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Weekend Issue, Sponsored by Etisalat FRIDAY . DECEMBER 23. 2016 -Jadi 03, 1395 H.S www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimes www.twitter.com/ afghanistantime

Suicide jackets, SEVEN KILLED INATTACK explosives Zakhilwal meets ON MP’S HOUSE IN KABUL seized in Kabul pro-Taliban KABUL: Intelligence agents By Farhad Naibkhel have found a depot of arms, land- KABUL: A group of armed in- mines, suicide jackets and other Pakistani cleric surgents attacked the house of explosives in the seventh police a renowned member of Wolesi district of Kabul, the National Di- Jirga, Malim Mir Wali, on rectorate of Security (NDS) said Wednesday late evening in on Thursday. Kabul. Seven people were Three suicide jackets prepared killed and six others sustained for bomb attacks were defused by injuries in the attack, said offi- experts, a statement from the spy cials. network said. The Taliban fighters, in- Six hand grenades, 15 bags of cluding suicide bombers, at- explosives, two remote controls, tacked the house of Mir Wali, eight remote boxes, bullets and a who is a lawmaker from south- mobile phone were recovered from ern Helmand province. The a briefcase during a raid. house came under attack at around 7:00 pm in 5th police Terrorists wanted to use the PESHAWAR : Afghan Ambassador Dr. Omar Zakhilwal and a pro- district in the capital city. Barekzai’s son were killed and six dent Ashraf Ghani strongly con- The Taliban claimed responsi- weapons and explosives for sui- Taliban Pakistani cleric have discussed the current situation in the First, a suicide bomber deto- others wounded in the incident, demned the attack and called it an bility for the attack. Spokesman cide attacks, the statement read, war-devastated country. nated explosive-packed vest at said the National Security Council inhuman act. The president reiter- for the group Zabihullah Mujahid claiming a possible loss of precious Zakhilwal met Maulana Samiul Haq, chief of his own faction the front gate of the house of (NSC) in a statement. The NSC ated that fight against terror and said that two Taliban fighters car- lives had been prevented. of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, at the latter’s residence inAkora Khat- Mir Wali. Later, several armed strongly condemned the attack and militant groups would continue. ried the attack. (Pajhwok) tak on Wednesday. militants stormed the house. said that such “barbaric attack” will Pak-Afghan relations, restoration of durable peace in the re- Security forces rushed to never prevent Afghanistan from de- gion and other issues of mutual interest came under discussion at the scene shortly after the at- velopment. Two members of Mir Ambassador Mohib meets Atlantic Council members the two-hour meeting. tack and cordoned off the area. Wali’s family and a few of his body- The diplomat asked Samiul Haq, known as the father of Tali- Clash between the security guards were also killed. However, KABUL: The Afghan ambassador to the United States has met senior Atlantic Council officials on the ban, to play an active role in improving relations between the personnel and the militants the exact number of the guards situation in Afghanistan and Donald Trump’s team. “I provided an overview of the current political and neighbours. continued for hours in the area. could not be confirmed. Further- security landscape in Afghanistan and the region,” Hamdullah Mohib said in a statement after the meeting. Accompanied by four senior staff officials of the Afghan em- The attackers held the dwell- more, the NSC did not provide The diplomat also told Atlantic Council Executive Vice President Damon M. Wilson, and Director of bassy, the diplomat visited Haq’s residence, adjacent to the Darul ers hostage for hours. Al- details about the fate of Mir Wali. South Asia Bharath Gopalaswamy how the US could play a constructive role in resolving outstanding issues Uloom Haqqania, where many Taliban have studied. though, the exact number of at- But official sources confirmed that in the region. “I also highlighted the progress in certain areas in Afghanistan as well as challenges that the JUI-S spokesman Maulana Yousaf said the ambassador had a tackers is not clear, but based the lawmaker sustained injuries in government is resolved to address for stability and development,” he added. one-on-one meeting with Haq. They were later joined by other on reports three attackers were the attack. Chief Executive Offic- The Atlantic Council called Afghanistan an ally and pledged playing a crucial role in important policy members of the delegation. killed. er Abdullah Abdullah visited the debates about the region. “Maulana Samiul Haq can play a vital role in improving rela- Seven people including the legislator in the hospital and prayed The Council members said they had already planned to organise events on South Asia and invite tions between Pakistan and Afghanistan and remove the misunder- representative of Uruzgan for his early recovery. ambassadors of certain countries and experts to discuss major policy areas. (Pajhwok) standing between the two countries,” Shah quoting Zakhilwal as province Obaidullah In a statement issued, Presi- saying. (Pajhwok)

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AFGHANISTAN TIMES Editor: Mansoor Faizy Phone No: +93-797070563 E-mail: [email protected] By Sultan Barakat and by Sansom Milton Email: [email protected] www.afghanistantimes.af Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi Advisory editorial board Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal Graphic-Designers: Edriss Akbari and Bilal Yusufi Marketing & Advertising: Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press The constitution Article 117 says The President shall appoint one of its members as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Members of the Supreme Court, except under circumstances stated in Article Since December 15 an agree- Aleppo, we are very concerned northern Syria, yet is allowing placement occurred in a rela- One Hundred Twenty Seven of this Constitution, shall not be dismissed till the end ment brokered between Russia, that the sieges and barrel in only those in urgent need of tively stable context with high of their term. Iran and rebel fighters to evac- bombs will follow the thou- medical treatment. The deprav- international support, the uate besieged communities in sands who arrive in Idlib". ity of the situation calls on Tur- chances of a return to eastern eastern Aleppo and the villag- Given that the internation- key and other neighbouring Aleppo are vanishingly small. es of Foua and Kefraya has al community has failed to states to act unilaterally to pro- It is worse now because the Editorial been under way, albeit falter- stand with Aleppo at its time of vide safe haven to displaced fate of Aleppo's residents is ing at times owing to infringe- need, there is no basis for think- Aleppans. tied to the destiny of other com- ments of the deal. ing that civilians caught in the Meanwhile, the internation- munities that will go through a While the humanitarian cri- crossfire of renewed attempts al community should have similar ethno-sectarian uproot- sis of Aleppo is rightly under by Russia and the Assad re- stood by the position where the ing. the international spotlight, the gime will fare any better. evacuation is made to neutra- The Iranian intervention to wisdom of the evacuation deal To turn the concept of evac- lise eastern Aleppo by offering tie the evacuation to the fate of Daesh has become cancer and there is no treatment for it, but has largely gone unques- uation for safety into a full-scale safe passage to fighters and Foua and Kefraya has compli- only its elimination. Afghan people and government know this tioned. This is unfortunate be- eviction of an entire communi- their immediate families, leav- cated matters where there was cause in many ways the up- ty is totally unacceptable. ing their arms and ability to an existing balance between the very well. Despite having meager resources and little support rooting of Aleppo's residents While rebels faced a choice in pose a threat behind. two villages and Madaya and from the international community, Afghan government has tight- to Idlib is a case of jumping out accepting or rejecting a deal, Ideally this would have Zabadani based on a gentle- ened grip over the notorious terrorist group which has global of the frying pan and into the the same is not true for resi- been accompanied by a moni- man's agreement between fire. dents of eastern Aleppo, some toring mechanism to ensure Hezbollah and the Jabhat Fateh designs and posing serious security threats not only to Afghan- Moving Aleppans to an al- of whom at least are reported that the forces of the Assad al-Sham. istan but also to China, Iran and Central Asian Republics ready stressed area to favour remaining in their regime and its allies respect in- If anything, this shows that (CAR). Many Chinese, Uzbek and Chechens militants have The evacuation of Alep- homes. ternational law as they enter although Russia seems to have pans will inevitably lead to their This is made all the more so the east of the city. focused its mind on reaching a joined Daesh, also known as the Islamic State in the global displacement in temporary shel- considering that the interna- To turn the concept of evac- solution that meets its own north. Their goal was to establish strongholds in Afghanistan ters where they are more vul- tional community increasingly uation for safety into a full-scale objectives and has finally nerable away from their home sees Bashar al-Assad as the eviction of an entire communi- reached an understanding with and later launch small and large scale attacks in their coun- environment and families. lesser evil in the face of the al- ty is totally unacceptable. Turkey, it has clearly underes- tries of origin. China witnessed several terror attacks as the Idlib province is already Qaeda-linked Jabhat Fateh al- While rebels faced a choice in timated the deviousness of the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) or the Uighur militants have got struggling to meet the basic Sham (formerly al-Nusra Front) accepting or rejecting a deal, "deep state" in Iran, which needs of its residents under the which dominates much of Idlib the same is not true for resi- hides behind excuses that it full support of the Islamic State; though, there seem to be split governance of deeply divided province. dents of eastern Aleppo, some cannot control all of its militia in the TIP, especially after clash between the Taliban and Daesh rebel groups. The transfer of A European diplomat is of whom at least are reported on the ground. The Russians 50,000 internally displaced per- quoted as saying that "fight- to favour remaining in their must tread carefully because in Zabul province. sons could overwhelm local ers had a choice between sur- homes. where the war is fought on land Similarly, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and Chech- coping capacities, leaving both viving for a few weeks in Idlib How should Russia weigh and not in the air they will in- en militants are also determined to go back to their areas and local residents and the newly or dying in Aleppo". in? evitably have less control over displaced increasingly depen- By extension, civilians Taking civilians out of east- the situation. The United Na- challenge writ of their governments. Unfortunately, the CAR, dent upon the humanitarian evacuated to Idlib face the ern Aleppo will diminish the tions Security Council's reso- China and Russia have not provided the essential military and system, while they both remain same prospect of buying time likelihood of their eventual re- lution that was unanimously financial support to Afghanistan. Although, China has a strong at the mercy of the regime and at the cost of their