is intensifying inter- tested platform to make whatever sive Russian-coordinated military national involvement, rebalancing it wrote. But if the US and its ally, garded as the largest and most po- crucially it has no consistent or in- assumptions that suit them. But the South Korea, take on Pyongyang By Mahan Abedin assault on Idlib, similar to the oper- rivalries and cooperation and even legacy of the Korean War (1950- tent non-jihadi element of the Syr- stitutionalised links to internation- ation to retake eastern Aleppo late introducing new players to the land- and try to “overthrow the North ian rebellion. By definition, there- al militant organisations. By con- 53), which divided Korea and its Korean regime and change the po- last year. The fall of Idlib would have scape. For example, Egypt appears peoples is hardly a secret. An esti- fore, its collapse is a key indicator trast, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), profound symbolic significance in to be playing an active role in con- litical pattern of the Korean Penin- of jihadist domination in that part which has displaced Ahrar Al-Sham mated 4 million people were killed sula, China will prevent them from so far as the province is the last flict resolution, as demonstrated by in that most savage war, including 2 of Syria. The term “jihadi” in this in Idlib province, has strong ideo- major redoubt of anti-Assad forces. its alleged role in negotiating decon- doing so.” While many in Washing- context refers to groups whose out- logical and organisational links to million civilians. The US and its al- ton focused on the word ‘neutral’, Symbolism aside, the real shift has fliction agreements in Eastern Ghouta lies fought that war under the flag Credible reports centred on the col- look is either internationalist or Al-Qaeda. The jihadist ascendance taken place already, as evidenced by and the northern neighbourhoods of they paid little heed to the phrase lapse of Ahrar Al-Sham in north- whose activities are not purely fo- in Idlib province and the eclipse of of the nascent United Nations. It is “will prevent them.” China is clear- the collapse of rebel groups across Homs. More importantly, the new- not very difficult to imagine why west Syria point toward an impor- cused on changing the ruling system Ahrar Al-Sham coincides with the Syrian battlefields. In the south, found spirit of cooperation between ly speaking of a military interven- tant shift in the six-year Syrian re- in Syria. Whilst Ahrar Al-Sham is broader collapse of rebel groups in North Koreans detest the US, dis- tion, as both China and North Ko- notwithstanding a fresh rebel offen- Iran and Turkey is likely to shape trust US allies and loathe the UN bellion. The group was widely re- widely regarded as a Salafist group, the south and around Damascus. sive in Suwayda province, the Syri- the post-conflict landscape in Syr- rea are still allies following a treaty and its repeated sanctions, especial- they signed in 1961. Both Trump an Arab Army (SAA) and its allies ia’s northern regions. Previously at ly as the country often suffers from are on the offensive and poised to odds over Syria, the visit of the chief and Kim are dubious figures, driven food insecurity – among others prob- by fragile egos and unsound judge- retake the full extent of the border of staff of the Iranian armed forces, lems. The North Korean leadership with Jordan. Meanwhile, around Major-General Mohammad Bagheri ment. Yet, they are both in a posi- LETTER TO THE EDITOR must also be following the develop- tion that, if not reigned in soon, Damascus a series of de-escalation to Turkey is a clear sign of a signifi- ment between Iran and the US re- could threaten global security and zones has consolidated an earlier cant shift in the two states’ approach garding the nuclear deal signed in pattern of rebel collapse and retreat. to some aspects of the Syrian con- the lives of millions. 2015. (Middleeastmonitor) However, in an apparent violation flict. (Truthout) While the two issues are often

Unemployment is the core reason behind drug addiction in the country. A number of youth in southwestern Nimroz province accused the government of ignoring them and not creating jobs for them. They said that joblessness has forced young men into using drugs and migrating to foreign states. The government should pay serious heed to this issue and spare no efforts in generating jobs for them. The young generations are playing key role in building or damaging of was especially true in the United tices Islam is especially striking toward immigrants may drive mis- By Catherine Rampell States. Perhaps reflecting our nick- when you consider that about half perceptions of their population size, their country. name as a “nation of immigrants,” of Americans say they do not per- rather than the other way around. The government should leave no stone unturned to create jobs for the youths as they are the Hide your wife, hide your husband, Americans mistakenly thought that sonally know a Muslim, according “People in general tend to believe future maker of this war-turn country. Putting a glance to every development countries, you hide your child! The immigrant 42 percent of people in this coun- to a poll from the Pew Research that things that they don’t like or would find that all credits for that progress directly goes to its youth’s indefatigable efforts. We hordes are already here! Or so lots try had been born abroad. For those Center. It’s not just immigrants or are anxious about are more exten- want the government to pay serious attention in providing jobs for youths. of Americans believe — making it keeping score at home, that’s three Muslims whose numbers are vastly sive than they actually are,” says easier for politicians and fringe “alt- times the actual immigrant popula- inflated in the minds of fearful Amer- Rogers Smith, a political science Ali Ahmad, Nimros province, Afghanistan right” white-supremacist groups to tion share. Those numbers are a few icans, according to John Sides, professor at the University of Penn- seize on these fears and exploit them years old. The imagined scourge of George Washington University po- sylvania. “They think the crime for political gain. The share of peo- scary not-like-me multitudes re- litical science professor and co- rate is higher than it actually is, that ple in the United States who were mains. In 2015, Ipsos MORI’s Per- founder of the Monkey Cage, a blog we give more to foreign aid than we born abroad has been rising over the ils of Perception survey asked a sim- hosted by The Post. Political sci- really do by a large margin.” As easy past several decades, reaching 13.4 ilar question in 32 countries and ence literature over the past 20 years as it is to blame President Trump percent in 2015. (The highest share found similar results: Nearly every- has found that survey respondents and nativist politicians across Eu- recorded was in 1890, at 14.8 per- where, people overestimated the tend to overestimate the size of al- rope for creating these hostilities, Letter to editor will be edited for policy, content and clarity. All letters must cent.) Perceived levels of immigra- share of immigrants . U.S. citizens’ most any minority group, including the data suggest that outsized fears have the writer’s name and address. You may send your letters to: tion, however, are several multiples guesstimate for the immigrant share blacks, Latinos, Asian Americans, of an immigrant cultural takeover [email protected] of that number and have been so for was lower in this survey, though, at Jews and gays. The question is, why long pre date these particular polit- a while. The 2013 Transatlantic “only” 33 percent. Then this past are these perceptions so out of ical leaders. As Sides put it in a phone Trends survey conducted by the fall, Ipsos MORI polled people whack with reality? One possibility interview, there was already a “res- German Marshall Fund of the Unit- across 39 countries about their esti- is that some members of these ervoir of negative feelings about im- ed States, for example, asked peo- mates of the Muslim population. In groups might be highly visible or migration out there.” Trump just Disclaimer: ple across 13 countries to estimate all