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www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes THURSDAY . MAY 11. 2017 -Sawar 21, 1396 HS

naming two specific ministries would be an unfair attempt.” Nad- er Khan Katawazi, an MP from PaktiKa province, said corruption is a reality and naming only two ministries as the most corrupt did not mean that ethnic flames were being stoked. Rehana Azad, a pub- lic representative from Uruzgan province, urged parliamentarians to strengthen shoulders of the gov- ernment in the ongoing fight against corruption. She demand- ed, any individual, involved in corruption must be punished as per laws of the country. Nasima Niazi, another member of the house from Helmand, endorsing the President Ashraf Ghani’s re- marks regarding corruption, warned the corruption issue in the mentioned ministries could not be dressed as an ethnic twist. The president, she said, spoken the truth, as a poor man’s son would never be appointed as a diplomat due to corruption in the foreign ministry. Mohammad Nazir Ah- madzai, deputy speaker of the AT Monitoring Desk ongoing graft in the country. The basis. Fawzia Kofi, a lawmaker lower house, said the fight against president also acknowledged cor- from Badakhshan province said: corruption was a general demand ruption in the ministries of interi- “No leader could damage harmo- of common Afghans, adding that ome members of the Wolesi or and foreign affairs as well as nious relations among different the ongoing fight against corrup- Jirga voiced Wednesday some other institutions. Ghani ethnic groups through inflamma- tion should not be made ethnic Sagainst President Ashraf blamed some government depart- tory statements. Different small issue. He emphasized on the need Ghani’s recent remarks on corrup- ments for creating hurdles for the ethnic groups live in the country, of national unity and asked the tion in the country. President anti-corruption efforts of the gov- where corruption exists in every president to take practical and re- Ghani had told the European ernment, saying that the interior institution.” She believes that fu- sult-oriented steps against cor- Union’s anti-corruption confer- ministry remains the “heart of eling ethnic tensions leads to pleas- ruption because the government ence in Kabul that many advanta- was duty-bound to set things for the country. In a meeting with Wednesday. The elders of the two corruption”. He furthered that ap- ing the enemies of the country. AT News Report geous measures had been taken pointments in the foreign minis- “Corruption has affected every in- right, not to make a needless wor- the elders and youth from the northeastern provinces appreciat- over the years to overcome the try had been conducted on ethnic stitution of the government while ry. provinces of Kunduz and Takhar ed the former president for his KABUL: Former President, Ha- in Kabul, Karzai asked the elders efforts in strengthening the nation- mid Karzai stressed on the educa- not to spare any efforts in the al unity and declared readiness to tion especially for the youth, say- education of the girls and boys, help in bringing nationwide peace ing it is “necessary and important” his office’s statement said and stability. Taliban shadow districtchief killed

AT Monitoring Desk pute through talks, then the Af- ready to talk to resolve this.” He relations between the two coun- ghan government would valve and also brought it into the notice of tries. “The Afghan side has con- in Nangarhar KABUL: Afghan ambassador and prefer any initiative that leads to Sartaj Aziz that the Pakistani forc- tinuously conveyed its genuine President’s special envoy to Is- settlement of the issue through es had not only crossed into Af- desire for resolving our issues AT News Report Byar area,” said a press statement lamabad Dr. Omer Zakhilwal has peaceful talks. ghanistan in Chaman, but also in through constructive talks, en- issued by Nangarhar provincial challenged the impression that He claimed the Pakistani forces many other places including An- gagement and with desire for im- press office. Statement said that Afghan security forces provoked crossed the Durand Line and en- goor Ada, Ghulam Khan, Khwaja proved neighborly relation.” On KABUL: The Taliban’s shadow one of the colleague of the district the recent deadly clash between tered Afghan villages in Spin Bold- Kheder Mountains and many oth- Wednesday, Sartaj Aziz was quot- district chief for Khogyani district chief also wounded. Chief district Afghan and Pakistani forces at the ak for carrying out a survey. “This er spots. ed as saying by the state-run news was killed in eastern Nangarhar was engaged in clashes with the Spin Boldak border area. was not only a violation of Af- Moreover, Zakhilwal, sug- agency, APP, that strengthening province. “Taliban shadow dis- local people in the area, while Af- Zakhilwal hold talks with ad- ghan sovereignty and territorial gested on Twitter that the recent border management with Afghan- trict chief Wafiullah for Khogyani ghan army reached for the sup- visor to Pakistan prime minister integrity, but also a clear provo- London agreement provides affec- istan and Iran remains a top pri- district was killed by Afghan forc- port of local people and killed the on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz on cation as we had informed Paki- tive and precise mechanism ority to avoid terror incidents and es during an operation in Koz district chief, noted the statement. Tuesday, where he came over the stan security leadership prior to through which such issues could cross-border infiltration of terror- WASHINGTON: President wrong perception, developed in the incident that carrying out a be addressed and resolved before ists. Replying to a question, Sar- Donald Trump’s winning strategy Pakistan and said if Pakistan is survey in our villages would be they lead to any unfortunate inci- taj Aziz said: “Neither Afghani- in Afghanistan means reducing the willing to resolve the border dis- challenged, but that we were dents or further deterioration of stan nor Iran is our enemy”. threats posed by Taliban and the Roadside bomb Islamic State, the White House said. However, the White House Slain press secretary made clear that there was no deadline for the strat- Daesh leader killed seven in Herat egy, nor did it give any indication on the number of troops the presi- once taught AT Monitoring Desk “Seven civilians, including two dent wanted to send to Afghani- women and three children were stan. “Just because you spend English in Logar killed in the roadside bomb.” more, throw more people, doesn't KABUL: Seven civilians, includ- Moreover, the governor’s spokes- mean you're doing it in the most PUL-I-ALAM: Daesh or ISIS lead- ing children and women have been man, Jailani Farhad confirmed the effective way,” Sean Spicer told re- er in Afghanistan, Sheikh Abdul killed after their vehicle hit with a incident but, he had no informa- porters at his daily news confer- Hasib, who was killed in a joint roadside bomb in western Herat tion regarding casualties of the ence. He said the president had Afghan-US military raid in east- province, provincial official said blast. He added, an operation has asked his national security team ern Nangarhar province on April on Wednesday been underway in Adarskan dis- to rethink the strategy. What are 27, was a former high school En- KABUL: Wolesi Jirga members on the time did not come to the min- corruption hub of and most of pro- Wednesday renewed their call on istries. The MP said some minis- vincial departments were run by Provincial Police Spokesman, trict against insurgents where we doing to achieve the goals that glish and mathematics teacher in Abdulahad Walizada, told Pajh- Mullah Hamid, a district chief of you are asking about? How do we central Logar province. the government to end the culture ters had been on their post for more acting heads. of acting officials who they than seven months while the Con- Wolesi Jirga’s deputy speaker wok Afghan News that the shock- the Taliban insurgents was killed actually win? How do we elimi- Abdul Hasib, whose real name ing incident was occurred in Adar- by security forces. The Taliban nate the threat?” The team was was Hayat, was killed along with claimed were main cause of prob- stitution did not allow running an Mohammad Nazir Ahmadzai lems. Currently as many as 13 office by acting head beyond two asked the government to end the skan district of Herat province insurgents have not commented looking at the mission and the strat- several other key members of the early on Wednesday morning. into the matter so far. egy holistically, not just in Af- group’s Khorasan branch in a joint ministries are being headed by act- months. culture of acting officials. He said ing ministers despite repeated re- Lawmaker Nawab Mangal from acting officials paid little attention ghanistan, but beyond that coun- Afghan-American forces raid in try, the official added.. Spicer said Nangarhar last month near the site quests from lawmakers to intro- Paktika province said the presi- to people’s problems and thus the duce ministers-designate for a vote gap between the government and Afghanistan fails to use oppor- Trump’s winning strategy in Af- where the US dropped its heavi- dent had held in abeyance the re- ghanistan meant reducing the threat est non-nuclear bomb. of confidence to replace the acting sults of a competitive exam for the people was widening with each from the ISIS and the Taliban. “I The Daesh leader was killed heads. Makhdom Abdullah Mo- post of provincial rural rehabilita- passing day. tunities of TIR system: ACCI mean, minimizing, eliminating, but, along with his wife and brother and hammadi, a lower house member tion and development directors in The Wolesi Jirga last year vot- obviously, in a best-case scenario, his mother was wounded in the from Samangan province, criticized provinces. He said the examination ed out some ministers while the fghanistan Ministry of Deputy minister of transport, we want...to eliminate the threats incident. the government for being lazy in had been taken 18 months ago and defence minister and the army Commerce and Industry Sayeed Wali Sultan said, “we that are against our national secu- Habibullah, a resident of Azra introducing ministers-designate. the results remained pending at the chief resigned after a deadly attack (ACCI) says Afghani formed a committee and are trying rity, citizens, and allies. “So, we district, said Sheikh Abdul Hasib He said the behavior of acting offi- Presidential Palace. He said the on a military base in Balkh prov- stan fails to use the op- to jointly solve the problems.” need to fully eliminate any threat taught besides English algebra and cials was biased and they most of Presidential Palace had become a ince. (Pajhwok) portunities of Transit International Transportation analyst, around the globe frankly, not just triangles in the main school of the Road (TIR) system despite hav- Ghawsuddin said, “If the govern- in Afghanistan, that poses a threat district. “He would nicely behave ing its membership. ment wants to implement princi- to our people and our allies,” Spicer with pupils and would try to help Deputy of ACCI, Younis ples of TIR system, it should solve said. Meanwhile, the Afghan am- every student learn the lessons.” Kandahar: 17 rebels eliminated in blast, clash Mahmand said, “the government the highways and customs prob- bassador said the number of troops He said the ISIS leader had did nothing to use the opportuni- lems.” should be determined by a win- been a preacher (Tablighi) 2005 and KANDAHAR CITY: At least 17 gents and wounding eight others. A blast in Misrabad area of Arghandab ties of TIR system. Professional Afghanistan play very impor- ning strategy. We would welcome 2009 and would visit various prov- Taliban insurgents have been killed Taliban commander named ‘Zawa- district, said the police spokesman, drivers should have been trained tant rule in the TIR system be- any decision by the United States inces. “Abdul Hasib was Salafi by and scores of others wounded in hari’ was among the dead. Sep- who blamed the Taliban for planting and learned an international lan- cause of its geographic location to support Afghan forces in the orientation,” one of the slain Daeh separate incidents of violence in arately, insurgents waged coordinat- the landmine. In Kandahar City, spe- guage.” which connects south Asia with ongoing battle against terrorism, leader’s cousins told Pajhwok Af- southern Kandahar province, offi- ed attacks on police posts in Ghorak cial security forces detained two sus- ACCI officials asked the Min- north Asia. which threatens us all.” Hamdullah ghan News. cials said on Wednesday. Kanda- district, sparking a heavy clash be- pects based on intelligence informa- istry of Transport to inform trans- Afghanistan connects with 57 Mohib said Afghanistan had not Abdul Wali Wakil, a cousin of har police spokesman, Zia Durra- tween the sides. Durrani said eight tion in the seventh and 12th police portation companies about the countries by road through joining invited the terrorist groups. “Our Hasib and a member of the Logar ni, told Pajhwok Afghan News a insurgents were killed and another districts. The detainees were accused TIR system. TRI (Transit international road country is but the stage on which provincial council, said Hasib, his group of rebels was busy making six injured when the police returned of having hand in terrorist activities. The Ministry of Transport system). Through this system Af- nearly two dozen of them have wife and a brother Abdul Hakim landmines in Band-i-Timor area of fire. Security personnel escaped un- The incidents come amid an up- says the biggest obstacle against ghan cargos can transport to 57 gathered to destroy a peaceful were killed and his mother was Maiwand district when the explo- harmed in the firefight. Meanwhile, tick in targeted killings these days in TIR system is the insecurity prob- Asia and European countries with- world order. They cannot be al- wounded in the raid.(Pajhwok) sives went off, killing nine insur- a civilian was wounded in a landmine Kandahar province. (Pajhwok) lem and lack of standard highways. out any problem. (Ariana News) lowed to win." (Pajhwok) THURSDAY . MAY 11, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

the Ktah Khas, had more than 1,200 personnel, including mem- bers of the Afghan National Police and the National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan’s main intel- ligence service. These individuals “give it unique law enforcement and intelligence capabilities,” a Pentagon review of activities dur- ing that year noted. US ARMY A member of the Ktah Khas battalion, with "APU" written on their chest rig, searches a house in 2012. On top of that, the unit had previously added a group of elite air it. By 2012, though, none of female troops, first known as the the Afghan female celebrities were Family Support Platoon (FSP) and forced to wear a head scarf.” then renamed the Female Tactical On International Women’s Platoon (FTP). “A concept based Day in 2010, she was invited to on the successes of the U.S. CST perform her Farsi hit “Dokhtare [Cultural Support Team] program, Afghan” (“Afghan Girl”) at the FSPs were developed to accom- White House in front of Barack pany Ktah Khas Afghan Strike and Michelle Obama. And, as Forces on missions and, working "Mightier Than the Sword" in conjunction with their CST shows, even after death threats counterparts, safeguard and inter- forced her to return to Vancouver act with the women and children in 2012, Mozhdah’s activism con- encountered during the conduct of tinued with the haunting 2015 bal- It’s no secret that American spe- American troops, said after his Partner Unit,” or APU. This ge- special operations,” another U.S. lad “Tribute to Farkhunda,” which cial operations forces have been command announced Hasib’s neric terminology allowed them to report explained. commemorates a 27-year-old actively hunting members of Islam- death. “This is the second ISIS-K talk about the unit without neces- As of 2015, the battalion re- woman who was murdered by a ic State’s franchise in Afghanistan, emir we have killed in nine months, sarily giving away details of its portedly consisted of three strike Kabul mob after being falsely ac- known as ISIS-Khorasan or ISIS- along with dozens of their leaders existence or the secretive Ameri- companies, a military intelligence cused of burning a Koran. K. But official details about a raid and hundreds of their fighters.” can elements it was supporting. company, a training company, the “I remember I was crying for a in 2017 show that the Afghanistan An American air strike killed For instance, in 2010, the NATO- FTP, and various logistics and other week,” says Mozhdah. “I couldn’t government’s most elite unit, the the previous ISIS-K emir, Hafiz led International Security Assis- support elements. In December At first glance, the music video for was obsessed with telling this sto- believe that something so evil could shadowy Ktah Khas battalion, has Saeed Khan, in July 2016. In late tance Force (ISAF) released a 2015, U.S. Central Command also "Boro" seems unlikely to inspire ry about the media and how it was happen right here on earth in 2015. been fighting alongside U.S. troops 2014, Khan and his fighters split statement about an “Afghan-inter- denied in full the author’s Freedom much outrage. The song is light, changing gender perceptions and What she must have gone through, during the campaign. from the Pakistani Tehrik-e Tali- national security force,” which in- of Information Act request for U.S. English-language pop with shades gender equality.” I kept feeling it every second.” On the night of April 26, 2017, ban and swore allegiance to ISIS cluded an “Afghan partner unit” Forces Afghanistan records relat- of Shakira and Madonna per- The film spotlights Mozhdah While it would be easy for helicopters inserted a combined founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. that had killed and wounded a num- ing to the unit’s mission and struc- formed by a young woman clad in among a cast of Kabul-based char- Mozhdah to hide out at home in force of American special opera- The group was also the target of ber of insurgents while pursuing a ture. summer clothes dancing with a acters that includes activist film- Vancouver with her cats, Lucky tors, including U.S. Army Rang- an aerial attack on April 13, 2017, Taliban sub-commander in Nimroz By then, though largely un- shirtless Justin Trudeau look-alike maker Sahar Fetrat and TV report- and Simba, she says she’s resolved ers, and Afghan commandos into in which a U.S. Air Force MC-130 Province. This was likely the work known, the Ktah Khas had estab- at Vancouver’s Spanish Banks. er Shakila Ibrahimkhail. “What I to keep agitating for change through the Mohmand Valley in Afghani- special operations transport of American special operators and lished itself as a capable partner in By North American standards, admire most about her is how re- her art, which draws from an array stan’s Nangarhar Province. A fire- dropped a GBU-43/B Massive the Ktah Khas. Afghanistan for America’s most it’s an innocuous scene, but such lentless she is about her belief in of influences ranging from Afghan fight ensued that lasted into the Ordnance Air Burst (MOAB) US ARMY elite special operations forces. imagery is still considered revolu- women’s rights,” says Staley. legend Ahmad Zahir to Jann Arden. early hours of April 27, 2017. bomb for the first time in combat. Afghan commandos board an “Many of the most dangerous in- tionary in Afghanistan, where the “She’s a beautiful singer, but she’s These days, Mozhdah occupies a "U.S. Special Operations forc- That spectacular mission appeared Mi-17 helicopter. surgents currently held in Afghan Vancouver-based singer, Mozhdah also kind and genuine. She’s a flag- strange space between superstar- es killed several senior ISIS-K lead- to be in retaliation for the death In 2011, more details about the prisons were captured or detained Jamalzadah, has blazed a trail for bearer for women in Afghanistan.” dom in Afghanistan and regular ers along with about 35 ISIS oper- another Ranger during operations force had begun to leak out.” Little by the KKA,” the Pentagon’s 2013 freedom of expression and gender That reputation was forged personhood in Vancouver. During atives, which should significantly in Nangarhar earlier in the month. has been publicly revealed about report declared. In December equality. when Mozhdah, who studied our interview, that gap is bridged degrade ISIS-K operations and In addition, Nicholson took this unit, but in Senate testimony 2015, unspecified Afghan forces, Born in Kabul but raised in broadcast journalism at BCIT and when the Afghan proprietor of a help to destroy the ISIS-K affili- time to praise the Afghan troops former JSOC commander [U.S. possibly the Ktah Khas, had freed Vancouver, 31-year-old Mozh- philosophy at UBC, went back to nearby coffee shop spots her, ate that's there," U.S. Navy Cap- who participated in the operation. Navy] Admiral William McRaven 60 prisoners from the Taliban in dah—a first-name-only household Afghanistan eight years ago and brings over complimentary past- tain Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokes- And in a rare acknowledgement, described it as an Afghan special the Now Zad District of Afghani- figure in Afghanistan—has taken found fame hosting a groundbreak- ries, and says he’d love to have man, told reporters on April 28, the press release named the unit operations unit ‘…that went on stan’s Helmand Province, accord- big risks to advance rights of wom- ing, Oprah-esque talk show on her sing at a family wedding. 2017. The night raid specifically involved as the secretive and ob- target with the JSOC forces for- ing to Vice News. The next month, en in her homeland, which remains 1TV, a Kabul-based channel. The By keeping a presence on the targeted the group’s self-described scure Ktah Khas. Referred to var- ward to ensure that we had an Af- the battalion rescued nearly 60 conservative and patriarchal de- show became a vehicle for chal- world stage—she still tours inter- emir, Abdul Hasib. iously as the Afghan Special Secu- ghan that was, if you will, going more individuals in Helmand’s spite the 2001 fall of the Taliban. lenging the repressive gender nationally and makes multilingual On May 7, 2017, top Ameri- rity Forces, the Afghan Special through the door first, that was Nahr-e-Saraj District. And it’s her journey to stardom norms while bringing to light con- recordings for her new record la- can command in Afghanistan an- Unit, the Kteh Khas, the 1st Ktah making first contact with the lo- USN Afghan Commandos while dealing with death threats, troversial topics like child abuse, bel, Ethnobeast—Mozhdah is a nounced Hasib had died in the raid. Khas, the Ktah Khas Unit, or sim- cals, in order to make sure that we practice air assault operations. Un- travelling in armoured vehicles, and domestic violence, and self-immo- critical figure challenging what Sta- Two Rangers from the 3rd Battal- ply by the abbreviation KKA, the kind of protected the culturally fortunately, in spite of these suc- narrowly avoiding a suicide bomb- lation among Afghan brides. Circa ley calls the “trope of guns and ion, 75th Ranger Regiment also unit is the Afghanistan’s analogue sensitive issues or items that were cesses, the force suffered from ing, that makes her a compelling 2010 and 2011, The Mozhdah burkas” that defines Afghanistan died during the battle, possibly as to the U.S. Joint Special Opera- on target,’” the November 2011 many of the problems that contin- central figure in the new documen- Show dramatically expanded her for many Westerners. “You can- a result of friendly fire. U.S. offi- tions Command (JSOC). The name edition of West Point’s CTC Sen- ued to plague the bulk of Afghani- tary "Mightier than the Sword." platform and advocated for wom- not ignore the media or denounce cials subsequently said they had is a phrase in the Dari language that tinel magazine explained. stan’s military and police. The The powerful debut by Van- en’s rights at a time when a Thom- it,” the filmmaker says. launched a formal investigation into literally translates to something On March 21, 2012, more in- Ktah Khas “are highly effective, couver filmmaker Roberta Staley son Reuters Foundation survey “It is crucial to the growth, the circumstances surrounding along the lines of “to touch suc- formation emerged when U.S. Cen- but also highly dependent on U.S. examines the impact of female ranked Afghanistan—home to nurturing and continuance of de- their deaths. cess,” but is often treated as sim- tral Command released redacted counterterrorism forces (e.g., for media personalities in Afghani- some 15 million women—the mocracy both in Afghanistan and USAF ply meaning “special force” or copies of the documents associat- intelligence, targeting, and air trans- stan’s fight for gender equality. world’s most dangerous country here in the West.” A member of the Ktah Khas “special unit.” Sometime in 2009, ed with the investigation into the portation),” according to an inde- Staley, an award-winning editor and for females. And even though Mozhdah’s during a training exercise. