Eye on the News [email protected] Truthful, Factual and Unbiased Vol:XI Issue No:262 Price: Afs.20

www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes SATURDAY . APRIL 21. 2018 -Sawar 01, 1397 HS

AT Monitoring Desk regional development institutions to discuss ways of supporting the KABUL: The Abu Dhabi Fund for government of Afghanistan in Development (ADFD) has implementing its development reassured its support to the people plans and programmes, The one- of Afghanistan in addressing their day workshop was also attended AT News Report saying that should security threats development challenges, a media by Dr. Mohammed Qayoumi, persist people won’t be able to report said. Addressing a Chief Advisor to the President of KABUL: Voter registration in vote in the elections. He also AT Monitoring Desk local institutions, and enabling ministry spokesman said. workshop Director General ADFD Afghanistan, Sultan Mohammed southern Ghazni province has hit warned that voter registration them to stabilize their own After fully end to the NATO’s Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of snags as residents and provincial campaign in Ghazni was being KABUL: In order to repress the countries, and to fight terrorism combat mission in 2014—the reaffirmed the keenness of the Foreign Affairs and International council members have warned to interrupted due to aggravating insurgents, the NATO Secretary themselves.” At the same time, the Taliban insurgents tried level best United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Cooperation for International boycott the forthcoming insecurity. Another protestor said General, Jens Stoltenberg termed ministry of defense backed training by intensifying attack against its leadership to stand by the Development Affairs, Abdul- parliamentary and district council the increasing violence in Ghazni enabling and training the Afghan and equipping of Afghan security Afghan security forces by people of Afghanistan, and Fareed Zakaria, Ambassador of elections if insecurity continued to hinged from a vacuum in local forces as best option. forces, considering it more effective underestimating their power. But support them in addressing their Afghanistan to the UAE and prevail. Residents and public coordination among local “The message now is that more in battleground against the since that, the Afghan security development challenges. He said: Khalifa Abdullah Al Qubaisi, representatives in a protest in authorities. He said the people of important than deploying NATO insurgents. forces have given teeth-breaking “ADFD works closely with the Deputy Director General of Ghazni city called on the Ghazni would take to the streets troops in combat operations it is “Up to the year 2020 and response to the Taliban’s attack Government of Afghanistan to ADFD, among others. Al Suwaidi government to tame a deteriorating if the government did not take to enable local forces, train local 2024, the Afghan security forces with killing them in gigantic. The support various economic and added: “ADFD has maintained a security situation in that province. measures to ensure their security. forces to stabilize their own should stand by their own. brave Afghan security forces social development projects that strong relationship with the War is taking its toll on civilians in Voter registration centers have not countries,” Stoltenberg said. “It is Considering the date, of course we already proved bitter taste not to contribute to the country’s Government of Afghanistan that Ghazni as people are killed in been established in Ghazni due to better if we are able to train local will have the capability till that Taliban militants, but to all sustainable growth.” ADFD hosted dates back to 1977. During this broad daylight, said a protestor, insecurity, said a tribal... P2 forces, build local capacities, build time,” Muhammad Radmanish, insurgent outfits. the workshop for Arab and period, the Fund... P2

NAS Afghanistan Renews IATA De-icing and Anti-icing Services Certification National Aviation Services (NAS), the fastest growing aviation services provider has renewed its International Air Transport Association (IATA) certification for de-icing and anti-icing services for airlines at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan. The certification is now renewed till 2020. With winter weather reaching sub-zero temperatures, snow and ice settles on the wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizers of the aircraft. This adds extra weight on the aircraft and disrupts air flow that reduces lift. It can also disrupt the movement of the wings’ flaps and ailerons, which could lead to critical incidents or even could lead to crash the flights. This makes de-icing extremely important before take-off. In 2016, NAS was the first ground handling company in Afghanistan to receive the IATA De-Icing/Anti-Icing Quality Control Pool (DAQCP) certification by following stringent international standards and safety procedures. The DAQCP currently consists of about 100 member airlines and through its active members, performs inspections on approximately 600 companies that provide de-icing/anti-icing services and post de-icing/anti-icing checks at more than 300 airports worldwide. NAS Afghanistan also holds the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) certification in Kabul, having passed with the ISAGO audit with a perfect score for the second time in 2017. These are just two among various other certifications that help demonstrate NAS’s ongoing commitment to safety and security in all its operations in the country. In Afghanistan, NAS partners with Ariana Afghan Airlines to form the Ariana – NAS joint venture. Ariana NAS, the exclusive ground handler at Kabul International Airport, also provides services at the Herat and Kandahar International Airports. Through its operations different operations in Afghanistan, NAS serves ten airlines and an average of 1500 passengers per day. Reinforced with an employee base of more than 360 employees and over 175 pieces of ground support equipment, contributes greatly in the areas of employment, training and infrastructure developments. Globally, NAS has a presence in more than 30 airports, handles seven out of the world’s top 10 airlines and manages over 31 airport lounges. SATURDAY .APRIL 21, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES From trauma to recovery: addressing In dealing with the Windrush Afghanistan has been uneven, to generation and their children, the put it mildly. Where I agree with Home Office, in the words of your letter is the sense of overall Amber Rudd, lost sight of the obligation to those who have done emergency individuals in its pursuit of a valuable and hazardous service. policy. A similar admission is in It is not just a question of order for another group, our former repaying a debt but helping to interpreters in Afghanistan — develop and educate these young care in some 2,000 or so — whose lives people. are regularly threatened and for The narrow and legalistic ways whom the advice often offered is that rights of residence have been “to hide in plain sight”. operated for the interpreters runs There is credible, independent against the ethos of the armed Afghanistan evidence from the UN and others forces, which is based on trust, of the degree of threat they live backing up those who have helped under: many have been forced to you and will help you in turn. leave their homes in the Afghan Instead, our soldiers have had laws wo nurses in white uniforms at provinces; some have been and regulations heaped upon them attacked and murdered; others, — including the so-called military hospital garden in Afghanistan clearly and reasonably desperate, covenant. This lays down how a At the request of WHO, Emergency have become “illegal” asylum- society and government should seekers. We have a debt of honour behave towards those who trained 497 doctors and nurses. to these brave men, who shared regularly put their lives on the line. our service personnel’s daily That this has to be written dangers and helped us to fight the down and spelled out by law Taliban. They should not have to suggests much is wrong in the risk their lives with people- body politic. smugglers, and the Government Robert Fox, Defence Editor should allow them to settle in this Bravo, Labour country and breathe free at last. I After Tuesday’s debate in the also call on the House of Commons Commons, it’s good to see Labour Defence Committee to publish its is taking accusations of anti- report on the interpreters’ plight Semitism seriously [“Labour Making sense: ABritish soldier with an interpreter — they’ve been gathering evidence probes “100 members” over claims London can learn from thinks in those terms, and When finished it will be the tallest for more than a year now. of anti-Semitism”, April 18]. I was Manhattan YOUR article especially not in New York. Where building in the City and features How many more interpreters moved by the performances of [“London’s soaring skyline”, April would that great city be today more open space, an improved have to die, flee their homes or Luciana Berger and John Mann. 18] makes reference to those without the Manhattan skyline, streetscape and wind protection attempt to claim asylum before the These were passionate, principled concerned “that London’s skyline one of the greatest man-made for pedestrians. Such structures UK puts right this wrong too? speeches on a core socialist issue, is under threat” from the new wonders of the age? are better designed than their THE treatment of interpreters which reminded me of the way spate of tall tower buildings that Tall buildings can bring jobs, historical counterparts and form working with British forces and Labour used to be. have won planning permission. recreation and wealth. Typical of welcome interventions in the urban government agencies in Iraq and Labovitch Thankfully not everyone the new genre is 22 Bishopsgate. landscape. (STANDARD) CANADIAN

After fighting broke out in the rural to utilize diverse resources to chopper pilotswill district of Chark-Logar, Salim and rebuild its health sector, he said. his family were forced to flee their "The Health Cluster‘s mission home. During the firefight, his is to support the Ministry of brother was killed and Salim was Public Health to provide be using the shot in the stomach. It took Salim leadership to humanitarian health two hours until he reached a first response in order to prevent and aid post. In the process, he became reduce crisis-related illness and separated from his wife and death. Providing healthcare for Afghanistan children. Two days later he was those displaced by war means transferred to a hospital run by healthier lives for millions, turning Emergency, an Italian NGO despair into hope," said Dr Lai. specialized in trauma care. Two nurses in white uniforms playbook in Mali, Salim's story is not unusual in at hospital garden in Afghanistan today's Afghanistan, which is in At the request of WHO, the midst of one of the longest Emergency trained 497 doctors committeetold protracted complex emergencies in and nurses. the world. It faces prolonged In 2001, Afghanistan's conflict, frequent natural disasters Ministry of Public Health Officer says there's 'no evidence' of guerillas and mass population movements. inherited a devastated health The situation is made even more system and some of the worst Local firm hires2,000 armed with portable surface-to-air missiles complicated with masses of health statistics in the world. The internally displaced people, maternal mortality ratio, estimated returnees, and refugees at 1600 per 100,000 live births, The Canadian helicopters going to O P I N I O N C a n a d a ' s congregating in both urban centres was the highest ever recorded workersfor rose farming Mali will be outfitted as they were peacekeeping mission in Africa is and their outskirts. The already (Bartlett et al., 2005). The infant in Afghanistan, and will fly their destined to become the folly in overwhelmed health facilities are and child mortality rates, 165 and A local firm in Nangarhar province, Germany, France and Canada,” The workers said working in the missions the way they did there, Mali: Opinion often unable to absorb the 257 per 1000 live births, in the east of Afghanistan, has Arsalan said. Farmers said they company has changed their lives. senior military commanders said Sajjan says Mali needs private additional burden of the new respectively, both ranked as the leased 300 hectares of land to grow used to cultivate poppy on their “This is a good work. Employment Thursday. The country's military sector investment to rebuild arrivals. fourth highest in the world in 2002. rose and process it for perfume fields and now are happy that they opportunity has been provided for operations commander, Lt.