but two countries, people over- memorable, particularly if they dress figured out how to tap into those the percentage of their national stated the share of their Muslim and talk differently than others in feelings to power a successful White The views and opinions expressed in the articles are population that was born abroad. In population. In the United States, re- the local population. Media cover- House bid. Before Trump came every country for which reliable spondents said they thought about age may amplify these differences along, politicians may have been those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views or population numbers were available, 17 percent of the country was Mus- and make them more salient to the reluctant to fully exploit this nega- survey respondents vastly overesti- lim, whereas only about 1 percent general public. Recent research by tivity — maybe for moral reasons opinions of the Afghanistan Times. mated the number of foreign-born actually is. The fact that Americans Daniel J. Hopkins, Sides and Jack and maybe for more practical ones. people walking among them. This thought a sixth of the country prac- Citrin also suggests that hostility (WP) WEDNESDAY.AUGUST 23, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

An Iranian court has issued a rul- minister "The Iraqis never told us ing demanding that the US pay that they intended to use nerve gas. $245 million to more than a dozen They didn’t have to. We already victims of chemical attacks carried knew," retired Air Force Col. Rick out by Saddam Hussein's forces Francona, who was a military at- during the Iran-Iraqi war of 1980- taché in Baghdad during the 1988 1988. "A number of people who strikes, told Foreign Policy. It’s have been harmed during the chem- believed that Washington also sup- ical bombing have filed lawsuits ported Iraq with weaponry, in- F ea r s of n ew B la ck S ea and a court has issued decrees for cluding “vital ingredients for chem- 18 of them who have been harmed ical weapons,” the Guardian re- or died and estimated their [com- ported, citing declassified govern- m igr ation r ou te a fter pensation]," Iran's judiciary ment documents. On June 28, spokesman, Gholam Hossein 1987, Iraqi aircraft dropped mus- Mohseni Eje'I, said on Sunday, as tard gas bombs on Sardasht, kill- cited by the Fars news agency. The ing 110 people instantly and in- R om a n ia in ter cepts war that began in 1980 and lasted juring as many as 12,000 civilians, eight years left an estimated 1 mil- according to Rudaw. The Kurdish lion people dead, according to Re- city in northwestern Iran became a sylu m boa t uters. Washington already knew the first in the world to be gassed. about Iraqi chemical attacks in Out of a population of 20,000, 25 1983, but took no action against percent are still suffering severe the violations of international law, illnesses from the attacks, accord- omanian coastguard authorities catch fishing boat carrying Iraqi Foreign Policy reported, citing a ing to Global Security.org. In the and Syrian asylum seekers classified memo. A crater is seen wake of the 30th anniversary of R at the site of an airstrike, after what Saddam Hussein's chemical attack rescue workers described as a sus- against Sardasht, Iranian Foreign Romanian authorities said on day before being handed over to aid to assist Turkey's hosting of pected gas attack in the town of Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Monday that they caught a fish- the immigration authorities, she refugees. Turkey’s neighbour Khan Sheikhoun in rebel-held Idlib, lambasted the US for its perceived ing boat carrying 68 asylum seek- said. Coastguards reported a boat Greece also agreed under the deal Syria April 4, 2017. © Ammar Ab- double-standard approach toward ers, including 23 children, off Ro- with 69 Iraqi asylum seekers in to detain all refugees arriving on dullahSyria denies & condemns chemical weapons use. mania's coast, raising fears that a Romanian waters on 13 August. its Aegean islands in the hope of use of chemical weapons – foreign (Independent) new migrating route to Europe has One Bulgarian and one Cypriot deterring others. Yet concerns have opened up. Government officials were taken into custody on suspi- been raised in Bucharast that the reported intercepting the boat, car- cion of human trafficking. Despite Black Sea route could emerge as an rying Iraqis and Syrians, late on pleging to take in 1,942 refugees alternative passage for migrants, as Sunday evening in the Black Sea in on Friday, EU member Romania opposed to the traditional but Romania's southeastern Constan- has avoided the largest migration treacherous Mediterranean route. ta region, in the second such inci- crisis since the Second World War, Romanian police have already re- dent in the last week. "They were due to being outside of the Euro- ported a five-fold increase in mi- accompanied by two Turkish traf- pean Union's passport-free Schen- grants attempting to cross the bor- fickers," Ionela Pasat, a spokes- gen zone. The route from Turkey der illegally since 2016. Over woman for the Constanta coast- to Greece by sea has been curtailed 111,000 migrants have reached guard, told AFP. The group was since the EU signed a deal with Europe by sea so far this year, brought to the port of Mangalia Ankara last year to halt the flow mostly crossing from Libya. for medical examinations on Mon- of migrants in exchange for $3.5bn (AFP) Iran to Establish Joint Chambers of Commerce with Italy, Switzerland, Tajikistan I f we enter I ndia, it A top Iranian trade official has said the ground has been prepared for According to a Farsi report by the setting up joint chambers of com- Tasnim News Agency, he went on merce between Iran and three oth- to say that forming joint commerce will be chaos, says er Asian and European countries. chambers is among the moves and The head of Tehran Chamber of measures placed on TCCIM’s Commerce, Industries, Mines & agenda to develop trade relations Agriculture (TCCIM), Gholam- with other countries. “Those in- Chinese foreign Hossein Shafei, says the ground- volved in [domestic] private sec- work has been laid for the estab- tor are expected to play a signifi- lishment of joint chambers of com- cant role in these processes.” The merce between Iran and Italy, Swit- TCCIM head expressed regret that ministry zerland, and Tajikistan. currently. (RFAL) hina on Tuesday said there posed a threat to New Delhi was "ridiculous and vicious". It said China that large-scale construction of in- to expand its border, Hua respond- will be "utter chaos" if its would in no way allow any country or individual to infringe upon its frastructure at the border area of ed: "China loves peace and firmly Uzbekistan, Indonesia to Ctroops entered India on the territorial sovereignty. "The Indian side illegally crossed the boundary India is posing a threat, it can en- upholds peace. At the same time, pretext that Indian border infra- on the excuse of ... Chinese road building. The reason is ridiculous, ter Indian territory? Wouldn't that we will safeguard our territorial cooperate in agriculture, structure posed a threat to Beijing. vicious and facts are clear," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chun- be utter chaos?" To Indian Home integrity and sovereignty. We al- The Chinese Foreign Ministry said ying said. "You may think about it. If we tolerate India's ridiculous Minister Rajnath Singh's remark low no country or any individual India's logic that Chinese road logic, then anyone who dislikes the activity at his neighbour's home can that India had never been an ag- to infringe upon China's territorial fishery sectors building in Doklam on the border break into its neighbour's house. "Does that mean when China thinks gressor and has had no ambitions sovereignty." (CNN) Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister and In addition, the Uzbek side ex- Agriculture Minister Zoyir Mirza- pressed hope to develop coopera- ev, who is on a state visit to Jakar- tion between two countries in fish- ta on August 21-25, held a meeting ery and study Indonesian experi- with Indonesian President Joko ence in freshwater aquaculture. The Widodo, according to the informa- sides agreed that Indonesian dele- Russiaand