evacuation. turn to their homes. The evac- accepted on December 19, es- its allies as they make up their Yet this stark warning presents uation and subsequent de- tablishing a monitoring mis- economy than India but the latter is providing all possible sup- mind as to their next move. a false dichotomy. There are struction in 2006 of the Nahr sion, is a welcome develop- port to the Afghan government to make the region peaceful and An International Rescue other destinations that should el-Bared refugee camp in Leba- ment, albeit several weeks too Committee spokesperson last have been explored for evacu- non led to a protracted dis- late. Russia should now seek stable. week said that "escaping Alep- ees. placement under which resi- to play a proactive role in the In the fight which is not only for survival of Afghanistan but po doesn't mean escaping the Turkey has constructed dents are still returning to their monitoring to protect civilians also CAR, China, Iran and other countries, Afghan people and war. After witnessing the feroc- camps for the internally dis- homes a decade later. and uphold its reputation in the security forces have suffered heavy casualties. Yet, there is no ity of attacks on civilians in placed near its border within Given that this double dis- region. moral and material support. That’s why people in Nangarhar province have come to the front to fight alongside their broth- ers in uniform to defeat the terror group which has become a hot potato. Spirit and courage of the local people who stood against Daesh is unprecedented. They are waiting in long queues to register their names in order to become part of the militia force that would dig the grave for the Islamic State and bury it forever, so the future generations in Afghanistan and neighboring countries would feel safe inside and outside their houses. Leaving Afghanistan alone to fight terrorists is a great in- justice that the history would record. Thus, the neighboring countries that have strong economies should come forward and support the people and government of Afghanistan in all possible ways. As a first step, these countries should establish a joint anti-terrorism mechanism to share intelligence and al- locate resources to fight the terror outfits who are posing threat to regional stability. Last but not least, these countries should pressure all those state actors who are providing breathing space to the extremists and terrorists. Subscription Rates Fee Categories Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 3600 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 1800 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $200 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. FRIDAY .DECEMBER 23, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Alibaba again named ‘notorious market’ in blow to overseas push Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. has again been labeled a haven for knockoffs with an embarrassing Asian shares struggled on Thurs- Jennifer Vail, head of fixed income January 2003 as it came under on Wednesday. The dollar index, Kotecha, head of FX strategy at boost production over the next few return to a U.S. blacklist for fakes day after a lacklustre performance research at U.S. Bank Wealth pressure from the ascendant dol- which tracks the greenback against Asia-Pacific for Barclays in Sin- months. [O/R] The contract roll just four years after getting its on Wall Street as investors looked Management in Portland, Oregon. lar and fears over Italy's bank a basket of six rival currencies, gapore. "So all of that suggests we on Wednesday for front-month name removed. to U.S. economic data later in the Later on Thursday, the Unit- crunch. slipped 0.1 percent to 102.960, as might see more consolidation go- U.S. crude to the higher-priced The U.S. Office of the Trade day for potential catalysts, as mar- ed States will release a third revi- Troubled bank Monte dei Pas- investors stepped back after its rise ing through the year-end," he said. February from lower-priced Janu- Representative on Wednesday re- kets wind down ahead of the holi- sion of U.S. third quarter gross chi di Siena expects to burn to a 14-year peak of 103.650 earli- Crude oil prices erased earlier gai ary pushed U.S. crude up about stored Alibaba’s Taobao to its line- days. domestic product. through around 11 billion euros of er this week. There's a lot of year- ns, facing pressure from a report 0.5 percent. But it was last down up of “Notorious Markets,” cit- The subdued mood was ex- "It could be a volatile day if it liquidity more quickly than previ- end book-closing and position- showing a surprise build in U.S. 0.1 percent at $52.44 per barrel. ing an unacceptably high level of pected to carry over into Europe- comes in either substantially stron- ously forecast, an updated docu- squaring, and less in terms of data crude inventories last week, as well Brent crude fell 0.1 percent to reported counterfeiting and pira- an trading. Britain's FTSE 100 in- ger or substantially weaker," she ment on the bank's website showed and events to go on," said Mitul as news that Libya expects to $54.43. cy. The Hangzhou-based compa- dex could edge down 0.1-0.2 per- said. ny said it was disappointed in the cent, based on last prices for fu- Durable goods orders for No- decision. tures on the index. Spreadbetter IG vember and weekly initial jobless While Alibaba has argued it’s predicted Germany's DAX would claims were also scheduled to be doing all it can to combat fakes, open 0.2 percent lower. released. Asia’s biggest Internet company MSCI's broadest index of Asia- Thin liquidity could also am- now finds itself on the same list as Pacific shares outside Japan erased plify moves, with many investors torrent website Pirate Bay and flea early modest gains and slipped 0.5 already departing ahead of this markets in Brazil and Nigeria. The percent, while Japan's Nikkei weekend's Christmas holiday. decision damages Alibaba’s credi- stock index finished 0.1 percent Markets in Tokyo will be closed bility in the U.S., where its shares lower, edging down from this on Friday for the Japanese Em- trade and it’s trying to cultivate week's one-year highs. peror's birthday. relationships with retailers, brands Hong Kong's Hang Seng index The dollar edged up 0.1 per- and entertainment companies. was down 0.7 percent after touch- cent against its Japanese counter- “It’s more political than any- thing else,” said Billy Leung, an ing its lowest levels since July, part to 117.67 yen, but remained analyst at Haitong International though Australian shares ended up shy of its 10-1/2-month high of Securities Co. in Hong Kong. 0.5 percent, extending gains into a 118.66 touched on Dec 15. [FRX/ “When people buy on Alibaba it’s fourth straight session. ] not because they intend to buy U.S. stocks, which have been Japan's cabinet approved on into a good quality supply, they on a tear since the Nov. 8 election Thursday a record $830 billion know what Taobao is." on bets that the incoming adminis- spending budget for fiscal 2017 Shares of Alibaba fell 0.7 per- tration of Donald Trump will em- that counts on low interest rates cent to $89.25 in New York on bark on growth-stimulating poli- and a weak yen to limit borrow- Wednesday. cies, pulled back from the record ing, underscoring the challenge Gadfly: Stop the crocodile highs logged in the previous ses- Tokyo faces in curbing the indus- tears and get real on fakes sion. trial world's heaviest debt burden. The U.S. agency warned last "There weren't any major mar- The euro was up 0.2 percent December that Alibaba needed to ket-making data points coming out, at $1.0439, not far from Tuesday's do better if it wished to avoid the and I think that's why the markets low of $1.0352, which was the sin- designation, reserved for websites are kind of taking a breather," said gle currency's deepest nadir since and markets where there’s large- scale copyright infringement. In October, Alibaba said it had tightened policies against copy- Goldman Sachs to pay right infringement and made it eas- ier for brands to request fakes be removed. It took down 380 mil- $120 million to settle lion product listings and closed Hyundai fired the CEO of its U.S. The company enjoyed strong fuel efficient car models to trucks ago, when you put big incentives about 180,000 stores on its Taobao operations Wednesday, effective growth during most of Zuchows- and crossover SUVs. on cars and don't have the ability platform in the 12 months to Au- 'jacked' rates case immediately, following disappoint- ki's decade with the company, gain- Hyundai has been forced to to offset it with big profits on gust, the company said in a letter ing sales and the difficult launch of ing U.S. market share even during support sales with low-priced trucks, it's challenging." to the USTR. its luxury Genesis brand here. the Great Recession, when overall sales to car rental companies and Hyundai also had a difficult Alibaba suggested its new des- ignation could have been influenced Dave Zuchowski had been car sales plunged. big cash incentives to retail buy- launch of its new luxury Genesis with Hyundai since 2007 and had But sales have slowed to only ers, said Michelle Krebs, senior by politics. President-elect Donald brand this year. It tried to rebrand been head of its U.S. operations a 2% gain in U.S. sales so far this analyst with AutoTrader. But it Trump has been critical of U.S.- since the start of 2014. The com- year and market share has been wasn't enough to save Zuchows- its Genesis and Equus models into China trade agreements, threaten- pany did not give a reason for his stalled. It hasn't been above 4.5% ki's job. the new separate Genesis brand, ing to rip them up and impose high departure. It named Jerry Flannery, in the last three years. One of the "They have a lot of car models only to see overall U.S. sales of tariffs on Chinese imports. Over its chief counsel, as interim CEO biggest headwinds for the compa- and no trucks. They do have some those models fall. the weekend, he accused China of of Hyundai Motor America, and ny is relatively low gas prices the SUVs, but they aren't dominant in "It's difficult to launch a new stealing an underwater drone from said a search for a permanent suc- last few years, which has prompt- their segment," she said. "He (Zu- luxury brand," said Krebs. "Auto- the U.S. Navy in an “unprecedent- cessor would start immediately. ed U.S. buyers to move away from chowski) said to me a few years ed act.” China’s state-run English- makers are very demanding." language newspaper, China Daily, warned Monday that Trump’s in- experience in diplomacy might lead to confrontations between the two nations. Goldman Sachs will pay a $120 million (£97 million) penalty to resolve “Our results speak for them- civil charges that it attempted to manipulate a global benchmark for selves,” Alibaba President Mike interest rate products known on Wall Street as "ISDAFIX," U.S. deriv- Evans said in a statement. “Un- atives regulators said Wednesday. The case against Goldman Sachs, fortunately, the USTR’s decision brought by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), was leads us to question whether the the latest in a series of broad investigations into manipulation by big USTR acted based on the actual banks of a variety of global benchmark rates. To date, the CFTC has facts or was influenced by the cur- imposed penalties of over $5.2 billion (£4.2 billion) stemming from rent political climate.” these probes, which include Libor and Euribor, foreign exchange bench- Still, investors have grown marks, and the US Dollar International Swaps and Derivatives Associ- more skeptical about Alibaba’s ation Fix, or USD ISDAFIX. A number of banks have also resolved ability to expand in the U.S. since its record-breaking 2014 initial parallel criminal charges related to the manipulation of various global public offering. As