-Gen. Canada sending 6 helicopters The Ministry of Health, with And access to health services, industry. Owner of Orzala have shifted from poppy people and I also work here,” Steve Bowes, and the director of to help UN mission in Mali Those support from the Health Cluster, defined as living within one hour Naturals, Abdullah Arsalan, says cultivation to rose farming. “From Naqibullah, a worker said. Musa the strategic joint staff at National air operations in Kandahar were led by WHO, is struggling to walking of a health facility, in 2001 they export the product to western 100 to 150 people are working here Khan, 55, said he used to cultivate Defence headquarters, Maj.-Gen carried out under the umbrella of rebuild a health system badly was limited to less than 10% of countries. He has hired at least and the work is very good. All are poppy on his fields and that he Al Meinzinger, testified before the Canada's five-year combat frayed after years of conflict. The the population (Ministry of Public 2,000 farmers to work in his fields happy for being here,” Fazlullah, a has left the illegal practice right House of Commons defence mission, which ended in 2011. challenges are many: damaged Health, 2008). The health system and factory. “Damask rose is being farmer, said. “We work everyday. now. “We work here and earn legal committee about the upcoming The Griffons — which can be infrastructure, a lack of trained was rebuilt based on the Basic cultivated in 300 hectares of land. The workers collect the flowers and money. Our income is good and peacekeeping mission in the outfitted with a multitude of healthcare providers, and under- Package of Health Services We produce perfume from the rose. receive salary based on their work,” we are happy for working here,” troubled West African country. weapons, including the C-6 resourced healthcare facilities. The (BPHS). Then we export the perfume to Yar Mohammad, a worker, said. Musa Khan said. (ToloNews) They and senior officials from machine gun, the M-134 Dillon situation is further complicated by WHO led the initial drafting Global Affairs were questioned six-barrel gatling gun and the GAU- a lack of security and pervasive of an essential package of health repeatedly by Conservatives MPs 21 .50 Cal machine gun — will be poverty. interventions with input from the about whether the planned year- used in the role of "armed escort" More than three fourths of the Ministry of Public Health 24Taliban,uprisingleader killedinFaryabclashes long deployment, slated to begin for the Chinooks, the generals population now has access to (MOPH) and in consultation with operations in August, can be testified. The threat to aircraft primary healthcare services but NGOs that were Health Cluster MAIMANA: At least 24 Taliban deemed a combat — or war zone posed by extremists in Mali comes important gaps remain. Trauma partners. The collaboration led to militants and a key uprising — operation. from light arms, such as rifles, care and trauma-related disability the development of a framework commander have been killed during The officials sidestepped that machine guns and rocket-propelled is one of the most critical issues to guide its decisions about health separate clashes in Kohistanat and description. Bowes said the grenades — not very different from facing Afghanistan, and the already services and facilities, policies and Dawlatabad districts of northern Canadian military is accustomed the weapons the air force faced in overstretched public health system offers of assistance so that it could Faryab province, officials said to operating in "high-risk Afghanistan. cannot tackle the problem alone. plan how to use its resources and Thursday. environments" and called Mali a Bowes told the committee Much of the trauma care in the those of donors to benefit the most Abdul Rahman Pana, the "complex conflict zone." there's been "no evidence" of country’s capital city, Kabul, is people and be sustainable: the Kohistanat’s district Armed groups linked to al- guerillas being armed with portable provided by the Italian NGO Public-Health Decision Tool. administrative chief, told Pajhwok Qaeda, ethnic Tuareg and Arab surface-to-air missiles, known as Emergency, which provides The Public-Health Decision Afghan News that nearly 600 guerillas and government- MANPADS. specialized trauma care that is Tool helped the Ministry of Public insurgents stormed security forces supported militia have attacked Even still, he noted, the unavailable in standard Health achieve four key goals: (1) check-posts late on Wednesday each other, Malian soldiers, Canadian helicopters are equipped government facilities. Emergency assisting policy-makers to select night and the ensuing clash lasted peacekeepers, aid workers and with defensive systems, including has worked in the country for health priorities, (2) establishing till Thursday morning. other civilians in a conflict that has .50 calibre machine guns. nearly two decades and has treated criteria for making choices about He said Suliman Rahmani, an came to rebel attacks in the on Wednesday night. raged on since late 2012. 'Sophisticated and underhanded' over five million patients, and its interventions, (3) ensuring that the uprising commander, and nine province. On the other hand, He said 15 Taliban militants The six Canadian helicopters One of the biggest dangers to work has been recognized by the choices about health services to be Taliban militants were killed in the Abdul Karim Yourash, provincial were killed and five others — two CH-147 Chinook aircraft and crews in Mali is Ministry of Health. Emergency’s delivered were consistent with clash. Another seven attackers police spokesman, said that wounded during the nighttime battlefield transports and four CH- expected to be the harsh desert Surgical Centre for War Victims in national health objectives and (4) were wounded in the overnight Taliban militants stormed uprising attack. Security forces and 146 Griffon armed helicopters — climate. Kabul treats both the local maintaining MOPH priorities over clash, said Pana, who accused the members’ check-posts in Qarish civilians suffered no causalities, he will carry out medical evacuations, Last summer, the Germans population and welcomes time (Ministry of Health, 2003; government of negligence when it locality of the Dawlatabad district concluded. (Pajhwok) shuttle around United Nations lost a Tiger helicopter in a incoming patients from remote Ministry of Public Health, 2005a). peacekeepers from other countries mechanical failure crash that killed areas. Its services are free of charge. Since the creation of the BPHS and occasionally support the so- two. A UN base in the troubled In 2017, at the request of in 2003, the MOPH has seen many called G-5 Sahel countries which country was recently subjected to WHO and in collaboration with the positive changes in the health UAE r eaffir m s su ppor ts for are carrying out counter-terrorism a four-hour rocket, mortar and car district and provincial Health system. Most notable has been the operations against Islamic bomb attack, which killed two Directorates, Emergency trained expansion of access to BPHS extremists. peacekeepers. It was described by 497 doctors and nurses from the services to 77% of the population. A 'disciplined approach' the French military as provinces in pre-hospital trauma The BPHS is the foundation Afgh a n ista n’s developm en t That means Canadian pilots "sophisticated and underhanded" and mass casualty management. of the Afghan health system and and aircrew will have to be very — something that caught the deliberate in the way they conduct attention of opposition MPs. Emergency, which is a member of has been the key instrument in its ...P1 has supported several key ADFD was one of the first aid sustainable development. Since it the Health Cluster, funds its development. development projects that have agencies to support development started its support for themselves, said Meinzinger, a "They've been extremely bold in international staff and operations The BPHS clearly delineates had a significant impact on the projects in Afghanistan that development projects in former CH-146 Griffon pilot who the last month," said Conservative through private donations, with the services that should be economy of the country.” improved the living standards of Afghanistan in 1977, ADFD has was commander of the Canadian MP and defence critic James additional funding from WHO, the provided by each type of primary Mohammed Qayoumi applauded its citizens. The Fund has emerged allocated AED1.2 billion towards air wing in Kandahar near the end Bezan, who has led the party's Common Humanitarian Fund, and healthcare facility in the Afghan ADFD’s efforts in supporting as a top international aid agency the development of 14 projects of Canada's Afghan war. charge to have the deployment the European Commission. health system—health posts, basic Afghanistan in achieving its due to its active role in providing that contributed to the economic "Our approach to this mission debated and approved by In the long-term, quality health centers, comprehensive sustainable development the much-needed support for and social development of the from an aviation perspective will Parliament. "We're not talking healthcare for all Afghan citizens health centers and district objectives. Qayoumi noted that developing countries to achieve country. be very akin to the way we [attacks] in open theater. They're will only be met by a combination hospitals—and specifies the staff, operated in Afghanistan," he said. coming right on the bases and of specific goal-oriented projects, equipment, diagnostic services, and Voter r egistr ation h its sn a gs a m id in secu r ity in G h a zn i "A very disciplined approach taking the fight to us." foreign aid, domestic medications required to provide as to how we accept missions at The air contingent will deploy the front end and pre-execution ... with its own security and responsibility, and time, said Dr those services. In essence, the ...P1 chieftain. He said that government to erect voter peaceful protest, the gubernatorial David Lai, Afghanistan Health BPHS is the basis for the primary insecurity will hamper the registration centers in secure areas, spokesperson said the situation we have a very disciplined way Meinzinger said the Germans will Cluster Coordinator. The work health care system of our country mainstream elections in many warning that people will refrain from had improved compared to the where we consider all of the still station as many as 500 troops being done by Emergency is an and establishes its standards. areas, facilitating a vote rigging of participating in the vote if security past, but acknowledged an increase potential threats from the weather at the air base where operations example of how the country needs (WHO) big scale. Protestors urged the remained volatile. During the in suicide attacks in the province. to the fatigue levels of the crews." are conducted. (CBC) SATURDAY .APRIL 21, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

KUNUZ CITY: The Taliban have “The Taliban have closed the been closed by the Taliban. He real name, the student of Dardman the teachers have been not issued shut down hundreds of schools in schools and demanded the salary termed the closure of school a huge School in Qala-i-Zal district, said the salary. “Due to security issues northern Kunduz province which of the teachers should be issued problem of Kunduz people. after the winter recess they did not many teachers cannot go to the city deprived nearly 200,000 students manually not through the bank,” Another PC member Toryalai go back to schools. “The Taliban to collect their salary from the bank from education. A reliable source the source said.” The education Kakar said the government has no do not allow the students and so in order to resolve this problem at the Department of Education, official through the mediation of plan for the reopening of closed teachers to go to schools, they shut we have closed the schools,” said Addressing businesswomen at a Promote summit in said the Taliban have closed 350 tribal elders had launched efforts schools. “The officials should the schools and demanded the Mujahid. It is pertinent to mention Kabul, Abdullah said he would raise their schools in different parts of to reopen the closed schools. answer; the schools had been salary issue to be resolved,” he that over 300,000 students were recommendations at the council of ministers meeting. Kunduz province from the past Meanwhile, the Provincial Council closed from the past one month. said. The Taliban Spokesman being imparted education in some one month. The Taliban also Member Amruddin Wali said at We want the immediate reopening Zabihullah Mujahid said the 507 schools in Kunduz. confirmed closing the schools. least 450 schools in Kunduz had of the schools.” Noorullah, not a schools had been closed because (Pajhwok)