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense shootdown of a CH-47D Chinook pendent assessment of the Afghan longtime contributor to Vancouver “It was a huge thing,” the sing- feminist messaging still riles some The terrorist leader had orches- established the unit with help from known as Extortion 17. More than National Security Forces that CNA Magazine, created the new 48- er recalls during an interview at the of her conservative compatriots, trated a complex assault on the members of the 75th Ranger Regi- seven months earlier, Taliban fight- Analysis and Solutions conducted minute film to complete her mas- Vancouver Central Library’s atri- she has found an effective way to Sardar Daud Khan National Mili- ment to assist the Americans on ers had knocked out the helicopter for the Pentagon in 2014. “Signif- ter’s degree in graduate liberal stud- um. “People hated me and people push back through leveraging the tary Hospital in Afghanistan’s cap- kill or capture missions, according as it brought it a reaction force of icantly increasing the ranks of the ies at SFU. After spending three loved me. There were people power of her pop star status. “If I ital Kabul on March 8, 2017. Wear- to Leigh Neville’s 2015 book Spe- U.S. Navy SEALs during a night elite Ktah Khas counterterrorism weeks in 2012 in the Central Asian cheering for me and people who have messages in my inbox say- ing the uniforms of hospital em- cial Forces in the War on Terror. raid to kill or capture Qari Tahir, force is likely infeasible without nation on assignment for Elle, she were like, ‘You’re a disgrace! You’re ing, ‘You’re not a good Muslim— ployees, the attackers massacred Army Rangers were among the one of the group's leaders, in the lowering its recruiting standards.” returned there in 2015 to shoot in front of the camera. You should you should do this or that,’ the more than 30 people and wound- forces assigned to JSOC task force Tangi Valley in Afghanistan's Ward- In January 2015, the unit had re- "Mightier Than the Sword" in 35 be in the kitchen cooking.’” next day I’ll post a picture of me ed dozens more, including doctors, in the country, known at least for ak Province. Interviews and other portedly planned and an executed degrees Celsius weather during But little by little, her media maybe wearing a shorter skirt. other staff, and patients. a time as Task Force 3-10, which records noted that "APU" mem- its first ever independent airmo- Ramadan. Staley remortgaged her presence helped inspire change. Then my reply to them is, ‘You “This successful joint opera- had the job of tracking and neu- bers had been part of the mission, bile assault, using helicopters form condo to finish the film, which cost “In 2009, when I went to do my keep talking like this, and the next tion is another important step in tralizing specific terrorists and touching off conspiracy theories the Special Mission Wing of the her more than CDN$80,000. show, I had to cover my head,” time, I’ll post a picture of me in a our relentless campaign to defeat militants. Initially, U.S. command- that they alerted the militants to Afghan National Army’s Special “That’s what you do when you Mozhdah says. “It was mandato- bikini.’ And it’s like, ‘OK, OK! I’ll ISIS-K in 2017,” U.S. Army Gen- ers referred to the elite Afghan forc- the operation. By 2013, the bat- Operations Command. believe in something,” she says. “I ry. If I didn’t wear it, they didn’t stop.’” (IJNET) eral John Nicholson, head of all es euphemistically as the “Afghan talion, by then known publicly as (THEDRIVE) Undecided Afghanistan policy as a distraction

The drug war in Mexico was rated ghanistan and Somalia. This is all as 2016's second deadliest conflict the more surprising, considering in the world, beaten only by the that the conflict deaths are nearly war in Syria, a new annual survey all attributable to small arms. Mex- reveals. This means Mexico is ex- ico is a conflict marked by the ab- periencing levels of violence sur- sence of artillery, tanks or combat passing that of Iraq, Yemen or Af- aviation," said John Chipman, ghanistan. chief executive of the Internation- As the war against Isis in Iraq, al Institute for Strategic Studies the civil war in Syria, and the con- (IISS), which has just released its flict between the forces of Yemeni annual survey of armed conflicts. President Abdrabbuh Mansour The Mexican drug cartels have Hadi and the Houthi rebels made an annual income of between the headlines, violence in Mexico $19bn and $29bn from the drug went relatively underreported. The sales in the US, according to the activities of criminal organisations Department of Homeland Securi- Trump’s most senior military and tive who is being introduced to there have now reached the level ty. The latest data released by the foreign policy advisers have pro- substantive issues and debates for of a full-blown armed conflict. Mexican executive department of posed a major shift in strategy in the first time and seems to find Why advertise with us the national system of public safe- Afghanistan that would effective- them tedious." Violence in Mexico between ty shows that the rate of homicide ly put the United States back on a Still, one must give Trump state forces and cartels claimed in gang related violence has risen war footing with the Taliban…. some credit. He needs no introduc- 23,000 lives during 2016, second gradually in the country since H.R. McMaster, the president’s tion to political distraction, which only to Syria, where 50,000 peo- 2014, reaching 39,837 victims in national security adviser … who he not unreasonably finds invigo- ple died as result of a multi-dimen- 2016. This is sign of the territorial once led anti-corruption efforts in rating. There are currently about sional civil war which included expansion of criminal groups and Afghanistan and was one of the 8,400 American troops in Afghan- hundreds of air strikes by Russia of an increasing level of tension architects of President George W. istan, reports the Times, and and the US-led coalition, all-out between rival cartels. Bush’s Screen Shot 2017-05-09 at "American officials said that 3,000 urban warfare, and widespread use Mexican President Enrique 10.56.05 AMtroop surge in Iraq, to 5,000 additional troops … could of suicide attacks. Pena Nieto and his administration is the driving force behind the new be sent. The officials spoke on the El Chapo's wives, lovers and are working towards a less milita- strategy at the White House. condition of anonymity" — and beauty-queen 'slaves': Women be- rised approach to the drug cartels Lord knows the driving force at the direction of the anonymous- hind the notorious drug lord problem. However, the latest data couldn't be Trump, about whom source-hating Trump, who chief- Mother of all bombs should for 2017 reveals that homicide Michael Gerson keenly observes: ly wanted to distract from today's be used to fight Mexican drug car- rates in the country have not "As a policy leader, Trump is news about yesterday's Senate tes- tels, says Ohio sheriff stopped rising in the first three Drug cartels are responsible for thousands of deaths a year in Mexico. Powerful cartels battle for control unique among recent presidents. timony. Mexico: Skulls of over 250 months of the year. of territory and people, leaving anyone who tries to stop them dead in their wake. He doesn’t lead on policy…. [So So there. As a NYT reader I young victims of drug cartels re- There have also been signifi- t]he system is adapting to the vac- have, at the sardonic request of covered in Veracruz cant arrests of important person- Nunez, one of the leaders of the This arrest follows the extra- the head of the Sinaloa Cartel, the uum at its heart…. It is the only Michael Kinsley, done my patri- "The death toll in Mexico's alities in the Mexican criminal Sinaloa drug Cartel, who was ar- dition in Janaury of "El Chapo" world's largest drug-trafficking or- possible choice for a chief execu- otic duty. (pmcarpenter) conflict surpasses those for Af- scene, such as Damaso Lopez rested on 2 May in Mexico City. Joaquin Guzman, considered to be ganisation. (IBTIMES) THURSDAY . MAY 11, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

JALALABAD : Tribal elders, in- EMERGENCY cluding those coming from across CALLS the border in Pakistan, on Tues- day held a gathering in eastern Nangarhar province and voiced Police their opposition to all types of military installations along the 100 - 119 Durand Line. The elders number- ing around 300 asked the interna- tional community to help them get Hospitals rid of terrorism in tribal areas. The gathering in Jalalabad fea- FMIC Hospital tured elders of tribes on both sides Behind Kabul Medical of the Duran Line including Shin- wari, Afridi, Momand, Mamond, University: Salarzai, Mashwani, Khogyani, 0202500200-+93793275595 Wazir, Mangal, Masoud and Zazi. The tribal jirga titled “peace and brotherhood” was organized Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital at the provincial Tribal Affairs Pule Bagh-e- Umomi Department. Elders of both the sides claimed about 8000 Pashtun 070263672 tribal elders had been killed in Pa- kistan and Afghanistan over re- fusing to recognize the Durand Khairkhana Hospital Line. A Momand tribe elder, Malak 0799-321007 Jahanzeb Momand, hoped the gathering would prove effective in 2401352 resolving problems in tribal areas. ASADABAD : Young cricketers construction work on the stadium He believed Pakistan by firing rock- and the game’s lovers on Tuesday was yet to be launched. He claimed ets into tribal areas wanted to ad- claimed some 3000 influential tribal nation among tribes in resolving withdrawal of Pakistani troops carried out a protest demonstra- the ACB leadership had trans- Indira Gandhi Children vance but tribes on both the sides elders had been killed in Khyber issues. He said Pashtuns were not from the country’s tribal areas and tion to demand construction of a ferred the funds allocated for Ku- Hospital, Wazir Akbar would not allow it. Pakhtunkhwa province and 5000 terrorists but they were victim of opposed construction of any type cricket stadium and an academy in nar to anther province.He said huge Tribal elder from Pakistan’s in Afghanistan. Tribal elder from terrorism and the war had been im- of military installations along the eastern Kunar province. talent existed in Kunar but the Khan, Kabul 2301372 semi-autonomous tribal region, Zar Khyber agency, Haji Hukam Khan, posed on them. The participants Durand Line. The letter said re- Former cricket board official ACB was not giving the youth a Jan Shinwari, said he had not been said such gatherings would contin- issued a six-article resolution let- construction projects should be Liaqat Hasrat, who led the dem- chance to progress.The protestors invited to the gathering and he had ue until peace and stability re- ter in which they urged the gov- launched in tribal areas and Paki- onstration in Asadabad, the pro- warned of continuing their agita- Ibn-e- Seena come on his own free will with the turned to the Pashtun belt like the ernments of Afghanistan, Pakistan stani tribesmen with tribal cards vincial capital, said cricket play- tion until their demands were met. Pul-e-Artan, Kabul aim to find solution to problems past. Tribal elder from Pakistan’s and the international community from the Afghan Ministry of Tribal ers from the city and districts were However, cricket board represen- in their areas. He said Pashtuns in Waziristan tribal region, Dr. Hayat to bring to a close the war imposed and Border Affairs should be al- taking part in the demonstration. tative in Kunar Sibghatullah reject- 2100359 tribal areas of Pakistan had been Mehsud, said though the gather- on them. It said the tribes were lowed to travel between the two He said the Afghanistan Crick- ed the demonstrators’ claims. He marginalized, imposed terrorism ing was a small one but its objec- not terrorists but were victim of countries without any restriction. et Board had promised last year said the budget for construction of and deprived of education. He tive was huge, which was coordi- terrorism. The letter demanded (Pajhwok) allocation of 160,000 US dollars cricket stadium in Kunar had been Wazir Akbar Khan for construction of a cricket stadi- increased from $90,000 to Hospital um in Kunar and the project was $250,000, which would be used to supposed to start in 2017. construct the stadium and the acad- 2301741, 2301743 He said 2017 had half gone but emy. (Pajhwok) ACB Ali Abad Young actor announces Shahrara, Kabul squad for ODI, US studying force 2100439 t20 series Malalai Maternity illustrates current against west size in Afghanistan Hospital 2201377/ 2301743 Indies No decisions on whether to in- er designated terror groups in the crease U.S. forces in Afghanistan Central Asia/South Asia region. Afghanistan situation The Afghanistan Cricket Board have been made yet, the chairman “I know from personal expe- Banks (ACB) on Tuesday announced the of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told rience that the pressure we put on national cricket team squad for the reporters in Israel on Tuesday. al-Qaida and those terror groups Da Afghanistan Bank One-Day International (ODI) and Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dun- every day for the last 16 years is T20 series against West Indies next ford said national security leaders the reason they have not regener- 2100302, 2100303 month.Afghanistan will play three have not gone to President Donald ated and conducted attacks,” he ODIs and three T20 matches J. Trump yet with Afghanistan said. “I also know they have aspi- Bakhtar Bank against West Indies in June. ACB troop recommendations for 2017 rations to conduct attacks, and an officials said the team will hold and beyond. ungoverned space in Afghanistan 0776777000 training sessions in India in prepa- “One of the key discussions or South Asia would be contrary Azizi Bank ration for their matches. “The West we are going to have is what are to our interests.” Indies is an experienced team and the horizons for the mission in Meanwhile, the fight against 0799 700900 the ACB has done its best to se- Afghanistan and how do we artic- global terrorism continues, Dun- Pashtany Bank lect experienced players for the ulate it,” Dunford said in an inter- ford said. series,” the head of the ACB’s se- view. “I expect [Defense] Secre- “We can be tired, but war is a 2102908, 2103868 lection committee Nawroz Man- tary [Jim] Mattis and I, and oth- clash of wills,” the chairman said. gal told reporters at a press con- ers, will brief the president, soon.” “Who wins and who loses? Who Air Services ference. “The team will travel to Any increase in the NATO and loses is [he] whose will is lost first. India on May 11 and will have U.S. mission to Afghanistan must What we need to be mindful of is training sessions for 15 days so be viewed in context, the general not low long we’ve been there, but Safi Airways that they are further prepared for said. In the past year, Afghan forces what is the remaining threat to the 020 22 22 222 the matches against West Indies,” have taken a lot of casualties in United States and coalition part- he said. Shahzad Mohammadi, the battling the Taliban and other ners.” key player of the team will how- groups. Army Gen. John M. The American presence in Ariana ever have to sit this one out after Nicholson, the commander of Op- South Asia is necessary to stop 020-2100270 he was slapped with a provisional eration Resolute Support in Af- Afghanistan from becoming an ban under the International Crick- ghanistan, described the situation ungoverned space again, Dunford et Council's anti-doping rules. The in Afghanistan as a “stalemate” said. Kam Air ICC announced recently that a during testimony before Congress “It’s pretty clear to me that 0799974422 sample provided by the 29-year- last month. Afghanistan could possibly be a old in an out-of-competition test Secure, Stable Afghanistan place where there are proxy wars Hotels SHARAN : A young Afghan actor Abid’s father on the name of a spy peace is vital for life,” Paktika gov- in January was found to contain Dunford said the situation is with various regional actors, as has exemplified the current situa- and working with the government. ernor, Elyas Wahdat, who partici- the prohibited substance clen- clearly not moving in the direction well,” he said. Safi Landmark tion in Afghanistan, expressing to In the drama, foreign forces pated the gathering, thanked Abid buterol. Squad for OD: Asghar Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Counterterrorism Mission Stanikzai, Noor Ali Zadran, Javid the people the victims of the on- bombard Abid’s village and kill his who accepted risks and traveled wants it to. Last year, Ghani an- The Afghanistan campaign is 020-2203131 going conflict in the country were mother and sister three days after to Paktika for representing Afghan- Ahmadi, Usman Ghani, Rahmat nounced a four-year plan, which a counterterrorism mission under Shah Zarmati, Nasir Jamal, Mo- Afghans only. his father was killed by Taliban. istan’s situation with his initiatives. looked at what was possible for U.S. auspices, Dunford said. That SERENA The actor Javid Abid traveled The foreign forces later claimed “It is the value of art when an hammad Nabi Esa Khel, Samiullah the future of his country. It includ- mission must continue “as long as to southeastern Paktika province they killed members of Al-Qaeda actor represents miseries of a so- Shenwari, Gulbuddin Naib, Rash- ed a listing of the goals for a secure there is a threat — and I am not showed his illustration named in the airstrike. ciety in a short artistic image,” he id Khan Arman, Shafiqullah and stable Afghanistan. going to put a timeline on that,” he 0799654000 ‘Spy’ to a gathering of people in The young actor wanted to said, adding it was the only Af- Shafaq, Shapoor Zadran, Amira Nicholson took this plan and said. Sharan, the provincial capital on aware people by illustrations that ghan youth who yet worked for Hamza Hotak, Dawlat Zadran, reviewed the campaign to identify It will end, he said, when the New Rumi Restaurant Tuesday night. the victims of ongoing war were his society through illustration. Afsar Zazai, and Farid Malik. what he would need to assist the underlying conditions that give rise 0776351347 He made the audiences cry by Afghans only. Talking with Pajh- Javid Abid has received bachelor Squad for T20: Asghar Stanikzai, Afghan government in realizing to terrorism are addressed. “That representing the ongoing miseries wok Afghan News, he said, “Hun- in fine arts from Kabul University Noor Ali Zadran, Javid Ahmadi, Ghani’s plan. His recommenda- doesn’t reflect the size of the mis- in Afghanistan. In the drama dreds of Afghans are killed every- and had traveled to many provinc- Usman Ghani, Mohammad Nabi tions are in the Pentagon and are sion, but I would expect some in- Internet Services Esakhel, Samiullah Shenwari, Na- named, ‘Spy’, Abid has a mother, day; I want to spread awareness es of the country for showing his being discussed among high-level fluence, some presence is going to UA Telecom jeeb Zadran, Gulbaddin Naib, a sister and father. The Taliban kill among people through dramas that skills. (Pajhwok) officials across the U.S. govern- be necessary for an extended peri- 0796701701 / 0796702702 Rashid Khan Arman. (ToloNews) ment. “It is fair to say that we have od of time,” Dunford said. “Some looked at all the potential ways to people call this a generational war. accelerate the campaign and meet If that’s the case, we need to be Exchange Rate President Ghani’s objective out- prepared as a nation to deal with IS recruiter held in Kunar; 3 injured in Nangarhar blast lined in his four-year plan,” Dun- it.” 1.00 USD ford said. Still, the form of the American 67.60AFN ASADABAD/JALALABAD : group there. On the other hand, The president has spoken with presence in Afghanistan will Daesh militant group’s recruitment five Taliban insurgents have joined NATO Secretary General Jens change, the chairman said. “We in-charge for eastern Kunar prov- the peace process in Kunar, ac- Stoltenberg, and the organization have a ‘by, with and through’ strat- ince has been detained. In neigh- cording to Himmat, who said the has begun conversations with egy meaning what we’re trying to 1000.00 IRR boring Nangarhar province, a bomb group had been active in Narai dis- troops contributing nations. The do is enable local forces, in this 17.90AFN blast injured three civilians, offi- trict. Himmat claimed ‘a larger chairman will be in Brussels next case Afghans, to provide security cials said Tuesday. group of insurgents would soon week to speak with fellow NATO inside Afghanistan,” he said. “I do Kunar police chief Maj. Gen. reconcile and join the peace pro- chiefs of defense. And on his three- believe Afghan forces are making Juma Gul Himmat said police ar- cess. Elsewhere, three civilians 1.00 UAE day trip, Defense Secretary Jim progress.” 