AI:Whyglobal tion published on the website of gation will visit Uzbekistan to pre- Indonesian Embassy in Tashkent. pare for more concrete steps for The visit of Uzbek delegation, cooperation. which includes more than 50 min- In the course of this visit, Mirza- election tampering will isters and officials, is aimed at ev also expressed Uzbekistan's strengthening cooperation between support for Indonesia's nomina- funded and supported the oppo- two countries, particularly in agri- tion as a non-permanent member sition candidate Vojislav Kostuni- culture and fisheries. of the UN Security Council. Indo- only get worse ca against human-rights violator During the meeting with the pres- nesia recognized the independence Slobodan Miloševic. There is a ident, Uzbek side praised Indone- of Uzbekistan in December 1991. There was an appropriately great overt cases of direct election med- tense point at which legality and sia's success in developing its agri- The diplomatic relations were es- deal of investigation and news cov- dling between 1946 and 2000—a ethics clash, and Fox states that in culture sector. tablished in June 1992. (Trend) erage dedicated to the "Russian dataset that does not even include some cases it may actually be irre- hacking" of the 2016 U.S. presi- coups and other attempts at re- sponsible for a world power not dential election, but that was by gime changes. What may or may to intervene in an election. Of no means the first time a govern- not (at all) be surprising to most course, everyone believes their PMKvirikashvili:Azerbaijanwas ment has tampered with a foreign people is that 11% of all global cause is worthy, so which inter- country's change of power. As elections in that time frame had ferences are seen as "noble" as the first to send helicopter to former CIA operative Amaryllis interference from the U.S. and opposed to criminal can be sub- Fox explains, there is large histor- Russia, and in 70% of those in- jective. What is much more certain help Georgia tackle forest fires ical database compiled by Dov stances it was the U.S. pulling the is that technology is changing na- Levin at Carnegie Mellon Univer- strings—for example, the 2000 tions' ability to tamper with elec- Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi arrive later today", he said. sity which contains covert and Serbian election, in which the U.S. tions significantly. (REUTERS) Kvirikashvili has made a special Georgia was offered help from statement regarding the forest fires Russia too, but Prime Minister observed in the country, APA’s Kvirikashvili said "what we have local bureau reported. The prime so far is enough”. North Korea despot Kim Jong-un minister highly appreciated the He hopes that no additional Kimturns on Britain! has labelled British Army soldiers Fake news Gulf crisis assistance provided by the neigh- help will be needed. nothing more than "mercenaries" boring countries to fight the fires. The forest fires broke out on after they took part in US-led mil- style: No, Al Arabiya, "Apart from Armenia, Azer- Georgian territory on Aug. 20. A FuriousNorthKorea itary drills. Dramatic images yes- baijan and Turkey are also helping special headquarters has been set terday showed armed forces play- the country fight the fire. Azer- up that unites authorities from all ing out a mock terror drill in South Qataris are not begging baijan was the first to send a heli- relevant state agencies to draw up callsUKsoldiers Korea - brandishing guns and wear- copter yesterday. This afternoon strategies for handling the fire. ing biohazard suits. It's since their Emir to step down Turkey also sent two helicopters Windy weather and high tempera- emerged that soldiers from the UK and, upon a decision of the Turk- ture make it difficult for firefight- "mercenaries" for joining and Australia are helping 70,000 ish Prime Minister, a large Turk- ers to handle the blaze. American and South Korean Saudi-owned, Dubai-based Al Arabiya, declared in a bold headline ish firefighting aircraft will also (Akpress) troops prepare for any North Ko- on Tuesday: “Qataris flood Twitter with hashtags demanding [the hugeAmerican-led rean nuclear strike. The Korean Qatari Emir] Sheikh Tamim ‘step down’”. The article claims that Central News Agency - the mouth- Qataris had taken to social media to protest “what they described piece of North Korea - issued a as his persistent politicization of the Hajj pilgrimage.” militarydrill statement overnight denouncing This, after Saudia airlines accused Qatar of refusing to allow flights Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan the "US Imperialists and south to take Qatari pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. Two tweets Korean war maniacs". It claimed embedded in the piece use the hashtag “leave Tamim”, with one conducting joint exercises the countries are jointly planning proclaiming that “this is what the honorable Qatari people want” a preemptive nuclear strike. And and the other praising “Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani the wise, ‘the of engineering-rescue it added: "They kicked off the war light at the end of the tunnel’.” The report also said that Qataris had rehearsal under the pretext of res- launched a hashtag “Abdullah is Qatar’s future”. Sheikh Abdullah teams at Otar military base olutely 'countering' the 'provoca- Bin Ali Al-Thani is a little-known member of the Qatari royal tion by the north'. "This is aimed family who has suddenly been embraced by the Saudis, ostensibly Joint training of engineering-demi- armed forces of Kazakhstan and to ignite a nuclear war on the Ko- as a figure to promote regional reconciliation. He reportedly nego- ning departments of Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan in performance of rean peninsula at any cost." The tiated a compromise over Qatari Hajj pilgrims with the Saudi lead- and Kyrgyzstan has been opened humanitarian tasks on demining," statement notes that there are more ership last weekend, although the Qatari authorities distanced them- at the 40th military base Otar, re- the message reports. soldiers involved in the drills than selves from the talks. He has been framed in the Saudi and Emirati ports the Ministry of Defense of The training will include demining in previous - and "even mercenar- media as a popular figure among Qataris. Dubai-owned Al Bayan Kazakhstan. of territories and buildings in the ies from seven vassal countries in- described Sheikh Abdullah as “the voice of reason to whom the "The joint exercises are aimed at settlements, installation of anti- cluding Australia and the UK have hearts of Qataris have opened.” exchange with experience and tank minefield, making passes in joined them". It described the cur- It added that he is “widely accepted within the Al Thani family in strengthening of military commu- anti-personnel minefield with a rent situation as critical - "due to particular, and Qataris in general.” Coinciding with his emergence nity between the engineering-dem- ZRP charge, and manually con- the reckless north-targeted war as a Saudi-backed “mediator”, Sheikh Abdullah launched a Twitter ining departments of the armed duct a reconnaissance of the road racket of the war maniacs". The account on August 18, which already has 287,000 followers. forces of two states, increase of section by mine detectors. military exercises are computer- It is not clear whether this is the beginning of an attempt to the level of military preparation, The exercises will last until Au- simulated but the fresh images that impose regime change in Qatar, however it is undoubtedly a move organization of joint activity of gust 25. have emerged this morning - show- aimed at placing further pressure on Sheikh Tamim. engineering departments of the (Kazaq) ing armed troops in gas masks (AA.COM) preparing. (WP) WEDNESDAY.AUGUST 23, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