Members of the council said their main focus is to encourage people for voter registration process, elections and tolerance. interests of the country,” said Samiullah Saihoon, representative Azizullah Amaniyar, of National Congress of Addressing the Women’s Business and business leaders, insecurity representative of Hizb-e-Islami led Afghanistan. Conference in Kabul on and the lack of proper marketing by Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal. Members of the council said Wednesday, Chief Executive channels for women to use in order NEW DELHI: Has Delhi become “The political parties here have another goal of their movement is Abdullah Abdullah stressed the to sell their products. the new transit point for drug agreed to restore people’s trust in to create an environment of need for more efforts to be made “We also recommend traffickers smuggling in heroin from electoral process and to encourage tolerance and unity among the to further promote the capacity handcrafts and hostel management across the border for distribution them to register their names for people to overcome challenges on building process among women in to be included in the curricula of in India and the neighbouring voting in the coming elections,” the ground. the economic sector in the country. the universities to help the girls be countries? Delhi Police has begun said Manna Hashemi, head of This comes after head of the The conference was organized trained in this sphere so that the digging into the possibility after Jamiat-e-Islami in Badakhshan. provincial office of the Independent by USAID Promote Women in the marketing issue is resolved,” said the arrest of a Kashmiri youth on Meanwhile, other members of Election Commission (IEC) Economy and the Office of the Fariba Akbaryar, an official from his way to the Sri Lankan capital the council said they will travel to Hamidullah Baluch said on Chief Executive and saw 140 the Promote Program. of Colombo with Rs 3.5 crore different districts of Badakhshan Tuesday that of the 322 voter female business owners from 16 “We have learned many things worth of pure Afghan heroin. to encourage people for voter registration centers, 47 centers are provinces attend. through a range of effective Identified as Arshid Haq, a registration process. closed and over 40 others face The conference - Forward projects, we also managed to resident of Baramulla in Kashmir, “In the first days of our work, threats. “Twenty (voter Together National Business promote our business,” said the youth was carrying the we will travel to different districts registration) centers are closed in Women's Summit – saw women Farzana Mirzayee, a woman contraband in a cavity at the base in order to raise public awareness one district and 27 centers have discuss challenges and put forward entrepreneur from western Herat of his travel case. Taken on remand, on elections,” said Musawir, remained closed in another two solutions for women in business province, who attended the police are questioning him on his Representatives of well-known of Afghanistan, Hizb-e-Watan, the representative of National Islamic districts which have fallen (to in Afghanistan. summit. Promote is a five-year network. He apparently revealed political parties in the country National Islamic Movement of Movement of Afghanistan. insurgents). And 13 centers which Speaking on Wednesday, the program targeting the education, some names, and police have formed a joint council on Friday Afghanistan and national unity “These important and national are under high and medium threats second day of the conference, promotion, and training of Afghan detained one more person based to support the voter registration party. The council said it will allow parties of Afghanistan have agreed require military operations,” he Abdullah said: “We will assess women. Promote strengthens on the disclosures. The cops are process, elections and unity among no one to forge in the upcoming on implementation of national said. “We are prepared to carry out your recommendations, these women’s participation in civil investigating whether Haq is part the people in Badakhshan elections. projects, overcoming the process in the other 232 proposals will be assessed in the society, boosts female of the same module as Mohammed province. “We have created national unemployment and insecurity. centers.” Badakhshan police council of ministers.” participation in the economy, Anwer, a Kashmiri soldier who The political parties include unity among all political parties in Hopefully, the consensus of however vowed to ensure the Among the challenges the increases the number of women in was intercepted in a bus from Hizb-e-Islami, Jamiat-e-Islami, Badakhshan. We have agreed on a political parties will improve in the safety of all centers in the province. businesswomen raised were those decision making positions within Srinagar travelling to Delhi some Azadagan, the National Congress common vision about national province in near future,” said (ToloNews) around their inability to access the Afghan government, and helps months ago with heroin estimated financial resources, the lack of women gain business and to be worth Rs 32 crore. support to women entrepreneurs management skills. (ToloNews) According to police sources, intelligence agencies had been keeping tabs on at least five members of a cartel known to be procuring contraband from mules, or carriers, from across the border. The agencies intercepted a call with information that a carrier had come to the capital with a large consignment of drugs. “We gathered information that the suspect would go to Terminal 3 of IGI Airport and board a Jet Airways flight to Colombo. A team led by inspector Kailash Bisht and LASHKARGAH: Poets and sub-inspector Rohit was able to writers from various provinces and nab Haq before he could board his Quetta city and Chaman border flight,” said a senior cop. Haq was town of Balochistan province of not detected carrying anything on Pakistan took part in the annual his person, but the cops eventually Helmand River poetry session in discovered the heroin hidden in his Lashkargah, the capital of blue coloured bag. Helmand province, last night. Haq revealed that a large Poets from Helmand, Zabul, consignment of the white powder Kandahar, Farah, Quetta, Chaman had been sent to Delhi from and other areas narrated their The ministry of agriculture said it plans to Afghanistan via Pakistan and the poetic verses on the occasion, build irrigation networks and small dams in cartel had roped in several carriers where government officials were in Delhi to distribute the drug in also present. numerous regions in the country. the capital, other Indian states and Helmand governor Hayatullah Colombo. According to Hayat urged the poets to write investigators, Sri Lanka gets its exclusively on peace. He also called dope mainly from Pakistan and on the people of Afghanistan to south India via sea channels. The fully participate in the Oct. 20 heroin passes through to south The selection committee of will also join the young players in Wali Amin, member of the selection parliamentary and district council Indian states where it is packaged Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) the training camp. From the 43 committee. elections. Hayat recited his poetic and taped to the bottom of the on Friday announced a list of players, 24 of them will be selected Head of the selection verse on the Helmand River before boats and taken to the island young who will attend a two-week for the national team to play in the committee Nawroz Mangal said leaving the stage. Speaking on the country. If the boat is stopped for training camp in India. The ACB cricket world cup. the goal of the training camp is to occasion, Helmand information checks, the smugglers often cut the will select best players from the “They are the players who we select best players for the national and culture director Farid Ahmad tape and let the consignment sink 21 young cricketers for the think are good for future of team in order to be prepared for Farhang said the poetic session and retrieve it later with the help national team. According to ACB, Afghanistan’s cricket and can fill the Cricket World Cup 2019. brought along a message of peace. of divers. (TIMESOFINDIA) 22 members of the national team the gaps in the national team,” said (ToloNews) (Pajhwok)

Ministery of Agriculture Irrigation only solution to the water shortage and Livestock (MAIL) Thursday is to bring water resources under said the Afghan government plans control. But farmers, in various to rollout irrigation projects on regions around Afghanistan, have farms, worth 2.5 billon AFs. hit back at government’s claims of KABUL: Police on Thursday and explosives, 23 pistols, nine MAIL spokesman Akbar improving water resources in the announced about a 50 percent Kalashnikovs and a machinegun Rustami said the ministry plans country. reduction in crimes in capital Kabul were seized during the period. to build irrigation networks and “We have dry lands up there. where two more security belts Amin said 285 people were small dams to bring water under They need water to become would be established in near arrested on charges of different control in agricultural land across productive. We need government future. Kabul 101 Asmai Zone crimes such as kidnapping, murder, the country. This will also help and agriculture ministry’s help in Police commander Brig. Gen. armed robbery, transferring illegal manage water resources and this regard,” said Hajji Gulbuddin, Mohammad Daud Amin briefed a weapons, cheating and highway prevent wastage, he said. a farmer in the outskirts of Kabul. press conference here about police looting. Of the detainees, 124 “This year, the agriculture “A proper irrigation system achievements over the last three including nine children and two ministry will focus on should be established for our lands months, saying the graph of crimes women have been referred to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of in order to prevent waste of water had dropped by 50 percent in attorney office. Around 2,000 irrigation systems. At least 30 as we use traditional systems right Kabul. drug addicts were also collected percent of the budget of the now. We need government’s help He said the crimes reduced from different parts of Kabul city ministry has been allocated to in this respect,” said Aand Agha, a after police controlled all roads and transferred them to irrigation projects,” Rustami told farmer. leading to Kabul city, deployed rehabilitation centers, he said. In TOLOnews. Farmers say that systematic more checkpoints and assessed response to a question, Amin said Meanwhile, some famers irrigation has a significant role in police own performance. checking vehicles and people have expressed concerns over the the increase of agricultural He said a car suicide bombing entering Kabul City was the lack of irrigation for their fields. products, suggesting government plot was frustrated and more than responsibility of 111 Afghan Experts said that the lack of should help revive the irrigation 20 IEDs neutralized by police in National Army (ANA) division. districts and measures being taken movement of vehicles without city, Amin said the campaign for rain and snow this winter has system and support farmers to get the last three months. Hundreds He said two more security belts to check every person before plates, with tinted glasses and preventing these violations was resulted in serious problems for the access to modern irrigation of mortar bullets, cannons, rockets would be created in Kabul city and entering the city. About the carrying illegal weapons in Kabul underway. (Pajhwok) agriculture sector. They said the systems. (ToloNews) SATURDAY . APRIL 21, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

extended by a day,voting dates may change The new deadline for the West Bengal panchayat elections will be decided by the state election commission in consultation with the state government.