18.40AFN rested the so-called Islamic State suffered injuries in a bomb explo- Mattis has been meeting with the He noted that when he took group’s recruitment in-charge sion in Behsud district of eastern ministers of defense for the over as commander of the Interna- named Attuallah along with an ac- Nangarhar province on Tuesday. counter-ISIS coalition. tional Security Assistance Force in 1.00 EUR complice on Monday. Nangarhar governor’s spokesman, Besides force levels, new au- Kabul four years ago, there were 74.20AFN He said Attaullah was a resi- Attaullah Khogyani, told Pajhwok thorities, new capabilities, eco- 120,000 American service mem- dent of Asmar district of Kunar, Afghan News the rickshaw-borne nomic reforms and political aspects bers in the country. When he left, identifying the second Daesh mil- bomb went off in Saracha area of must also be addressed, Dunford there were 28,000. Now there are 1000.00 INR itant as Abdullah, hailing from the district at about 3pm. A doctor said. “It’s all of those things being around 9,000 Americans in-coun- Chapa Dara district. at the civil hospital described con- reviewed” and they all have to be try. “The first two seasons the 1030.00AFN The duo had been sending dition of the wounded people as looked at holistically, he said. Re- Afghans have been providing se- newly-recruited Daesh youth to stable, saying they had been dis- gional Threats curity on their own, it has been a 1000.00 PKR Nangarhar’s Achin and Pachirag- charged after treatment. ISIS-Khorasan is active in Af- pretty tough fight,” Dunford said. 635.00AFN am districts as reinforcement to the (Pajhwok) ghanistan, as well as almost 20 oth- (EURASIAREVIEW) THURSDAY . MAY 11, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES India won’t sit idly if its soldiers are attacked: US lawmaker Four Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested and US dollars worth Rs 1.32 crore seized from them at a checkpost in Tripura when they were returning to their country, police said today. The four per- sons, who entered India on May 8, were carrying valid travel docu- ment and later told police that they were 'carriers' of international cur- rencies. Acting on a tip-off, BSF per- sonnel had yesterday detained the four Bangladeshis at Srimantapur checkpost in Sipaijala district of Tripura and recovered 2.3 lakh US dollar from their possession, the police said. They were arrested af- ter they were handed over to the police by the border guards. Subdivisional Police Officer of Sonamura, Babul Das said the four persons, who entered India from Comilla district of Bangladesh, WASHINGTON: Asking Pakistan tainly hope that the President and went to Kolkata and returned with to clamp down on extremist the State Department take into the currency on the same day. groups inside its territory, a top consideration the opinion of the "The Bangladeshi nationals US lawmaker has cautioned Islam- Indian government. The Indian have admitted to be 'carriers' of abad that India would not sit idly people and its government have international currencies from one if its soldiers or citizens were be- sustained terrorist attack after ter- country to another," he said. ing attacked. Joe Crowley, the rorist attack," he said. He said that During preliminary interroga- chairman of the House Democrat- the historical ties between the Af- tion, the accused said some peo- ic Caucus, told PTI that the situa- ghan people and Indian people are ple had given them the money in tion on the Indo-Pak border has important things to consider in Kolkata for carrying it to some been volatile for the past few terms of creating a doctrine, which Bangladeshis in the neighbouring months due to activities by Paki- has been lacking. "I don't know of country. stan-backed militant groups, and a doctrine from the Trump admin- Senior intelligence officials called on the Trump administra- istration as pertained to the entire were interrogating them and ex- tion to put more pressure on the region, let alone Afghanistan. Or ploring the possibility of their in- country. "(They) are backed by what it's doctrine is towards India volvement with terror groups, the Pakistan. They (Trump adminis- or toward Pakistan...so I do hope officer said. tration) need to be more towards that whatever is formulated, is ar- (This article has not been edit- putting the pressure on Pakistan ticulated and understood by the ed by DNA's editorial team and is to go after LeT and other militant members of the Congress, like auto-generated from an agency groups within Pakistan that are myself, who care about that part feed.) causing tensions on the India-Pa- of the world," he said. Such a doc- (DNAINDIA) kistan border," he said in response trine, he said, needs to promotes to a question. "I think the empha- peace and reconciliation in the re- sis here is that they (Pakistan) gion while also continuing to fight need to do more to clamp down on in a mutual front against terrorism. those violent and extremist groups "And that includes acts commit- Pakistan will soon within Pakistan themselves, be- ted against India by fundamental- cause India will not sit by idly ists working inside Pakistan," With Nepal set to hold the first while it's soldiers or it's citizens Crowley said. phase of elections early next are being attacked," said Crowley, "When we do work towards a so- become Asian tiger: week, doubts over the com- a former co-Chair of the House lution in Afghanistan, it (should) mencement of the second phase India Caucus. The Congressman incorporate the Indian government is dominating discussion in the said these issues should be han- as well as the Pakistani government PM Nawaz political and public space. The dled in a bilateral manner by the in terms of helping formulate and opposition is demanding that the two countries. "But I do think foster a long-term commitment to second phase of polls be pre- there's a role that the United States peace and reconciliation within the poned, as the date for announc- can play as both a friend to India area," he said. ing the budget is prior to the date and Pakistan to put the pressure Crowley hoped there would be of the second phase and might on our friends to find a way for- an India-specific doctrine in place influence voters. ward to help keep peace in the re- before the meeting between Prime Chief Election Commission- gion and to bring about reconcilia- Minister Narendra Modi and US er Dr. Ayodhi Prasad Yadav has, tion," the Democratic lawmaker President Donald Trump. Ob- however, rejected any plans for from New York said. Crowley also serving that Indo-US relationship changing the date of the polls. hoped that the Trump administra- has been bipartisan in the past, he The main opposition Commu- tion would take inputs from India hoped that this would continue to nist Party of Nepal- Unified on its Afghanistan policy, which be the case under the Trump ad- Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) is believed to be in its last stages ministration as well. party has asked for the second of being finalised. "I would cer- (Economictimes) phase poll to be held before the announcement of the budget on May 29. The opposition has claimed that the ruling alliance will highlight features of the bud- Sri Lanka releases get to attract voters to its cause. Terming the budget to be consti- tutional and out of the Election 550 prisoners on the Commission's purview, Chief Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said has a duty to serve the masses,” Election Commissioner Yadav on Wednesday that Pakistan will the premier said while requesting said, "The Election Commission occasion of Vesak become an Asian tiger and a region- the opposition to stop hampering of Nepal has drawn the atten- al economic powerhouse. The pre- ongoing projects. He said the PM Modi’s new tion of the Government of Ne- mier was addressing his PML-N PML-N has a legacy of timely pal to bring the budget as per workers during a visit to Nankana completion of infrastructure the election code of conduct, it Sahib. PM Nawaz visited the area projects which take decades for formula for India’s should not violate it. Budget is where he inspected the construc- other governments to complete. On stated in the constitution and tion site of Lahore-Abdul Hakeem his arrival at the site, Nawaz was this year also it is scheduled to Motorway or M-3. “The projects briefed by the NHA officials on future: IT+IT= IT be brought on 29th May which [started by the ruling party] are the progress of the project, which is the constitutional provision unprecedented in the history of started in February 2016 and is and the Election Commission Pakistan as no government took expected to get completed by The system will help litigants access data and retrieve information on- line and will be a step towards a paperless Supreme Court. cannot raise question over it and such grand initiatives,” he said. “We March 2018. M-3 will connect stop it." (ANI) are working on connecting Paki- with M-4 and provide an alternate Prime Minister Narendra Modi on stan with Central Asian countries, and direct route from Lahore to Wednesday evolved a new formu- but before that, we have to have a Multan. The structures at M-3 in- la - IT plus IT is equal to IT or satisfactory infrastructure in our clude eight interchanges, as many Information technology plus Indi- country as well,” the prime minis- bridges over major roads, 35 bridg- an talent is equal to India tomor- ter added. PM Nawaz said he es over canals, 60 underpasses, 201 row - for the country to adapt to would welcome opposition parties cattle creeps and 705 culverts. new technologies and stay ahead if they want to visit the under-con- Around 44 per cent work of the of others. Launching an Integrated struction motorway instead of project has been completed and Case Management Information protesting against his party. “At under the revised schedule, the System (ICMIS) at Vigyan Bha- least you should appreciate these project will be operational by van in New Delhi that will enable efforts,” he said. “A government March 2018 instead of initial com- the Supreme Court of India to go that has been elected to parliament pletion date of August 2018. paperless, the Prime Minister said The Sri Lankan prison au- (Tribune) there is a generation gap in adop- thorities today released tion of technology that could be 550 prisoners serving time solved with a change in mindset. in jails across the country PML-N leaders apologise ICMIS will enable digital filing of for minor offences to mark the cases called e-filing and allow the Vesak Poya Day. Pris- litigants to easily access the infor- oners currently serving mation online. Modi lauded the sentences for minor of- after criticism draws SC’s ire adoption of technology in the ju- fences will be released on diciary, saying it was helpful par- apologised for their criticism and ticularly in criminal cases where a special presidential par- regretted Tuesday’s statements don in view of Vesak Poya the introduction of forensic scienc- before the apex court bench. Fur- es has helped render justice to a Day, the Department of ther, the CJP warned that if PML- large number of people. Prisons said. N leaders continue to pass such Noting that a piece of A4 size The President has statements in future the court will paper takes 10 litres of water to given the order after the completely ban their media talks prepare, Modi said courts adopt- Ministry of Prisons Re- regarding case proceedings. Earlier ing technology and going digital will forms recommended the this month, the bench had verbal- help save jungle, electricity which release. ly warned PML-N and PTI lead- in turn will address various envi- The inmates had been ers against discussing the court ronmental issues. The Prime Min- selected after a proposal proceedings before media for pro- ister said though India is lauded made by the Prison Re- jecting their own political views. the world over for its fine space problems faced by various government departments. Modi said the forms Minister D M Swa- “Sanctity of court proceedings technology, the country is lagging students, aged 18 to 22 years, were able to solve most of the problems, minathan to the Justice should be maintained as it’s im- behind in application of science. solutions to which have been adopted by many departments. The Prime Ministry following a list portant for the institution,” the He said the hurdle in adopting new Minister requested the legal fraternity to register themselves with the CJP remarked. “Judges should not technology does not lie in software department of justice to provide pro-bono help to poor litigants across prepared by the Prisons be maligned through media talks the country without any charge. Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Department. or hardware, but in mindsets. of both the sides,” said another He also made a reference to Khehar said he proposes to integrate the system with all the 24 high However, inmates ac- member of the bench. Meanwhile, India’s Moon mission and how it courts and the subordinate courts in the future. “It will be the biggest cused of severe crimes ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed indignation the top court expressed its dissat- was a success on the first try with and highest leap forward into introducing technology in the judicial such as terror activities, over Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders’ criticism wherein they implied isfaction over PTI counsel’s con- a budget less than most Holly- system,” the CJI said adding that it will be “an absolute transparent coup against the state, that the apex court was discriminating against the ruling party. The develop- tentions over foreign funding case. wood films. He added India must system, a system that cannot be manipulated”. “The system will tell rape as well as crimes ment came during the hearing of PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi’s plea seeking During the hearing, PTI counsel also cope with the new technolo- litigants how much money is spent (on court fees), what will happen on against children will not disqualification of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan by a Anwar Mansoor Khan argued that gy to avoid being left behind. Modi the next date of hearing,” he added. Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad be pardoned, an official three-judge bench of the top court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) foreign funding was an issue of the also referred to a recently held 36 said access to justice has got a huge digital push with the launch of said. Mian Saqib Nisar. The apex court bench called ruling party’s leaders Daniyal past and a closed transaction thus hours non-stop hackathon event, ICMIS. He said the government was committed to giving all necessary (Colombopage) Aziz and Hanif Abbasi at the rostrum and asked them to explain how the the matter could not be reopened. in which about 42,000 students supports that the courts need. judiciary was being discriminatory in the case. However, both the leaders (Dwan) participated to solve about 400 (Hindustan Times) THURSDAY . MAY 11, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES News-in-Brief South African police minister pulls up driver online A South African woman seeking In testimony before Congress on advice on Twitter about buying 20 March, former FBI director a driver's licence got more than James Comey confirmed in public she bargained for on Wednesday for the first time that the bureau when her inquiry caught the eye was investigating Russian ties to of police minister and prolific the Trump campaign. One name tweeter Fikile Mbalula. that came up repeatedly at the hear- "It's a criminal offence to ing: Roger Stone, the Trump asso- Nine dead in buy a driver's licence (like a) ciate and political operative who ngathi ligwinya," Mbalula tweet- had seemed to predict trouble for ed back, using a local word for a Hillary Clinton campaign chairman doughnut. "It will get you, the John Podesta in advance of Amazon’s worst traffic department and the driv- Wikileaks’ release of Podesta’s ing school arrested." emails. Mbalula, nicknamed Politico reports this morning "Razzmatazz" from his time as that Stone was counseling Trump land-related sports and recreation minister, to fire Comey: has more than 750,000 Twitter While shock dominated much followers and sees his personal of the FBI and the White House, the mood was more elated at Rog- killings in feed as a useful tool in the fight against South Africa's high crime er Stone’s house in Florida. Sever- rates. South Africa's traffic laws al Stone allies and friends said and regulations are tight by Af- Stone, who has been frequently mentioned in the investigation, decades rican standards although reports of driving instructors asking for encouraged the president to fire Nine men were stabbed or shot ceased owners. Last week, state bribes or people driving with- Comey in conversations in recent dead on 19 April over a territorial police arrested two men they sus- out a valid licence are common. weeks. On Twitter, Stone signaled ey was fired for mishandling an firing Comey was heading up an inquiry was a factor in Comey’s dispute in a remote area of Mato pect of carrying out the murders (Reuters) praise for the move by posting an investigation of Hillary Clinton’s investigation of ties between Rus- firing, other elements were also in Grosso state, deep in the Amazon on the orders of a timber merchant, image of Trump from The Appren- emails. But that explanation is the sia and the Trump presidential play, including Trump’s unique rainforest. In the afternoon, hitmen who is still at large. Squatters, tice saying “You’re fired.” Stone object of intense skepticism this campaign. Reports emerged after personality. The president had swept through the land in ques- however, said they had a good re- declined to comment Tuesday morning, with critics claiming that Comey’s firing on Tuesday night grown increasingly angry with his tion, known as Linha (road) 15, lationship with loggers (all of them Turkey slams US night but said he was enjoying a Trump has attacked the indepen- that that investigation had taken a inability to quell the Russian in- killing everyone they found. Some illegal) and blamed unnamed rival fine cigar. dence of the justice department and substantive new twist, with grand quiry, according to a Politico re- of the bodies bore signs of torture. farmers for the attack. Everything 'unacceptable' Hello and welcome to our live the rule of law, either out of per- jury subpoenas being issued for port overnight. One of his spokes- The worst land-related slaughter in Taquarussu runs informally. coverage of fallout from president sonal anger or impulsiveness, or records belonging to associates of people dispatched late Tuesday, Brazil has seen in 21 years reflects Despite the fact they have occu- weapons supply to Donald Trump’s firing on Tues- out of a desire to protect himself former national security adviser Sarah Sanders, told reporters that a chronic ambiguity around land pied some 20,000 hectares since day of FBI director James Comey. or his associates from the law. Re- Michael Flynn, a central figure in it was “time to move on” from the rights. On this lawless frontier, far the early 2000s and that selling and Kurdish fighters The White House has said, in a publican senators (no less) have the investigation. Russia question. from the gaze of the authorities, buying lots are common, none of series of official letters, that Com- pointed out that at the time of his If a desire to derail the Russia (Theguardian) forest clearance and conflict go the families has land titles. As one hand in hand. The rampage hap- squatter who asked to remain anon- Turkey slammed an "unaccept- pened in a remote region, accessi- ymous put it, “the only document able" US announcement that it ble only by an unpaved road. The is our presence here”. The two will supply arms and military closest city, Colniza, is a seven- government agencies in charge of equipment to Kurdish fighters South Korea’s new Brazil’s ex-President hour-drive in the dry season; when land regulation of that area disagree battling Islamic State group mili- it rains, it can take days. Commu- about who owns the land. Incra tants in Syria, reports said on nication here is so hard that the (the Brazilian Federal Agrarian Wednesday, while the Syrian president wants to Lula in court over police were not notified of the Reform Agency) said it belonged Democratic Forces which will crime until almost 24 hours later. to Mato Grosso state. Intermat, benefit from the deal praised the On 26 April, this reporter was the the state land management agency, move. "The supply of arms to reverse its North corruption first and so far the only media to said it had belonged to a private the YPG is unacceptable," Dep- visit the crime scene. The journey owner since 1984, but could not uty Prime Minister Nurettin President or prisoner? Many Bra- leader, he came to office as the first involved an hour’s flight in a rent- name the owner. This imprecision Canikli told A Haber television. ed aeroplane followed by a three- is no exception. Official figures "Such a policy will benefit no- zilians think one of those two roads left-wing leader in Brazil in nearly Korea policy lies ahead for former President Luiz half a century. Unable to stand for hour drive in a 4×4 vehicle. Around gathered by Imazon, an non-prof- body." "We expect that this mis- 120 families live in a rural commu- it research institution, show that take is to be rectified," he said, Inácio Lula da Silva, who is due in a third consecutive term, he was court on Wednesday on corruption succeeded by close ally Dilma nity called Taquarussu do Norte, a there are about 160,000 land days ahead of a crunch meeting smattering of wooden houses with claims pending regularization. in Washington between President charges. Lula is facing five charges Rousseff, who was later im- related to the Car Wash scandal, a peached. Lula is facing five charg- water wells and bathrooms in the Moreover, there are 71.3m hect- Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US backyard and no electricity. Sev- ares of public vacant lands in the counterpart Donald Trump. The three-year investigation that has es related to the Car Wash scandal, embroiled more than 100 politi- the nickname for Brazil's biggest eral of them are the offspring of Amazon, an area twice the size of Kurdish Peoples' Protection settlers who colonised the neigh- Germany. These are vulnerable to Units (YPG) is viewed by Wash- cians. If convicted, he could face ever corruption probe. jail. If he gets off, he could return This first case, which is being bouring state of Rondônia in the illegal logging and land-grabbing, ington as the most effective anti- 1970s and 1980s. Now, they have according to data gathered by an- IS force in Syria. But Ankara re- to the presidency in the 2018 elec- tackled in court on Wednesday, tions. He denies any wrongdoing. accuses Lula of taking bribes from found their own land to farm. other independent research insti- gards the group as a terror outfit Known as posseiros, or squatters, tute, Ipam Amazônia. which is effectively the Syrian Lula will give his testimony at a a construction company that al- court in the southern city of Cu- legedly renovated a beachfront they have no legal claim and take “Land regularization in the branch of the banned Kurdistan their chances with the inconsistent Amazon is an essential require- Workers' Party (PKK), which has ritiba, where hundreds of his red- apartment for him. He is also ac- shirted supporters have been gath- cused of money laundering, influ- law enforcement. Fearing more at- ment for conflict reduction, cur- waged an insurgency since 1984 tacks, most inhabitants left the re- tailment of deforestation and im- against Ankara, leaving tens of gion after last month’s violence, plementation of more sustainable thousands dead. On Monday, especially women and children. In policies in the region,” says an Trump "authorised the depart- the area where the slaughter took Imazon report published last ment of defence to equip Kurdi- Seoul's policy on North Korea is came in for criticism during the about to get a major overhaul. Lib- campaign from hardline conserva- place, dogs roamed inside the hous- month. sh elements of the Syrian Demo- es in search of food and their de- (BBC) cratic Forces as necessary to en- eral reformer Moon Jae-in was tives who saw him as weak on sure a clear victory over ISIS in sworn in Wednesday after winning North Korea. He has called for a Raqqa", Pentagon Spokeswom- a snap election to replace im- combination of negotiations and an Dana White said in a state- peached President Park Geun-hye. economic cooperation alongside ment. The weapons are being de- Moon has advocated dialogue military and security measures. "I Iran threatens to livered for use by Kurdish fight- with North Korean leader Kim Jong am confident to lead the diplomat- ers ahead of the upcoming offen- Un, in stark contrast to Park's ap- ic efforts involving multiple par- sive to recapture Raqqa, the last proach of tough sanctions and ag- ties, which will lead to the com- major bastion for IS in Syria and gressive rhetoric. Speaking at his plete abandonment of the North leave ‘only Mecca, the self-proclaimed "capital" of swearing in ceremony, Moon Korean nuclear program, and bring the group. The US announcement promised to "resolve the security the relationship between South and came just ahead of Erdogan's vis- crisis as soon as possible." "If it is North to peace, economic cooper- Medina’ untouched if it to Washington next week for necessary, I will fly immediately ation and mutual prosperity," talks with Trump, the first time to Washington and also visit Beijing Moon said in an April 25 debate. the two men will meet as heads and Tokyo," he said. "Under the His stance has been compared Saudi Arabia does of state. (CNN) right conditions, I will also go to to the so-called "Sunshine Policy" ering to protest. His critics are also ence peddling and obstruction of Pyongyang. For peace on the Ko- of the liberal governments of 1998 watching closely, although the justice. What has gone wrong in rean Peninsula, I will do everything to 2008. By no coincidence, he was case's judge posted a Facebook vid- Brazil? Lula is typically loved or something ‘ignorant’ Venezuela sees that I can do." a key adviser to those administra- eo to discourage anti-corruption hated in Brazil. Wednesday will be Moon also vowed to further tions. During the Sunshine Policy, demonstrators from also