the company benchmarks. Goldman Sachs, which was also accused by the CFTC of controlled by Jack Ma, China’s making false reports on the benchmark rate, will settle the case without richest man, seeks to bring in more admitting or denying the charges. "We are pleased to have resolved these than half its revenue from over- matters and have already taken steps to enhance our policies and proce- seas, winning the trust of foreign dures," bank spokesman Michael DuVally said in a statement. brands will be key to expansion. ISDAFIX rates are used to help value the cash settlement of op- “While recent steps set posi- tions on interest rate swaps and other products. Pension funds and local tive expectations for the future, governments often rely on products priced off the benchmark rate to current levels of reported counter- help hedge against future interest rate changes. feiting and piracy are unacceptably The CFTC said that emails and audio recordings showed traders at high,” the USTR said in its report. Goldman discussing their plans to try to move the benchmark rate in “Not only do counterfeit and pi- directions that benefited their own positions. rated goods pose a grave economic They tried to skew the bank's submissions used to help come up threat to U.S. creative and innova- with the "print," or the reference rate that is captured each day at 11 tive industries,” they undermine a.m., the CFTC said. the Chinese and global market for They also traded various products at the 11 a.m. fixing time "in a legitimate U.S. products. manner deliberately designed" to influence the published rate, the CFTC Alibaba makes money from added. The CFTC said traders discussed trades as being based on the Taobao through advertising, with "jacked price" and not the "fair price," and how they had managed to third-party merchants posting "game the fix" to benefit their own positions. The agency also accused products for sale such as toys, food the bank of failing to adequately cooperate earlier in the investigation by and medical equipment. Since initially failing to produce certain documents. Goldman Sachs is the those goods aren’t in Alibaba’s third bank to settle an ISDAFIX benchmark case with the CFTC. The possession, independent verifica- other two were Barclays in 2015 and Citigroup in 2016. tion can be difficult. Donald Trump’s new appointments shake up trade, regulation Donald Trump selected two key figures for his economic team on Wednesday, both of whom could jolt Washington’s approach to trade and regulation. The president-elect announced the creation of a new National Trade Council inside the White House to facilitate industrial policy and named an ardent skeptic of trade with China, economist Peter Navarro, to head it. Later, he tapped billionaire investor Carl Icahn to serve as special adviser on overhauling federal regulations, a job with sweeping implications given Mr. Trump’s campaign promise to remove 90% of federal rules that affect American jobs. The announcements offer clues about how Mr. Trump will attempt to flesh out his distinct economic agenda that fuses traditional GOP principles of lower taxes and regulation with a more populist approach on trade, immigration and manufacturing. Billionaire investor Carl Icahn is expected to be named special adviser to the president on overhauling federal regulations, according to people familiar with the matter. Senate Democrats have launched a campaign against Steven Mnuchin, Trump's pick for Treasury secretary, suggesting his confirmation hearing may be contentious. Donald Trump met with the CEOs of the nation’s two largest defense contractors, two weeks after he publicly berated the cost of some of their projects. Businesses and markets have generally applauded Mr. Trump’s steps on the former but are warier about fights he could pick with U.S. executives or foreign governments over trade and overseas business deals. It is unclear how the new trade council will complement—or duplicate—existing White House agencies. The corporate world is carefully monitoring the president-elect’s willingness to intervene directly with certain companies, particularly those in the manufacturing sector. Mr. Trump on Wednesday met at his club in Palm Beach, Fla., with the chief executives of Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. to discuss in part ways to lower the costs of building a new Air Force One plane for the president-elect and future jet fighters. One question is whether the new trade and regulatory posts will be vested with real power or whether they are symbolic appointments. When President Barack Obama took office in the middle of the financial crisis in 2009, he created an “economic recovery advisory” board led by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker and Austan Goolsbee, one of Mr. Obama’s longtime economic advisers. The council, whose influence was seen as dimin- ishing, was renamed two years later and had its final meeting in 2012. Mr. Icahn’s new regulatory post isn’t an official government job, and he won’t draw a salary or have to give up his current business dealings. Yet the role Mr. Trump gave him on Wednesday could broaden his influence in Washington and elsewhere. “I’m involved with Donald where he wants me to be—I believe he respects my views and I think he listens to me,” Mr. Icahn said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. “What Trump is trying to achieve is to show business in a lot of this country they aren’t going to be ruined by absurd regulation by bureaucrats.” Mr. Icahn was an early backer of Mr. Trump and urged him to support efforts to let U.S. corporations bring home offshore cash and to end the carried-interest tax break that benefits many on Wall Street. Mr. Icahn would be one of several billionaires put into important roles by Mr. Trump. The president-elect has rejected criticism of these selections and says he prefers surrounding himself with successful businesspeople with proven track records. FRIDAY .DECEMBER 23, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Researchers looking into whether a shorter course of antibiotics would treat young children's ear infections as well as a longer course found that not only was the short- er treatment less effective but it didn't reduce antibiotic resistance or side effects. The study, published Wednes- day in the New England Journal of Medicine, comes as physicians and researchers are looking for ways to curb the unnecessary use of antibiotics, including the possi- bility of using them for a shorter time against some common infec- tions. The goal is to prevent bac- teria from developing resistance to antibiotics. While that strategy didn't pan out in this particular study, shorter antibiotic courses are still being used and studied in other contexts. The study included 520 chil- dren between 6 and 23 months old who were diagnosed with an acute middle ear infection, a very com- mon childhood illness. Half of the children were randomly assigned to receive 10 days of the antibiotic amoxicillin-clavulanate, while the other half received five days of the drug plus another five days of a placebo. If the children experienced another ear infection during the period they were in the study, they received the same treatment. Par- ents, researchers and clinicians didn't know which treatment a child was getting. The kids were tracked for the severity of their symptoms and had regular office visits to check their health, plus additional visits if they were ill. The researchers also checked to see if their throats had been colonized by bacteria that were resistant to the antibiotic. The researchers found that ini- tial treatment failed in 34 percent of the children treated with the five days of antibiotics, compared with 16 percent of children who had the longer treatment. Symptoms were Cured beats also worse in the group that re- ceived the shorter treatment regi- men. And there was no difference could aggravate between the groups in the rate of colonization with antibiotic-resis- asthma, study tant bacteria. The results were a surprise, suggests says Dr. Alejandro Hoberman, The rate of women having a double mastectomy sur- said he understands why that is. chief of the division of general ac- Regularly eating cured meats such gery after diagnosis of cancer in one breast was ris- “ ‘Peace of mind,’ that’s the fear factor,” he said. “When a patient comes in and the first time you tell them they have cancer, ademic pediatrics at Children's as ham and salami might aggravate ing steadily for a decade before Angelina Jolie fa- the world stops for them, and they start thinking: ‘Am I going to die? Am I going to see my son or daughter graduate from high Hospital of Pittsburgh and an au- asthma, researchers report. mously announced in 2013 that she was having the school or college.’ Fear is a big part of it.” thor of the study. "I also expected Looking at close to 1,000 peo- preventive surgery, even though her doctors had not that if you used an antibiotic for a ple with the respiratory disease, yet detected cancer. shorter period of time, there would French researchers found that Ms. Jolie had tested positive for being genetical- those who ate the most processed ly linked to breast cancer, and ever since, researchers be fewer adverse events," he says. and cured meats were 76 percent But that didn't happen; rates of have wondered what the impact her announcement more likely to see their asthma would have on women’s breast cancer-related choic- diarrhea and diaper rash, both of symptoms worsen over time com- es. which are side effects of antibiot- pared to those who ate the least. But a new study conducted after her announce- ics, were similar in both groups. These symptoms include trou- ment argues that there is at least one other person The authors said the findings ble breathing, chest tightness and who appears to be even more persuasive than a ce- can't be generalized to children shortness of breath, according to lebrity when it comes to advising women on wheth- who are older than 2 years, or to the report. er to have a double mastectomy: Their surgeon. adults. Cured meats are high in chem- The study released Wednesday in the America More Americans are developing the potentially deadly skin cancer known as melanoma than in the past, new research shows. A 2010 Cochrane Review of icals called nitrites to keep them Medical Association Surgery journal found that of In 2016, one out of every 54 Americans was expected to develop a potentially lethal, invasive melanoma over their lifetime research found that using antibiot- from spoiling. These meats have 1,569 women surveyed in Los Angeles and Georgia -- up from the one in 58 estimate when the same tally was performed in 2009. been linked to a higher risk of oth- with cancer in one breast but not a high genetic risk Overall, an estimated 76,380 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2016, said a team led by Dr. Alex Glazer of the ics for less than seven days in- er chronic diseases, including can- National Society for Cutaneous Medicine in New York City. creased the likelihood of treatment for the other, very few (just 1.9 percent) of them cer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes had a double mastectomy if their surgeon recom- "The overall burden of disease for melanoma is increasing," Glazer's team reported in a study published online Dec. 21 in failure. But Hoberman says many and chronic obstructive pulmo- mended against it. JAMA Dermatology. Skin cancers are by far the most common cancer for Americans. Most are easily treated and removed, but of the previous trials had some nary disease (COPD). In addition, However, the study found that many more wom- melanomas can be much more serious. According to the American Cancer Society, "melanoma accounts for only about 1 percent flaws, including less strict diagnos- they were recently classified as en — nearly 1 