in 2016. “The additional export revenues (SAR58.6bn) represent 70 per cent of the year-on-year increase in fiscal oil revenues (SAR82bn), suggesting a higher payout ratio from Saudi Aramco as oil prices recovered,” BoA said. The kingdom was also found to be well short of targeted budget spending of SAR890bn ($237.3bn), with spending rates at 43 per cent of the target or SAR381bn. However, BoA said this spending discipline is expect- ed to be tested in the second half South Korean and U.S. officials due to the reversal of public sector failed to agree on Tuesday on how allowance cuts worth SAR7bn to move forward on discussions ($1.86bn). This comes on top of a over their five-year-old free trade military one-off bonus of SAR4bn agreement that Washington is seek- ($1.06bn) and a household allow- ing to change to help cut its trade ance programme costing SAR25bn deficit with Asia's fourth-largest ($6.66bn) and delays to the link- economy. U.S. President Donald ing of fuel prices to international Trump, in an interview with Reu- rates – expected before year-end. ters in April, had branded the bi- Based on the first half numbers, lateral trade agreement with South E xpat fee, VAT the bank said the authorities’ fis- Korea a "horrible deal" and indi- cal deficit target of 7.8 per cent of cated he would renegotiate or ter- GDP or SAR198bn “could be minate the accord. Last month, within reach for 2017 at the cur- Washington issued a request to to a dd $ 2 1b to rent pace excluding any off-bud- convene a special session of the get spending and seasonality. Joint Committee under the Korea- “This is well below our expecta- U.S. (KORUS) Free Trade Agree- tions of SAR326bn (12.8 per cent ment to negotiate amendments to S au di Ar a bia's of GDP) and last year’s outturn of the trade pact. SAR416bn (17.2 per cent of South Korean Trade Minister GDP),” it said. On top of this, Kim Hyun-chong and his Ameri- Bank of America said non-oil rev- can counterpart U.S. Trade Rep- n on -oil resentative (USTR) Robert Light- enues were also expected to in- hizer held the meeting via a video crease next year after dipping in conference earlier on Tuesday. the first half of 2017 to 45 per cent "We have found the two sides r even u es in of the budget target. It forecast that have different views on the free a recently introduced tax on soft trade agreement and have not drinks, tobacco and energy drinks, reached any agreement," Kim told as well as a fee on expatriate de- a news conference after the meet- 2 0 18 : B oA pendents would add SAR7.5bn ing. Kim said Seoul had stressed its proposals. Lighthizer said in lion, while its imports of U.S. cars first needs to be established wheth- ($1.99bn) to non-oil revenues in that the U.S. trade deficit with July the U.S. trade deficit in goods were $1.74 billion, a trade minis- er the U.S. deficit is a result of other Saudi Arabia is expected to get a $21.3bn boost to non-oil revenues next the second half with further levies South Korea was not the result of with South Korea had doubled to try official said based on data from structural issues in U.S. industries. year from new taxes and expat fees but could face a recession in 2017, expected to boost revenues next the bilateral trade deal and pro- $27.6 billion last year from $13.2 the Korea Trade International As- The bilateral accord was ini- according to Bank of America (BoA) Merrill Lynch. The bank said in a year. “The introduction of VAT, posed a joint study to examine the billion in 2011. The United States sociation. tially negotiated during the Repub- report that the Saudi economy was facing a smaller than expected fiscal the introduction of an expatriate effects of the agreement. has been keen to address trade im- Seoul maintains that the deal lican administration of President deficit this year due to “spending discipline and higher oil revenues” worker levy, the possible introduc- The trade minister said the balances with South Korea, par- has been mutually beneficial, and George W. Bush in 2007, but that that saw the country post a shortfall of SAR73bn ($19.4bn) in the first tion of tariffs on luxury products U.S. side had not brought up the ticularly for its automakers, since said last month that the joint com- version was scrapped and renego- half. Saudi’s fiscal oil revenues appear to have been boosted by higher and the increase in fees on depen- possibility of terminating the trade President Trump pointed out the mittee meeting did not necessarily tiated by President Barack prices, up $12 a barrel over the same period, and a higher payout ratio dents of expatriate workers could pact during the talks, adding, South imbalance in auto trade. In 2016, mean that South Korea would re- Obama's Democratic administra- from Saudi Aramco in the first half, according to the firm. This was add SAR80bn ($21.3bn; 3.0 per Korea would wait for the U.S. re- South Korea's car exports to the negotiate terms. tion three years later. despite OPEC production cuts that meant Saudi oil exports were down cent of GDP) to non-oil revenues view of Tuesday's discussions and United States stood at $16.2 bil- South Korea has also said it (Reuters) 0.4 million barrels per day in the first half compared to the same period in 2018,” it added. (AP)

Iraq has informed its customers not immediately respond to Reuters that it plans to switch its price requests for comment. benchmark for Basra crude in Asia Sector reform to DME Oman futures from Janu- Iraq has been reforming its oil sec- ary, dropping the average of Platts’ tor - including launching crude sales Oman-Dubai quotes, in a major through auctions on DME to achieve shift in the way it prices its oil. higher prices and setting up trading The proposal by state-oil market- and shipping joint ventures to under- er SOMO would mark a signifi- stand market dynamics - in what is RussiapaysSoviet Union's cant change by OPEC’s second- seen as a drive to gain influence and largest producer away from fellow bring in more revenue as the country members Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and seeks to rebuild its economy. “DME Iran, which have been using price has shown good practice and better last unsettledforeigndebt : assessments from global agency transparency than Platts, they also S&P Global Platts as their bench- have an auction system,” one source mark for decades. It throws down familiar with the matter said. The move Financeministry the gauntlet on setting prices for also appears to reflect SOMO’s aim more than 12 million barrels per to lead a change in crude pricing rather Russia has paid its final Soviet-era to the former USSR or Russia ship in Miam As far as Russia’s day of Middle East crude in Asia. than following Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s debt of $125.2 million, which was debts to which remained unset- government debt to other states “In an effort to realize the intrin- biggest producer whose crude official owed to Bosnia and Herzegovina. tled," the statement said. Russia’s is concerned, only $594.3 mil- sic value of our crude exports to selling prices (OSPs) set the trend for Moscow has paid its final Soviet- foreign debt to Sarajevo was a re- lion due to be paid to South Asia as to be in alignment with the other major Middle East producers. era outstanding debt of $125.2 mil- sult of Moscow’s recognition of Korea remain outstanding, and recent market perception, we are Iraqi crude grades are not used in any lion, which was owed to Bosnia the Bosnian share of the former the amount is due to be paid be- contemplating a change of the cur- of the Middle East price benchmarks. and Herzegovina, the Russian Fi- Soviet Union’s debt resulting from fore the end of 2025, the state- rent pricing formula for the Asian Platts assesses its Dubai price based nance Ministry said in a statement trade and economic cooperation ment added Soviet foreign debt, market,” SOMO said in a letter on deliveries of Dubai, Oman, Abu Monday. with former Yugoslavia, the docu- including interest payments, dated Aug. 20 and sent to its cus- Dhabi’s Upper Zakum and Qatari Al- "On August 8, 2017, Russia paid ment explained. In this Wednes- amounted to $104.5 billion at the tomers, according to a copy seen Shaheen crude. “The Iraqis probably off the debt to Bosnia and Herze- day, April 26, 2017, photo, client time of the Soviet Union's dis- by Reuters on Monday. It asked want to get in on the game of being a govina in a single payment. Bos- specialist Felipe A. Perdomo, left, solution, according to Russian customers for opinions on the plan benchmark grade,” a Singapore-based nia and Herzegovina is the last for- closes a deal with customer John Central Bank data from 1994. by Aug. 31. SOMO and the Dubai oil trader said. (CNN) eign creditor state providing loans Tsialas at a GMC Buick dealer- (BBC) Mercantile Exchange (DME) did Ch in a says econ om y u n a ffect ed by en vir on m en t a l in sp ect ion s