descend- the first time Lula and the power- steep rise in strengthen the alliance between Seoul actively engaged Pyongyang, ing on the city for a rival march. ful judge in charge of the Car Wash South Korea and the US. While he which led to closer relations on His lawyers have made various case, Sergio Moro, come face to was elected largely on concerns both sides of the border and saw failed attempts to delay his court face in court. maternal, about corruption and the econo- two South Korean Presidents vis- appearance. What is Operation Car Lula says Judge Moro is po- my, North Korea loomed large af- it the North Korean capital. Wash? Known throughout Brazil litically-motivated and believes infant mortality, ter weeks of rising tensions in the However, the approach ulti- simply as Lula, he was Brazil's there is a witch-hunt against him. region. mately failed to halt North Korea's most popular president during his Mr Moro is expected to hand down malaria A former special forces soldier nuclear weapons program. tenure from 2003 to 2010. A his verdict in 45 to 60 days. and human rights lawyer, Moon (CNN) former steel worker turned union (BBC) Venezuela's infant mortality rose 30 percent last year, maternal mortality shot up 65 percent and cases of malaria jumped 76 per- cent, according to government data. The sharp increases reflect how the country's deep econom- ic crisis has hammered at citizens' health. The statistics, issued on the ministry's website after near- ly two years of data silence from President Nicolas Maduro's left- South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Malong of conducting an ethnic ist government, also showed a sacked his powerful army chief war against non-Dinkas and ruling jump in illnesses such as diph- Paul Malong on Tuesday, a gov- with an "unqualified clique of theria and Zika. It was not im- ernment spokesman said, in con- friends and relatives". Among mediately clear when the minis- nection with the killing and rape those who quit was Lieutenant- try posted the data, although lo- of hundreds of civilians last sum- General Thomas Cirillo who has Iran will hit back at most of Saudi Sunni Muslim kingdom and the cal media reported on the statis- mer. Kiir dismissed the hard-line since announced plans to launch Arabia with the exception of Is- revolutionary Shi'ite theocracy tics on Tuesday. Recession and military official General Paul Ma- his own rebellion. Malong is wide- lam's holiest places if the kingdom ought to take place "inside Iran, currency controls in the oil-ex- long who was long regarded as an ly regarded as being the master- does anything "ignorant", Tehran's not in Saudi Arabia". Saudi Arabia porting South American nation ethnic nationalist of Kiir's majori- mind of fighting that erupted in the defense minister was quoted as and Iran compete for influence in have slashed both local produc- ty Dinka tribe. The controversial capital, Juba, last July, killing hun- saying on Sunday after a Saudi the Middle East and support rival tion and imports of foreign goods, commander will be replaced by dreds and dashing hopes of a pow- prince threatened to move the "bat- groups in Syria's civil war. Iran and Venezuelans are facing short- career soldier General James Ajon- er-sharing government between tle" to Iran. "If the Saudis do any- denies Saudi accusations that it ages of everything from rice to go Mawut. "The decrees are two: Kiir and his former deputy turned thing ignorant, we will leave no sends financial and sometimes vaccines. The opposition has or- one for the relief of Chief of Gen- rebel leader Riek Machar, a mem- area untouched except Mecca and armed support to groups hostile ganized weeks of protests against eral Staff, General Paul Malong ber of the Nuer tribe. The Dinka Medina," Iranian Defence Minis- to Riyadh around the Arab world. Maduro, accusing him of dicta- Awan, and another decree is for and the Nuer are the two largest ter Hossein Dehghan was quoted In unusually blunt comments in a torial rule and calling for elec- the appointment of former Depu- ethnic groups in South Sudan and by the semi-official Tasnim news nationally-televised interview on tions. In the health sector, doc- ty Chief of General Staff for Ad- have a history of bloody rivalry agency as saying. "They think they Tuesday, Prince Mohammed ruled tors have emigrated in droves and ministration and Finance General UN investigators were among can do something because they out any dialogue with Iran and patients have to settle for sec- James Ajongo Mawut as the Chief those who blamed Malong for the have an air force," he added in an pledged to protect his conserva- ond-rate treatment or none at all. of General Staff," Kiir's spokes- bloody attacks in July in which apparent reference to Yemen, tive kingdom from what he called A leading pharmaceutical associ- men Ateny Wek Ateny told AFP. civilians were killed and foreign aid where Saudi warplanes regularly Tehran's efforts to dominate the ation has said roughly 85 per- He said the move was a routine workers raped. The US subse- attack Iran-aligned Houthi forces Muslim world. "We know that we cent of medicines are running changing of personnel. "This is a quently failed to get Malong sanc- in control of the capital Sanaa. are a main goal for the Iranian re- short. Venezuelans often barter position that can be held between tioned and put on a UN blacklist, Dehghan, speaking to Arabic-lan- gime," he said. "We will not wait medicine, post pleas on social two years and four years and Ma- subject to an assets freeze and trav- guage Al-Manar TV, was com- until the battle becomes in Saudi media, travel to neighboring coun- long has spent three years so this el ban, for his role in the ongoing ing him of plotting a coup. menting on remarks by Saudi Dep- Arabia but we will work to have tries if they can afford it, or line is the prerogative of the president" conflict. South Sudan has been at Tens of thousands of people have died and more than 3.5 million uty Crown Prince Mohammed bin the battle in Iran rather than in Sau- up for hours at pharmacies. he said. In February several senior war since December 2013 when have been displaced as a result of an ongoing conflict - characterised by Salman, who said on Tuesday any di Arabia." (BBC) army officers resigned, accusing Kiir fell out with Machar, accus- brutality and human rights violations - in the world's newest country. contest for influence between the (Reuters) THURSDAY. MAY 11, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

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

AFGHANISTAN TIMES Russia boosts Iran’s Editor: Mansoor Faizy role in Syria, while US blocks Phone No: +93-797070563 E-mail: [email protected] Tehran’s passage in Deir Ezzour Email: [email protected] Shayrat airport when a plane caring the international community to give gain control of what’s left in the By Pierre Ghanem the poisonous shipment took off. Iran a cover regarding what it did in Palmyra area and go forward to Deir www.afghanistantimes.af Washington’s bombing of Al Shayrat Syria directly or indirectly through Ezzor and the connecting the In- airport was a move to stop the Syr- Hezbollah. The moment Lavrov and ternational Highway between Syria Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi ian regime from using weapons of Tillerson meet face-to-face in Wash- and Iraq. Syrian Foreign Minister mass destruction again. While the ington, the American stance will be Waleed al-Mouallem has confirmed Advisory editorial board US believes that Moscow guarantees as follows: Tillerson will need to this by saying that the Syrian re- that the Syrian regime won’t use confront Iranian interference in the gime’s “target is to reach Deir Ez- Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, chemical weapon again, they have Middle East while Lavrov will want zor.” This will be unfavorable for agreed to work on a plan to destroy to defend Iran’s role in Syria. The the United States if this road is re- Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal, Saboor Sarir ISIS. The United States believes that worst scenario for both diplomats is claimed with the support of Russia. Russia, through the Astana talks held that the Trump administration sees The disagreement over Turkey Graphic-Designers: Relationships between Washington on May 4, has done a diplomatic that Russia cannot implement its What is disturbing Washington and Moscow have reached a new maneuver as they succeeded in strategy in Syria and keep the Bashar regarding Moscow’s actions is that Bilal Yusufi and Basir Qazizada intersection relating to the Syrian “stealing” or “acquiring” the Amer- al- Assad regime in power without their attempts to reach an under- conflict. Though both the United ican strategy and republished it with the help and support of Iran and the standing with the Russians in recent Mar ket i ng & Adver t i si ng: States and Russia agree on fighting a Russian agenda. The US believes supporting Shiite militias. The situ- months have reached a deadlock. It terrorism they still differ on several that Russia, through the Astana talks, ation on the ground is putting great is not clear to the Americans if Rus- Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 files related to Syria. has done a diplomatic maneuver as pressures on both the American and sian President Vladimir Putin has Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan The core of the problem which they succeeded in “stealing” or “ac- Russian sides. The Americans are any intention to cooperate with the will be discussed by both foreign quiring” the American strategy and preparing for the last stage of the Trump administration. In recent Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 ministers Sergei Lavrov, who is on republished it with a Russian agenda battle to retake Syria’s Raqqa, the months, Moscow has worked to his first visit to Washington since Washington is objecting that the de-facto ISIS “capital” with the help deepen the American Turkish dis- Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press US President Donald Trump as- Astana talks shows Tehran as a lead- of Kurd and Arab forces, and this putes regarding the Syrian conflict sumed office, and his American coun- ing nation for establishing a de-es- fight will take a long time. and gave Turkey a role in guaran- terpart Rex Tillerson will focus on calation zone, while in reality, Iran’s The Americans want to support teeing the outcomes of the Astana Iran’s role in Syria. It will also hone original role is to support the Syri- the same forces or other Arab forc- talks, while Washington could not The constitution says in on Moscow’s support for Tehran’s an regime. The United States has its es in Deir Ezzor’s southern Buka- reach any understanding with An- Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, as perceived reservations to changing the way mal so as to move fast on the north- kara regarding Kurdish militias in by Washington and Gulf states. With Iran is viewed; from an aggressor to ern areas and control International Syria. While Turkey considers the Article 141 the new administration in the White endorsing it as a nation that guaran- Highway that links Syria with Iraq Kurds terrorists, the United States Article One Hundred Forty-One: To administer city affairs, municipalities shall be House lead by Trump, the United tees stability and fighting terrorism. and consequently controlling Deir considers them one of their few al- States has established a strategy fo- Washington had commented on Ezzor, as it will be the last city con- lies on Syrian territory and counts established. The mayor and members of municipal councils shall be elected through cusing on three phases: destroying the Astana talks by saying that trolled by ISIS and in the middle of on them to reach Raqqa and Deir free, general, secret and direct elections. Matters related to municipalities shall be ISIS, establishing de-escalation zones “Iran’s activities in Syria have con- the road between Damascus and Ezzor. The list of disputes between regulated by law. and establishing peace. The US has tributed to violence and not stopped Baghdad. The aim of gaining this Washington and Moscow is very tried cooperating with Russia regard- it. Also Iran’s support for the Assad city by the United States will stop long and fundamental and the hard- ing this strategy, but was faced by regime contributed to the Syrian Iran and its supporting militias from est part in it is that both countries collusion between Damascus and people’s misery.” But what is worse having control on this route which look towards Syria now not only as Moscow when the Syrian regime was the draft put forward by the links Iran’s borders with three Arab the passage to destroying terrorism, bombed Khan Sheikhoun with chem- Russians to the Security Council in capitals. On the other hand, the Syr- but also as a passage to establish in- ical weapons last April, as the Rus- order to adopt the outcomes of the ian regime, with the cooperation of fluence in the Middle East. sian military experts were in Al Astana talks, and trying to convince Moscow and Tehran, wants to re- (Alarabiya)

Will Kunduz fall to Taliban

for the third time? By Roxane Farmanfarmaian the ravages of sanctions-enforced 'Controlling the Media' financial and trade isolation, sees When the phrase "alternative such policies as the route to arrest- facts" or "false facts" crashed onto Roxane Farmanfarmaian is a lecturer at the Uni- ed development. Although touted the American conscience, Iranians eavy clashes are ongoing between Afghan security forces and versity of Cambridge. at the time as a "win-win", the nu- and other Middle Easterners inter- the Taliban insurgents in areas close to Kunduz city and at least clear deal with its accompanying viewed for this story expressed it has improved, or improved suffi- sanctions relief has lost its lustre in amazement at Western idealism. five police and army outposts are under siege by the militants. It ciently, since the passage of the Iran. Rouhani's rivals accuse him of "We're used to false facts - our gov- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- signing away Iran's sovereign rights ernments always use them," said a seems that the Taliban insurgents have launched a coordinated assault tion (JCPOA, the nuclear agree- and appeasing the West. It is time, journalist. Although Iran tops the on the city of Kunduz, attacking from four directions and trying to As the Iranian presidential election ment). Despite Rouhani's record of say both Raisi and Qalibaf, to stop charts for blog building and mobile campaign gets into full swing, sit- raising GDP growth to 7 percent, compromising and to start pursuing calling, the tussle between the es- enter the city. The attack has come after the Taliban announced their ting president Hassan Rouhani is and rescuing the economy from fall- a foreign policy that protects Iran's tablishment and opposition reform- facing two strong favourites from ing into hyperinflation as a result interests and prestige. Neither has ists over media control has often spring offensive ‘Mansouri’, vowing to continue their evil designs. Surely, the clerical establishment. As with of Ahmadinejad's ill-managed stat- officially rejected the JCPOA, but been brutal, and has swung widely the brave Afghan security forces are putting all efforts together to push the first time he ran, in 2013, Rou- ist policies (today, according to the they condemn Rouhani for succumb- from one administration to anoth- hani, a "moderate", is battling "hard- IMF, inflation is around 9.2 percent), ing to US and European duplicity. er. Internet activism helped Rouhani the militants back. Kunduz, which fell briefly to the Taliban insurgents line conservatives", Judge Ebrahim Qalibaf and Raisi accuse him of fail- International banks, they point out, to win his first election, and he has Raisi (protegee of the Supreme Lead- ing to deliver the promised rewards still fear US fines if they offer Iran refused to succumb to pressure from a year ago, has seen repeated bouts of heavy fighting. It falls to the er), and military heavyweight Mo- of sanctions relief. Their reason: financing, the US Congress is plot- his critics, including the Islamic Re- Taliban’s hand twice. The Taliban insurgent is making another push to hammad Bagher Qalibaf, the current Rouhani has become too chummy ting further sanctions in response publican Guard's Chief of Intelli- mayor of Tehran. They have also with the West, and is threatening to Iran's missile tests - even though gence, to block social media - par- take control of province, where Qala-i-Zal district of the province have been called "Principalists" (the la- Iran's economic well-being through they're not precluded by the JCPOA, ticularly the highly popular Tele- bel they prefer), and, often in the global financial and trade deals. and Trump's administration is co- gram app. Among his first state- already fallen to them. Kunduz is far from what are often considered to West, "religious extremists" - Rou- Their solution: to follow Supreme zying up to Iran's biggest rival, Sau- ments on the campaign trail was that be the center of the Taliban power—the southern provinces of Hel- hani used the term in his first cam- Leader Khamenei's idea of a "resis- di Arabia, as Washington has put a vote for him was a vote for free- paign in reference to his predeces- tance economy" which prioritises "Iran on notice" while it reviews US dom of expression. Concerned that mand and Kandahar. But yet the main focus of the Taliban is now sor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. To- domestic production and self reli- policy towards Tehran. Every time the media might be a key in sowing day, another label has slipped in qui- ance, the only way to "fight unem- Iran extends its hand, these estab- discord among a deeply divided pop- Kunduz. They (Taliban) are putting significant efforts and resource in etly to describe Rouhani's rivals: ployment and recession, control lishment candidates point out, the ulation (conservative vs modernist), its efforts to take control of the province. Kunduz city is only a prov- Populists. However, unlike in the inflation and confront the threats US has returned with an iron fist, Supreme Leader Khamenei is keen West, where populism has been used of enemies", as he explained in a and now again, Trump's administra- to project an image of strong and ince that fall to the Taliban since US forces entered in the war-torn in relation to US President Donald speech last year. Qalibaf promises tion has signalled that it's not com- stable leadership. His Islamist vision country in 2001. However, this fallout was for short period of time, Trump, French presidential candi- to create five million jobs and dou- mitted to the nuclear agreement. marries revolutionary idealism with date Marine Le Pen or Italian Beppe ble the country's income during his What distinguishes the populist es- religion and state, a polemic that, where the Afghan security force retook the province, and strengthened Grillo, in Iran the populists aren't tenure; Raisi is offering 1.5 million tablishment in Iran from the con- like most populism, does not allow overturning the establishment; they more jobs a year, and says that he servative populist experiments in multiple interpretations. To inspire their bonds there. However, the ongoing clashes in the province have are the establishment. It's Rouhani, will triple handouts to the poor. the US, Italy or Britain, is that fic- the nationalistic fervour to make raised many eyebrows among Afghan commoners. People are viewing the reformist, the liberal interna- Rouhani's team have hit back by tion is now a plank of the platform. "Iran Great Again" and view the tionalist, who represents the oppo- calling this populist rhetoric empty Rouhani's response is that Iran's for- world from the lens of "Iran First", with suspicion the intention of government on Kunduz fighting. Many sition. Looking at the Iranian elec- promises, noting that creating so eign policy should serve its domes- a media that exudes patriotism, rev- tion through a populist lens makes many jobs would need economic tic economy - a campaign slogan he olutionary activism, and broad buy- believe that government is reluctant to push back Taliban from the the murky politics of the Islamic growth of 26 percent - a pipe dream. used to good effect in his first pres- in is critical - even if it's not all province. Kunduz residents already have suffered at hands of Taliban Republic more transparent, partic- Yet, although the same populist prac- idential run, and which he is drawing drawn from truth. What distinguishes ularly in light of the populist moves tices were tried - and failed - under on to argue that the bigger fruits of the populist establishment in Iran in the first and second collapse of the province. No room left for them so recently chronicled in the US and Ahmadinejad, appealing to those sanctions relief will come during a from the conservative populist ex- Europe. It also gives a clue as to "left behind" with promises of pay- second term under the same consis- periments in the US, Italy or Brit- to bear the brunt of other casualties. They (residents) have lost their what populist-led countries look like outs, a jobs miracle, and utopian tent liberal leadership. Indeed, Rou- ain, is that fiction is now a plank of dearest and nearest one in human resources, while in property they lost in the long term, as well what they're well-being are all populist mainstays hani's view is that Iran's own unpre- the platform. To believers, it fur- like for both allies and enemies on in the Islamic Republic, made all the dictability and self-serving foreign nishes credibility; to domestic op- almost all. In twice collapse, many residents were killed and their prop- the outside. Iran's establishment has more legitimate as their proponents policies, not just Western distrust ponents and international players, a quiver-full of populist practices it see the same rhetoric now copied and antagonism, have isolated and it introduces a strange air of discor- erties including houses were destroyed partially or completely. This has honed over the years. Three in elsewhere - in Trump's promises to hurt it over the years. For Rouhani, dant unreality. For Rouhani, it is time fall will take out their all earnings the made in the past one year. particular stand out - not least be- back out of global trade deals that the populist idealism of Iran against anathema to good governance. To cause they have been recently on hurt "regular Americans", and the rest has repeatedly proven un- US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, Government should look seriously to the matter. It is very serious is- display on several Western stages: Theresa May's assurances that Brit- serviceable in a globalised world. who sees Iran as "not a nation state The economy, according to opin- ain's divorce from the EU will boost Only when a country has been led … but a revolutionary cause devot- sue. It is not exaggeration, because domestic media reported that Tali- ion polls, is the issue of greatest British sovereignty and strengthen by liberals and reformers has it made ed to mayhem", it is rhetoric in the ban militants are at least 150 meters far from the Kunduz city’s exit popular concern, with 72 percent the UK economy. Rouhani, who put progress and accrued credibility and service of the nation. gate in Charkhab area which is 1.5 kilometers far from the center of the of Iranians indicating they don't feel Iran's economy back on track after prosperity. (Aljazeera) city. There is no single doubt on the capability of the Afghan security forces. They (forces) could retake every fallen districts or areas from the Taliban within some hours, but, however, there some problem in command. Some security officers complain of not letting them to at- Growing of insecurit y tack militants, while they are on standby to thwart militants attack. Security forces should be on attacking position, otherwise, it would not be too far to see another collapse. Giving security forces command of attacking—then see the outcome, which defiantly would be outstand- ing, and very much appreciable. Long Live to the Afghan security forc- es, our trustable wings.