Calcutta high court on Friday ex- lence by the Trinamool Congress tended the deadline for submission since nominations started on April of nominations in the Bengal pan- 2. They claimed that supporters chayat polls by a day, which will of the ruling party tried to prevent be decided by the state election their candidates from filing nomi- commission in consultation with nations. At least six persons were the state government. Since there killed in poll-related clashes. The has to be a gap of 21 days between rural polls are crucial as they will the last date of nomination and the provide the only pan-Bengal indi- first day of polling, the dates of cator of the popularity of political voting are likely to change if the parties before the 2019 Lok Sabha court’s order is not challenged. polls. The Trinamool Congress, Bengal was set to vote on May 1, which wants a larger role in na- 3 and 5 . “It’s a historic verdict. tional politics, wants to retain its The court has come forward to hold over the state’s grassroots- help the democratic process that level politics, while the BJP, fast is in peril in Bengal. It is a victory emerging as Bengal’s main Oppo- for the people who did not get any sition party, is keen to expand its help from the police to file nomi- footprint. The past 10 days have nation,” said Pratap Banerjee, gen- seen intense legal wrangling with eral secretary of the Bengal unit of the BJP and the Trinamool Con- BJP. Trinamool advocate Kalyan gress moving Calcutta high court Banerjee, however, said the court and Supreme Court over the ques- did not allow the BJP plea to re- tion of nomination deadline. On the move the election commissioner night of April 9, the state election and deploy central forces. Con- commission issued a notification gress welcomed the court order, but extending the filing of nomination The nation’s premier anti-graft chi, two in Islamabad and one in said “it does not mean the end of by a day (till 3 pm on April 10). watchdog on Friday approved the Lahore and Gawadar each under violence”. “A new date will be an- But barely 12 hours later, state dent Kalyan Banerjee — that rata Talukdar suspended all pro- also moved the Supreme Court on initiation of a probe against former Musharraf’s name. Rahim claimed nounced and a new chapter vio- election commissioner AK Singh pointed out legal infirmities in the cesses of the Bengal rural polls till April 11 with an appeal to post- president Pervez Musharraf for another property in Karachi was lence will be unleashed by the rul- issued another notification with- previous notification. The BJP im- April 16. The matter since then pone the panchayat elections till abusing power and amassing as- registered under Sehba Mushar- ing party,” said state Congress drawing the extension order. He mediately moved the apex court has moved to a division bench of the question of the filing of nomi- sets beyond means. No one can raf’s name. Another two are locat- president Adhir Chowdhury. The cited two letters — one by the that ordered the matters be heard the high court, which shifted the nations by opposition candidates pull NAB’s strings: Javed Iqbal In ed in Dubai, UAE and the United ruling comes as a relief for opposi- state government and the other by by the Calcutta high court on April case back to the single-judge bench was settled. a 28-point statement, the Nation- Kingdom. Apart from this, there tion parties that have alleged vio- Trinamool Congress vice-presi- 12. At the high court, Justice Sub- of Justice Talukdar. The CPM had (Hindustan Times) al Accountability Bureau (NAB) are three vehicles; two Land Cruis- said probes would be launched ers and one Corolla under Mush- against scores including sitting min- arraf’s name and four under his isters and top bureaucrats. Lt Col wife’s. In February, the Islamabad Inaam Rahim had earlier moved the High Court (IHC) allowed an in- watchdog against the former pres- vestigation against the former pres- ident and recorded a statement on ident. A two-member IHC bench Two children April 4. Rahim confirmed the de- comprising Justice Athat Minal- velopment. Copies of pertinent lah and Justice Miangul Hassan documents are available with The Aurangzeb issued the directive raped and Express Tribune. A NAB notice over the petition filed by Rahim in sent to him read that he possessed 2014. data and evidence on Musharraf’s Rahim had consulted the court to corrupt practices. He claimed seek an investigation into the al- murdered Musharraf owned eight properties leged corruption of the former in Pakistan and two abroad. These president. include three properties in Kara- (Tribune) during S R I L AN K A weddings in UP, T O L E AD Chhattisgarh C om m on wea lt h C en t r e for D igit a l H ea lt h

YANGON – A recent meeting be- Bangladesh, since violence resumed reiterated the government’s earlier Two girls were raped and murdered In Kabirdham district of tween Muslim refugees and a del- in northern Rakhine State last Au- statement that it was ready to ac- during wedding ceremonies in Ut- neighbouring Chhattisgarh, a ten- egation of Myanmar officials in gust, prompting more than cept verified refugees. Win Myat tar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, po- year-old girl was similarly raped Bangladesh was cut short when a 650,000 Muslims to flee. Econo- Aye said he told Muslim commu- lice said on Friday, adding to a num- and killed during a wedding func- discussion over repatriation con- mist Dr Aung Tun Thet, who ac- nity leaders the government would ber of brutal sexual assaults report- tion by the friend of the bride- ditions became heated, the minis- companied the delegation, said at speed up the process of issuing ed across India this week. The in- groom. Uttam Sahu, 25, admitted ter leading the delegation said yes- yesterday’s press conference that National Verification Cards (NVC) cident in Uttar Pradesh took place to raping and killing the girl by hit- terday. Dr Win Myat Aye, union Rohingya leaders had barely lis- to returnees. The temporary doc- in Etah district on Thursday night, ting her head with a stone in minister for social welfare, relief tened to the Myanmar side and had uments are issued to those apply- just three days after another mi- Bagharra village on Wednesday and resettlement, told reporters in instead put forward their own ing for citizenship pending a deci- nor girl was sexually assaulted and night. Public anger at the crimes Yangon that leaders of the Muslim agenda, which went beyond expec- sion on their application. Howev- murdered about 50km away, also has led to protests in cities across Rohingya community had put for- tations. He did not elaborate. Win er, few Rohingya have applied for while attending a wedding. Police India over the past few days amid ward 13 demands at the meeting, Myat Aye said the refugees he citizenship under the NVC pro- said the accused, 25-year-old Pin- allegations that the accused were Commonwealth Centre for Digital May 2017. Prof. Dissanayake will held at a camp near Cox’s Bazar spoke to wanted to return to My- gramme because they do not trust tu Kumar, has been arrested and initially shielded by the govern- Health will be Launched in Lon- give leadership, as the Chairman, on April 11. They became “aggres- anmar, adding that their main con- the process. When Win Myat Aye booked for murder, rape and con- ment. Though the Kathua gan- don Today at the sidelines of the to the Centre. He held the posi- sive” he said, at which point mem- cern was citizenship. Refugees asked Rohingya leaders to accept cealing evidence after the nine- grape and murder was in the news Commonwealth Heads of Govern- tion of the President of the Com- bers of the delegation reassured have previously told media and the cards, they told him they didn’t year-old girl’s father filed a com- for months, the backlash erupted ment Meeting 2018. The Centre monwealth Medical Association them and stopped the discussion. international organisations they do need them, because they had doc- plaint. He was also charged under after the chargesheet filed by the was proposed by Prof. Vajira Dis- since 2016, and he has been lead- This contradicts an earlier report not want to return to Rakhine uments that proved they came the stringent Protection of Chil- crime branch of the Jammu and sanayake of the University of Co- ing a Commonwealth Wide Digital by the Associated Press, which without guarantees of both citizen- from Myanmar. “He [Win Myat dren from Sexual Offences (POC- Kashmir police gave gruesome de- lombo in 2016 and incorporated Health Initiative since he took of- quoted a Rohingya leader saying ship and security. While the UN Aye] said, keep all those [docu- SO) Act, they added. “The girl was tails of the crime. into a Commonwealth Policy Brief fice in October 2016 at the 24th discussions had continued, after and rights groups have said condi- ments] and listen to us,” a Ro- found missing by her family mem- Police said the girl from the on Digital Systems for One health Triennial Conference of the Asso- “initial hiccups”. The meeting was tions in Myanmar are not yet con- hingya living in Kutupalong camp bers at about 10pm on Thursday Bakarwal tribe, a nomadic commu- approved by the Commonwealth ciation. held during Myanmar’s first high- ducive to a voluntary, dignified and told Frontier yesterday. He was while they were attending a ‘tilak’ nity of Muslim cattle grazers, was Health Ministers in Geneva in (LBO) level visit to the refugee camps in sustainable return, Win Myat Aye not sure. function in a nearby house in abducted while grazing her fami- Keltha village of Aliganj area in Etah ly’s horses near her home in Rasa- district,” additional superintendent na village of Kathua district in Jan- of police (ASP) Sanjay Kumar uary. She was held captive in a said. “Her body was found at temple, sedated and raped repeat- about 3am on Friday in a farm, 100 edly for a week before being blud- metres from the house after a geoned to death. A retired revenue search,” Kumar said. The police department official planned the officer added that the body of the crimes against her, says the girl has been sent for a post-mor- chargesheet, to create fear among tem at the district hospital in Etah. her community and get them to Police found during their investi- leave Rasana. Eight people, includ- gation that Kumar, a part of the ing two special police officers team of cooks hired to prepare food (SPOs), a head constable and a sub- for the guests, asked for a glass of inspector, have been arrested in the water from the girl as he was pre- case. All of them have pleaded not Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday came down hard on the Pakistan paring to drink during the ceremo- guilty. People have also led pro- Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government for its ‘poor governance’ and ny. One of the girl’s friends also tests against Yogi Adityanath’s failure to ensure ‘even basic human rights’. The CJP was heading a three-judge bench, also comprising told the police that the Class 2 stu- government over the handling of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Umar Ata Bandial, hearing a suo motu case regarding the dent was last seen with Kumar, the Unnao rape case, in which provision of civic facilities in the provincial capital at the Supreme Court’s Peshawar Registry. The who allegedly lured her to a