rowth was better than expected despite complaints of supply shortages from industrial firms, ministry says

policies, law and regulations de- China’s Ministry of Environmen- nies have complained about supply shortages in sectors ranging from in the second quarter, faster than partment at the environment min- tal Protection said that recent en- pesticides to coke used in steelmaking after new environmental in- expected and in line with the first istry, said on the sidelines of the vironmental inspections did not spections were launched this month, the China Petroleum and Chem- quarter’s growth. Liu said that briefing. He was referring to those hurt the country’s economy and ical Industry Association said on its official news website on Monday. some market dislocations were regions that halted production blamed some “inappropriate China’s economy performed better than expected in the second quarter caused by local environmental ahead of schedule in order to meet methods” conducted by local au- despite complaints of supply shortages in some industries. Photo: authorities taking a “one size fits air pollution control targets. Air thorities for causing short-term Reuters “Official data shows that [the] Chinese economy has operat- all” approach and shutting down quality has worsened in the first market dislocation. Thousands of ed better than expected ... which means the inspections did not disturb whole companies during the in- seven months of the year in Chi- polluters in northern China fake business and productivities,” said Liu Youbin, an inspector at the pub- spections. “Some moves taken by na’s northern region, including emissions data, resist checks licity and communication department, during the ministry’s monthly local authorities were inappropri- Hebei province and the cities of The outlook for the eurozone powerhouse plunged for the third Some Chinese industrial compa- briefing on Tuesday. China’s economy grew 6.9 per cent year on year ate,” Bian Tao, a director of the Beijing and Tianjin. (Reuters) month in a row, according to the respected ZEW economic senti- ment index. The think-tank admitted there was a "high degree of nervousness over the future path of growth". Germany's exports are suffering after the euro reached a two and a half year high against the US dollar. The economy is largely driven by overseas sales, particularly from the car industry. But in a double blow to the sector, top auto brands are being investigated for collusion over the diesel-emissions scandal. Both Brussels and Washington are allowing foreign investment in adopting tougher sanctions on Angela Merkel has served as German Chancellor since 2005 taking steps to force China to tackle China. If the investigation, which North Korea. Now the White and Leader of the Christian Democratic Union since 2000. We take obstacles to foreign investment could take 12-18 months, con- House has concluded there needs a look at her political career in pictures. Prince William, Duke of and the long-standing issue of in- demns China, it could lead to the to be a warning shot across Cambridge (R) and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge (C) on tellectual property theft, writes imposition of retaliatory tariffs on Beijing’s bows. This week the Eu- the terrace of the Chancellery in Berlin during a meeting with Ger- Fraser Cameron. Fraser Cameron, Chinese exports. This move comes ropean Commission is putting the man Chancellor Angela Merkel German Chancellor Angela Merkel a Senior Advisor at Cambre Asso- after an unexpected US-China hon- finishing touches to a set of pro- (R) greets British Prime Minister Theresa May upon her arrival for ciates, is Director of the EU-Asia eymoon following the Trump-Xi posals that would allow for tough- talks between U.S. President Barack Obama and western European Centre. Last week, United States summit at Mar a Lago in April. er controls of Chinese investments leaders at the Chancellery on November 18, 2016 in Berlin, Ivanka Trade Representative Robert Ligh- Although during his election cam- in Europe. It is widely assumed Trump, daughter and adviser of US President Donald Trump, and thizer launched an investigation of paign Trump had attacked China that the proposals will be launched German Chacellor Angela Merkel attend a dinner in Berlin Chinese ‘unfair trade practices’ as a currency manipulator and de- by European Commission Presi- Angela Merkel photographed drinking a beer. with a focus on alleged Chinese nounced its huge trade surplus dent Jean-Claude Juncker during Earlier this month Germany's leading stock index the DAX stealing or demanding the handover with the US, he initially adopted a his state of the union speech on 13 sank to levels not seen since April, as nerves around carmakers and of US intellectual property and softer approach in office hoping September. declining exports have taken hold. (AP) technology as a pre-requisite to to secure Chinese support in (BBC) WEDNESDAY.AUGUST 23, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

'The Fault I n Is Daenerys Our Stars' actor Targaryen the Shailene Woodley underdog of might enter Game of Thrones? politics soon Here’s tracking

Actor Shailene Woodley, who calls softness, more silence and more her journey herself a feminist, says she doesn’t pause” through the chaos around rule out the idea of running for feminism at the moment. “I would so far political office. “There was a point today consider myself a feminist. last year when I was working for If females start working through Bernie Sanders where I thought, the false narrative of jealousy and ‘Huh, maybe I’ll run for Congress insecurity fed through a patriar- in a couple years.’ And you know chal society, then not only will we I can’t stand what? I’m not going to rule it out. have more women feeling confi- ith just a week to go to the season finale of Game of Thrones, we are Who knows? Life is big, and I’m dent in themselves and support- looking back at the journeys of the seven main characters on the show damsels-in-distress young,” the New York Times quot- ive of one another, but we will start Wand we begin with the Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen. ed Woodley as saying. Can’t un- introducing a type of matriarchy, derstand why everybody wants to which is what this world needs. In a show that thrives on the good vs evil in which very few be found in those who appear to kind of characters: work in Hollywood: Nawazuddin Priyanka and Madhuri Dixit team strength of its ensemble of charac- characters actually embody these have been crafted by pure evil. Woodley – who earned an Emmy up for Hollywood project “We ters, there is just one – perhaps extremes. Instead, they struggle Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Tar- nomination for Supporting Actress need more softness and more si- two – who can safely be called the knee-deep in a quagmire of grey. garyen in Season 1. But amid all of Sana Javed in a Limited Series for her charac- lence and more pause through the hero. Every story needs a hero, es- There are reasons to despise even them is Daenerys Targaryen, veiled ter Jane Chapman in Big Little chaos,” she said. pecially one as old-fashioned as the show’s purest characters, just by a mysterious aura. There is Lies, says there is need for “more (Tribune) Game of Thrones – a story about as there are redeeming qualities to something elemental about her. Like the thousands of men and women who’ve pledged their alle- giance to her in the show, there is another army that she has amassed, With Rs 11.30 cr opening weekend, Bareilly an army that follows her from the other side of the screen – us. Over the course of six seasons, we’ve Ki Barfi could be the next Bollywood hit grown up with these characters, but there is a reason we share a it’s on the way to become com- different bond with Dany. Emilia mercially successful. As per Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in irected