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By Nandini Sundar

hands of security forces. On their Yates’s testimony part, the Maoist rebels seem to have turned inwards on their peasant base, killing and threatening any poten- pumps the bellows Last month, 25 paramilitary soldiers tial informers. It is true that the from India's Central Reserve Police Maoist footprint has considerably Force (CRPF) were killed in a Mao- reduced since their peak in 2008-9, on the Trump ist ambush in the Sukma district of that many senior leaders of the the country's central Chhattisgarh movement have been arrested or state. Predictably, the media out- killed, and public sympathy is wan- rage that followed the attack, the ing, but for a movement which cel- Russia probe solutions offered by security pun- ebrates its golden jubilee this year, dits and the statement issued by the the conditions that gave rise to a By Dana Milbank with Russia, he might still be on the Maoists had a strong sense of deja sense of deprivation and injustice job today. Trump reluctantly pushed vu. The Leftist rebels, or Naxalites have not changed. Given this pin- out Flynn on Feb. 13 while insisting as they are popularly known, have cer movement from both the state he’d done nothing wrong. Three been active in the Bastar division of forces and the Maoists, it is hardly months later, Trump is still blam- the Chhattisgarh state, which en- surprising that the local population ing Yates, not his mendacious capsulates the Sukma district, for is not willing to provide intelligence former aide. “Ask Sally Yates, un- more than three decades. They have about impending ambushes. der oath, if she knows how classi- been taking up issues of land and The way forward fied information got into the news- Every time there is a major at- papers soon after she explained it forest rights for the indigenous peo- It had the makings of a Cold War ple or Adivasis, keeping out mining tack, India's security establishment to W.H. Council,” he tweeted Mon- talks of the need to maintain stan- whodunit: The attorney general tells day, before correcting the spelling companies, and establishing an al- the White House that the Russians most parallel state. In the last de- dard operating procedures, to send of “counsel.” (Republicans on the in more boots on the ground, to fill have “kompromat” on the presi- panel dutifully asked her, and former cade, however, the war between dent’s national security adviser — them and the Indian government has vacancies in the state police forces national intelligence director James and so on. After the latest ambush UN lauds Saudi Arabia’s but the president, for reasons un- Clapper, whether they had anything intensified, ever since the govern- in April, the Maoists made off with clear, stands by the compromised to do with such leaks; they said they ment sponsored Salwa Judum, a vig- official. On the morning of Jan. 26, ilante movement aimed at depopu- AK-47s, under-barrel grenade did not.) Where there is smoke there launchers, LMGs, INSAS rifles, AKM acting attorney general Sally Yates is not necessarily fire. But there is lating the region and forcing villag- called White House counsel Don Mc- ers into camps. In April 2010, 76 assault rifles, wireless sets, binocu- efforts to counter terrorism so much smoke from the Trump- lars, bulletproof jackets, AK maga- Gahn with a matter so sensitive it Russia probe that you can’t get near men from the CRPF were ambushed couldn’t be discussed by phone. They and killed by the Maoists in the same zines and ammunition - an indica- By Haifa A. Aljedea litical and economic areas such as Counter-Terrorism Center (which it without a respirator. Monday’s tion of the kind of weaponry that is strict money laundering regulations was created through a $110 million met that afternoon at the White hearing further pumped the bellows. stretch of the Sukma district. More House, and Yates, accompanied by recently, in March this year, Mao- being deployed against them. Every that stems the flow of terrorist fi- donation from Saudi Arabia) is an Clapper qualified his earlier state- few years, the minister responsible nancing and a strong commitment appropriate way to apply the rap- the top career official in the Justice ment that he knew of no collusion ist rebels killed 12 paramilitary men Department’s national security di- after ambushing their convoy. for internal security announces that to international cooperation Al- porteur’s recommendation as it is between the Trump campaign and the Maoists are on their way out though those working in countert- the main counterterrorism capaci- vision, dropped a bomb: President Russia — a point House Intelligence There have also been several un- Trump’s national security adviser, marked deaths among the Maoist and that in a mere couple of years errorism in the region already know ty building arm of the UN System. Committee Chairman Devin Nunes the conflict is going to come to an this, this is a conspicuous finding by Emmerson also commended the Michael Flynn, had lied to Vice Pres- has used to exculpate Trump. Clap- cadres over the years. But above all, ident Pence about Flynn’s contacts there have been continuous, relent- end. Chidambaram, India's former the UN rapporteur as it gives a plat- government’s efforts to alleviate per acknowledged Monday that he home minister, said this in 2010 and form to the significant work Saudi the suffering of victims of terror- with Russia. This had left Flynn vul- was “not aware of the counterintel- less assaults on the lives and human nerable to Russian blackmail, the rights of indigenous villagers across Rajnath Singh, the current home The UN Special Rapporteur on the Arabia is doing in this area. Recent ism. Although the United Nations ligence investigation” the FBI was minister, is saying it now in 2017. reports have indicated prisons in has called for supporting the vic- Justice Department officials said — conducting on the matter. Clapper the region. In March 2011, security promotion and protection of human and Yates, an Obama administration forces burned down at least 300 Only the party labels have changed, rights and fundamental freedoms Europe act as breeding grounds for tims of terrorism through its Global rebutted the Trump argument that from Congress to BJP. It is true that terrorism and violent extremism. Counter-Terrorism Strategy, many holdover, said she was sharing the Obama officials (particularly Susan homes in three villages in Bastar, a while countering terrorism, Ben information so the White House brutal attack during which three men the Maoist footprint has consider- Emmerson, and his team recently While Europe struggles to pre- countries neglect those most affect- Rice, who declined to appear Mon- ably reduced since their peak in vent the spread of terrorism and ed by terrorism and this heinous form could take action. But McGahn had day) had improperly “unmasked” were killed and three women were concluded a visit to Saudi Arabia an odd response. He called the DOJ raped. And this was not the first time 2008-9, that many senior leaders where they met with various heads terrorist attacks, Saudi Arabia is of violence. As stated by the Rap- Flynn or others. Clapper said he was of the movement have been arrest- years ahead with the development porteur’s findings, Saudi Arabia’s in- officials back to the White House not “aware of any instance” of un- that these indigenous villages were of government institutions in the the next day and asked them a per- burned to the ground: In 2007, men ed or killed, and public sympathy is Kingdom. As part of his findings, of an effective and comprehensive stitutions offer comprehensive pro- masking being used for political pur- waning, but for a movement which rehabilitation strategy. One rehabil- grams that includes financial, psy- plexing question, Yates recounted to poses. Clapper confirmed, as well, from the state-sponsored Salwa Ju- Emmerson stated that he was im- a Senate Judiciary subcommittee dum vigilante movement, which in- celebrates its golden jubilee this year, pressed by Saudi Arabia’s efforts and itation center in the Kingdom re- chological, educational, and moral that British intelligence and other the conditions that gave rise to a ports an 86 percent rate of non- support. Monday afternoon: Why does it European allies passed information cluded members of the security forc- commended its work on countering matter to DOJ if one White House es, had burned down the same vil- sense of deprivation and injustice the spread of violent extremism. recidivism. In fact, the UN rappor- Counter-terrorism experts re- to the United States in late 2015 have not changed. In fact, the situ- teur has recommended that other gard supporting victims not only as official lies to another White House and early 2016 about Trump cam- lages. To this day, villagers across Along with security-oriented strat- official? Thought-provoking opin- the Bastar division of Chhattisgarh ation has got much worse for villag- egies, Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive countries consider the Saudi model an important aspect of an all inclu- paign ties to Russia. What’s known ers, with schools, health centres, for counter-radicalization especial- sive strategy, but as a significant ions and commentary, in your in- publicly about those ties is damning are living lives of desperate fear. approach encompasses social, po- box daily. Yates explained what First of all, they are under the pres- weekly markets, all becoming casu- litical and economic areas such as ly for those convicted of terrorism. method to prevent violent extrem- enough that the Trump response has alties of the war, and nutritional Along with bi-lateral collabora- ism and the spread of terrorism. should have been self-evident: Not been less a head-on refutation than sure of sustained combing operations. strict money laundering regulations only were Pence and the American Security officers pick up men sleep- standards deteriorating sharply. that stems the flow of terrorist fi- tion between Saudi Arabia and other (Alarabiya) complaints about the way the in- Even if the movement is militarily countries, the United Nations public entitled to know the truth, formation came out — through ing in their homes or minding their nancing and a strong commitment but the Russians also knew that business in the market. They claim crushed in the near future, there is to international cooperation. One “unmasking,” leaking or imagined no saying that it will not find will- Flynn had lied to the vice president wiretapping of the Trump campaign. that these men confessed to being example of this longstanding com- — so the Russians had the goods on Naxalites and surrendered to the se- ing followers again. The Indian gov- mitment is comments of Saudi’s for- Though some Republicans on the ernment has plenty of resources that him. “To state the obvious, you panel engaged in such diversions — curity forces. Government data, eign minister regarding President What South Korea’s don’t want your national security however, reveals that of the 1210 it can use to create an alternative Trump’s upcoming visit to Saudi Ted Cruz raised the Anthony Wein- mechanism to end the conflict. First adviser compromised with the Rus- er affair — the subcommittee chair- people who "surrendered" in Bastar Arabia. He said that the trip would sians,” Yates testified. “Logic would in 2016, only some three percent of all, there is a constitution that be an opportunity to enhance co- man, Lindsey Graham, rose above can provide for the welfare of Adi- tell you that you don’t want the partisanship. “When a foreign pow- have been classified as real Nax- operation between the US and Mus- election means national security adviser to be in a alites. Indigenous women are also vasis or scheduled tribes if it is im- lim countries in the fight against er interferes in our election, it plemented. Also, the government position where the Russians have doesn’t matter who they targeted,” subject to government pressure and extremism. Unlike countries in Eu- leverage over him.” But Trump they are often brutally beaten for has a past record of successful peace rope and the North America where he said. “We’re all in the same boat.” talks with the secessionist Mizo for the US didn’t move to fire Flynn. He fired The Trump White House, alas, trying to resist attacks by security conditions in prisons breed terror- Yates instead. At the White House forces. India's National Human National Front in Mizoram. There ism and violent extremism, Saudi takes a different view. Yates, a ca- are international examples of ne- counsel’s request, Yates had arranged reer prosecutor until Barack Obama Rights Commission acknowledged Arabia has developed methods to re- for him to see the evidence against that between November 2015 and gotiated settlements between left habilitate and reintegrate those sus- tapped her to be the No. 2 at the wing guerillas and the government, Flynn on Monday, Jan. 30. But he Justice Department, recalled the January 2016, indigenous women in pected and convicted of terrorism. didn’t come that day, and that night Chhattishgarh suffered three major and an active human rights commu- Emmerson noted that, “Saudi Ara- questions the White House counsel nity which has in the past shown a Yates was sacked for refusing to im- had about Flynn: Why did DOJ care? incidents of mass gang rape and bia can rightly be proud of the gen- plement Trump’s order banning physical assault at the hands of se- desire to mediate talks between the uinely rehabilitative nature of the Would DOJ pursue a criminal case? Indian government and the Mao- travelers from several majority- Wouldn’t taking action against curity forces. More recently, on facilities in which it houses prison- Muslim nations. Flynn remained on April 2, 2017, a 14-year-old girl was ists. Even the Indian Supreme Court ers accused of terrorism.” He com- Flynn interfere with an investiga- has invoked the example of the the job, sitting in on highly classi- tion? And could he see the evidence? sexually assaulted in her home in a mended the standard of care, the fied sessions including a phone call Sukma village by CRPF men. After Colombian peace talks while hear- conditions of detention, and the After those skeptical questions, ing petitions related to ongoing hu- between Trump and Russian Presi- Trump took no visible action against spending three days in police custo- medical and recreational facilities of dent Vladimir Putin. Had The Wash- dy, she was forced to retract her man rights violations in Chhattis- the Kingdom’s detention centers Flynn until a public outcry forced garh. ington Post not broken the story him to. You don’t have to be Tom statement - she was not even al- and stated that they are, “are on Feb. 9 about Flynn’s contacts lowed to meet the women's rights Unfortunately, there is more amongst the highest in the world”. Clancy to wonder why. (WP) activists who were trying to help money to be made in war than in Along with security-oriented strat- her file a complaint. But people of promoting peace. egies, Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive By Editorial Board Fifield and Yoonjung Seo. He has a Bastar are not only suffering at the (Aljazeera) approach encompasses social, po- point: Though the system is an im- portant and needed counter to the The Comey debacle MOON JAE-IN, who easily won growing missile threat from Py- South Korea’s presidential election ongyang, the action looked like an Tuesday, was the beneficiary of an- attempt to circumvent Mr. Moon’s only magnifies the other popular backlash against a rul- expressed reservations by creating ETTER TO THE EDITOR ing establishment perceived as cor- a fait accompli. Mr. Moon also L rupt and out of touch. Already un- sounded unhappy with Mr. Trump’s Russia mystery happy with a slowing economy and strategy of aggressively pursuing shrinking opportunities for the cooperation on North Korea with young, South Koreans took to the Chinese President Xi Jinping, say- By David Ignatius Flynn had misrepresented the Kisly- streets by the hundreds of thousands ak call to Vice President-elect Mike ing South Korea should “take the President Trump’s abrupt firing of last year when President Park Geun- lead on matters in the Korean Pen- Pence. Flynn’s discussion with the hye was accused of conspiring with FBI Director James B. Comey will Russian ambassador at such a sensi- insula” rather than “take the back intensify focus on the issue Trump tive time, when the United States a friend to extort bribes from the seat and watch discussions between country’s big conglomerates. After has been so eager to dismiss — his was punishing Russia for hacking the the U.S. and China.” The new pres- knowledge of contacts between 2016 election, was arguably a viola- Ms. Park was impeached and jailed, ident has long been an advocate of Mr. Moon, a leftist former human Michael Flynn and other associates tion of the Logan Act, which bars rapprochement between the two and Russia. White House arguments private meddling during a confron- Polio is an endemic disease that cases paralyze. Afghanistan is among those countries rights lawyer who lost to her in the Koreas and has advocated reopen- last presidential election, was the that Trump sacked Comey for mis- tation with another country. It was who still suffering from polio. The MoPH, recently kicked off polio vaccination campaign ing two joint projects that provided handling the investigation of Hill- “problematic” behavior, as former obvious alternative. His promises to North Korea with valuable streams to achieve the goal of polio-free Afghanistan in year 2017. boost government hiring, tighten ary Clinton’s emails are implausi- acting attorney general Sally Yates of hard currency — a step that would ble, but no more so than some of said in her riveting testimony Mon- The two drops of polio is key to every children, because it prevents crippling. It is the regulation of the big companies and run directly counter to Mr. Trump’s conduct a more modest and open the arguments the Trump team has day. But the Kislyak call wasn’t a need of the hour that all people should come up to the fore and support polio drive. strategy of tightening sanctions. It made about Flynn’s firing in Febru- hanging offense, and it probably presidency are a natural response to does not help that Mr. Trump re- ary. Sources say the White House If you don’t want to see you dearest and nearest one from being paralyzed, two drops the mood of dissatisfaction. Yet if wasn’t even a prosecutable one. cently trashed the “horrible” U.S.- has been talking about firing Com- Trump could have said back on Dec. of polio vaccine is a must. Negligence is irreversible in this regard. All children under five Mr. Moon’s ascent can be described South Korea free-trade agreement ey since before the inauguration; as a triumph for South Korea’s young 29 that Flynn had talked with Kisly- must be vaccinated. and suggested that South Korea why they pulled the trigger now is ak in hopes of averting Russian re- democracy, it may pose a challenge should pay $1 billion for THAAD, unclear, but FBI agents, including Mudasir Ahmad, Kabul, Afghanistan to an already wobbly U.S. position prisals for U.S. sanctions announced in contravention of a bilateral agree- those who dislike Comey, were said that day. Trump certainly wasn’t in Asia. President Trump has made ment. That played into the hands to be dazed and upset Tuesday night. the denuclearization of North Ko- shy about crediting President of Mr. Moon, who has written that The Comey putsch heightens the Vladimir Putin on Dec. 30 for his rea a top priority of his new admin- South Korea should “learn to say mystery at the center of the Flynn “great move” in not retaliating. Is istration, pursuing — sometimes no” to Washington. Should Mr. case: Why Trump didn’t react soon- it really plausible that Trump hadn’t erratically — a strategy of sharply Trump persist in that line, he could er to warnings about Flynn’s in- talked to Flynn before posting that raising the pressure on the regime quickly sabotage both his North volvement with Russia. Why didn’t tweet? Trump has been digging a Letter to editor will be edited for policy, content and clarity. All letters must of Kim Jong Un while holding out Korea initiative and bilateral rela- Trump listen to President Barack hole for himself from the beginning have the writer’s name and address. You may send your letters to: the prospect of negotiations. Mr. tions with a vital American ally. The Obama’s caution against hiring him? on Russia-related issues. It’s an odd [email protected] Moon has advocated a more dovish good news is that Mr. Moon is for Why did Trump wait 18 days before pattern of behavior. Trump may approach — and he has expressed now striking a conciliatory note. He removing his national security ad- have done nothing improper involv- unhappiness with what looked like told Ms. Fifield that “President viser after urgent advice that Flynn ing Russia, but why does he act so a U.S. race to put a new missile de- Trump is more reasonable than he could be “blackmailed” After Com- defensive? In a book called “Spy the fense system, the Terminal High Al- is generally perceived” and that he ey’s dismissal, critics are likely to Lie,” a group of former intelligence Disclaimer: titude Area Defense (THAAD), in agrees with the U.S. strategy of “ap- examine more sharp-edged theories officers explain the behavioral and place before the election took place. plying sanctions and pressure” to of the Flynn case and other Russia linguistic cues that indicate when The views and opinions expressed in the articles are The hurried deployment of the Pyongyang if it leads to negotia- matters. One obvious possibility is someone is being deceptive. Inter- THAAD batteries last month, liter- tions. that Trump didn’t take action ear- estingly, many of these are evident those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views or ally in the middle of the night, This is a relationship that can be lier because he already knew about in Trump’s responses to questions “lacked democratic procedure,” Mr. saved and even strengthened — if Flynn’s Dec. 29 discussion with Rus- about Russia’s covert involvement opinions of the Afghanistan Times. Moon complained in an interview Mr. Trump handles it with care. sian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in U.S. politics. last week with The Post’s Anna (WP) about sanctions, and knew that (WP) THURSDAY. MAY 11, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Turkey slams US Hundreds ofAfrican decision to arm migrants rampage through streets after Kurdish militants storming Spanish border in Syria Hundreds of African migrants have sand migrants launched an “ex- stormed the Spanish-Moroccan tremely violent and organised” at- border, injuring guards and pour- tack which injured 55 border ing into the streets of Melilla. guards. One is reported to have The city, which has belonged lost an eye. Border violations at to Spain since 1497, is one of two the two exclaves had tripled by centuries-old settlements on the February. Moroccan agriculture North African coast which belong minister, and billionaire oil and gas to the European country. In the tycoon, Aziz Akhannouch indicat- early hours of 9 May, an estimat- ed the North African state would ed 300 illegal migrants, who trav- relax its efforts to stem the flow of elled to Morocco from south of migrants if the European Union the Sahara with Europe as their refused to give way to the dicta- ultimate objective, launched a sus- torship on issues including farm- tained assault on Melilla’s bound- ing, fishing, and its long-standing ary fences. The Spanish interior illegal occupation of Western Sa- US Navy admiral Scott Swift told China the Trump administration will US warships – including air- ministry reports that three guards hara. “How do you expect us to not take its gaze off the hotly contested South China Sea territory. craft carrier USS Carl Vinson – were hospitalised after the intrud- do the work of blocking African Tensions between the two military superpowers has threatened to spill have been patrolling the territory ers bombarded them with missiles. and even Moroccan emigration if over into all-out conflict in the contested region. Allies of the US – to ensure the safety of allies. Thai Around a hundred migrants broke Europe doesn’t want to work with including the Philippines, Taiwan and Malaysia – have all made com- and US military tanks participate through the city’s defences suc- us?” he asked. “Why should we peting claims for land. in a live fire military display Thai cessfully, rampaging through the continue acting as police and giv- military soldiers use a flame throw- Turkey raps as “unacceptable” a The photo taken on April 25, 2017 streets and turning cartwheels in ing [migrants] work?” er Military helicopters participate US announcement that Washing- shows a US officer speaking with celebration. Melilla’s sister city, In fact, the EU does pay Mo- US Marines Lt. General David ton will be supplying arms and a militant from the Kurdish Peo- Ceuta, has also suffered from large- rocco an unspecified sum, report- Berger (R), Chief of the Royal Thai military equipment to Syria-based ple’s Protection Units (YPG) at scale assaults in recent months. ed to be in the tens of millions of armed forces General Surapong Kurdish militants. The Pentagon the site of Turkish airstrikes near Five hundred migrants broke euros, to police its borders. Char- Suwana-Adth (C) and Japanese Lt. made the announcement on Tues- northeastern Syrian Kurdish town through its fences on 18 February, ities have accused the Moroccan But since the election of Donald day, stressing that arming the Syr- of Derik, known as al-Malikiyah followed swiftly by another 300 authorities of using “abuse, degrad- Trump, the US Navy has scaled ian Democratic Forces (SDF) is to in Arabic. (By AFP) On August on the 20th. These incidents were ing treatment and violence” – in- backed patrols of the territory