in 5 (19 percent) — in the same group of skin cancers but causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths." tic criteria. This study was de- carcinogenic, or cancer-causing, by did have a double mastectomy if they got no recom- signed to address those gaps. the World Health Organization mendation from their surgeon. "This study really shows the (WHO), said the study's lead re- “About a decade ago, we started to see this in- importance of doing clinical trials," searcher, Dr. Zhen Li. crease” in women having double mastectomy, said says Dr. Helen Boucher, an infec- "But there remains a gap re- Reshma Jagsi, lead author of the study conducted at tious disease specialist at Tufts garding the spread of knowledge the University of Michigan. “We wanted to under- about the harms of processed meat stand why it was that women were using this proce- Medical Center and a member of from the research community to the board of the Infectious Dis- dure, even though it is not likely to yield any medi- the public," said Li, who is with cal benefits.” eases Society of America. There's Inserm Paul Brousse Hospital in The finding stunned Dr. Jagsi, a professor of a push to see if the optimal dose Villejuif, France. radiation oncology at the University of Michigan of antibiotics could be shortened Li cautioned that this study who also treats breast cancer patients. in some contexts, but that has to cannot prove that eating cured “We wanted to look at women [who had no be studied with specific combina- meats makes asthma worse, only recommendation from their surgeon] with average tions of infections, antibiotics and that an association exists. risk factors,” she said. “And even in that population patient populations, she says. Still, "public health strategies we still saw that 14 percent of the population” was "The whole notion of really figur- are warranted to reduce cured and going through with a double mastectomy. ing out the optimal duration of processed meat intake," Li said. Their conclusion, she said: “A surgeon’s recom- Asthma affects 235 million mendation appears to be a very powerful factor here.” therapy is one we've been advo- people worldwide, according to the cating heavily for." The study also found that women who chose to WHO. Common triggers include: have a double mastectomy tended to be younger, For example, a study of a indoor allergens, such as dust mites white, wealthier and better educated than women shorter course of antibiotics against and pet dander; outdoor allergens, who did not go through with one. The No. 1 reason urinary tract infections in children such as pollen; tobacco smoke; and they gave in the survey for having the surgery was is ongoing. And based on the exist- chemical irritants in the workplace. “peace of mind.” The indings were not surprising to ing research, the IDSA and the Dr. Len Horovitz is a pulmo- Todd Tuttle, chief of surgical oncology at the Uni- American Thoracic Society recom- nary specialist at Lenox Hill Hos- versity of Minnesota. “A large portion of women mended earlier this year that most pital in New York City. don’t know that having a double mastectomy does patients who develop pneumonia "While no firm conclusion can not improve your survival rates,” said Dr. Tuttle, in the hospital receive a short be drawn [from this study], there who was senior author on a 2014 study that found course of antibiotics. appears to be a correlation of wors- no medical benefit to having a double mastectomy ening asthma symptoms and pro- for women of average risk. Another prong of the strategy cessed and cured meat," said Horo- is to limit the use of antibiotics to Because of findings like his, earlier this year, Dr. vitz, who wasn't involved in the Tuttle and his colleagues in The American Society of bacterial infections, says Dr. Pran- research. Breast Surgeons issued a formal statement recom- ita Tamma, a pediatrician and di- "One would have to wonder mending that women of average risk, with cancer in rector of the pediatric antimicro- whether salt or preservatives used one breast, not have a double mastectomy. bial stewardship program at the in processing meats might be re- “I hope the use of double mastectomy by a pa- Johns Hopkins University School sponsible for this phenomenon," tient is made after getting accurate and easily under- of Medicine. Parents often come he said. standable information,” Dr. Tuttle said. to the doctor when their kids have For the study, Li and col- The problem, said Dina Borzekowski, a research upper respiratory infections, but leagues collected data on more than professor at the University of Maryland, is that most of those are colds caused by 2,000 people who took part in a “when it comes to understanding risk, the general French study that tracked the populace does not get it. They don’t know what a virus and can't be helped by anti- health of people with asthma and biotics. A 2014 study found that having a 1 in 4 chance means.” their close relatives for more than Dr. Borzekowski, who researched the impact displaying posters in exam stating 20 years. Ms. Jolie’s announcement had on the public’s un- the clinicians' commitment to Li's team focused on 971 peo- derstanding of double mastectomy surgery, said Dr. avoiding unnecessary antibiotic ple for whom complete dietary, Jagsi’s study is a call to “improve the patient-phy- prescriptions for upper respirato- weight, asthma symptom scores sician communication.” ry infections lowered the rate of and demographic data were ob- Tom Julian, a breast surgeon and division direc- inappropriate prescriptions. tained until 2011-2013. tor for breast surgery at Allegheny Health Network, FRIDAY .DECEMBER 23, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

A supervolcano caused the largest eruption in European history. Now it’s stirring A new type of large, prehistoric again. bird has just been unearthed in the The Italian name for the caldera — Canadian arctic. Campi Flegrei, or “burning A team of geologists from the fields”— is apt. The 7.5-mile-wide University of Rochester discov- cauldron is the collapsed top of an ered the new species, which is ap- proximately 90 million years old, ancient volcano, formed when the and published their findings this magma within finally blew. Though week in the journal Scientific Re- half of it is obscured beneath the ports. The discovery places the crystal blue waters of the Medi- bird among the oldest avian records terranean, the other half is stud- ever found in the Northern hemi- ded with cinder cones and calderas sphere. from smaller eruptions. And the The bones of the bird, named whole area seethes with hydrother- Tingmiatornis arctica, show that mal activity: Sulfuric acid spews it probably looked a bit like a cross from active fumaroles; geysers between a large seagull and a cor- spout water and steam and the morant, a large equatic bird, and ground froths with boiling mud; was likely a similar size with a and earthquake swarms shudder wingspan of over a meter. through the region, 125 miles The name of the genus Ting- south of Rome. miatornis loosely translates to And things seem to be heating "those that fly" from the word " up. Writing in the journal Nature Tingmiat" in the Inuktitut lan- on Tuesday, scientists report that guage, which is spoken in the cen- the caldera is nearing a critical point tral and eastern Canadian Arctic. at which decreased pressure on ris- Tingmiatornis arctica also had ing magma triggers a runaway re- sharp teeth and features that al- lease of gas and fluid, potentially lowed it to dive. leading to an eruption. Along with other fossils from Forecasting volcanic eruptions previous expeditions, the new bird is a famously dicey endeavor, and helps paint a clearer picture of the right now, it's impossible to say if ecosystem that would have exist- and when Campi Flegrei might ed some 93.9 to 89.8 million years erupt, according to lead author ago in the Canadian Arctic. It could Giovanni Chiodini, a volcanologist also provide further evidence of the at the National Institute of Geo- intense global warming that scien- physics in Rome. But now more tists think may have taken place than ever, the caldera demands at- over that time — and even help us tention: An eruption would be dev- paint a clearer picture of the fu- astating to the 500,000 people liv- ture of climate change. ing in and around it. Building historic climate The site's last major eruption records helps scientists determine happened over the course of a week how different species and ecosys- in 1538, when it expelled enough tems are affected by climate change. new material to create the cinder The way different species are dis- cone mountain Monte Nuovo. tributed around countries can help But the caldera itself is some predict the effects too. 39,000 years old, formed by an "Before our fossil, people were eruption larger than anything else suggesting that it was warm, but in the past 200,000 years of Euro- you still would have had seasonal ice," said John Tarduno, the chair pean history. A 2010 study in the of the Department of Earth and journal Current Anthropology sug- Environmental Sciences at the gested that this prehistoric out- University of Rochester and the burst — which spewed almost a leading scientist on the expedition, Nokia sues trillion gallons of molten rock and in a statement. "We're suggesting Colder than average weather predicted released just as much sulfur into that's not even the case, and that Apple to escalate the atmosphere — set off a “vol- it's one of these hyper-warm in- canic winter” that led to the de- tervals because the bird's food mobile-patent mise of the Neanderthals, who died sources and the whole part of the for winter in South Dakota out shortly afterward. ecosystem could not have survived [A massive underwater volca- in ice." licensing battle BROOKINGS - According to the Nina fades, it makes for uncertain- tion of precipitation or snowfall Edwards explains that one nic eruption is captured in real By looking at fossil and sedi- latest climate outlook released Dec. ty because climate computer mod- for January. benefit to the colder than average time] ment records, the team determined Nokia Oyj sued Apple Inc. saying 15, by the National Oceanic At- els struggle with changes in atmo- "The climate outlook shows weather experienced in December, Today, the Campi Flegrei that Tingmiatornis arctica would the iPhone maker infringed several mospheric Administration spheric patterns, like where the jet equal chances of wetter, drier and is the soil has finally become fro- caldera is increasingly restless. For have lived in a volcanic environ- mobile patents, turning simmering (NOAA), climatologists predict stream will set up or cold air intru- near average precipitation in the zen and is now able to hold mois- half a century, scientists have mea- ment which would have been busy tension between the companies colder than average temperatures sions, that last less than a month month ahead," she said. "Looking ture levels steady. sured “bradyseism” events — with turtles, champsosaurs and into a bitter public legal battle on throughout the winter in South or two," Edwards explained. out to March, the western region "Hopefully the soil will retain slow movements of the ground — crocodile-like reptiles. This is very multiple fronts. Dakota. Edwards added that there are of South Dakota is slightly more this moisture for use in the spring that are indicative of molten rock different to the Arctic tempera- The Espoo, Finland-based "Consistent with winters that other climate patterns that can in- likely to have wetter conditions by crops, pastures and other slowly filling the mountain's mag- tures you find there now. company said Apple agreed to li- have had La Nina influences, cold- fluence our winter season. overall." plants," she said. ma chamber. Significant uplift in "The fossils tell us what that cense patented