Adarsh, the film shown more than Season 2. What most of us don’t by 30% jump in collections on Sun- realise is that she is, despite the Ashwiny day. It has earned Rs 11.30 crore power she now wields, an under- IyerD Tiwari, in its opening weekend. It’s a solid dog. She always has been. From Bareilly Ki elevation and if the film manages the moment we first saw her, back Barfi revolves to sustain the momentum, then its in season 1 – when she was an around Bitti first week figures could well be abused young girl, married off in a Mishra (Kriti above Rs 20 crore. That’s a good business deal to a fearsome king – Sanon) and her return for a film made on a moder- to now, when the mere mention of two suitors, ate budget. Directed by Ashwiny her name sends shivers down her Rejuvenated, spirited and perhaps slightly more opinionated com- Chirag Dubey Iyer Tiwari, Bareilly Ki Barfi re- enemies’ spines. She has never been pared to the last time I sat down with Sana Javed during the promo- (Ayushmann volves around Bitti Mishra (Kriti seen as the rightful heir to the tions of her debut flick, Mehrunisa V Lub U (MVLU). Gone are the Khurrana) and Sanon) and her two suitors, Chi- throne, but rather as a challenger – days Sana would be known for playing the likeable and meek girl- Pritam Vidrohi rag Dubey (Ayushmann Khurra- the girl who wants to play with next-door on television because as of now, she’s experimental, a (Rajkummar na) and Pritam Vidrohi (Rajkum- the big boys but is told to stick to more mature performer from when she first step foot in the indus- Rao). mar Rao). Partition-1947 movie her dolls. Emilia Clarke as Daen- review: If it wasn’t Lord Mount- erys Targaryen in Season 3. Some batten then who divided India? of it, of course, is due to the fact Lead actors, especially Rajkummar that she’s a woman – a girl, really. Rao, have been praised for their But a lot of it is because someone work in the film. With big ticket like Jon Snow fits the hero’s mould films like Jab Harry Met Sejal and perfectly. He’s the king, the bas- A tremendous word of mouth pro- The Ayushmann Khurrana-Kriti office. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh Tubelight under-performing, the tard son – but a son, nonetheless – motion has helped Bareilly Ki Barfi Sanon film has created a positive has tweeted the film’s business, onus is on relatively small films to of the man we first assumed to be in going from strength to strength. noise that’s helping it at the box and the numbers clearly show how get Bollywood out of the slump. the show’s hero, Ned Stark. So on (Hindustan Times) a purely subconscious level, we’ve replaced Ned with Jon. He is, with good reason, the audience favou- rite – a consensus made abundant- Nawazuddin Siddiqui: I ’m still ly clear when he was thought to have been killed at the end of sea- not even a complete actor, son 4 and brought back in the be- ginning of season 5. But Daenerys forget becoming a star had never been a real contender – mostly because she never thought of herself as one until recently. She Nawazuddin Siddiqui doesn’t be- and at times, feel that I still haven’t become a complete kinda snuck up on everyone, a con- lieve in tags, and says he’s best actor. There’s so much more to be done. I have done tinent away from Westeros, where away from labels such as star, su- theatre, so I know that you don’t become an actor over- the real action was happening – perstar, romantic star or tragic star. night. Hence, every day, I work towards becoming one,” again, something we’ve been sub- “Forget becoming a star, I’m still says the 43-year-old. Any character he plays, Nawaz consciously led to believe, since working hard to become a good wants it to be believable. “A character shouldn’t be so that’s where most of the charac- actor,” says Nawaz, who’s cur- out-of-the-box that it doesn’t look real. The audience ters live. Emilia Clarke as Daen- rently promoting his upcoming should feel, ‘Yes, such characters exist’. Gone are the erys Targaryen in Season 4. How- film, Babumoshai Bandookbaaz. days when larger-than-life characters appealed. Such ever, the truth is that Daenerys has His recent roles — a detective in films don’t work anymore,” he says. Nawaz has his had quite the journey in Essos. She Mom and a character with grey priorities planned in Bollywood. He’s there for work. has, for instance, amassed an army shades in Jagga Jasoos — have To act! “My work is everything for me. There’s noth- more powerful than that of any of earned him more appreciation as a ing on my mind other than my films. I’m always think- her adversaries. In the ultimate versatile actor. “Tags come from ing about them. I don’t even attend [Bollywood] par- battle against the White Walkers, outside. I have no interest in them. ties until and unless I have to. In no way do I want to with Jon and Tyrion by her side I prefer being identified as an actor lose my focus,” says the actor. (hopefully), and two dragons in and not a star. I enjoy my work, (Santa Banta) the skies above her, she will have try and has a crystal-clear perspec- script, and shooting would be so at her disposal hundreds of thou- tive of where she’s headed next and nerve-wrecking that by the time I sands of men – the Unsullied, why, something most of her con- would get home, I would literally whom she liberated from a life of temporary peers lack. Post a hia- be exhausted – emotionally and slavery in Slaver’s Bay, to the tus of nearly two years, Sana ex- physically. It’s such an intense and Naseeruddin Shah: Films Dothraki, her slain husband’s pects Anjum Shahzad’s Khaani to demanding serial.” After putting tribesmen. They’ve all proven reinvent her on television. With- across a series of rhetorical ques- on Shakespeare’s plays themselves in smaller battles, but out being preachy for a heartbeat, tions, Javed claimed to be a proud the war looms large. Emilia Clarke the forthcoming political commen- feminist. “I think Khaani does take as Daenerys Targaryen in Season tary holds promise and adds di- that idea forward,” the starlet ob- work better than theatre 5. But unlike her primary neme- versity to the genre that we have served of the serial’s potential con- sis, Cersei Lannister, Daenerys previously seen before -however, tribution to women empowerment adaptations doesn’t rule through intimidation. projected through a male protago- through local narratives and the She doesn’t trample her subjects nist’s eyes. She stars in and as consequences of ignorance to so- English playwright William Shakespeare’s work has inspired many in under her boot-heels, and she Khaani and describes her charac- cial evils in our society. the field of films and theatre across the world. Actor Naseeruddin Shah, doesn’t burn them with her drag- ter as relatable, yet aspirational. “It stands for injustice against the who has experience of working in both mediums, says Shakespeare’s ons’ fire. She is seen as a liberator “I think Khaani has her fair share blameless. It tells women to fight plays are better suited as film adaptations in India. The 68-year-old, and a bringer of change who will of shades. She goes through some- for their rights, against society’s who will soon be seen in Hungry — adapted from the playwright’s first protect her people when winter thing that makes her this head- unreasonable norms. And if we play, Titus Andronicus — says, “I’ve acted in a few plays by him. The comes. What’s better than a huge strong woman that she probably don’t, the ones who’ve wronged language is so archaic that it’s a bit difficult for the audience to compre- army? A loyal army. Emilia Clarke isn’t initially,” she told The Ex- shall continue to assault the inno- hend ... It has happened many times that after the play, people came up as Daenerys Targaryen in Season press Tribune as she delved into cent.” to me and said, ‘Play toh acha tha, lekin words samajh nai aaye (It was 6. Her journey – from being bul- her role. “It’s such a well-knitted (Tribune) a good play, but we didn’t understand the words)’.” lied by bigger, stronger men, to con- (Santa Banta) trolling the same men wordlessly, with a simple look in her eye – is often overlooked. Now, she is seen as Daenerys of the House Targary- en, the First of Her Name, The Jacqueline blessed to