as “ensure a clear victory” in opera- 24, 2016, Turkish air force and preceded by an even larger incur- cluding sexual violence – to do so. the North Korea crisis erupted. tions aimed at liberating the north- special ground forces kicked off the sion in January, when over a thou- (Breitbart) Now Mr Swift, fleet commander ern Syria city of Raqqah from the so-called Operation Euphrates in the pacific, has warned Beijing Daesh terrorist group. Raqqah, Shield inside Syria in a bid to sup- that there will be “no change in which fell to Daesh in 2014, is the port the so-called Free Syrian policy” in the region. Takfiri terror group’s main strong- Army militants, who similar to the He said: “We just went through hold in Syria. The Kurdish-domi- SDF oppose Damascus. The mis- a change in administration. “I am nated and anti-Damascus alliance sion is also meant to rid the border Cohen: France under Macron not surprised that process has con- of the SDF, to which the US said areas of the YPG and their fellow tinued in a dialogue as the new ad- would be channeling the hardware, Kurdish fighters of the Democrat- ministration gets its feet on the is led by the Washington-backed ic Union Party (PYD). The Turk- won’t change position on ground and determines where Kurdish People’s Protection Units ish and Western military presence would be appropriate to take ad- (YPG). Turkish Deputy Prime in Syria comes without the con- Karabakh conflict vantage of these opportunities and Minister Nurettin Canikli reacted sent of the central government in Despite the fact that France has the founder of International Mar- where we may want to wait.” He to the US decision on Wednesday, Damascus, which slams the unco- always supported Armenia, Paris ket Analysis Ltd. and director of said the US Navy will continue to saying, “The supply of arms to ordinated intervention as illegiti- won’t change its position on the the Center for Energy, Natural conduct patrols of the disputed the YPG is unacceptable.” “Such mate and a violation of its sover- Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno- Resources and Geopolitics. He be- islands. He added: “We just a policy will benefit nobody,” add- eignty. Syrian government forces, Karabakh conflict after Emmanuel lieves that the Macron administra- present the opportunities when we ed the deputy premier. Ankara backed up by Russian airpower, Macron’s becoming France’s new tion will hold more anti-Moscow have a ship in the area and there is views the YPG as the Syrian have been pushing against Daesh president, says Ariel Cohen, se- position than any of the previous an area of interest.” In February, branch of the militant Kurdistan from the west of Raqqah, while nior fellow at the Institute for Anal- administrations. The course of in- China told the US “this is not the Workers' Party (PKK) that has SDF militias have been squeezing ysis of Global Security. In general, dependence of the three South caribbean” and “you can’t tame the been fighting for an autonomous the terror group from the north. France’s policy in the South Cau- Caucasus states will be a priority dragon” as US forces moved into region inside Turkey since 1984. (PRESSTV) casus doesn’t seem to be changed, for France, he noted. Thailand for a massive war games according to Cohen, who is also (Trend) drill. Such schools are an extreme example of the "patriotic educa- tion" which China's ruling Com- munist party promotes to boost Immortal Regiment in its legitimacy, but which critics condemn as little more than brain- Uzbekistan brings together washing. A student doing an "eye exer- thousands cise" to relax after intensive work Thousands of citizens of Uzbeki- es. The first Immortal Regiment Students attending the flag-raising stan took part in the Immortal march in Tashkent was held in ceremony Students exercising Stu- Police in Myanmar's main city without special permission. Regiment march that was held on 2014. In 2015-2016 years, a num- dents exercising in the playground fired warning shots overnight to An Associated Press reporter May 9, TASS reports. Young peo- ber of participants was more than Students exercising Students walk- break up a confrontation between in Yangon saw around 30 Bud- ple congratulated veterans of the in previous year. More than 1.4 ing home from the Yang Dezhi dozens of Buddhists and Muslims dhists on the streets, including Second World War and laid flow- million people from Uzbekistan "Red Army" elementary school that left at least one person injured. monks. Some were armed with ers to the monument of mourning participated in the WW2. Presi- Students working hard in their It was the latest manifestation stones, as were Muslims who were mother. Then they started march- dent Shavkat Mirziyoyev this year classroom. US and China have been of years of rising anti-Muslim sen- poised to defend themselves. Po- ing to remember their relatives, ordered to provide housing to at loggerheads since the middle of timent in the predominantly Bud- lice fired two warning shots to dis- who took part in the WW2. needy participants and veterans of 2016 when the United Nations dhist nation, where ultra-national- perse the crowds. At least one Uzbekistan earlier canceled the the WW2 and 2 million sum (about ruled against the Chinese attempts ist Buddhist monks and their sup- Muslim man was hospitalized with Immortal Regiment march due to $550). to claim islands in the South China porters forced the closure of two injuries to his head. the troubled political circumstanc- (Akpress) Sea. The disputed region hosts half Muslim schools in Yangon last Tensions between Buddhist of the world’s merchant shipping month. The confrontation began and Muslims has spread across activity and is believed to be rich after midnight Wednesday when Myanmar since violent conflict in oil and national gas. Buddhist hard-liners entered a broke out between ethnic Rakhine Iran to Lodge Complaint (DAILYSTAR) Muslim neighbourhood claiming Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya some ethnic Rohingya Muslims in 2012. against Turkmenistan over were hiding "illegally" in the area, Violence in Rakhine state flared a police officer said on condition again last year when Rohingya Gas Supply Halt: Official of anonymity because of the sen- launched a small insurgency, lead- Syria war: US to arm Kurds sitivity of the situation. Rohingya ing to massive retaliation by My- Iran has prepared the required doc- Hamid Reza Araqi was quoted as uments to file a lawsuit in the In- saying by Shana news agency on in Myanmar are largely denied cit- anmar's army, which rights groups ternational Court of Arbitration Monday. “Iran’s documents are izenship and basic rights. The ma- say has killed hundreds of people against Turkmenistan for its fail- ready to be submitted to the Inter- fighting Islamic State jority of them — more than 1 mil- and forced around 75,000 to flee ure to supply gas to the Islamic national Court of Arbitration,” he lion — live in western Myanmar's to neighbouring Bangladesh. Rakhine state and cannot travel (Theglobeandmail) Republic in winter, the managing said, adding that Turkmenistan has would still prioritise sup- director of the National Iranian Gas been notified of the decision. plying those Arab fighters Company (NIGC) said. “The price However, Araqi said, Iran within the SDF. The deci- of gas, the damage they (Turk- would not refer the case to the in- sion to arm the Syrian China says North Korea mens) inflicted on Iran in winter ternational court if the NIGC and Kurds will likely cast a by cutting off gas supplies, and Turkmengaz reach an understand- shadow over Erdogan's US the quality of gas delivered to Iran ing. visit, policy experts said. sending delegation to are three cases claimed by Iran,” (Tasnimnews) "There have been bad episodes in the relation- ship between the United new Silk Road summit States and Turkey, but this Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace one is serious because it May 14-15, an event orchestrat- gets to the heart of Turk- ed to promote Xi's vision of Platform presented at int’l ish security priorities," expanding links between Asia, said Bulent Aliriza, direc- Africa and Europe underpinned tor of the Turkey project by billions of dollars in infra- forum in Egypt structure investment. US President Donald Trump has Raqqa, Islamic State's de facto cap- at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in "According to what I under- A regional forum named “Youth MP's from Morocco, Egypt and approved arms supplies to Kurd- ital in Syria and a hub for planning stand, the North Korean side Participation and Civic Engage- Tunisia, politicians from Lebanon ish YPG fighters to support an the group's attacks against the Washington. "You've now got a will send an official delegation ment” was held in Alexandria, and government representatives operation to retake the Syrian city West. "We are keenly aware of the to relevant events at the Belt Egypt from April 30 to May 5. from Egypt, including the Direc- of Raqqa from Islamic State, de- security concerns of our coalition question mark over the US- Turkish security relation- and Road Forum for Interna- The forum was co-organized by tor of the Media Office of the Pres- spite fierce opposition from partner Turkey," Pentagon tional Cooperation that will the Swedish Institute Alexandria ident of Egypt, Dr. Rasha Allam. NATO ally Turkey. Ankara views spokeswoman Dana White said in ship that is pretty seri- ous." Women fighters from shortly be taking place," and Danish Egyptian Dialogue In- Within the framework of the the Kurdish YPG militia, fighting a statement on Tuesday. spokesman Geng Shuang told stitute, APA reported. Youth from forum there was held a presenta- within a larger US-backed coalition, "We want to reassure the peo- the Kurdish YPG militia. Ankara has long argued a daily briefing. the EU-MENA region were invit- tion of the Armenia-Azerbaijan as the Syrian arm of the Kurdish ple and government of Turkey that He did not elaborate. ed to the forum. The idea of this Platform for Peace. The presenta- PKK militant group, which has the US is committed to preventing Washington should switch conference was to bring youth and tion was made by Witold Olejnik support for the planned Despite Chinese anger at waged an insurgency in south-east- additional security risks and pro- North Korea's repeated nucle- political activists from Europe and (Poland), a peace ambassador of ern Turkey since 1984. tecting our NATO ally." assault on Raqqa from the MENA together to discuss the the platform. Witold Olejnik un- Kurdish YPG militia to ar and missile tests, China re- Turkey has blocked access to There was no immediate reac- mains the isolated state's most forms of enhancing political par- derlined main principles and de- the online encyclopaedia Wikipe- tion from Turkey, with President Syrian rebels Turkey has China's Foreign Ministry said on Tues- ticipation in pluralistic societies scribed the fragility of situation is trained and led against IS day that North Korea will be sending a important economic and diplo- dia, citing a law allowing it to ban Recep Tayyip Erdogan expected matic backer, even as Beijing with an aim to create a network of South Caucasus to people from access to websites deemed obscene to meet Trump in Washington next for the past year. delegation to next week's summit on young people with shared values Europe and MENA. Participants Ankara says that the President Xi Jinping's ambitious new has signed up for tough U.N. or a threat to national security. week. The US has long directly sanctions against Pyongyang across the region. The participants had a chance to get more familiar The PKK is listed as a terror- supplied arms to Arab compo- YPG's advances will fuel Silk Road project. China's Foreign Min- of this forum were active members with dynamics of the region, to ist organisation by the United nents of the so-called Syrian Dem- anti-Kurdish sentiment in istry said on Tuesday that North Ko- China has over the years tried of political parties, students and find out the necessity of peaceful States, Australia and the Europe- ocratic Forces, which include YPG predominantly Arab parts rea will be sending a delegation to next to coax North Korea into cau- scholars conducting research in the consolidation of this conflict and an Union. fighters. YPG soldiers near their of Syria such as Raqqa and week's summit on President Xi Jin- tious, export-oriented econom- area of Political Parties, Political possible threat of spillover and its The Pentagon stressed it saw strongholds in the border town of threaten Syria's territorial ping's ambitious new Silk Road project. ic reforms, rather than sabre participation or extremism. Among consequences for whole Europe arming Kurdish forces "as neces- Kobane, Syria. integrity. Leaders from 28 countries will attend rattling and nuclear tests, but the list of participants were also and Middle East. (BBC) sary to ensure a clear victory" in Ms White said Washington (Reuters) the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on to little avail. (BBC) THURSDAY . MAY 11, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES

goods, rather than adopt the slash- Earlier this year, engineers at Wal- and-burn approach Trump pro- Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) who moted on the campaign trail in track rivals' prices online got a rude 2016. In currencies, the dollar in- surprise: the technology they were dex, which tracks the greenback using to check Amazon.com sev- against a basket of six major cur- eral million times a day suddenly rencies, was flat at 99.435, mov- stopped working. Losing access to ing away from a three-week high Amazon.com Inc's (AMZN.O) of 99.688. Rising U.S. yields data was no small matter. Like most propped up the dollar to its stron- big retailers, Wal-Mart relies on gest level against the Japanese yen computer programs that scan pric- in two months at 114.32 in the es on competitors' websites so it previous session but it gave back can adjust its listings accordingly. some of those gains after Trump A difference of even 50 cents can fired FBI Director Comey in a mean losing a sale. But a new tac- move that shocked Washington. It tic by Amazon to block these pro- was last changing hands at 113.76 grams - known commonly as ro- per dollar, while yields on bench- bots or bots - thwarted the Ben- mark 10-year U.S. Treasury notes tonville, Arkansas-based retailer. were lurking near their highest lev- Its technology unit, @Walmart- els since end-March at 2.39 per- Labs, was unable to work around cent. But some market analysts the blockade for weeks, forcing it pointed out with market volatility to retrieve Amazon's data through indicators hitting record lows -- the a secondary source, according to a VIX indicator fell overnight to ChemChina gets person familiar with the matter 9.56, its lowest since late 2006 -- who was not authorized to speak the likelihood of a large move in publicly. The previously unre- financial markets has grown. ported incident offers a case study "Geopolitics and the diver- around 82pc of in how Amazon's technological gence of policy have not gone prowess is helping it dominate the away," Marc Chandler, global head retail competition. Now the larg- of FX strategy wrote in a daily est online retailer in the world, Am- Syngenta in $43b azon is best known by consumers note. "It is a reminder that we are Asian stocks edged higher for a sentiment," said Tai Hui, chief Asia modest gains in the previous ses- often lulled into complacency just for its fast delivery, huge product third consecutive day on Wednes- market strategist at JPMorgan sion. It hit a two-year high last before being shocked by how catalog and ambitious moves into day as investors focused on strong Asset Management in Hong Kong. week. South Korean stocks led los- treacherous things really are." Fed areas like original TV programming. corporate earnings and the dollar With results in for the major- ers as investors took profits after funds futures pricing showed in- But its mastery of the complex, gave back some of its recent gains. ity of the companies on the S&P liberal leader Moon Jae-in was vestors almost universally expect behind-the-scenes technologies U.S. President Donald Trump's 500, estimated Q1 earnings growth elected president, while losses in the Federal Reserve to raise U.S. that power modern e-commerce is abrupt dismissal of FBI Director is now at 14.5 percent, highest Australia's big banks weighed on overnight interest rates at its next just as important to its success. James Comey prompted some since Q3 of 2011, Thomson Reu- the broader market after the gov- meeting, with close to a 90 per- Dexterity with bots allows unwinding of risky bets in early ters data shows with roughly 75 ernment levied taxes on the lend- cent perceived chance of an increase Amazon not only to see what its Asian trading but strategists said pct of companies are beating ana- ers to help balance the budget. and next month. Brent crude futures rivals are doing, but increasingly investors were cheered by a strong lysts' expectations. That has Chinese stocks edged higher, rose more than 0.5 percent to to keep them in the dark when it slate of corporate earnings, reflect- helped Asia as well, with 12-month shrugging off news that showed $49.03 per barrel after Reuters re- undercuts them on price or is qui- ing the cyclical rebound in the first forward earnings per share for the April's producer price inflation ported Saudi Arabia would cut etly charging more. "Benchmark- quarter of 2017 was still in place. MSCI index of Asia-Pacific shares cooled more than expected, with supplies to the Asia region to main- ing against Amazon is going to be- European stocks are set to follow outside Japan rising to its highest investors stepping into the mar- tain supply to meet rising domes- come hard," said Guru Hariharan, Asia's example, with major indi- level in more than three years. ket to scoop up bargains after a tic demand for power during the a former Amazon manager who ces set for a broadly flat start ac- "Strong corporate earnings are sup- recent fall. Markets were also re- summer months. OPEC is battling now sells pricing software to re- cording to index futures. "Markets porting risk sentiment in the Asian lieved when U.S. Commerce Sec- against rising U.S. output that is tailers as chief executive of Moun- are setting aside the many policy equity markets, said Fan Cheuk retary Wilbur Ross signaled the threatening to derail its attempts tain View, California-based Boo- changes seen from the Trump ad- Wan, head of investment strategy Trump administration would at- to end a sustained global glut of merang Commerce. A Wal-Mart ministration and focusing on the and advisory at HSBC Private tempt to use existing tools to ag- crude. Gold advanced modestly to ChemChina [CNCC.UL] has won fered, slightly above the level the spokesman declined to discuss the improvement in corporate perfor- Banking. MSCI's Asia ex Japan in- gressively enforce trade rules and $1221.90 ounce, breaking a two- around 82 percent support from partners had announced last week January episode but said the com- mance and that should support dex rose 0.3 percent after posting insist on fairer treatment for U.S. week long losing streak. Syngenta shareholders for its $43 when ChemChina clinched the pany improves its technology reg- (Reuters) billion takeover of the Swiss pes- deal. An additional acceptance pe- ularly and has multiple tools for ticides and seeds group, China's riod starts on Thursday. tracking items. He said the com- biggest foreign acquisition to date, The takeover announced in pany offers value not only through the two companies said on February 2016 was prompted by pricing but from discounts for in- Turkey aims to boost SBP announces Wednesday. China's desire to use Syngenta's store pickup and other benefits. A Definitive interim results of portfolio of top-tier chemicals and spokeswoman for Amazon said the the tender showed around 82.2 patent-protected seeds to improve company is aware of competitors percent of Syngenta shares and domestic agricultural output. using bots to check its listings and GCC ties amid free fresh mechanism depository receipts had been of- (Reuters) denied any "campaign" to stop them. "Nothing has changed re- cently in how we manage bots on trade talks for trade with Iran our site," she said. Still, she said, "we prioritize humans over bots Turkish President Recep Tayyip pansion will triple capacity to 25 Detroit revival as needed." Bots can slow down a Erdogan on Monday said he aimed million passengers over the next website, a big motivator for retail- to boost economic and military ties six years, and is the largest con- ers to block them. Reuters inter- with Arab Gulf states, as talks on tract to date for a Turkish compa- viewed 21 people familiar with a free trade zone deal pushed ny in Kuwait. Erdogan said Turk- spurs JPMorgan bots and how they are deployed, ahead. Erdogan, who is expected ish firms were involved in projects including current and former Wal- in Kuwait on Tuesday, said Anka- worth a total $6.5 billion (5.9 bil- Mart employees, former Amazon ra was involved in “high level stra- lion euros) in the Gulf emirate. to make fresh employees and outside specialists. tegic dialogue” with the six-nation Trade volume between the two Many spoke only on condition of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), countries was $1.3 billion (1.1 bil- anonymity because they were not the state-run KUNA news agency lion euros) last year, with Turkish authorized to discuss the issues reported. Erdogan also confirmed exports representing $431 million $50m pledge publicly. Most pointed to Ama- that talks on a free trade zone be- (393,625 euros), Erdogan said. zon's leadership in the burgeoning tween Turkey and the GCC were Turkey’s trade volume with the bot wars. [For graphic - click under way. During his visit, Er- GCC states -- Bahrain, Kuwait, tmsnrt.rs/2qXbYfT] The compa- dogan and Emir Sheikh Sabah al- Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the ny's technological edge has been Ahmad Al-Sabah are expected to UAE -- is currently around $17 good for its profit margin, and it's lay the foundation stone of a $4.3- billion (15.5 billion euros), up from proving a winning formula for in- billion (3.9-billion-euro) airport ex- $1.7 billion (1.5 billion euros) in vestors. Shares of the internet pansion project awarded to Turk- 1999. powerhouse have risen about 15- ish firm Limak Holding. The ex- (Alarabiya) fold since the market's bottom in March 2009, while the S&P 500 has more than tripled in value. Amazon hit $100 billion in annual sales in 2015 - faster than any com- pany in history, it said. JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) mercial kitchens for bread baking BRAVE NEW WORLD KARACHI: The State Bank of On receiving payment instruc- is investing another $50 million in and sausage-making. The bank has Bot-driven pricing has repre- Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday intro- tions from an importer’s bank in Detroit amid what city officials and worked with Detroit Mayor Mike sented a massive change for the duced a new mechanism for trade Iran, BMJII will ask the SBP to bank executives describe as encour- Duggan to focus its efforts on retail industry since Amazon with Iran, which will be available make payment in Pakistan. The aging signs for urban renewal neighborhoods with the most helped pioneer the practice more as an additional mode along with SBP, on receiving the requests from through public-private partner- promise and city support. "De- than a decade ago. Traditionally, previous other permissible mech- BMJII, will credit the Nostro ac- ships. JPMorgan's latest invest- troit's resurgence is a model for brick-and-mortar stores changed anisms for the settlement of trade count of an exporter’s bank in Pa- ment, which it plans to announce what can be accomplished when prices no more than weekly be- transactions. In a circular issued kistan in foreign currency (FCY). on Wednesday, comes on top of a leaders work together to create eco- cause of the time and expense need- to heads of all authorised foreign Participating banks will ensure that $100 million, five-year commit- nomic growth and opportunity,” ed to swap labels by hand. In the exchange dealers, the SBP said that the transactions conducted under ment the largest U.S. bank made Dimon said in a statement provid- world of e-commerce, though, re- the new mechanism would be this mechanism are not proscribed to Detroit in 2014. At the time, ed to Reuters. JPMorgan has fol- tailers update prices with ease, available for payments for goods and do not involve individuals/en- the city was bankrupt due to the lowed other private investors. Bil- sometimes multiple times a day, Saudi city of Jeddah and services traded between Paki- tities proscribed under internation- near-collapse of the U.S. auto in- lionaire Dan Gilbert, founder of helped by algorithms that consid- stan and Iran. al sanctions. The execution of trans- dustry and six decades of econom- Quicken Loans Inc, and his com- er inventory levels, sales forecasts Business delegation leaves for actions will be subject to compli- ic decline and population exodus. panies control more than 90 prop- and rivals' pricing data. To stay in talks with banks for multi Morocco ance with all applicable foreign The bank has put up $107 million erties downtown in a redevelop- the game, companies such as on- The transactions eligible for exchange rules and regulations. so far, funding blight removal, com- ment push. Detroit was once the line wholesaler Boxed, based in billion transport network settlement under this mechanism According to the circular, autho- mercial and residential redevelop- fifth largest U.S. city with 1.85 New York, depend on a variety of will be denominated in the euro or rised dealers, interested to work ment, job skills training and loans million people. It now ranks be- methods including bots to ensure Jeddah's government has