inventions in 2011 er than average temperatures are "This week's extreme cold con- A wetter than average season Feedlots and other livestock the past decade prompted Italian world could look like, a world with- but has refused to extend those favored in the northern Plains re- ditions are partly due to a shift in could be good news for western operations have had to prepare for authorities to raise the supervol- out ice at the arctic," said Richard agreements that are now expiring. gion through the rest of the winter the jet stream which brought in South Dakota agricultural produc- the exceptional cold weather that cano's alert level from green (qui- Bono, another member of the team Nokia filed complaints with the season," said Laura Edwards, Act- cold air from the Arctic and Cana- ers. is approaching. et) to yellow (scientific attention) who is a PhD candidate in earth German Regional Courts in Dus- ing State Climatologist & SDSU da," she said. Another thing that "This could benefit winter "Mud is no longer an issue for in 2012. and environmental sciences at the seldorf, Mannheim and Munich, Extension Climate Field Special- can influence climate in the north- wheat, which experienced a chal- feedlot operators. The colder “These areas can give rise to University of Rochester. and in federal court in Texas. ist, referencing the monthly and ern Plains is water temperatures lenging dry and warm fall season," weather may also be good news the only eruptions that can have Tingmiatornis arctica fossils “This is a big deal, especially seasonal temperature and precipi- in the northern oceans, which can Edwards said. "A wet early spring for road crews who were chal- global catastrophic effects compa- were found above lava fields, for the future of licensing revenues tation outlook issued by NOAA affect airflow pattern around the could potentially help some areas lenged a couple of weeks ago, as rable to major meteorite impacts,” which would have formed from a on standard-essential patents," Climate Prediction Center. North Pole. "These kinds of shifts that need a little moisture boost." warm ground temperatures made Giuseppe De Natale, head of a series of volcanic eruptions. When Bloomberg Intelligence litigation The January outlook suggests can affect our weather and climate She added that this outlook for icy conditions during snow- drilling project to monitor the these volcanoes pumped carbon analyst Matt Larson said, refer- colder temperatures for western on timescales of one-to-three could also help pasture and forage storms," Edwards said. caldera, told Reuters after that dioxide into the Earth's atmo- ring to patents that must be used South Dakota. "If we look at the weeks and are sometimes difficult negatively impacted by drought in Edwards reminds South Dako- change was made in 2012. sphere, it caused a greenhouse ef- to comply with technical industry next three months - January thru to forecast months in advance." 2016 recover. tans that being prepared for ex- Now, Chiodini and his col- fect, which allowed large birds like standards like Wi-Fi. “Apple has March - all of the state is predict- Fortunately, South Dakotans "The predicted precipitation treme weather is a top priority this leagues have identified the volca- Tingmiatornis arctica to thrive. regularly fought to keep royalty ed to experience colder than aver- were given plenty of warning be- could provide critical moisture for winter. no's “critical degassing pressure” The environmental clues are rates low, whereas Nokia is inter- age temperatures," Edwards said. cause climate computer models some early season grasses. The "As we experience the coldest — a vital data point in understand- the biggest indicators the team has ested in getting as much value from She added that there is less were able to capture December's drought conditions in the west winter in three years, remember, ing the likelihood of an eruption. to explain why the bird was found its intellectual property as possi- certainty in the Dec. 15, forecast change in temperature as the re- worsened this fall, and any early South Dakota has had a few mild As molten rock from the Earth's where it was. ble." than November's outlook because gion transitioned from very warm spring moisture would be welcome winters in recent years," she said. interior rises through the crust, it "It's there because everything The dispute is rooted in La Nina is expected to fade in the to very cold temperatures within to prevent further degradation next "Winter weather can be extreme, is subject to less pressure, and this is right," Tarduno said. "The food Nokia’s demise as the world’s larg- late winter and early spring. just a few weeks' time. year," Edwards said. but being prepared for cold and decline in pressure causes volatile supply was there, there was a est phone maker. Since selling its "We depend upon La Nina as Precipitation On the bright side snowy might be more important gases dissolved within it to be re- freshwater environment, and the handset business, the company has our most reliable climate pattern According to the outlook, Ed- Get news headlines sent daily this winter than the last few leased. At the critical degassing climate became so warm that all of focused on networking. It’s now in the winter season. When La wards said there is no clear indica- to your inbox years." the background ecological factors pressure point, this process accel- tapping its patent portfolio as a erates tenfold. Huge amounts of were established to make it a great source of income, rather than as a place." steam are injected into the sur- cross-licensing tool to protect its rounding rock. own products. International Space station could be If the magma loses too much Nokia’s intellectual property water, it may harden and cease its Spiking business added patents through its upward motion, stopping the Alcatel-Lucent acquisition, making eruption in its tracks. temperatures in the it a more significant profit contrib- visible from the sky of Wichita Alternatively, the injections of utor. In the third quarter, Nokia’s For those who are passionate about watching the night sky, are going to experience a new sighting in the sky. People of Wichita will see steam could destabilize the rock, Arctic Startle technology unit, which licenses its accelerate the deformation process, patents, generated about 40 per- International Space Station will flying by over the city. NASA confirms that the sky won't be too cloudy and viewers don't need any telescope or any other optical device to catch this event. and ultimately cause the volcano scientists cent of the company’s total adjust- to blow. Chiodini said scientists A spate of extreme warmth in the ed operating profit. On November 20, 1998 almost 18 years ago from today NASA's Habitable artificial satellite International Space Station(ISS) set up on a mission. The main purpose of this mission was to provide transportation & maintenance. It also acts as an observatory, laboratory & provides have seen an increase in ground de- Arctic over the past two months Shares of Nokia fell 4.8 per- formation and low-level seismic has startled scientists, who warn cent to 4.50 euros at 10:22 a.m. in hospitality to astronauts. The largest artificial body ever built in space, orbits Earth with an incredible speed of 7.67 km/s (27,600 km/h). It takes only 92.65 minutes, activity around the caldera in re- that the high temperatures may lead Helsinki, extending their decline cent years. This pattern compares to record-low ice coverage next this year to 32 percent. Apple ad- not more than a length of a football match, to complete one rotation around the Earth. summer and even more warming According to Mail Online report, the ISS will be visible from the UK on December 21 between 5:00 pm & 5:03 pm GMT(Greenwich Mean with activity seen around similar vanced 0.1 percent to $117.06 in volcanoes before their eruptions. in a region that is already among New York. “Unfortunately, Nokia Time) and from the US it will be seen around 4:40 pm ET while passing from northwest to southeast region. Those sightings will be last for a the hardest hit by climate change. This doesn't mean residents of has refused to license their patents minute but, the clearest visibility will be recorded from Wichita. According to NASA, it will remain about 6 minutes over the sky of Wichita. In mid-November, parts of the NASA said in their 'Spot the Station' page,"The space station looks like an airplane or a very bright star moving across the sky, except it Naples should be heading for cov- Arctic were more than 35 degrees on a fair basis and is now using the er. “In general, unfortunately, vol- tactics of a patent troll to attempt doesn't have flashing lights or change direction." Fahrenheit warmer than observed NASA has created a special app named,'Spot The Station' to give a proper update to users based on their location so that they don't miss the canology is not a precise science,” averages, scientists said, and at the to extort money from Apple by Chiodini wrote in an email. “We applying a royalty rate to Apple’s opportunity to watch ISS live. NASA also added that if someone was unable to catch live on 21st Dec, they don't have to disappoint. The Same pole itself, mean temperatures for sighting will be visible on 27th December but, it won't last more than a minute. have many uncertainties and long- the month were 23 degrees above own inventions they had nothing term previsions are at the moment normal. Although conditions later to do with,” Apple said in an e- not possible! For example, the pro- cooled somewhat, the extreme mailed statement. “We are stand- cess that we describe could evolve warmth is expected to return, with ing up for inventors everywhere temperatures forecast to be as in both directions: toward pre- by fighting this flagrant anticom- eruptive conditions or to the fin- much as 27 degrees above normal petitive practice.” beginning Thursday. Jeremy ish of the volcanic unrest.” What's Mathis, who directs the Arctic Nokia and its Alcatel-Lucent more, volcanoes operate on time Research Program for the Nation- USA unit filed two lawsuits scales far beyond the scope of most al Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad- Wednesday against Apple in fed- scientific records. Campi Flegrei ministration said the warmth had eral court in Marshall, Texas, claim- has had a major eruption only led to a later than usual “freeze- ing patent violations related to twice in the past 40,000 years, and up” of ice in the Arctic Ocean. That products including the iPhone, both happened long before the in- in turn may lead to record-low ice iPad, iPod, Apple Watch, Mac vention of the first writing sys- coverage in the spring and sum- computers and digital media play- tems, let alone seismometers. mer, which could lead to more ers such as Apple TV. There are written accounts of the warming because there will be less In the first complaint, Nokia ice to reflect the sun’s rays and 1538 eruption, but there are limits said Apple “steadfastly refused” to the scientific insight those de- more darker, exposed ocean to ab- to license its patents for video cod- sorb them. On Wednesday, re- scriptions they provide. “The large searchers released a study linking ing at established industry rates. tract of land which lay between the abnormally high Arctic temper- Apple continues to use those in- the foot of the mountain .?.?. and atures to human-caused climate ventions, which allow for higher the sea .?.?. was seen to rise and change. Using simulations of the quality transmission over cellular take the form of the newly pro- climate, both current and before networks with lower bandwidth duced mountain. And on the same widespread carbon emissions, they requirements, for its streaming ser- day, at the second hour of the night, found that the likelihood of extreme vices, according to the complaint. this mount of earth opened like a temperatures like those that oc- In that case, Nokia seeks damages mouth, with a great roaring, vom- curred this fall had increased to for the alleged infringement of eight iting much fire and pumice and about once every 50 years from patents by Apple. about once every 1,000 years. stones.” FRIDAY .DECEMBER 23, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES Has 'arrogance' divided the two bhais of