shop Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker bench earlier grilled K-P Chief Secretary Azam Khan and Health Secretary Abid Majeed about the in the village. This is the latest in a Kuldeep Singh Sengar was charged quantity of waste generated in hospitals in the city, the mechanism to dispose it of, the number of string of incidents of rape and with raping a teenage girl in last hospitals in the K-P and the capacity of incineration system based available in some major hospitals. murder of minor girls across the year. He was arrested last week CJP Nisar issues notice to K-P government for update on progress in APS case The chief justice country, including that of the eight- after the alleged crime grabbed praised the system adopted in Punjab for waste disposal and asked the official what system K-P has year-old girl in Jammu and Kash- headlines following the girl’s at- adopted. To everyone’s surprise, the chief secretary replied that the waste of Peshawar is being mir’s Kathua district and Uttar tempt to self-immolate outside the thrown straight into canals passing through the city. “We have identified 1,100 points in the city Pradesh’s Unnao, that have chief minister’s Lucknow resi- where waste is dumped directly into canals,” the chief secretary said, adding that garbage collected sparked nationwide outrage and dence. The body of an identified from the city is dumped in a ground located on Ring Road. However, when the CJP asked him to criticism of the ruling Bharatiya minor girl with 86 injury marks was explain what is done to the waste at the dump site, he said, “it lays there.” He said the K-P Janata Party. On Tuesday, a sev- found in Surat in Prime Minister government has now issued orders to acquire land for a proper dump site. The senior government en-year-old girl was taken away Narendra Modi home state of Gu- official’s response raised the CJP’s eyebrows, as he said, “Dump sites are spreading diseases through- by a 19-year-old man when her jarat almost a fortnight ago and out the city but you have even no programme. You (PTI government) have ruled for five years and family members were busy during police said she may have been tor- have only just acquired land for setting up a site?” The bench asked the chief secretary to call in K-P a wedding ceremony in Galla Man- tured and raped before being killed. Chief Minister Pervez Khattak. The CM, when he appeared before the bench, was also asked a di of Etah city to an under-con- The girl believed to be between number of questions about the number of hospitals his government had built, the number of new struction house. He then raped and nine and 11 years old was stran- schools set up, and about the population of the city. later killed her to avoid being iden- gled, they said. (Tribune) tified. (Hindustan Times) SATURDAY . APRIL 21, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES News-in-Brief North and South Korea UScourt sentences makefirst call on hotline former Liberian warlord to 30 set up ahead of summit years A former Liberian warlord known withKimJong-un as “Jungle Jabbah” has been sen- tenced to 30 years in prison in a groundbreaking judgment by a US court for lying about his role in Liberia’s civil war and the atroc- ities he committed. Mohammed Jabbateh, 51, who has lived in East Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, for 20 years, was found guilty in October on two counts of fraud in immigration documents and two counts of perjury and sen- tenced on Thursday. The judge in the case imposed a heavy jail sentence because of the nature of the crimes that Jabbateh had sought to hide. While serving as commander of an armed group during the height of Liberia’s first civil war, which lasted much of the 1990s, Jabbateh either per- sonally committed or ordered acts such as rapes, ritual cannibalism, mutilation, murder and the use of child soldiers, prosecutors orth and South Korea on Friday good. It was like calling next door,” mit of its kind since the end of the said. Hundreds of thousands of set up their first ever direct tele- he said. The hotline is intended to 1950-53 Korean War and the first people were killed in the conflict phone hotline between their lead- prevent misunderstandings be- since 2007, when Mr Kim’s father, which devastated the country. ers, ahead of a historic summit next tween the neighbouring countries, Kim Jong-il met with then South The judgment is an important week that aims to resolve nuclear who are still technically at war. Korean leader, Roh Moo-hyun. precedent that could lead to much tensions with Pyongyang and However, it will be used more im- The talks next Friday, in the Peace longer sentences for other simi- bring peace to the Korean Penin- mediately over the next few days House on the southern side of the lar offenders in the future and sula. An official in Seoul confirmed when North Korean leader Kim DMZ could prove to be a signifi- will help international efforts to that a successful four minute test Jong-un and South Korean Presi- cant signpost for unprecedented bring war criminals to justice, call was conducted between South dent Moon Jae-in speak for the negotiations on North Korea’s de- Iraq resumed paying Kuwait com- Commission has paid out $47.9 damages to states, companies and activists said. Korea’s presidential office and first time shortly before they meet nuclearisation between Mr Kim pensation on Friday for the de- billion, leaving approximately $4.5 individuals caused by Iraq’s inva- Pyongyang’s most powerful insti- face to face at a summit on in the and US President Donald Trump struction of Kuwaiti oil fields and billion remaining to be paid to the sion and seven-month occupation tution, the State Affairs Commis- demilitarised border zone (DMZ) which are anticipated in late May facilities during the 1990-91 Gulf only outstanding claim.”The sum of Kuwait under former president sion. “The connection was smooth between their two countries. The or early June. War, the United Nations said in owed, as well as the $90 million Saddam Hussein. Kuwait and Iraq 2 DEAD, and the voice quality was very meeting will only be the third sum- (BBC) Geneva in a prepared statement. payment, goes towards an overall agreed last year that payments The payment had been suspended claim of $14.7 billion in damages would gradually increase from 0.5 DOZENS since October 2014 because of se- by the Kuwait Petroleum Corpo- percent of Iraqi oil proceeds in curity and budgetary problems the ration , the largest approved by 2018 to 1.5 percent in 2019 and 3 INJURED AS Iraqi government in its fight the Geneva-based commission, set percent in both 2020 and 2021. Iraq Mexican against Islamic State. “The United up by the U.N. Security Council declared victory over Islamic State GAZA Nations Compensation Commis- in 1991. Payouts are made quar- in December, five months after Iraqi sion (UNCC) today made avail- terly as funds become available. forces backed by a U.S.-led coali- PROTESTS Congress able $90 million to the Government The UNCC said in November that tion captured the militants’ capi- of the State of Kuwait,” the U.N Baghdad should finish paying by tal in the northern city of Mosul. CONTINUE votes to said. “With today’s payment, the the end of 2021 compensation for (Reuters) FOR FOURTH WEEK remove Protests have continued to take EGYPTFAILSTOGATHERPA, place on the Gaza border today politicians’ as thousands of Palestinians demonstrate for the fourth week legal as part of the “Great March of Hamasfor reconciliationtalks Return”, leaving at least two dead and dozens injured. Twen- immunity ty-five-year-old Ahmed Abu Aqel and 24-year-old Ahmad Rashad Al-Athanna were killed MEXICO CITY — The lower earlier today after being shot by house of Mexico’s Congress has Israeli snipers, raising the death voted to remove the immunity toll to 35. As of 3pm local time, from prosecution protection ex- some 40 others have been injured, tended to every public office in the adding to 4,279 people that have been wounded in the past three country. The measure was ap- weeks. Several of the injuries proved without opposition and were caused after Israeli occupa- basically abolishes the need for im- tion forces fired a barrage of gas peachment. State governors, law- canisters to disperse protesters. makers and judges could all be au- According to Hebrew news site tomatically put on trial once in- Walla, Israeli forces have been dicted, but would be allowed to forced to evacuate one area of the stay in office and not be jailed un- border after protesters burned til convicted. Under the constitu- Egypt has failed to hold a joint the Palestinian National Council to hold any further negotiations”, tyres in an effort to reach the tional changes approved Thurs- meeting between the Hamas and (PNC) meeting on 30 April with- the PA official said. Official sourc- fence, with the fumes drifting into day, even the president could be Palestinian Authority (PA) dele- out the participation of Hamas or es have reported that an Egyptian the small kibbutz of Alumim. tried while in office but would still gations in Cairo. Fatah leader and Islamic Jihad. Yesterday the Pop- security delegation is due to head Pictures of the ongoing protests need to be formally impeached. member of the PA Ayman Al- ular Front for the Liberation of to Gaza “soon” to discuss details of the #GreatReturnMarch at the The measure must be ap- Raqab told ERM News yesterday Palestine (PFLP), the second larg- of the reconciliation agreement. eastern border of the Gaza Strip, proved by the Senate and pass the as they continue for the fourth that the Hamas delegation visit to est faction in the Palestinian Lib- Fatah and Hamas signed an agree- state legislatures in at least 17 of Cairo came at the request of the eration Organisation after Fatah, ment in Cairo in October in an at- consecutive Friday. The protest- the country’s 31 states and Mexi- ers are calling for the right. Egyptian authorities in order “to announced that it will not attend tempt to advance reconciliation co City. Copyright 2018 The As- salvage the reconciliation from fail- the PNC meeting because Hamas efforts and restore the PA’s gov- sociated Press. All rights reserved. ure” especially after the PA had and Islamic Jihad will not be able erning authority in Gaza, but failed This material may not be published, increased its demands and request- to attend. Egypt has not succeed- to make progress in the aftermath OPCW: UN broadcast, rewritten or redistrib- ed an “abrupt handover” for the ed in easing the tensions between of US President Donald Trump’s uted. Gaza Strip. Egypt had hoped to the two parties because of their recognition of Jerusalem as Isra- security (WP) convey the PA’s request to host “intransigence and unwillingness el’s capital. (BBC) team shot at in Syria’s South Africa's Ramaphosa Ahead of Douma Malaysian polls, Tayyip Erdogan’s shock an- omists don’t expect Turkey to flies in to try and nouncement of snap elections in sustain last year’s breakneck bots flood A United Nations security team June has caught Turkey’s troubled growth of 7.4 percent through to doing reconnaissance in Syria’s opposition off guard and brought the scheduled Nov 2019 poll date, Twitter with Douma, the site of a chemical him within reach of his cherished while Erdogan is enjoying nation- quell northern protests weapons attack, came under fire goal, a powerful presidency with alist acclaim for