held ini- project over seven years. Officials Japanese yen and based only on under this mechanism, should send to small businesses. Now it plans low the top 20 and has its smallest they do not lag others' price moves tial talks with banks to help se- have since said the cost might documentary Letters of Credit their written consent to the direc- to reinvest $13 million from early population since 1850. But in July for even 20 minutes. "That’s like a cure funding for a multi-billion change because of adjustments to (LCs) conforming to the Uniform tor, Domestic Markets and Mon- loan repayments, and commit an 2015, by the most recent Census lifetime during Christmas," said dollar public transport network in the plan, without giving a new fig- Customs and Practice for Docu- etary Management Department of additional $30 million, Peter Scher, Bureau estimate, Detroit's 677,116 Chief Executive Chieh Huang, the city, Saudi Arabia's commer- ure. The government is on a drive mentary Credits 600 published by the SBP, Karachi by May 31, the bank's head of corporate re- residents were just 0.5 percent whose company sells bulk staples cial capital, say banking sources. to engage the private sector in sec- the International Chamber of Com- 2017. Central banks of Pakistan sponsibility, said in an interview. fewer than the year before, the like toilet paper and pet food. "If Jeddah Metro Company, a trans- tors of the economy including merce (ICC). and Iran signed an agreement last "There's been a much more vibrant smallest drop in decades. The bu- we're not decently priced, we'll see port company owned by the gov- transport, healthcare and industry Payments for importers month to establish a trade settle- comeback in the small business reau will release 2016 figures later it almost immediately" in sales ernment, is expected to make a for- to ease pressure on state finances. According to the mechanism, ment mechanism. The two neigh- declines. mal invitation in the coming weeks The sources said the project, sector in Detroit than anyone ex- this month. an importer’s bank in Pakistan will bours have been trying to increase pected," he said. Local officials hope to see gains. DISGUISED AS HUMANS to banks and other companies to which spans more than 800 km, credit foreign exchange (ie the bilateral trade since Iran and world Using bots to view massive register their interest in acting as a would likely be developed under a The $150 million commitment is "It will validate all the work that is amount due under the LC) in the powers implemented an agreement tiny compared with the bank's $2.5 going on here," said Carmine Pal- amounts of data on public web- financial adviser for the project, build-operate-transfer contract, sites - a process known as crawl- which includes a metro, light rail, which usually involves private in- Nostro account of the SBP for on Tehran’s nuclear programme in trillion balance sheet, but JPMor- ombo, deputy executive director onward payment to the exporter January 2016. gan is the biggest bank in Detroit, of the Southeast Michigan Coun- ing or scraping - has many pur- tram, rail, local bus, marine trans- vestors financing and building poses. Alphabet Inc's portation and a 2 km-long bridge, projects and operating them for A in Iran and inform the same to the China catalyst for Pakistan’s aligning its interests with the city's. cil of Governments. SBP. On confirmation of the re- uplift: Shehbaz Chief Executive Jamie Dimon has Still, the city's unemployment rate (GOOGL.O) Google, for example, say the sources. Jeddah Develop- period of time, before eventually constantly crawls the Web to gather ment & Urban Regeneration Com- transferring ownership to the gov- ceipt of funds in the Nostro ac- However, unlike Iran’s other made it a personal mission to im- was 10.9 percent in 2016, the high- count, the SBP will ask Bank trade partners, Pakistan failed to prove Detroit, visiting at least six est among the 50 largest U.S. cit- information for its search engine pany, which owns Jeddah Metro ernment. French engineering and results and to sell ads. Company, did not immediately consulting firm SYSTRA was pre- Markazi Jomhouri Islami Iran take early trade benefits of the times to check on the initiative. ies. Nearly 40 percent of residents (BMJII) to pay the exporter’s agreement because of the absence Dimon has met with contractors live in poverty and Detroit had the In e-commerce, though, the use respond to a Reuters request for viously hired to design the public of bots has developed into a cat- comment. In 2013, the Saudi gov- transportation program for Jeddah, bank for onward payment to the of proper banking channels be- who needed working capital to re- second-highest violent crime rate exporter in Iran. tween the two countries. pair homes and with food entre- in 2016 among major U.S. cities. and-mouse game. ernment approved a budget of $12 the kingdom's second largest city. (BBC) billion (45 billion riyals ) for the (BBC) Receipts against exports (Tribune) preneurs who needed shared com- (CNN) THURSDAY. MAY 11, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES I take my social responsibility very She savoured overnight populari- ty and visibility as wrestler Geeta seriously: Phogat in Dangal, but actor Fati- ma Sana Shaikh says she had to start from scratch when it came to Priyanka landing a role in Thugs of Hin- dostan, a Yash Raj Films (YRF) production starring Amitabh Bach- Chopra chan and Aamir Khan. “It feels un- real,” Fatima gushed with excite- ment in a conversation with IANS Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra, over phone from Mumbai, on get- who always takes out time from ting to play a YRF heroine so ear- her busy schedule for social caus- ly in her career. “It is a huge project es, says she likes to take her social and with one of the best produc- responsibility as a “human being” tion houses. And plus there’s Am- seriously. From promoting regional itabh sir and AK (Aamir). I feel cinema with her production house, very fortunate,” added the actor, promoting Assam Tourism, and who feels this new opportunity is becoming Unicef’s Global Good- “god-sent”. She admits nothing will Ambassador to advocating for came without her share of struggle girls around the world – there are Indian publications have given a – even though she has been work- several causes that she addresses ing with the best of talent since in her own way. Asked if she ever childhood. She played the baby girl feels burdened by all the work or verdict that my performance is Bharti in Chachi 420 with Kamal social responsibilities, Priyanka Haasan, and then in Dangal, she said, “Not at all.” “It’s what I have had Aamir play her onscreen fa- for me because you start from hasn’t left her after Dangal. “Oh chosen to do and every one of ther. Thugs of Hindostan gets big- scratch,” added the 25-year-old. yes! I am ready for it. My body them is something I am passionate far better than Mahira’s in ger with Amitabh and Aamir shar- That’s why, she says, the effort is says work harder. I am doing a lot about. Using my time and influ- ing screen space for the first time. always to give one’s 100 per cent. of training because Thugs of Hin- ence to do good is a human being’s And for Fatima, getting the film “For me, this life… Acting and dostan demands a different kind social responsibility and I take ‘Raees’: Saba Qamar was “as difficult” as getting Dan- films… is very sacred. I have strug- of action from wrestling. I will need mine seriously,” Priyanka told gal. “Chachi 420 happened when I gled for long and so, I value things. to look tall, be light on my feet, IANS in an email interview. After LAHORE : It’s a man’s world and was a child, and then I had to strug- Even if I have to give multiple au- jump and be agile. I have to learn making a mark in Bollywood, Priy- show business is a man’s meal, gle again, I gave so many auditions. ditions, it is okay,” said Fatima. sword fighting and archery because anka started her international ca- Carrie Fisher once wrote. While All this has come to me, but it came Fatima’s look in her new project she is a warrior,” Fatima said. Does reer with music singles. She got this may hold true for a bevy of to me with a lot of effort… The will be different – as one can see the dream of being a typical YRF more visibility as FBI agent Alex Pakistani artists as well, it’s cer- struggle never ends. “After Dan- from some leaked images from her heroine then remain? Parrish in Quantico, which is aired tainly not the case with actor Saba gal, I was back to square one. For look test for the movie. “It is some- “I am thrilled to be a YRF her- in India on Star World and Star Qamar. The entertainment indus- Thugs of Hindostan also, I had to where around it. But the final look oine. But I also want to do the typ- World HD. For now, the actress is try is the actor’s galaxy and she is go through multiple rounds of au- is yet to be locked… They will ical YRF heroine… where the sari looking forward to her Hollywood on her way to gaining stardom ditions till I got the film. So, we sharpen it,” said the actress, who (pallu) flies, and there’s running debut Baywatch. The film, direct- across the border. Thrilled about can do several films, but every film will be seen playing a warrior in around the trees,” she said. ed by Seth Gordon, is based on the upcoming release of her first will be like a first – at least it is so the movie. Naturally then, action (Tribune) the television series of the same Bollywood venture Hindi medium name. The film, starring Dwayne – where she plays the female lead Johnson and Zac Efron, will re- opposite Irrfan Khan – Saba told lease on June 2. The Express Tribune, “I was nev- Varun and Jacqueline’s Talking about stories in Bol- er desperate to work in Bollywood Yami lywood, Priyanka said, “I’m though I aspired to do a movie amazed by the variety of stories across the border but only if I was camaraderie on sets that filmmakers are conceptualis- offered a strong character and a excited ing today… The audiences are main lead. My plays are widely changing and so is the storytelling. watched in India and are equally of Judwaa 2 is a It’s quite an experience reading the popular. Irrfan had also watched about her scripts or hearing a narration.” my serial on YouTube and he rec- Chaudhary – who has belted out perience. Everybody from the hero (Tribune) ommended me to the director.” She popular films including as Pyaar to the director to spot boy was so pure treat! added, “At first when I received a Kay Side Affects and Shaadi Ke humble and gave me the utmost call from Irrfan’s manager, I Side Effects. Also, the film is be- respect. Even the designers would versatile thought it was a prank call but lat- ing produced by the makers of address me as ‘Ma’am’.” Many Ishq Vshq er the casting director called and Cocktail and Love Aaj Kal. “So, I people would think working in offered me the role. The director had faith in the entire team that India is not easy for Pakistani art- looks Pyar Vyar to wanted someone to portray a role they will make something good.” ists anymore, especially during a like Kareena Kapoor Khan did in Saba shot Hindi Medium in New time of strained political relations Yami Gautam made her debut with Rangoon: Jab We Met.” The Lahore Se Aa- Delhi and Georgia, US. Speaking between the two countries. How- Shoojit Sircar's Vicky Donor play- gay star revealed she was more about the experience, she added, ever, Saba feels otherwise. “I was ing this simple, girl next door char- excited to sign the project because “I had the best time shooting for given royal treatment. acter for which she received a lot Shahid it is being directed by Saqib the movie. It was an amazing ex- (Hindustan Times) of appreciation. This year alone, the actress has been seen in com- Kapoor pletely contrasting characters. Ear- ly this year, she played a sweet, innocent, visually impaired girl in commemorates the much-appreciated film, Kaabil. And now, the actress is all set to 14 years in showcase an all new side of hers in Sarkar 3. Yami shares, "Sarkar 3 Bollywood gave me the opportunity to explore and showcase a very different side Shahid Kapoor is currently of me. That was the most exciting shooting for Padm avati part. While Kaabil was challeng- ing in its own way as I played a which is being helmed by Varun Dhawan and Jacqueline moments from the sets on their Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It Fernandez who are currently in social media pages! Varun recent- also stars Deepika London shooting for Judwaa 2 ly posted on his Instagram a pic- Padukone and Ranveer seem to be having blast on the sets ture of himself, Jacqueline and few Sin gh . of the film. The two actors whom of the teammates with the caption, we last saw in Dishoom and now "#london nights #judwaa2." Jud- again in Judwaa 2 were seen taking waa 2 will feature Varun Dhawan some time off on the weekend and playing the dual character of Raja enjoying with their friends. Varun and Prem along side with Jacque- and Jacqueline share great comfort line Fernandez and Taapsee Pan- and both are known to be cracking nu. It is a sequel to the 1997 Sal- jokes often and their laughter only man Khan starred Judwaa along- leaves the entire team cackling. side with Karisma Kapoor and Their characters in Judwaa 2 is on Rambha. the quirky and comic lines so they Produced by Sajid Nadiadwa- generally tend to drive up a little la, directed by David Dhawan, offset as well. The duo's energy Judwaa 2 is presented by Fox Star Never wanted to become a on sets is unbeatable and both have Studios and Nadiadwala Grandson developed a great equation from Entertainment. The film is slated the Dishoom days! Both also keep to release this 29th September. visually impaired girl, Sarkar 3 had delighting their fans by posting (Santa Banta) typical commercial actor: its own tests too. It gives me a different high to take up challeng- es for my characters". Ayushmann Khurrana In this upcoming release of the actress, where she will be seen He started his career with uncon- ducing and I got very excited. Pari reilly. alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Yami ventional films such as Vicky Do- was already on board. I am glad There are two great actors with me Gautam has gone gray with her nor and Dum Laga Ke Haisha -- that the film got made. It is a very - Kriti Sanon and Rajkummar Rao. character. From the glimpses that but Ayushmann Khurrana believes nostalgic film.” The film marks It is a very quirky story.” Ayush- Shahid Kapoor was last we have seen in the trailer, the ac- that his choice of roles has paid Parineeti’s return to the big screen mann recently wrapped Shubh tress has managed to make angry seen in Vishal Bhardwaj’s off for him. Ayushmann is yet to after a gap of three years. Inciden- Mangal Savdhan with Bhumi Ped- look suave and cool with her look Rangoon. be a part of Bollywood money- tally, this is also Ayushmann’s first nekar. The film has been produced and performance. spinners but he has no regrets as film in two years and the actor says by Aanand L Rai. “Both of these All her fans on social media he says these are the kind of films Meri Pyaari Bindu is important for films are very special to me,” he have been expressing this to her Shahid Kapoor, today, com- that work for him and he wants to both of them. says. pletes 14 years in Bollywood and can't wait to watch the film. own this space. “I never wanted “Parineeti has gone through the (Hindustan Times) (Santa Banta) and because of his Shaandaar to become a typical commercial whole body transformation and is performances over these years, actor. coming back on screen after three Dil ‘always’ Maange More. I would prefer to do something that years. I am also coming after two Fans took to social media is off-centre and different and these years. This film is important for to congratulate the Haider star are the kind of films that have both of us. I am glad that the trail- for this milestone, to which the worked for me. Be it Vicky Donor ers have been well received,” he Cliff Curtis is the first new cast addition actor replied, “Thanks peeps or Dum Laga Ke Haisha. I want to says. for the many wishes. 14 years own this space,” said Ayushmann. Ayushmann’s break, however, was of doing what I love. Beauty of In his five-year-long career, the 32- not deliberate as he was busy to James Cameron’s Avatar sequels cinema,you always feel like a year-old VJ-turned- actor has es- shooting his other projects like student. Too much to learn.” tablished himself in the film indus- Meri Pyaari Bindu, Bareilly Ki Cliff Curtis of Fear the Walking ing Day, Collateral Damage, The Animal Kingdom. It cost a half- Adding, “Too much to try and two of his films have also Barfi and Shubh Mangal Savdhan, Dead is joining the cast of James Fountain, Sunshine, 10,000 BC, billion dollars. (AP) Curtis is to achieve. Too little time. Time to bagged National Film Awards. The all of which will release this year. Cameron’s Avatar franchise, with The Last Airbender and film festi- play the part of new character put my blinders on and run like actor is now gearing up for Meri “The break was not deliberate. I outline details revealed about his val success The Dark Horse. He Tonowari, the leader of the Met- Pyaari Bindu, which is a quirky, was waiting for the right script. character’s role. With the first of worked with Zoe Saldana In Co- kayina, a reef people clan, Dead- there’s no tomorrow. Gratitude modern-day love story. Also star- And then Manmarziyan did not four planned Avatar sequels due lombiana. The Na'vi Shaman of line reports. With a worldwide box and love. For believing in me.” ring Parineeti Chopra, the film re- happen... I am glad that I am com- December 2020, Cliff Curtis has Songs celebrates with music in office return of $2.78 billion US On a related note, the leases this Friday. ing out with three films this year. added his name to the franchise’s Na'vi River Journey ride at Pan- dollars, Avatar remains the highest Rangoon star is currently The film has been directed by deb- It would compensate for my ab- cast. New Zealander Cliff Curtis dora-World of Avatar land attrac- grossing film of all time (without shooting for the magnum opus utante Akshay Roy and is Ayush- sence in the last two years.” comes in from Fear the Walking tion in Disney's Animal Kingdom taking into account monetary in- Padmavati which is being mann’s third collaboration with Talking about his other upcoming Dead, AMC’s ongoing The Walk- theme park at Walt Disney World flation.) In second place is another helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhan- Yash Raj Films. “The movie was films - Bareilly Ki Barfi and Shubh ing Dead spin-off, having made his in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The 12- James Cameron film, 1997’s Ti- sali. It also stars Deepika narrated to me two years ago and Mangal Savdhan, the actor says, 1993 debut with a supporting role acre land, inspired by the Avatar tanic, on $2.18bn. Both have en- Padukone and Ranveer Singh. then I had forgotten about it. I came “I am fortunate that I got to work in The Piano and since counting movie, opens in Florida at the end joyed theatrical re-releases follow- (Santa Banta) to know that Yash Raj was pro- with Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari in Ba- appearances in Three Kings, Train- of May at Walt Disney World’s ing their original run. THURSDAY . MAY 11, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Mesut Ozil Joe Root hoping to defends develop bowling role criticism of for England after Arsenal Ireland success performance, Joe Root is hoping his bowling can that I tried worked - and I hope I become a consistent weapon in can continue to develop those vari- England's one-day arsenal as the ations, as small as they might be, insist he summer progresses. Root's occa- and still be effective. sional off-breaks yielded five wick- "A big part of my bowling is ‘gives his all’ ets over the course of the 2-0 se- the mental side of it, trying to work ries win against Ireland, and he got out the conditions, the batters, the Mesut Ozil insists he has given through the full 10 overs for the risk-reward in what might work in his all for Arsenal this season and first time in his one-day interna- terms of field placings - and see if does not value the opinion of his tional career at Lord's. Eoin Mor- they'll take a gamble against me." critics. Former Gunners defender gan relied on the Yorkshireman for Root is a certainty for this month's Martin Keown accused the club's record signing of "giving up on his team mates" following his display against Tottenham last month, while Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp described him as a "passenger" in that game. But the Germany inter- national has denied those sugges- tions, insisting criticism motivates him and he only values Arsene Wenger's verdict on his perfor- mances. "The expectations are al- McLaren launch eSports ways high, which I guess is nor- Gamal Yafai vows mally a positive, you could say," Ozil told Sky Sports News HQ. challenge to find new F1 "But I know what I can do and it to dominate local doesn't affect me really. I've played for Real Madrid, I've played for simulator driver his finger spin as Moeen Ali was series against South Africa and the Germany and I've had praise and rival Sean Davis left out of both games, and Root Champions Trophy, but the like- criticism throughout my career and joked: "It's so much better than lihood is he will miss three Twen- it's only made me stronger. Charlie scoring runs! "I can see why some ty20 games against the tourists at Nicholas has his say on Mesut of the bowlers get so excited at the end of June. Ozil’s recent performanc- on Saturday times because it's great fun. If I The England and Wales Crick- es for Arsenal on Soccer Saturday. can play that role, I hope that gives et Board is keen for England's Test Charlie Nicholas has his say on Gamal Yafai says he can beat Sean Suguru Muranaka, and Yafai plans us a bit more strength in other de- players to feature in the first day- Mesut Ozil’s recent performanc- Davis any way he wants to when to do a comprehensive job on partments if need be. Sky Custom- night County Championship es for Arsenal on Soccer Saturday. he challenges for the WBC Inter- Davis to show he's ready to move ers can now upgrade to Sky Sports games, with an inaugural pink-ball "For me what's most important, national super-bantamweight title to the next level. for an unmissable summer of sport. Test against West Indies to come as I've always said, is the manag- at the Barclaycard Arena in Bir- "I can't wait for this," added Upgrade now! "I wouldn't say I'm later in the summer. er's opinion because when it comes mingham on Saturday night, live Yafai. "Fighting in front of my a 'born-again bowler', but it was Root has "no intention" of from him you know it's the truth, on Sky Sports. The pair finally get home fans on big shows is some- nice to roll the arm over again. I quitting the short form at interna- be it positive or be it negative. to face each other after their pro- thing I've always wanted to do and suppose it's just if I'm required... tional level, though, and he said: "I "There's some people that like posed meeting for Yafai's Com- it's a bonus to be alongside my and if someone doesn't get hold of feel I've still got a lot to offer in me and some people that don't, but monwealth title fell through in brother. "To do it so early into my me as well! "It's been good to try a that department and I've got lots I give no worth to those opinions, October due to the champion dam- career is massive for me. I'm so few different variations - change of ambitions to be a part of that really. "They can have them, but I McLaren have launched an eSports ing in a way that's never been ex- aging his ankle in training. Davis happy to be one of the big names things up in terms of pace, arm side." know what I can do. My stats competition giving virtual racers plored before." Brown added: "The instead met Paul Economides for in Birmingham. "I know a bit about height, release point. "A few things (Cricket News) show that I do give my all and I the chance to become a simulator winner will genuinely be a key part the crown he will defend on Satur- Sean. I didn't know him a year ago give my best." Arsenal could move driver for the Formula 1 team. In of our team at McLaren. This is up to fifth in the Premier League an F1 first, the 'World's Fastest for real: we absolutely require ad- with a victory over Southampton Gamer' challenge will pitch the ditional support across our two The Players: Rory McIlroy on Wednesday evening, and Ozil "best gamers in the world across simulator platforms, so the com- is still targeting a top-four finish multiple racing platforms" with the petition and the selection process this season. But he refused to com- winner offered a one-year contract will be rigorous, ruthless and com- arrives at Sawgrass with mit his future to the club, reiterat- to work with McLaren as an offi- pelling to watch." With the com- ing his stance that he will not dis- cial simulator driver. McLaren say petition to take place across a all-new equipment cuss a new contract until after the the winner will work with engi- number of racing titles and plat- FA Cup final on May 27. He add- neers at their Woking headquarters forms, six international finalists will ed: "As I've said in the past, the and at tracks around the world to be chosen by experts in both gam- most important thing is Arsenal help develop their real-life F1 car. ing and F1 to join this year's com- and what we do as a team now. "This is a hugely exciting op- petition while an additional four Arsene Wenger will speak to portunity - not only within the will be selected from online quali- Mesut Ozil about kicking a door gaming industry, but for everyone fying events this summer. The fi- at White Hart Lane, and could at McLaren and motorsport in gen- nal will be held in the autumn at there be news on a new contract? eral," said executive director Zak the McLaren Technology Centre Arsene Wenger will speak to Me- Brown. "We've long witnessed the and, in addition to putting their sut Ozil about kicking a door at growth of online sports gaming, gaming skills to the test, finalists day, while Yafai returned from in- until his coach messaged me on Fa- White Hart Lane, and could there and, right now, the parallels be- will be required to display their jury in Germany in March in a six cebook for a bit of sparring and we be news on a new contract? "I've tween the real and the virtual "engineering know-how, ability to rounder. done a little bit of work. got aims with this club, we all want worlds have never been closer. work as part of a team, and dis- "I was preparing for the Davis "It's my job to answer what- the top four and that's what "This is absolutely the right time play the mental and physical fight doing box jumps," said Yafai. ever Sean brings. I'm capable of counts at the moment. "As I've said to be creating such a unique and strengths required for such a "I've got it on video, it was on that. I am more than just a punch- before, in the summer we will talk exciting proposition; one that con- unique position". CCTV where I was training. "I er, I can outbox Sean and outpunch but right now Arsenal stands in nects the worlds of racing and gam- (Sky Sport) went over on it, it's hard to de- him - I beat him in every depart- front of any player and I respect scribe how I done it. The pain and ment. "I'm entering the next phase that. "As I've always said in the rehab was unreal. I couldn't do any- of my career now. I learnt a lot as past, I feel comfortable here. I'm thing for two months solid. an amateur so I didn't have to have happy. Arsenal belong as one of "It was horrible being out of as many learning fights so to the best clubs in the world and Giro d’Italia: Bob the ring so long. I couldn't train speak. I didn't need that long like London is a great place to be, a and obviously wasn't getting paid. other fighters might do. great city to live in. "So after the It's hard when you can't fight but "I was a world-class amateur season we will talk and then we Jungels takes pink it only makes you stronger. " The so I think I've done alright so far Rory McIlroy returns to action at this is exactly the thing that I've will make a decision from there." 