be a part Unburnt, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great of 'A Gentleman' and 'Judwaa 2' Grass Sea, Protector of the Realm, Lady Regnant of the Seven King- Jacqueline Fernandez is cer- and has now been consumed eagerly awaiting the release of doms, Breaker of Chains and tainly on a high with much into the promotions of the two movies. Mother of Dragons. Emilia Clarke talked about projects, A Gen- movies and we just can't get The actress who has been as Daenerys Targaryen in Season tleman opposite Sidharth Mal- enough of her. paired opposite 3 handsome 7. But once, she was just a child, hotra and Judwaa 2 opposite With her sexy pole dance hunks of B-Town, Varun Dha- and then, a slave, a piece of meat Varun Dhawan, releasing back moves in Chandralekha from A wan, Sidharth Malhotra and passed from one man to another. to back. With A Gentleman re- Gentleman and setting the hot- Sushant Singh Rajput, is look- But now, on the verge of victory, leasing this Friday and simul- ness meter soaring high in Jud- ing forward to the release of her she is a Queen. taneously stepping into the waa 2 trailer, her fans have been movies. (Santa Banta) (Hindustan Times) promotions of her movie, Jud- waa 2, it's an eventful period for Jacqueline Fernandez. Jacqueline while talking about her film shares, "I feel very blessed first of all to be here today and working in such an amazing films (A Gentleman and Judwaa 2)". The actress had been shooting round the clock for her 3 upcoming projects, A Gentleman, Judwaa 2 and Drive WEDNESDAY.AUGUST 23, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Fulham have signed left-back Rafa here. "Fulham has a reputation of Soares on a season-long loan deal a Premier League club and this sea- from Porto. The 22-year-old spent son I want to help put the club last season on loan at Rio Ave and back in the place it belongs." has been capped nine times for Soares also becomes manager Portugal U21s. He is currently re- Slavisa Jokanovic's ninth signing covering from an ankle injury and of the summer transfer window. will not feature for Fulham until "Rafa was worth the effort to N a t W es t T 2 0 after the international break. pursue and, once he steps onto the "I'm very happy," Soares told pitch, our supporters will also see the club's website. "I came here to that he is worth the wait," Fulham B la st : D er b ys h ir e help the club achieve its goals this vice chairman and director of foot- season and I hope to experience a ball operations, Tony Khan, said. lot and do a good job. I have ambi- "We were well aware of his injury look in g t o r ea ch tions to improve myself too, and during the recruitment process and help the club to have a good sea- are more than comfortable moving son. "I had other options, other ahead, as Rafa's talent and body of clubs were interested in me, but work as a defender speaks for it- fir st Fin a ls D a y the way Fulham acted, I was deci- self, as evidenced by the interest ominic Cork: "We have played really sive that I wanted to come here, and buzz around him this summer." consistent cricket and we don't fear and I think it's the right time to be (Sky Sport) anybody with bat or ball as we've got some top players."

Derbyshire will end one hell of a get themselves into Finals Day at Rafa Soares has joined Fulham on a season-long loan hoodoo with a win over Hamp- Edgbaston. "We didn't get in the shire on Tuesday night. backdoor by coming fourth in the The east Midlanders are one North Group, we came second and of two teams, Worcestershire be- finished just a point behind Not- ing the other, never to reach T20 tinghamshire. "Hampshire is going Finals Day since the competition to be a hard game. They have a Mayweather vs was introduced in England in 2003. fantastic academy which keeps A quarter-final finish in 2005 is the churning out players, and more only time Derbyshire had pro- internationals than us and lot of McGregor: Jam ie gressed from the pool stage - until other teams, so they'll go in as now, with a second-place spot in favourites. "But if we play any- Moore believes the North Group securing a home thing like we can do, we'll give them tie in the last eight. Wayne Mads- a game. We have played really con- en has been instrumental with bat sistent cricket and we don't fear Floyd Mayweather and ball, amassing 522 runs - only anybody with bat or ball as we've Kent's Joe Denly and Yorkshire got some top players." Cork record-breaker Adam Lyth have played for Derbyshire between could suit MMA topped him on that front - and 1990 and 2003, smoking an unbeat- bagging 13 wickets. But Derby- en 92 and being named man of the Jamie Moore says that Floyd down. For someone to come over shire have also been aided by club match as his side beat Lancashire Mayweather has a style that could from boxing, most would proba- legend Dominic Cork, with the Sky by six runs in the 1993 Benson work well in MMA ahead of the bly say that a very good pressure Sports expert a part of John and Hedges Cup Final. The former American’s cross-code boxing clash fighter, someone stocky and Wright's T20 coaching staff. Not seamer returned to Derby last term against UFC star Conor McGre- strong, would work to better ef- that he is claiming any credit for to help out during the Royal Lon- gor. It might be a strange thing on fect, but Mayweather would pose the side's success… "It's not about don One-Day Cup campaign, be- the surface, but I do believe that a new style to the sport that could me or John," Cork, who will be on fore focussing on the shortest form Floyd Mayweather is maybe possibly work. commentary duty in the Pod for this year. "Being the assistant coach someone who could be effective in McGregor is making the switch in Tuesday's clash, told Sky Sports. or bowling coach, call it what you MMA because of his brain and his the opposite direction and you "It's all down to the players, who will, has been really enjoyable. I style. You need a really athletic never know, he might shock the have gone out and expressed them- have been at every game and person who is adaptable, someone world, but I do believe Mayweath- selves. "John doesn't take things missed only one training session, whose brain is programmed to er will win the fight hands down. too seriously or get intense - he due to a commentary or something work out problems and quickly McGregor's got to make it as un- years have been barely able to lay are going to do, McGregor has to build-up he doesn't look like he is always asks people to relax and like that. find the solutions. comfortable as possible and take a glove on him, so all you can do is try and bring something different trying to go down the convention- not put themselves under too much "I have worked with the guys As we know, Mayweather likes Mayweather by surprise, we try and be unconventional. May- that can't be anticipated and throw al boxing route which I think is a pressure and the players have em- and tried to talk to them about how boxing and I believe someone know he is not going to win a box- weather's brain is trained and pro- punches from different styles and good thing, it gives him his best braced that. "This game now is to handle pressure, so hopefully would struggle to really get hold ing match with him. grammed so well to read a boxer's angles. chance of winning. about a group of guys going out on they are in good stead to turn up of him inside the cage and pin him Even the best boxers of the last 10 rhythm and anticipate what they From what I have seen in the (BBC Sport) the field and seeing if they can cre- against Hampshire and perform. ate a bit of Derbyshire history and (Cricket News) Victoria Azarenka withdraws from US Open due to family dispute Victoria Azarenka has pulled out ness for pulling out of a tourna- due to my ongoing family situa- Azarenka broke her silence on month, that would have allowed of the US Open due to a dispute ment in Stanford before later re- tion that I am working through. the issue last week, revealing she Leo to travel with her to New with her former partner over the vealing she was engaged in a cus- "While I will dearly miss be- would only have been able to play York. However, the two-time fi- care of their baby son. The former tody battle with Leo's father Billy ing in New York and playing in at Flushing Meadows had she left nalist has withdrawn, with the US world number one returned to the McKeague. one of my favourite tournaments Leo at home in California, some- Open confirming Japan's Misa sport in June, six months after the In a statement released on where I have enjoyed some of the thing she was not prepared to do. Eguchi has taken her place in the birth of Leo, and reached the fourth Monday, the 28-year-old Belaru- best moments in my career, I am She had hoped an agreement main draw ahead of the start of the round at Wimbledon. But she has sian wrote: "I am sadly unable to already looking forward to being would be reached with McKeague, tournament later this month. not played since, citing a viral ill- compete in this year's US Open back next year." from whom she separated last (Sky Sport) Yves Lampaert takes VueltaA Espanastage two CAS u ph olds life and red jersey