early military suc- pro-government a day earlier, said the Organiza- sweeping executive powers. The cess across the border in Syria. tion for the Prohibition of Chem- elections will finally trigger Tur- “Erdogan has all odds stacked in messages ical Weapons on Wednesday. key’s switch from a parliamenta- his favour. From ... economic OPCW Director General Ahmet ry to a presidential system, a trans- growth to the state of emergency Just weeks before Malaysia goes Üzümcü told a meeting at the or- formation Erdogan narrowly won which he has been using to crack to the polls, automated accounts ganization's headquarters in The in a hard-fought referendum a year down on opposition, to a near com- known as bots are flooding Twit- Hague that the security team was ago. That vote was held, as the June plete control of the media,” said ter with tens of thousands of pro- forced to withdraw, delaying the 24 parliamentary and presidential Soner Cagaptay, a fellow at the government and anti-opposition arrival of chemical weapons in- elections will be, under a state of Washington Institute. The prize for messages, according to a review of spectors due to visit the site. emergency which Turkey’s allies the victor in June will be power the tweets by Reuters and a U.S. including the United States say almost unprecedented since the digital media research institute. Sources present at the closed- raises questions over their integri- Turkish republic was created un- door meeting briefed Reuters on ty. A masterful campaigner, Er- der Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, out Asked about the matter, San Fran- Üzümcü's remarks. At least 40 dogan has won nearly a dozen elec- of the ruins of the Ottoman em- cisco-based Twitter Inc said it was people were killed in the April 7 tions and dominated Turkish pol- pire nearly a century ago. “The of- focused on identifying and sus- attack on Douma that prompted itics since his Islamist-rooted AK fice of prime minister will cease to pending accounts that violate its an air strike by the United States, party swept to power in 2002. He exist. Erdogan will become head of spam policies. “We continue to Britain and France against Syri- remains Turkey’s most popular state, head of government, head of fight hard to tackle any malicious an regime chemical facilities. A politician, admired by millions for the police, head of the army and automation on our platform as well delay in the arrival of the inspec- championing the pious Muslim head of the ruling party,” said Ca- as spam accounts,” it said, with- tors at the Douma site has be- working classes and delivering air- gaptay. “He will become the most out giving specific details. A source come a source of diplomatic dis- ports, hospitals and schools dur- powerful Turkish leader since close to the matter said the com- pute, because Western countries ing a period of strong economic Ataturk, and in some regards more pany had suspended 500 accounts accuse Damascus and Moscow growth. His opponents are ill-pre- powerful.” The proposed powers involved in the messages on the of hindering the mission. The pared to challenge him. Nine mem- were criticised by a leading Euro- Malaysian election since they in- United States and France have bers of the pro-Kurdish HDP par- pean rights body, the Council of South Africa’s new president Cyril ident in February, has staked his African media reported that cars volved spam or malicious ty have been jailed or detained Europe, which said at the time of both said they believe the delay Ramaphosa flew into the northern reputation on rooting out the cor- were set alight and shops looted automation.Twitter bots, accounts pending trial, the main opposition the referendum that the changes city of Mahikeng on Friday to try ruption and mismanagement asso- over two days of unrest. “We want could be used to destroy evi- which can post, like or resend CHP has yet to choose a presi- risked consigning Turkey to au- and quell an outbreak of violent ciated with Zuma’s nine scandal- the president to tell Supra he must tweets automatically, are not ille- dence of the poison attack. Sev- dential candidate, and the break- thoritarian rule. “What Turkey protests that had forced him to cut plagued years in power. Crowds go. That man is full of corruption,” eral experts have said any inves- gal in Malaysia and seem to be away nationalist Iyi Party has only needs is a progressive constitution- short a visit to a Commonwealth took to the streets in and around 25-year-old Oratile Seadira, a con- having minimal impact on its elec- tigation at this stage was likely been in existence for a few months. al democracy whose branches of summit. The 65-year-old headed the capital of North West prov- struction worker who lives in a to be inconclusive. "As with any tion campaign. But they have come Announcing the elections on government are actively involved straight into meetings with officials ince on Wednesday, calling for the shack on the outskirts of Ma- under global scrutiny amid probes crime scene, it is crucial to get Wednesday, Erdogan said Turkey representing the interests of its to discuss the demonstrations resignation of the territory’s pre- hikeng, said on Friday. “We have into Russian meddling in the 2016 there as soon as possible," said needed to switch quickly to a people,” said David Phillips, Di- against poor public services and mier Supra Mahumapeloa. As vi- nothing. No houses. No good powerful presidency to confront rector of the Program on Peace- U.S. elections using social media Olivier Lepick, a fellow at the the local government which is led olence mounted, neighbouring schools. No hospital. People are platforms. Ahmad Maslan, the in- economic challenges and the war building and Rights at Columbia by a member of his ruling African Botswana shut some border cross- saying they will burn the city if he Paris-based Foundation for Sci- formation technology bureau entific Research. in Syria. Those two factors sup- University. National Congress. Ramaphosa, ings. Police fired tear gas at pro- doesn’t go.” port his decision to go early. Econ- (CNN) who replaced Jacob Zuma as pres- testers who blocked roads. South (Reuters) chairman of Prime Minister. SATURDAY . APRIL 21, 2018 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 Miningandconstruction—tow Editor: Mansoor Ahmad Faizy important industries todriveeconomic Phone No: +93-797070563 E-mail: [email protected] development of Afghanistan

Email: [email protected] By Mohammed Gul SAHIBBZADA put in place a comprehensive and ing field was not provided for busi- regions of the country. They plan all-inclusive strategy and plans for ness by previous government, still to invest in building roads, bridges, development of extractive industry the blame is on construction com- tunnels, rail tracks to connect to www.afghanistantimes.af Economic prosperity and political in the country. The strategy should panies’ owners as they lacked long border points for exporting the stability are inextricable for a coun- include building infrastructure, such term planning and missed opportu- metal. They also plan to build large Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi try to become prosperous and rich. as tunnels, bridges, roads, electrici- nities to gain and store skills and processing plants. Also, China has It has been more than one and half ty, rail tracks and residential town- knowledge, which were available for agreed to invest in developing the Advisory editorial board decade that international commu- ships in areas where these under- by the presence of large number of largest copper mine in the country. nity and United Nations are assist- ground resources are sitting. In ad- foreign companies and engineers as They also plan to build large pro- Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Dr. Omar ing Afghanistan in her struggling to dition, the government should di- part of huge international aid and cessing plants, bridges, tunnels, roads stabilize. Hundreds of billions of US rect Universities to train young stu- ongoing reconstruction program for and electricity production plants. Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal, Saboor Sarir dollars were invested in the country dents in the fields of mines and ex- Afghanistan. Since Afghanistan is a landlocked during this time for this purpose. tractive industries. One of the ways Keeping in view the challenges country, India has already built a new Graphic-Designers: Fortunately, the struggle and sacri- to do so is to take advantage of the before government of Afghanistan commercial port in the Chabahar fices of Afghans have shown major scholarships offered by friendly to attract large international cor- area of Iran, which connects to Nim- Bilal Yusufi and Basir Qazizada improvement in areas of nation countriesand encourage students to porations to develop and economi- roz province of Afghanistan and will building, relative economic devel- go for mining and extractive indus- cally exploit extractive industry in be used for export of the proceeds Mar ket i ng & Adver t i si ng: opment, reduction in child mortali- tries training. Security is vital for the country, it is inevitable for gov- from these mines out of the coun- ty rate, increased literacy rate and building viable business environment ernment to present profitable plans try. But it has been more than ten Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0782344728, 0778894038 the building of strong defense appa- for investors. for investors. Most of the mines, years that no major breakthrough Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan ratus i.e. a well-trained and equipped Construction is the second most minerals, petroleum, precious in starting to build the required in- army and police organizations. In important industries when it comes stones and gas reserves are located frastructure has happened. But an Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 order for this process to self-sus- to building economically viable ex- in mountainous, highland regions in ambitious plan to connect the en- tain, and to break free from donor tractive industry. It is unfortunate the country where there is no infra- tire country with rail tracks stretch- Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press and grant relied economy, the Pres- to mention that construction indus- structure, electricity, energy, trans- ing from North to South, East to ident of Islamic Republic of Afghan- try in Afghanistan is in dire state. A port root or life support facilities. West and running through mountain- istan, Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, lot of effort is needed to bring about This would translate into a plan that ous central highland is already in has suggested to exploit Afghani- standing and strong construction makes it parts and parcels of any place. Construction of this rail track The constitution says stan’s huge minerals, mines, precious companies which can take on the contract for investment on the part has already started at major border stones and petroleum reserves. He potential work opportunities pre- of investing companies to build re- points between Uzbekistan-Afghan- proposed to the President of Unit- sented by mine/extractive industry quired infrastructure that include istan, Turkmenistan-Afghanistan, Article 17: ed States, Mr. Donald Trump in Jan- in the country. In