25 year old now meets 'Showtime' and I'm ready for the next step in The Players Championship with been struggling with. "Over the Some supporters have called on on the undercard of his brother my career." an entirely new equipment set-up over the course of the next few Wenger to leave the club this sum- Kal's world title defence against (BBC Sport) after announcing he had signed a days, I tested different combina- mer, even if they finish in the top jersey as Jan Polanc deal with TaylorMade. The signif- tions, a lot of different stuff, and I four, but Ozil says the Frenchman icant changes are a reaction to his came to the conclusion that that deserves respect. He said: "When disappointing performance at the was the best way forward for me you're not successful - or not as wins stage four Andy Masters, after which he went to try and improve, try and win successful as you'd like to be - through some "extensive" club and more, try to get back to world No there's always a lot of talk from ball testing before taking time away 1, try to win more majors. So I'm people outside and people who Murray from golf for his wedding to long- really excited about that. "I've been maybe think they know things time partner Erica Stoll. McIlroy on Tour for 10 years, and it's very better. has changed every club in his bag rare that you get really excited "For example, ex-players or beats Marius and has also opted to put the Tay- about your equipment. I feel like pundits; people who'd like to be lorMade TP5x ball into play at it's a new chapter in my life with a in his position. TPC Sawgrass this week, and the lot of stuff going on, but I really "But what's important is that Copil in world No 2 believes his all-new feel with the new equipment, as you have trust in him. He's a big set-up will help him regain the well, it's hopefully going to take coach and has given massive straight sets world No 1 ranking from Dustin me to that next level." McIlroy amounts for this club and he de- Johnson, who he will play along- feels his game is in good shape serves respect." side for the opening two rounds ahead of his first tournament as a (Sky Sport) at Madrid this week. "I'm really excited that married man, and he is confident I have teamed up with Taylor- that he can contend for golf's "fifth Made," he said at his pre-tourna- major" at Sawgrass despite having Open ment press conference. "I needed not played competitively since fin- Sir Mark Bob Jungels took the race leader's of the race, which concludes in to address a few issues after Au- ishing tied for seventh at Augusta pink jersey and Jan Polanc claimed Milan on May 28. Astana's Paolo Andy Murray booked his place in the Madrid Open third round with a gusta, and I alluded to the fact that National five weeks ago. "The last a fine solo win on Mount Etna, on Tiralongo - a Sicilian who trains routine 6-4 6-3 victory over Romania's Marius Copil. The world No 1 I wasn't really happy with the golf few weeks have been really cool," Prescott stage four of the 100th Giro d'Italia. on Etna regularly - had hoped to looked to be over his recent elbow injury problems, picking up where he ball I was playing and I needed to he added. "Obviously I got mar- Team Sky's Geraint Thomas fin- put on a show to dedicate a victo- left off in Barcelona where he was pleased to reach the semi-final before do something. Sky Customers can ried and went on honeymoon and ished third on the 181-kilometres ry to Michele Scarponi, who died defeat to Dominic Thiem. Thiem is a prospective quarter-final oppo- now upgrade to Sky Sports for an enjoyed that. We got back home to bemoans route from Cefalu on Sicily on last month after being involved in nent in Madrid where Murray was runner-up last year and he began his unmissable summer of sport. Up- Florida last week and I've been try- Tuesday, moving to second over- a collision with a van during a train- bid to go one better with a comfortable win against the world No 104, grade now! ing to lose a bit of weight before all and six seconds behind leader ing ride. Polanc's attack on the ear- who he was facing for the first time. Murray faced no break points in the "I felt like I struggled in the this week. "But I feel like my game's Chester Jungels. Luxembourg's Jungels be- ly slopes of Etna was short-lived match and managed a single break of Copil's serve in each game to wrap wind, so I went back to the draw- in good shape. I needed to address came the fourth leader from four and his Danish team-mate Jesper up the victory in just 83 minutes to advance. The Scot started well and, ing board and tested for about 10 a few issues in between Augusta days of racing, succeeding team- Hansen later had a go, too, but was having caused Copil a few problems in his opening service games, had to days pretty extensively after Au- and here, and I did that with the Cup draw mate Fernando Gaviria in the ma- also soon reeled in. Russia's Ilnur wait until the 10th game of the opener for his breakthrough as the gusta, worked with a lot of differ- first 10 days after Augusta and glia rose. Polanc was part of the Zakarin did escape, but ran out of Romanian's huge first serve and big forehand ensured Murray could take ent things. I worked with the Tay- then turned my attentions else- Sir Mark Prescott is downbeat day's early breakaway which es- road in his pursuit of Polanc and about Sea Of Heaven's chances in few chances. Leading 5-4 and with Copil serving to stay in the set, lorMade guys and saw stuff with where, but feel really good coming caped after two kilometres and he had to settle for second on the day, Murray produced his most attacking set of the match to capture the the golf ball, that new TP5x, and I into this event. the 188Bet Chester Cup after his dug deep to win the fourth stage 19 seconds adrift. (Sky Sport) smart stayer was out of luck in the advantage. thought, wow, this is what I need, (Fox News) lottery that is the draw for the big (Sky Sport) race. The five-year-old will start the two-and-a-quarter-mile test is quite keen-going, so if you light him up he'll do too much. If he drops the right direction. We're happy we've got him in the same shape as from stall 14 in the 17-runner field him in, he'll have too much to do. "It's a horse that needed a good draw he was for this race last season. "Fingers crossed he'll run a big race." and Prescott feels that severely badly. It's just the draw, everything else is fine. "The jockey and the Nakeeta ended last season finishing second to Golden Spear in compromises his chances. Ches- horse will have to be at their best." Iain Jardine is hoping Jamie Spencer Leopardstown's November Handicap and Tony Martin's runner ter holds no fears as Sea Of Heav- will provide the magic touch on Nakeeta, who was narrowly defeated in reopposes. en was successful in a two-mile this valuable long-distance handicap 12 months ago. Spencer was the "He's been very consistent and if he keeps going that way he handicap there in September 2015. winning jockey on No Heretic that day and Jardine feels he is the right should run well," said the County Meath handler, who is delighted He also ran respectably over an man for the job. "Jamie has never ridden for me before," Jardine told At to have Ryan Moore on board. "He's drawn 12 of 17, which isn't inadequate trip last summer before The Races. "I think this pair will be well suited together. Jamie is a great great, but it's not too bad, and the jockey we've got on board will be ending the campaign with an ex- hold-up jockey. "He'll come late - that's what Nakeeta likes to do - and a big help." cellent third place in the Cesare- hopefully they can time it right. We need an awful lot of luck and we go Magic Circle, who was third in that Leopardstown contest, also witch. But the Newmarket trainer there with every chance. "He's done plenty of work and he seems in renews rivalries. However his trainer Ralph Beckett is pessimistic said: "He's badly drawn. "The horse very good shape. He's fresh and well. "We have a better draw (stall 10) about his horse's chances after being given a wide draw in stall 18. is fine, but he's a got a very diffi- than we had last year so we're hopeful for a good run. He definitely "He can't win from that draw," said Beckett. cult draw for the jockey (Luke improved as the season went on. His rating tells you that. "We're 10lb (Sky Sport) Morris) to overcome. "The horse worse off than we were last year but I'm hoping he's still progressing in THURSDAY . MAY 11. 2017-Sawar 21, 1396 H.S Vol:XI Issue No: 277 Price: Afs.20

59 insurgents killed in raids uring a visit to Denmark, AT News Report U.S Secretary of Defense James Mattis said in KABUL: At least 59 militants DNATO’s fight against Daesh they were killed and 35 others were have noticed the enemy in Afghan- wounded in different crackdowns istan has lost about two thirds of within past 24 hours. In a press its strength. Speaking at a joint release issued here, Ministry of press conference with Danish De- Following a sharp drop in violence in Maidan Wardak in the Defense, (MoD) said that Afghan fense Minister Claus Hjort Fred- past few months, security forces have been able to reopen the National Army (ANA) in collab- eriksen, after the two chaired a Maidan Shahr-Jalrez highway. oration with Afghan National Po- meeting within the coalition against lice (ANP) and National Director- Daesh, Mattis said: “In this past ate of Security (NDS) personal weekend, President (Ashraf) has conducted joint operations Ghani announced the death of the against insurgents in different ar- emir of ISIS Khorasan (Daesh Af- eas of Nangarhar, Kapisa, Kanda- ghanistan), the ISIS group in Nan- har, Zabul, Uruzgan, Ghazni, garhar there in eastern Afghanistan. Farah, Faryab, Badghis, Takhar, KABUL: NATO Secretary Gen- In our anti-ISIS campaign we are Kunduz, Badakhshan, Sar-e-Pul eral Jens Stoltenberg on Wednes- dealing that group one more sig- and Helmand provinces. State- day said the alliance was assessing nificant blow with the loss of their ment said that in these opera- a request from the military authori- leader. “This fight will go on, as tions59 insurgents including two ties to send more troops to Af- the minister said. We continue to Taliban commanders and eight ghanistan. Stoltenberg said a deci- integrate our military and our non- Daesh fighters were killed and35 sion on the scale and scope of the military efforts. We have to remem- Maidan Wardak, which is close to been impossible for security forc- others were injured. This joint mission in Afghanistan would be ber that the battlefield that we are Kabul city and had a reputation of es to use the highway, however, it operation of the Defense Securi- taken within weeks. “We are now fighting on is also a humanitarian being an insecure province, has is now passable despite the risk of ty Forces was supporting by the assessing that request. We will field where innocent people live made an about turn and is now fair- roadside mines. Recently four se- artillery and air forces, added make decisions on the scale and right now, sometimes forced to stay ly calm in terms of insurgent ac- curity force members were killed statement. ANA discovered and scope of the mission within weeks on a battlefield by ISIS,” he said. tivity. The reopening of Maidan on the highway when their vehicle confiscated weapons and ammu- but this is not about returning back According to him, the troops were Shahr-Jalrez highway for military hit one of these mines. Meanwhile nition in the operations as well. to a combat operation in Afghani- doing everything possible, “every- conveys is also an indication of civilians in the area have welcomed stan," he said after meeting British thing humanly possible, to limit improved security in the province, the new development and said Prime Minister Theresa May in the suffering and any casualties locals said. TOLOnews reporter they are already using the route. London. Stoltenberg said NATO among those innocent people.” He Tamim Hamid, who visited the “We are traveling on the highway Helmand roadside had played key role in the fight also said they were committed to province, said there were still how- and so far we have not witnessed bomb leaves 1 against terrorism as he referred to working together in order to de- ever roadside mines and the occa- any serious problem on it,” said the alliance’s longest mission in Af- feat Daesh and that Denmark had sional Taliban snipers on the high- Qurban Ali, a Maidan Wardak res- dead, 4 wounded ghanistan. “Our biggest military always been a stalwart ally of the way. Security officials said that ident. “Some days clashes break operation ever is our operation in U.S and the two nations have the relative calm in security came out but in general this year the sit- LASHKARGAH: One civilian about after military operations in uation is better compared to the was killed and four others wound- Afghanistan and Afghanistan is stood by each other in good and fighting terrorism,” he said. The al- bad times. Frederiksen meanwhile the past few months. past,” said Hamidullah, a motor- ed when a roadside bomb hit a ve- “The area has lots of green ar- ist. Security officials said the rea- hicle in southern Helmand prov- liance, he said, would continue said that Denmark was consider- with its training, assistance and ing sending in more soldier to Af- eas (with many trees) which is in son for the improved security sit- ince on Wednesday, an official said. favor of the enemy and we had uation in the province is because Omar Zwak, the governor’s advice mission. "We’ll make deci- ghanistan. "We are open to increas- sions within weeks on the total ing the number of our forces in Af- only problems in two points,” said the Taliban are now focusing their spokesman told Pajhwok Afghan Mohammad Farooq Hashimi se- attention on the northern and News the incident took place in troop numbers and the composi- ghanistan if necessary, but we have tion of the force we have in Af- not yet made the decision," Fred- curity officer for the Maidan north-eastern parts of the country Chahar Gul Pamp area on Kanda- ‘We are now assessing that request. We will make decisions Shahr-Jalrez highway. “One or and some in Waidan Wardak have har-Helmand highway around 5am ghanistan." He said the fundamen- on the scale and scope of the mission within weeks but this is not eriksen said the joint press confer- tal task of the mission in Afghani- ence after a meeting with Mattis. two points were vulnerable and withdrawn from the province. early today morning. He said one about returning back to a combat operation in Afghanistan" challenging for us so we created “The information we have is civilian was killed and four others stan was not going to change. "We "But I can say that we are general- will not return to a combat sponsibility for the security of are key enablers ...because this is ly positive about increasing our checkpoints,” said Ghafoor Aziz, that quite a few people came from wounded in the incident. “The vic- Maidan Wardak’s highway securi- northern Waziristan and other tims were butchers and were trav- mission...Our combat mission their country themselves. "And key for enabling the Afghans to be presence in Afghanistan," the min- ended in 2015. Since then we have that’s a big achievement," he added. able to fight terrorism themselves ister said. Frederiksen confirmed ty officer. In recent years, this high- provinces but they suffered a lot eling in a Mazda model vehicle way was considered one of the and many of them were killed,” when struck by a landmine,” he been focused on training, assisting Stoltenberg said they were now and to stabilize Afghanistan. to Danish news agency Ritzau that and advising the Afghans." The looking into requests regarding es- Stoltenberg and May met Denmark had received a request most dangerous in the country but said Faheem Qayem, police chief said. The injured were evacuated now, after three years, it is once of Maidan Wardak. to a local hospital and their condi- NATO chief said the Afghan forces pecially some areas like more edu- ahead of the upcoming meeting of from the United States of America had proved capable, professional cation and training special opera- NATO leaders in Brussels on May regarding the increased contribu- again open to traffic – including Maidan Wardak is located just tion is said to be stable, Zwak add- supply trucks and military vehi- 35km from Kabul city and has eight ed. and had been able to take over re- tion forces and air forces. "These 25th. (Pajhwok) tion. "I have answered that we are looking forward to it," he was quot- cles. A few months ago, it had districts. (TOLONews) ed by Ritzau as saying. "There are problems in Afghani- stan, and it is important that we participate," the minister said. "So it is quite important that we help Herat: Shadow district chief stabilize the situation in Afghani- stan," he added. Denmark has pro- among 15 killed Taliban slain vided military and humanitarian support to Afghanistan since 2002 and currently has about 160 troops and support personnel in Afghan- istan. Meanwhile, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said KABUL: An international confer- titled “Afghanistan Drug De- on Tuesday night in relation to the ence on Afghanistan drug demand mand.” fight against Daesh that President kicked off on Wednesday in the The aim of the event was to Donald Trump is intent on de- United Arab Emirates (UAE), an explore ways how to deal with and stroying the group. HERAT CITY: Fifteen militants, dead. The security forces launched official said. Besides the host coun- bring to a halt drugs cultivation, "The one thing is that there is a try, representatives from Afghani- including the Taliban-shadow ad- clearing operation aimed at to production and trade. Sadat said difference between Afghanistan ministrative chief for Adarskan, purged rebels from clear 31 villag- stan, the US and a number of other the Afghan youth needed world’s proper and our effort to defeat ISIS. countries and international organi- attention to rescue them drug ad- have been killed during military es. Security personnel faced mili- And that's one thing he (Trump) operation in western Herat prov- tants in Merabad, Naharkhanjak, zations were taking part in the con- diction and provide them facilities is also very clear on in the cam- ference, said Dr. Kamal Sadat, dep- like education, health, sports and ince, an official said on Wednes- Poshta Aliabad and Dahan Ghar paign, and as president, that he is day. Jailani Farhad, the governor’s villages, the spokesman said. He uty minister for youth affairs at jobs. He said the Afghan youth be- going to do everything he can to tween five and 30 years old con- spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan did not give information about the the Ministry of Information and fight radical Islamic terrorism, to News security forces launched a security forces casualties. A resi- Culture. Representatives from the stituted the country’s 70 percent root out and destroy ISIS.” American Embassy in Kabul, INL population. Sadat said the confer- joint clearing operation against dent of the area who wished to go He said in reference to the U.S’s militants in Adarskan district from unnamed said the Taliban target (the Bureau of International Nar- ence participants shared their pre- new strategy on Afghanistan that cotics and Law Enforcement Af- sentations and ideas and each was the past three days. He said 15 security forces to inflict casualties tended the event from Kabul, Sa- countries which supported the “the goal is always going to be to militants were killed including two to them but he endorsed militants fairs), Colombo Plan and national dat told Pajhwok Afghan News. counternarcotics effort in Afghan- tasked with a specific responsibil- defeat ISIS, which is something and international organizations at- ity. (Pajhwok) notorious commanders and 21 oth- had been defeated in most of the He said organizations and istan were attending the conference he's been very clear on with the ers wounded. Mulah Hamid, the areas. Taliban have not comment- American people from the get-go. Taliban’ shadow district chief, for ed about the Adarskan operation. Adarskan district was among the (Pajhwok)

A number of security forces in line of the battleground have called war with insurgents for the past Kunduz province said heavy clash- for help and some of them are com- few days. The Taliban [militants] es are ongoing between Afghan plaining about lack of coordination. are 150 meters far from here. They KABUL: Civil society organisa- Stressing the availability of For example, it said, the of maintaining a list of all major soldiers and Taliban in areas close “Mr. [President] Ashraf Ghani is are in civilians houses,” said Haji tions and public representatives complete information on mining Northern Coal Enterprise revenue corporate mining and oil and gas to Kunduz city and at least five sleeping under the fan; Mr. [Chief Omid, an army soldier. “We have should be given a greater role in contract, production levels and the was initially reported to have been companies. Little action has been police and army outposts are un- Executive] Abdullah Abdullah is not made any advancement. We monitoring the mining sector, says revenues produced, the report not- 444 million in 1393, slumping to taken by the ministries on the rec- der siege by the insurgents. Ac- busy in fashion. I tell the truth. I retreated and the first line of the a report from the Afghanistan Ex- ed big gaps and inconsistencies in only 4 million afs within a year. ommendation to consider bringing cording to the soldiers, the clashes do not fear from anyone. There are battle is here at the moment. We tractive Industries Transparency the data provided by the govern- Production has been steady across in additional professional resource have closed the Kunduz-Takhar weapons, tanks, but there is no will try to advance tonight [Tues- Initiative (AEITI). ment. the two years at the coal site: 1.5 to prepare data for the latest re- Highway to traffic for past five faith,” the Garrison Commander of day night],” said Rahmatullah, The 5th AEITI report, high- In a number of instances, the million tonnes and 1.4 million port. “We were unable to obtain days. TOLOnews’ reporter Karim Kunduz Mujahid Azimi said. “We commander of Kunduz Highway lighting weak oversight and mis- document alleges, the government tonnes.On the positive side, the the information necessary to re- Amini said the Taliban militants move forward but with every ad- Squad. On Monday a number of management of revenue collection was apparently unable to put a Ministry of Mines and Petroleum solve the discrepancies existing be- are at least 150 meters far from the vancement, we hold a session. The MPs sharply criticized Kunduz by the Ministry of Mines and Pe- clear figure on production or reve- and the Ministry of Finance es- tween reported amounts in time... Kunduz city’s exit gate in war cannot move on with ses- officials for not maintaining secu- troleum and the Ministry of Fi- nue, or other basic information, like tablished internal committees to A number of these discrepancies Charkhab area which is 1.5 kilo- sions,” Rahim said referring to lack rity and said they should be intro- nance, asks the government to en- the taxpayer identification num- examine solutions to the issues arose in relation to amounts report- meters far from the center of the of coordination among security duced to judicial centers and should sure the provision of the most ba- bers (TIN) of contract-holders or raised by AEITI. A joint of the ed by MOF Customs and by com- city. He said the forces on the first forces in the province. “We are in answer to the people. sic data. whereabouts of mine sites. ministries has addressed the issue panies.” (Pajhwok)