ba n s for P a pa Quick-Step's Yves Lampaert took after a 16th-placed finish. Froome the Vuelta A Espana red jersey on looked on course for more as Team Sunday with victory on stage two. Sky led the peloton six kilometres M assata The Belgian attacked inside from home, but they were pegged the final kilometre of the 203.4km back by Astana and Quick-Step run from Nimes to Gruissan, hold- before Lampaert's decisive burst D ia ck a n d ing on for his first stage win in a on a roundabout. "At the moment Grand Tour and the accompany- I don't know what's happening, it's ing 10-second bonus. That was really crazy for me," the leader said Quick-Step's Yves Lampaert wins stage two of the Vuelta a Espana enough for a one-second overall afterwards. "During the race we R u ssia n officia ls lead on team-mate Matteo Tren- planned that if we could make an last three kilometres, then we were break. "After that, just before the one kilometre very fast and it tin, with race favourite Chris echelon, we would try in the last away with [team-mate Julian] Al- roundabout, they shouted at me: worked out." Froome 21 seconds back in ninth 10 kms. We went full out from the aphilippe and a few guys in the 'Go, go, go!' I knew I could ride (Sky Sport)

Highland Reel in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal As- cot. And the belief is the course at York will be right up Decorated Knight's street. "Decorated Knight has done us and Roger Charlton proud this season," Tony Nerses, advi- sor to owners Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar, told www.bluediamondstud.co.uk. "He was the emphatic win- Decorated Knight carries the opti- ner of the Tattersalls Gold Cup and then went to Royal Ascot for the Prince of Wales's Stakes, where he ran an Sport's highest tribunal has upheld Athletics Federations) ethics com- mism of connections when he bids to turn around Coral-Eclipse form excellent race to be second. Things didn't go right for him life bans on two top Russian ath- mission in January last year. Papa last time in the Eclipse Stakes. "He goes to York in good letics officials and the son of former Massata Diack, a former marketing in Wednesday's Juddmonte Inter- national Stakes at York. Roger form. The track promises to suit him and so we're hopeful world governing body president consultant to the IAAF, was also of a good run. He's a tough, sound horse who always tries Lamine Diack for covering up an banned. All three denied any wrong- Charlton's five-year-old may have finished behind Ulysses (first), his best." However, Decorated Knight is rated a 14-1 chance elite Russian athlete's positive doing and subsequently appealed to in a seven-runner field with Ladbrokes, who have the Eclipse dope test and blackmailing her over the Court of Arbitration for Sport Barney Roy (second) and Cliffs Of Moher (fourth) when only principals Ulysses and Barney Roy at 3-1 and 5-2 respec- it. Valentin Balakhnichev, the (CAS). "The IAAF Ethics Commis- tively. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Ulysses got the ver- former head of the Russian athlet- sion decision is confirmed and Valen- sixth, but the feeling is he did not show his true colours at Sandown. dict by a nose at Sandown and has since finished second to ics federation, and Alexei Melnik- tin Balakhnichev, Alexei Melnikov Enable in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes ov, the country's former head dis- and Papa Massata Diack remain Decorated Knight had earlier won the Group One Tattersalls at Ascot. tance coach, were banned by the banned for life from any involvement (Sky Sport) IAAF (International Association of in the sport of athletics," said CAS. Gold Cup at the Curragh and was ahead of Ulysses when second to WEDNESDAY .AUGUST 23 . 2017-Sunbula 01, 1396 H.S Vol:XII Issue No: 31 Price: Afs.20

have known for some time. Pakistan’s regional goals as identified by its powerful military are at variance with America’s interests,” Haqqani said. AT Monitoring Desk Afghan, US and NATO soldiers Trump had clearly decided he who had sacrificed to bring durable would not let Pakistan block peace KABUL: Afghan envoy to Washington Hamdullah peace, Mohib remarked. and stability in Afghanistan, and Mohib on Monday thanked the US President Moreover, President Ashraf endanger itself in the process, while Donald Trump for his tougher approach towards Ghani has also delivered a full retaining its status as a US ally, Pakistan, harboring terrorist outfits against its statement on the new Afghan Haqqani said. neighbors and USA. strategy of the US on Tuesday. The A large number of Afghan “We welcome this decision, which is the result former Pakistani ambassador to the officials, politicians and civil of intense deliberations and takes into account both US, Husain Haqqani also society activists have strongly countries’ needs and considerations. This is the first welcomed the new policy. appreciated the US new strategy time a focus has been put on what Afghanistan “President Trump has on Afghanistan that brings must have to succeed, and we are grateful for this acknowledged what Americans Pakistan into the court of justice. outcome,” Mohib said soon after Trump concluded his speech. The Afghan Ambassador added Trump has been formulated a strategy that gave Afghanistan what it needed, specifically a shift away from talking about timetables and numbers to letting conditions on the ground determine military strategy. It also expanded “authority to move swiftly against terrorist activities and criminal networks in place of micromanagement from Washington” and “a breaking of silence over Pakistan’s shelters for terrorists,” he said. Like America, Afghanistan also desired an honorable and enduring outcome of the fight for all One killed, four wounded in Parwan AT Monitoring Desk KABUL: At least one person has been killed and four others received injuries in a coward attack of unknown gunmen in Sayedkhail district in northern Parwan province, officials said on Tuesday. The Acting Head of Parwan Police Criminal AT Monitoring Desk statement, said that the airstrikes Branch, Farhad Hashimi said that the attack occurred was carried out by NATO forces in Jabbarkhail village in Sayedkhail district when KABUL: At least 13 Taliban and targeted a group of Taliban, in unknown gunmen open fired on a vehicle “Hilux”, insurgents including two of their which 13 Taliban were killed and killing one, while wounded four others. The vehicle local leaders have been killed and nine others wounded. The Taliban was on way to the provincial capital, Charikar city. nine others received injuries in an leaders identified as ‘Salahuddin Reason behind the incident is not clear so far, he airstrikes carried out by US forces and Abid’ were among four added. in Shirzad district in eastern insurgents killed in the attack. Police did not provide details about the identity Nangarhar province, officials said According to the local of the victims, but informed of an investigation that on Tuesday. The airstrike took officials, no causality report from already kicked off in the matter. No group including place in Marki Khel Tangi area of Afghans security part. The Taliban the Taliban insurgents claimed responsibility for the the district. insurgents have not commented attack. The provincial police in a into in the incident so far.