order to address roads, tunnels, electricity production Iran-Afghanistan and a future con- The state shall adopt necessary measures to foster education at all levels, develop religious uary last year to partner in devel- this problem, government of Af- plants, and large processing plants struction of road and rail track at opment of extractive industry of ghanistan should encourage existing in the country in order to make these China-Afghanistan border. By put- teachings, regulate and improve the conditions of mosques, religious schools as well as religious the country. centers. construction companies to join ven- resources economically viable and ting a strong management process Afghanistan is sitting on impor- ture with specialized construction build access to neighboring countries and a viable, multi-dimensional tant minerals, iron ores, copper companies from friendly countries ports to commercially export it. strategy in place for building mine/ mines, precious stones, gold, urani- and take on works as joint ventures. This is huge investment and hard extractive industry; and to bring um, lithium, petroleum, gas reser- This can bring in skills, knowledge for international corporations to about a strong construction indus- voirs and immense water resources. and training for local companies, swallow if they don’t see attractive try to partner in the process, gov- The iron ore is second in size in the which can enable them to stand offer by government to invest. ernment of Afghanistan can take world, and has the best quality. Cop- alone and take on existing infrastruc- Therefore, it is advisable for gov- advantages and benefit from its huge per mine is one of the largest in the ture work. Government should take ernment of Afghanistan to take mines, minerals and petroleum re- world. Lithium mines were discov- heed of this problem at early stages these points in mind, and offer at- sources to support ongoing nation ered by United States geological sur- so that technical and knowledge base tractive terms – better than other building and improve quality of lives vey team in 2008 and was estimat- is in place by the time major mining countries do. But in longer term, of its subject. Also, by bringing about ed to worth more than three trillion and extractive operations begin. It Afghanistan can profit from the a centralized extractive sector in the US Dollar. Compared to population is a shame to see Afghan construc- infrastructure built by these inves- country, government can easily get density and geographical land mass tion companies failing despite more tors, and to use the same connect- rid of the present illegal mining, of the country, these resources can than one and half decade of con- ing roads, tunnels, bridges, rail tracks extraction and exploitation of these turn Afghanistan as one of the rich- struction works opportunities pre- and plants for other mines located important national resources by est countries in the world. In order sented by international community in the same region. Indian inves- warlords and terrorists in the coun- to exploit these resources econom- since the year 2002. Though it is tors have started to invest in the try. Peace will ensue when econom- Harmingpublic ically, Afghan government should understandable that a leveled play- largest iron ore in central highland ic development takes place. utilitiesiscowardlyact aliban militants recently resorted to harm public utilities in the capital and other areas. The insurgents exploded pylons of electricity power in the northern provinces of Kunduz and Baghlan in the past two weeks. The blackout hit millions of civilians in Kabul and other areas that the power is being trans- mitted to. Besides that, the armed group cut telecommunication tive. The regime in Iran certainly hran and Riyadh, as well as Cairo. By Carl Bildt (otherwise known as the MEK) are faces major challenges. Its record Without major reforms and chang- networks in the southern province of Helmand. Such actions are among these, it would make this dis- of providing jobs and opportunities es in the years ahead, Iran, Saudi crediting even more pronounced — for its educated and ambitious young Arabia and Egypt are all on trajec- the group was a military ally of Sad- not harmful for the government and do not prevent security forc- The White House and Europe are population is miserable. It’s finan- tories that are unsustainable. And the dam Hussein in his eight-year war cial situation at the moment is pre- aim of sensible Western policies es’ operations, but just damage the economy of the country and on a collision course in the nuclear against Iran. Encouraging different deal with Iran. That’s bad enough, carious. The country faces major ought to be to encourage these re- prevent people from getting access to utilities. ethnic groups in the country to rise ecological issues that will require at- forms and to try to facilitate a re- but there are signs things might get up in rebellion against Tehran is not The militants’ spokesman in the south, Qari Yousuf has said even worse. The Iran nuclear deal tention. Its human rights record is gional environment that is condu- new. But pouring money into dif- appalling. But in contrast to other cive to them. A contest of destabili- (otherwise known as the JPCOA, ferent Baluchi, Kurdish or other that cut of telecommunication networks in Helmand was carried Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- countries in the wider region, it does zation in the region would in all groups is unlikely to achieve any- have some form of political system probability undermine the prospects out due to he said “some discretions”. What discretions could it tion) was meticulously negotiated by thing other than increased repres- the major international players and that could open up and reform it- for the necessary regime evolution sion in these areas. A regime-change self, given the right conditions. Iran in these areas with even further in- be? If he means that this was done to prevent operations against endorsed unanimously by the U.N. policy would certainly strengthen Security Council. The deal is clearly has fundamental security interests stability. This in no way diminishes their fighters in the province, this is a wrong interpretation, be- the forces of repression and con- in Iraq and Afghanistan that can’t the necessity to confront Tehran working — tearing it up would be frontation in Iran itself. If every cause the security forces use their own communication system sheer folly. But things are getting be overlooked. Iran should be en- over some of its activities today. advocate of reform and opening couraged to constructively strength- The supply of medium-range mis- worse for the Iran agreement. With could be labeled as an agent of the that the insurgents cannot afford to cut. the White House’s new key appoint- en the sovereignty and integrity of siles to the Houthis in Yemen should CIA or Mossad, their prospect of both countries. On fighting Daesh certainly be high on any European Secondly, what discretion required Taliban when they explod- ments, as well as some encourage- success would disappear. Some might ment from Israeli and Saudi leaders, (the Arabic name for the Islamic diplomatic agenda with Tehran. And ed the power pylons? The answer is nothing, because electricity think that it would increase the like- State), the Western and the Iranian Europe has a fundamental interest the United States might well be head- lihood of an explosion in the coun- ing for a regime-change policy to- agenda obviously converge, and in preventing a new war in and like the mobile phone is only used to help people solve their try further down the road. But well there is little doubt that Iran has around Lebanon caused by an Iran- ward Iran. Incoming national secu- before that, we are certain to see problems and do their daily business. rity adviser John Bolton is certain- made substantial contributions. Eu- Israel confrontation in Syria. the buildup of confrontation rope is keen to promote regime evo- Europe isn’t separated by oceans ly on the record as advocating this throughout the region, and the pos- When the enemy of the nation supports you, you should be aware and evidently thinks it’s a realistic lution in parallel with regional inte- from the Middle East. We don’t have sibility of outright war. Iran certainly gration and prefers a robust dialogue the option of just building walls. The that he wants you bloodshed and destructions in your homeland. policy option. It is not clear what a has a capacity for destabilization in policy of regime change would look on obvious disagreements. The Middle East is already part of our And Taliban and other opposition armed groups are exactly in a Iraq, Afghanistan and the Gulf well JCPOA is the opening of doors to a societies, and further conflicts and like. If it includes explicit support beyond what we have seen so far — to different opposition forces in- wider engagement that certainly turbulence in the region will become position that the enemy of their home and people is supporting perhaps greater than combined U.S., doesn’t guarantee any immediate a direct threat to Europe’s security. side Iran, it would do little more than Saudi and Israeli capacity for doing them. The enemy wants them to uproot the infrastructures in their discredit them in the eyes of many success, but has better prospects A regime change policy in Iran would the same in Iran. In any case, a race than any other available option. do nothing more than add fuel to a in the county. And if Bolton’s friends of destabilization throughout the country, so not only this generation, but also the next generations in the so-called Mujahideen-e Khalq Regime evolution is nothing less region on already on fire. live under the poverty line, they should possess nothing for their region would be extremely destruc- than a regional necessity — in Te- (WP) own and should be always begging everything from them. The enemy’s long-term goal is to keep us under his control by keeping us destitute. We will launch factories, modernize our ag- riculture and hold many more businesses and industries if we have electricity. We will widen our business relations inside and outside the country if we get access to mobile phone system. These are considered as the beginning steps towards our self-sufficien- cy and progress through which, we are no longer dependant to the foreigners, our currency does not lose value and our capital and wealth do not go to the neighboring countries for a small medical checkup. Taliban who claim that they are the sons of this soil, should once think who benefits from what they do and who suffers. They should recognize that working for others and against their broth- ers is a cowardly work that is not accepted by any mean. Subscription Rates Book Note: The following rates will apply from January 01, 2017. Fee Categories Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 5400 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 2700 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $240 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. SATURDAY . APRIL 21, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES T h e con cer n in g popu la r ity of E n och P owell a n d h is r a cist speech There have been no "rivers of blood" in Britain, but Enoch Powell and his racist thinking still find acceptance.