With scores of celebrity marriages going kaput, 2016 can aptly be de- Bollywood? scribed as the year of splits. From singers to actors and models, it seems just about everyone in Tinseltown got bitten by the divorce bug over the It seems like there’s a feud going year. The Express Tribune presents a list of celebrity couples that on between two of the most loved decided to call it quits in 2016, leaving us crestfallen. Singer Humaira superstars of Bollywood. If ru- Arshad and actor Ahmed Butt got married in 2004. Their knotty rela- mours are to be believed, Sanjay tionship had been making headlines for quite some time. The couple, Dutt and Salman Khan are not on who have a son together, parted ways in 2016. Brangelina were together good terms any more. for over a decade after infamously getting together following Mr. & Sanjay Dutt was asked to play Mrs. Smith in 2004. The couple got married in 2014. After two years of rapid fire on a show, and when being together, Angelina filed for divorce on September 20 2016. Ask asked to describe Salman in one Asad: Should I marry a stranger just because my parents want me to? word, the Munna Bahi M.B.B.S. Bollywood star Malaika Arora married Arbaaz Khan in 2000. Their actor replied, “Arrogant”, report- relationship hit rock bottom after 16 years of being together. The couple ed Times of India. has a 13-year-old son. Rockstar Nouman Javaid collaborated on several 10 awkward moments from songs with vocalist Fariha Pervez. The couple subsequently got married Salman, Arbaaz and Sohail’s Kof- in 2016 only to divorce months later. Drew and Will married in 2012. fee with Karan appearance The couple amicably called it quits in 2016 after being together for five The Chal Mere Bhai co-stars years. They have two children. Farhan Akhtar and Adhuna Bhabani have always shown affection to- dated each for three years before tying the knot in 2000. The couple wards each other . Earlier, Salman separated after being married for 16 years. They have two daughters, had even said he would throw a Akira and Shakya. Johnny and Amber got married in 2015 only to party once Sanjay was released divorce on May 23, 2016 amid allegations of domestic abuse. After the from jail. They have also made split, Amber donated her settlement proceeds to charity. guest appearances in each others movies. Khan did a cameo in San- jay’s Son of Sardar and Sanjay ap- peared in Partner and Ready. Sanjay Dutt’s next to feature child suicide bombers in Afghani- stan But according to the reports, the relationship between two ‘bhais’ has soured over time, as Salman did not even meet Sanjay once since he was free. The two actors have worked on numerous other movies togeth- er, namely Saajan, Dus, Yeh Hai Jalwa, and Chal Mere Bhai to name How Atiya Khan a few. left modeling to find peace at Lal Saif, Kareena's first family photo with Shahbaz Qalandar’s Taimur is the cutest thing you'll see today! shrine Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor – commonly referred to as ‘Saifee- na’ – welcomed their first child on December 20th. As expected, the couple made headlines since little Taimur Ali Khan Pataudi’s arrival. Unfortunately, the hype hasn’t all been positive. Saif and Another Kareena were already being criti- cised for their choice of name when feather in a picture of the new mother kiss- ing her baby on the head went vi- ral. However, the picture – accord- Priyanka's cap ing to Indian Express – was a fake and a statement from Kareena’s representative confirmed that. Now, Indian website Pinkvilla has released a new image of the Nawab Khandaan and this time, it’s all legit! The candid shot shows Saif leaning over his lady love and son, possibly in the act of giving a kiss. Actress Priyanka Chopra has been Twitter outrage over Saif, Ka- roped in as the global ambassador reena naming their son Taimur of hair care brand Pantene. She has While Taimur is Kareena’s first become the first Indian actress to child, Saif already has two children represent the brand globally. – daughter Sara and son Ibrahim – Priyanka - who is earning ap- from his first marriage to actor plause for her work international- Amrita Singh. ly courtesy her American show Nonetheless, ‘Saifeena’ was "Quantico", will be the face of the nice enough to release a joint state- brand's new campaign. She is ex- ment for the media soon after de- cited about the association. livery. “We are very pleased to "I'm excited to come on board Atiya Khan is one of those super- share with you all the wonderful as the new global ambassador for models who defined that pivotal news of the birth of our son Taimur Pantene. A favourite around the moment when fashion models be- Ali Khan Pataudi, on the 20th of world, I love that Pantene cele- came cultural icons in their own December, 2016,” the statement brates and advocates that being right. Throughout the 80s, she was read. “We would like to thank the strong is beautiful," Priyanka said seen virtually on the cover of ev- media for the understanding and in a statement. ery leading magazine and on the support they have given us over She added: "Inner Strength is runway of fashion weeks, work- the last nine months and of course, as important for hair as it is for ing with the pioneers of the Paki- especially our fans and well wish- life. Strong hair can handle any- stani fashion industry. ers for their continued affection. thing!" She left modelling when she Merry Christmas and a happy new Globally, the brand is en- was at her peak and gives the same year to you all…With love, Saif dorsed by stars like Selena Gomez, advice to today’s models. Thirteen and Kareena.” Ellie Goulding, and Gisele Bund- years ago, Atiya embarked on a chen. spiritual quest to find the true es- sence of Islam and was guided by a living Sufi saint, Sheikh Nizamul Haqqani, who showed her the path 6 things Farhan and Urwa should do, now that they’re finally married to the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qa- The Urwa Hocane and Farhan Rename the brand Mohib continues his journey downhill, despite co-starring with her in a number of projects. landar and there she found solace. Saeed’s wedding has been making How the media was welcomed On the same note, Atiya feels headlines for quite some time. Be at the wedding reception and how her life has been full of surprises. it the heartwarming proposal in the couple has been basking in the “My life is full of magical connec- Paris, the renewal of vows at Bad- success of their grand event, makes tions and flow, so I’m not sure if it shahi mosque, or the couple grac- it clear that they’ve made some- has anything to do with model- ing the red carpet at their wedding thing very private into a public ling,” she told The Express Tri- reception, the fairytale is finally affair. By doing so, they have now bune. over. marketed themselves as collective Having retired at the age of 21, Here are some pieces of ad- product, which might not prove Atiya never had to fight to stay on vice for the newly wed star cou- to be a very good decision in the top. “It was never a struggle to ple. long run. For now, however, they stay on top and that was never the Detach yourself: should just rename themselves motivation or intention. In my time Farhan should try and listen ‘Farwa’. It’s shorter and obvious- modelling was a hobby or a way to Urwa’s song with no sense of ly gives Brangelina and Saifeena for us to challenge the radicalisa- belonging associated and Urwa some tough competition. tion under General Zia’s regime so must tell him how difficult a task Learn to dance it was much more inspiring. We it is to act and convince directors Since one half of Farwa is de- felt we were warriors breaking ta- to cast him in a play. After all, hu- cent at singing and the other is boos and that’s it. Now, modelling mility and honesty is the first step marginally better at acting, it prob- is more of a business and a shady towards a lasting relationship. ably isn’t very difficult for the duo one.” Take the red pill to compensate for each other’s When asked what the most ex- Tell Mawra that she makes shortcomings. But one thing that citing part of modelling was back things awkward. Now that there’s is as true as the sun in the sky is in the day, Atiya responded, “It no hope for Bollywood or Ranbir that they both don’t know how to was an exciting group of dynamics in sight, she better kheench some- dance. Without further ado, they of young designers, photographers one else’s photo and put it under should hire a proper dance instruc- and models who used fashion to her pillow. A trio is never accept- tor, not only because dancing is make statements and challenge the able in a post-shaadi frame so bet- good for your health but also be- status quo.” ter not be the Kabab mae Haddi – cause the standard of Pakistan’s According to Atiya, it is ex- unless you’re promoting a film leading award shows is highly de- tremely important for young mod- with a complicated plot line. pendent on Farwa’s craftiness. els to know their worth and main- Warn us Faysal Qureshi defends Urwa tain strict values. “Stay strong. In case you guys are planning and Farhan against social media Keep your morals intact. Don’t to go on a honeymoon, please do trolls compromise your honour and let us know in advance. We would Don’t sign a film together don’t be cheap. And, keep your- check off those locations from this Learn from your married col- self fit with meditation, spirituali- year’s vacation list. Not that we leagues and don’t sign a film to- ty and prayers.” don’t like you (Obviously, we love gether. It only helps the more tal- Of all the supermodels of her you) but the Eiffel Tower is just ented and the more in-demand half time, Atiya has emerged at the top not the same anymore. Mawra of the relationship. While who is of the heap, certainly in terms of must’ve suggested you go to Cor- more talented or in demand here cultural importance. She designed sica but don’t listen to her. Woh remains a mystery but Amina and hijabs and started producing and nadaan hai… Mohib Mirza’s career trajectory directing TV commercials and doc- Urwa Hocane released a song should be an eye opener for you. umentaries. and we’re speechless Amina continues to prosper while FRIDAY .DECEMBER 23, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES

The expected UFC featherweight things,” Aldo commented. “First, unification bout between champi- I heard he twisted his ankle and on Jose Aldo and interim titleholder wouldn't have time to heal. Then I Max Holloway will not take place heard he had a trip booked to Dis- at UFC 208 as had been planned. ney World with his kids and he Why it's not happening is a bone wouldn't be able to reschedule. of contention between the two. Then I heard his gym is closed Aldo dropped the interim des- during the holidays and he ignation from his title when the wouldn't have enough time to train. UFC needed a UFC 206 headliner So he's basically going around, talk- and decided that Conor McGregor ing a lot of trash, saying a lot of would have to relinquish the 145- (expletive) and acting like a punk. pound belt. In doing so, the pro- He just talking (expletive).” motion elevated the UFC 206 co- While Aldo may have a skep- main event to top billing and de- tical take on the situation, Hollo- termined that the winner of the fight way, as might be expected, didn't between Holloway and Anthony take kindly to the champion ques- Pettis would become the next in- tioning his willingness to fight. terim featherweight champion with “I don’t know what the hell the expectation that the winner he’s talking about,” Holloway told would then fight Aldo. Fox Sports. “Telling me I knew Despite the fact that McGre- before the fight — I didn’t know gor still publicly disputes relin- (expletive) before the fight. When quishing the featherweight title, they told me in the cage after I won Holloway won the fight with Pet- that they wanted the fight Feb. 11, tis in Toronto, and was expected I thought it was 10 weeks away, to meet Aldo on Feb. 11 at UFC so I’d take two weeks off and then 208 in Brooklyn. have an eight-week camp to get “This fight (with me and Hol- ready for him. “Then after every- loway) was set (for UFC 208). We thing, my adrenaline was on high had told the UFC we wanted to and was going crazy, they got me fight on that date. For us, it was hyped and I said what I said and set. The UFC said, okay, and they then I figured out it was eight asked that we not discuss it any weeks, so I was like holy (exple- further before UFC 206,” Aldo tive) that’s fast, but I said that’s explained in an interview with okay, we can do this.” Despite his MMAFighting.com. “I was told willingness, however, Holloway the winner of the Max Holloway realized the day after the fight with and Anthony Pettis fight would be Pettis that he had taken a little more my opponent in Brooklyn, and my damage in the fight than he initial- understanding was that both Hol- ly thought. “The next morning, I loway and Pettis were told the woke my (expletive) ankle was same thing before their fight.” In swollen as an elephant’s leg. I told the fallout since the Holloway vs. the UFC ASAP what was up and I Pettis fight, it has become clear that don’t know why they didn’t an- the new interim champion won't nounce it, but I went to the doc- be ready to face Aldo in Brooklyn tors as soon as possible and I was as planned. Having been out of told I can’t do nothing for four to action since July and battling with six weeks,” Holloway explained. the UFC brass, Aldo is now ready “No contact, no nothing on my to get back in the Octagon and ankle. I can’t be kicking, I can’t be hasn't been satisfied with why doing anything. I found out I re- Holloway is unwilling to fight at injured an old injury in my ankle UFC 208. “After that fight, Hol- and I let them know I’m out four loway said a bunch of different to six weeks.” No one wanted to beat Kentucky Dillian Whyte could face former more than Quentin Snider world champion Bermane Stiverne Louisville guard Quentin Snider tucky, when it comes to sports, man duo of De’Aaron Fox and had Kentucky’s Bam Adebayo you pull for the Cards or the Cats. Malik Monk, and rightfully so. British heavyweight Dillian Whyte dancing at the top of the key. There’s no in-between. They have been nothing short of says he may be set for a show- With 1:40 left on the clock And the Sniders are Cardinals. sensational this season. Offensive- down with former world champi- Wednesday night and Louisville up So after last year’s game in ly, Fox had bright moments, lead- on Bermane Stiverne. four, Snider crossed right, back left, Rupp Arena, Snider took it hard. ing the Cats in scoring with 21 And Whyte says the winner hesitated and exploded by a col- During holiday break, he made the points. But defensively, Kentucky of the fight will put themselves in lapsed Adebayo for the signature short drive to his parents’ home left the door open. line to challenge Deontay Wilder moment in Louisville’s 73-70 win and didn’t leave his room for a day. Ball screens were especially an for the WBC heavyweight title. over its bitter rival. “He took that game on him- issue, as the Cats went under and The 28-year-old Whyte has “Really, I was just trying to self because he knew he didn’t play got caught on bad switches. only suffered one defeat in his pro dance on him,” an elated Snider said well,” Snider’s father, Scott, told “The pick-and-roll is my mon- career and that came at the hands after the game. “Trying to move FOX Sports. “They had a couple- ey game,” Snider said. “Coach said of fellow Brit Anthony Joshua, his feet. Once I saw him fall, I just day break and he stayed in his be aggressive on offense, so I tried who has gone on to become the went into attack mode.” room for 24 hours. I know he’s to be aggressive.” IBF heavyweight champion. That play and this game meant been waiting on this game the While Snider is the hometown Whyte has taken his record to a little more to the junior guard, whole year.” hero, he certainly had help. 20-1 since then and defeated one of four Louisville natives that “It’s different for him,” he add- Sophomore wing Deng Adel Dereck Chisora earlier this month hit the court, especially after fail- ed. “That’s why he felt so bad last picked a good time to have his com- by split decision after an epic en- ing to score in 28 minutes in last year when he didn’t score. That’s ing-out party, scoring 18 points counter on the undercard of season’s two-point loss to the why he worked so hard. He want- and grabbing six rebounds and Jay- Joshua's latest title defence. Wildcats. ed to do this in a big game like this len Johnson was effective in the The fight with Chisora was so “It was pretty big,” Snider because he’s from this city.” paint, scoring 14 points on 7-for- entertaining that a rematch between said. “Last year’s performance car- Snider’s teammates saw it too. 11 shooting. the duo has been suggested but ried through my mind the whole Mitchell said Snider’s concentra- The game itself had a March- Whyte tweeted on Wednesday season, so I was waiting for this tion reached new levels in prepa- like feel in the midst of what has night that he may be in position to game. It was a revenge game.” ration for the Wildcats. already been an outstanding col- challenge for a world title. “He didn’t really play well last “He was more vocal than I’ve lege basketball season. The loss "Just hearing I might be fight- year,” sophomore guard Donovan seen him,” Mitchell said. “He was likely won’t have long-term impli- ing @BSTIVERNE as a final elim- Mitchell said after the game. “He focused and locked in throughout cations for the Wildcats, as they inator for @BronzeBomber," kept talking to me about that. He the week. Being the local kid and already boast a pair of top 15 wins wrote Whyte. said, ‘I just need to get them back having a game like this, where you and will be the class of the SEC. The 38-year-old Stiverne is a this year.’ He did just that.” watch this your whole life, it means For Louisville it’s the type of Haitian-Canadian who held the Indeed he did. Snider got his so much. I’m real proud of him. I win that helps seeding come tour- WBC heavyweight title himself payback, scoring 22 points on 10- know how much this game meant nament time. It gives Pitino his first between May 2014 and January for-19 shooting and tossing out to him.” win over Kentucky since 2012. 2015, before losing a unanimous five assists, etching his name into (Andy Lyons/Getty Images) And it certainly gives the Cardi- decision to Wilder. the rivalry’s storied tradition. And It’s been a long time since a nals confidence heading into ACC outside of his coach, Rick Pitino, Louisville kid impacted this game. play, where they start with No. no one involved in the game un- Since 1995, in fact, when DeJuan 12 Virginia next Wednesday. James Wade, Mensur derstands the tradition more than Wheat, also a Ballard product, But the Cards will worry about Suljovic and Robert him. scored 23 points in a Louisville the Cavaliers next week, as their Jose Mourinho: Man Utd can See Snider grew up in Louis- win over a then-Rick-Pitino-led holiday break started late Wednes- Thornton win at World ville, played high school ball at Wildcats team. day night and it’ll be a more en- nearby Ballard and is the son of a Leading up to the matchup, the joyable one than last year for the Darts Championship lifelong Cardinals fan. And in Ken- talk centered on Kentucky’s fresh- Snider household. Three-time semi-finalist James do better than fourth place Wade, Mensur Suljovic and Rob- Jose Mourinho insists Manches- petition is so hard and the top were not good. ert Thornton all moved safely ter United can do better than teams have the same ambitions as "And that makes the concept through to the second round at the fourth place in the Premier we have. So I don't want to say even stronger, because when you PDC World Darts Championship League, but says he does not wish fourth or third or fifth." win matches the results convince on Wednesday. to set a definitive target this sea- Mourinho has endured a mixed you that what you are doing is Number six seed and multiple son. opening five months to his time at right, and when you are not win- major winner Wade was in effort- Mourinho's United are cur- Old Trafford, but looks to have ning you must have a deep feel- less mode on the oche as he romped rently in sixth place after three found the formula for success in ing to be convinced that you are past Belgium's Ronny Huybrechts straight wins, four points off the the last three games. going in the right direction. 3-0. top four as they enter the busy However, the 53-year-old says "Many results that we con- The former Premier League, Christmas period. his side never deviated too far from ceded were bad results, even with UK Open, Grand Slam and World They finished outside of the their principles when things that unbeaten run, we conceded Matchplay champion found him- Champions League places under weren't going according to plan draws at home, Burnley, Arse- self a break down in the first set, Louis van Gaal last term, and earlier in the season. nal, West Ham. But the bad re- but turned on the afterburners to Mourinho says he does not wish "Obviously we need to work sults didn't make us change our power through with a combination to make fourth a target, insisting and work, improve and improve, idea and our direction. So we are of some big scores and lethal fin- his side can achieve more than but footballing ideas, principles of fine. "I cannot say this season is ishing on the doubles. that despite the tough competi- play, the way we want to defend to build a team, this season is to 'The Rebel' Huybrechts was tion. and attack, is clear. play well, this season doesn't broken in the third leg of the next In an interview with Sky "It's something we believe, and matter if you finish fourth or sev- with Wade nailing a 'Shanghai' fin- Sports News HQ, he said: "For is something the players are very enth. Seventh is one thing and ish on his way to taking the set me to be happy, it's an accumu- happy with, and it's something we fourth is another thing, and we and he finished off the contest lation of factors. For me to be didn't change because the results still have objectives." with a sublime 141 out-shot and is happy is the way we end the sea- rewarded with a showdown against son playing, the evolution of the Steve Beaton. team, the empathy with the sup- "I've been practising well," porters, the results in many dif- Wade, who averaged 93.83, told ferent competitions we are play- Sky Sports Darts. "My chances ing. here are nothing to do with my re- "So let's see where we finish, sults in other tournaments. What I don't want to say fourth, be- I've being doing in practice is a lit- cause I think we can do better tle bit special and it stands me in a than fourth good place for the rest of the tour- "But we have the risk of not nament. I can enjoy my Christmas finishing fourth because the com- dinner now." FRIDAY . DECEMBER 23. 2016 -Jadi 03, 1395 H.S Vol:X Issue No:143 Price: Afs.15

UNSC set to vote on halting Israel settlements The United Nations Security won the US presidential election. Council will vote on Thursday on In a post on Twitter, Netan- an Egyptian-drafted resolution yahu said the United States demanding that Israel immediate- “should veto the anti-Israel reso- ly halt its settlement activities in lution at the UN Security Council the Palestinian territories and east on Thursday.” The tweet gave no Jerusalem. A similar resolution was indication whether Israel had been ISIS militants in Mosul are delib- vetoed by the United States in informed of how Washington erately targeting civilians who 2011, and it remained uncertain if planned to vote. refuse to join them as they retreat the measure would be adopted this A resolution needs nine votes ahead of advancing Iraqi forces in- time. in favor and no vetoes by the Unit- volved in a large-scale government Egypt circulated the draft late ed States, France, Russia, Britain operation to retake the militant- Wednesday and a vote was sched- or China to be adopted. UN diplo- held city, an international watch- uled for 3 pm (2000 GMT) on mats see the resolution as a final dog said on Wednesday. Thursday. The United Nations chance for council action on the The statement from Human maintains that settlements are ille- Middle East before Republican Rights Watch also said that Mosul gal and has repeatedly called on President-elect Donald Trump civilians were increasingly being Israel to halt them, but UN offi- succeeds Democrat Obama on Jan. caught in the crossfire, with at least cials have reported a surge in con- 20. 19 killed and dozens wounded in struction over the past months. Trump has signaled he would the period from the third week of The draft resolution demand- support Israel in a number of crit- November into the first week of December. The New York-based group said the fatalities incurred from ISIS mortar or sniper fire, car bombs, roadside bombings and direct at- tacks, as well as in airstrikes by the Iraqi forces and the U.S.-led coalition. The findings were based on interviews with more than 50 residents who had fled eastern Mosul, HRW said. It cited instances of ISIS mili- tants telling residents that those who stay behind are “unbelievers” and therefore valid targets beside the Iraqi and coalition forces. HRW warned that targeting civil- ed that “Israel immediately and ical areas and not pressure it to ians or using them as human shields completely cease all settlement engage in talks with the Palestin- is a war crime, and appealed on activities in the occupied Palestin- ians. both sides to spare civilians. ian territory, including East Jerus- “Civilians are being hit from alem.” Israeli settlements are seen all sides in Mosul,” said Lama Fak- as major stumbling block to peace South Korea ih, deputy Middle East director at efforts as they are built on land HRW, adding that ISIS group’s the Palestinians see as part of their Constitutional Court “atrocities do not absolve Iraqi future state. forces and the international coali- The draft states that Israeli begins impeachment tion from doing their utmost to Probe launched settlements are “dangerously im- hearings for protect civilians.” periling the viability of the two- into why Turkish US-backed war crimes panel state solution” that would see an The Iraqi military launched a president independent state of Palestine co- massive operation in October to assassin wasn’t South Korea’s Constitutional retake Mosul, the country’s sec- exist alongside Israel. It stresses that halting settlements was “es- Court has commenced delibera- ond largest city and the extremist taken alive flagrant interference: Syria tions on a legislative impeachment group’s last major urban bastion sential for salvaging the two-state vote against the country’s embat- An investigation has been launched Syria has denounced the formation a political solution to the six-year- trary to the campaign against ter- solution, and calls for affirmative in Iraq. The troops’ advances into why Turkish police did not of a UN panel to gather evidence old conflict. rorism, and only increases finan- tled President Park Geun-hye over slowed once they pushed into steps to be taken immediately to a major corruption scandal. capture the Russian ambassador to on war crimes in the war-ravaged The General Assembly adopt- cial support for Takfiri militants reverse the negative trends on the more densely populated areas. Turkey’s assassin alive. The court’s first preparatory Arab state, terming the measure as ed the resolution drafted by Lich- wreaking havoc inside Syria. ground.” hearing on the high-profile case ISIS captured Mosul in the The Russian ambassador, An- a flagrant interference in his coun- tenstein and co-sponsored by such According to the resolution, summer of 2014 as part of a blitz Also read: Nations united in convened on Thursday. drei Karlov, was killed during the the panel will “assist in the inves- condemning Israeli settlements The first female president of that placed nearly a third of Iraq opening of a photo exhibition at a tigation and prosecution of those under their control. Since last year, the East Asian country has been gallery in the Turkish capital An- responsible for the most serious The measure calls for “imme- accused of involvement in an in- ISIS has lost swath areas in west- kara on Monday. The assassin, off- crimes” in Syria. fluence-peddling case, in which she ern and northern Iraq. diate steps” to prevent acts of vi- duty policeman Mevlut Mert Russia, China and Iran were olence against civilians, but does allegedly colluded with a long-time Altintas was shot dead at the scene among the countries that opposed not specifically single out the Pal- confidante Choi Soon-sil to pres- Gulf markets set to by police. the measure, coming the in wake estinians to stop incitement, as de- sure major corporations to contrib- Following the incident both of the Syrian government's libera- manded by Israel. UN diplomats ute money to non-profit founda- consolidate before Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan tion of Aleppo. have for weeks speculated as to tions that supported presidential and his Russian counterpart whether the administration of US initiatives. On Wednesday, France and Park did not appear in the Saudi budget 2017 Vladimir Putin said that assassi- Britain were reported to be push- President Barack Obama would nation was an act of provocation Thursday hearing, during which the ing the UN Security Council to ban decide to refrain from using its veto judges also decided to admit for Gulf stock markets look set to con- by those seeking to ruin relations to block a draft resolution con- between both countries. the sale of helicopters to Syria and consideration documents prepared solidate in quiet trade on Thurs- to impose the first sanctions over demning Israel. by prosecutors — an early setback Turkey’s Anadolu Agency Obama’s administration has day ahead of the announcement of said on Wednesday that prosecu- the use of chemical weapons in the for Park’s defense team, which had Saudi Arabia’s 2017 state budget war. expressed mounting anger over Is- tried to block them. tors had launched an investigation raeli settlement policy and specu- in the afternoon. An official news A draft resolution reportedly Park, whose father ruled South into why Turkish special forces, try’s domestic affairs. countries as the US, France, Brit- lation has grown that he could Korea for 18 years after seizing conference on the budget is expect- who stormed the exhibition after Syria's Ambassador to the UN ain, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qa- calls for asset freezes and travel bans against four Syrian officials launch a final initiative before leav- power in a 1961 coup, has denied ed to start at 1400 Saudi time (1100 Karlov’s killing, gunned down Bashar al-Ja’afari told the UN tar, which are known for aiding ing. Israel last month revived plans misconduct in the case but never- GMT), although official state- Altintas, instead of capturing him General Assembly that the pro- militants in their bid to topple the and 10 entities including a Syrian theless apologized for being care- research allegedly center tied to to build 500 new homes for Jew- alive. posed panel would scupper all Syrian government. ish settlers in Israeli-annexed east less in her ties with Choi, who is ments could begin coming out be- chemical weapons development. fore then. available chances to come up with Ja'afari said the plan runs con- Jerusalem, after Donald Trump facing her own trial. Sources familiar with budget planning told Reuters the govern- ment would reveal substantial progress in cutting the budget def- 14 Turkish soldiers killed in battle for ISIS-held town icit from a record high in 2015, and Fourteen Turkish soldiers were become the main target of the ar- tants and President Bashar al-As- that had been used by ISIS for the ists could not be verified indepen- an earlier news conference before that state spending would be raised killed and 33 wounded in clashes my’s campaign inside Syria, in sup- sad, that started on August 24. last two years. It said that 138 ISIS dently. President Recep Tayyip the toll was announced, but ex- in 2017 to support economic with ISIS militants in Syria on port of the pro-Ankara Syrian The army said the clashes jihadists were killed in the fight- Erdogan acknowledged there had pressed confidence that Al-Bab growth. Wednesday in the military’s high- rebels opposed both to the mili- erupted around a weapons depot ing. The army’s toll for the extrem- been “martyrs” in the fighting, at would be taken from ISIS. “Al Bab This would be positive for the est single day toll of its four-month has been completely besieged by stock market, but many investors campaign inside the country. the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and The fighting came as Turkey our soldiers,” he said. He ex- may wait to buy stocks until they and allied pro-Ankara Syria rebels pressed hope that the town “would see details of austerity policies in faced increasing resistance from fall entirely sooner or later”. ISIS the budget. the extremists in a battle to take a claimed to have killed or injured at Domestic energy prices are key town ISIS-held town of Al- least 70 Turkish soldiers in three expected to be increased to ease Bab, 25 kilometers from the Turk- suicide bombings carried out by its the government’s subsidy burden, ish border. fighters and in fighting on the but it is not clear whether this will The toll, the heaviest single ground. France and Britain are day loss for the Turkish army in pushing the UN Security Council merely affect domestic fuel prices its Syria operation that started in to ban the sale of helicopters to or also prices of natural gas feed- August, came in fighting with mil- Syria and to impose the first sanc- stock, which would be negative for itants that included three suicide tions over the use of chemical weap- petrochemical producers. car bomb attacks, the army said in ons in the five-year war. A draft Low trading volumes in most a statement quoted by Turkish resolution obtained by AFP on Gulf markets in recent days sug- media. Wednesday calls for asset freezes gest some investors are already on Four soldiers were killed in and travel bans against four Syrian the sidelines for the New Year hol- attacks earlier in the day, the army officials and 10 entities including a had previously announced. The Syrian research center tied to chem- iday period. other 10 were killed later Wednes- ical weapons development. Dip- The global market environment day. Six of the 33 wounded were lomats however said the measure is neutral to slightly negative, with said to be in a serious condition. is certain to be vetoed by Russia, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia- The fierce fighting erupted as Syria's ally, which has blocked Pacific shares outside Japan down Turkish officials said the army was council action on Syria with six 0.5 percent and oil prices having entering into a key phase in the vetoes so far. A vote at the council slipped moderately overnight. fight for Al-Bab. The town has is expected as early as next week.