By Alastair Sloan about being the only white person the unfortunate concentration of on her street. Powell had used the coloured communities in a few ar- white constituent as an anecdote in eas of the country be altered more his speech. by voluntary repatriation than by a Jones sent journalists to find this practical policy of dispersal?" What By Muhammad woman. They searched the elector- Powell had tapped into was a reser- Idrees Ahmad al register and knocked on doors. voir of discontent felt by the public It has been 50 years since British Jones eventually concluded that the about high levels of immigration. shadow defence secretary Enoch woman Powell used to legitimise his What he decided to do, rather than Powell gave his "rivers of blood" views simply did not exist. A similar calm fears, was incite people to vi- speech on April 20, 1968. To mark story had emerged when Jones olence. Powell's persistent popular- the half-centenary, the BBC broad- looked into another anti-immigra- ity cast his speech for the first time in tion speech Powell gave some weeks Powell was no prophet. There were full, on the radio. The decision earlier in a nearby town, Walsall. It no rivers of blood, despite immigra- caused outrage from those who was established that similar com- tion to Britain continuing. There Last Saturday, when the United would rather the speech, and its pop- plaints were being sent by far-right was, however, Brexit, secured part- States, the UK and France launched ularity at the time, was forgotten. National Front members. Likewise, ly thanks to a rigorous anti-immi- strikes on three chemical facilities Some 74 percent of Britons in the MI5 later investigated a march of gration campaign. There have also in Syria, the move was met with dis- aftermath of Powell's rhetoric 500 dockers supporting Powell been outrageous immigration poli- approval in some quarters. The pre- agreed with him - that black immi- through London and discovered that cies that Powell would have ap- announced spectacle blew up three gration was likely to cause violence it too had been orchestrated by fas- proved of, including a nastily named buildings and took no lives, but some on our streets in the not too distant cists. Powell's symbiotic relationship "hostile environment" policy to- pronounced it a "dangerous escala- future, or as he put it - "In this coun- with the far right cannot account wards migrants ordered by Theresa tion". Some spoke of its "illegali- try in 15 or 20 years' time the black for all of the support he received May, which have led, among other ty". All complained about its disre- man will have the whip hand over though. It does not explain why left- things, to the Windrush scandal cur- gard for the OPCW investigation. the white man." A few days later, a wing trade unions also came out in rently rocking British society. This The action, which lasted less than group of white youths descended on his support, or how the left-wing scandal came as no surprise. There an hour, was an escalation only if Labour government then introduced remains a deeply concerning and everything that preceded it was nor- the christening party of a Caribbe- an family, slashing the face of the the Commonwealth Immigrants open strain of Powell revivalism on mal. By this reckoning, Syria has Act, ending a welcome period for the British right. In 2012, senior now returned to its status quo of is unlikely to grant western powers bodies like the International Atom- INT), journalistic investigations, baby's grandfather. They chanted the authority to act against his in- ic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Unit- witness testimonies, human rights "Powell" and "Why don't you go members of former colonies. What Conservative minister Iain Duncan genocide by the Assad regime. The Powell was saying clearly resonated Smith wrote a foreword to a new action was illegal only if by legality terests). Fetishising a dubious legal ed Nations Monitoring, Verification organisations, and, of course, the UN back to your own country! Fifty process thus becomes a temporising and Inspection Commission (UN- Commission of Inquiry on Syria years later, the UK finds itself amid with millions, if not tens of mil- collection of essays that mixed very we mean approval by the UN Secu- lions. Unexpected public figures leapt mild scolding with admiration of rity Council. But the Security Council measure that grants the perpetra- MOVIC) and OPCW declined to (which confirmed at least 34 in- another immigration scandal in tors of mass crime impunity against endorse the administration's case stances of the regime's use of chem- which the children of Caribbean la- to his defence. Eric Clapton, the Powell. He called the "rivers of is not a neutral adjudicating author- famed guitarist, expressed support blood" speech "injudicious use of ity like a court. Its decisions are the palpable illegality of using chem- against Iraq. In Syria, the regime ical weapons even before Douma). bourers invited to help rebuild the ical weapons. That the case is not hasn't denied its possession of chem- The case for Iraq never came close British economy after World War for Powell on stage in 1976 and inflammatory language" and claimed constrained by the interests of its asked "foreigners" to leave. The that Powell was not racist. permanent members. To say an ac- made in good faith is obvious from ical weapons and the UN has con- to achieving this kind of consensus. II are threatened with deportation. tion is "legal", in this case, would be the analogy that often accompanies firmed their use on at least 34 occa- The Halabja massacre Has Britain really changed in this staunch socialist leader of the La- Young Conservatives, too, are pal- to say: "Vladimir Putin approved". it. Should we be trusting the same sions. The 'deep state' argument There is, however, an Iraq analogy half a century? Although lauded at bour Party, Michael Foot, called him pably, albeit privately, obsessed with What then of the Organisation for governments and agencies that lied But what of the claim that a "deep that is relevant to Syria: It is not the time for speaking the truths of an "outstanding personality" and how "Powell was right" should no the Prohibition of Chemical Weap- to us about Iraq's weapons of mass state" is trying to mislead us into 2003, but 1988, when, during Sadd- the common man, Powell was also described his sacking as "tragic." longer be a slogan for the far right ons (OPCW) investigation? This destruction (WMDs)? Is Syria like war, as it did in Iraq? In 2002, the am Hussein's military campaign in accused of inventing some of the Powell had proposed a "ministry of alone. Half a century has passed depends on what answer is being Iraq? CIA resisted administration pressure the north, nearly 5,000 civilians anecdotes he used in his speeches. repatriation" to co-ordinate "vol- since Britain heard Powell's words - sought. Because the OPCW's remit Considering the ubiquity of the Iraq to provide a defensible rationale for were killed in a chemical attack on Journalist Clem Jones, editor of a untary repatriations," although the and one question remains: He wasn't does not include apportioning analogy, it would seem that the old invading Iraq. Then Vice President the Kurdish town of Halabja. The prominent evening newspaper, was idea never got implemented. In July right, so why did both the Conser- cliche that generals are always fight- Dick Cheney had to personally vis- attack followed the town's capture blame. Untrammelled access for the first to notice the trend when he 1969, the Guardian was critical of vatives and Labour seem to agree OPCW would have merely proved ing the last war also applies to their it the CIA's headquarters in Langley by the Iranian army, and Iraq im- Powell's tone and "spurious statis- with him? critics. Syria is Iraq only if facile several times to pressure analysts mediately blamed it on Iran as a researched a white constituent who what was already known: that a had allegedly complained to Powell tics," but nevertheless asked, "could (Aljazeera) chemical attack took place. It would juxtapositions replace substantive to produce an assessment favour- "false flag" operation. US intelli- not have resolved the manufactured comparisons. Beyond the fact that able to the administration's case. But, gence, which at the time was allied controversy over who was respon- both countries have been led by in spite of the bullying, the "deep to the Iraqi regime, amplified the sible (manufactured, because there Baathist regimes that brought im- state" (including the CIA, Defense claim. But in an ironic twist, once is only one party in Syria with the mense misery upon their people, Intelligence Agency, the Department Hussein fell out of western favour means, intention and history of de- there is no concrete detail in which of Energy and the State Depart- after annexing Kuwait, "anti-impe- ploying chemical weapons by air). Syria and Iraq are similar. In 2003, ment) delivered their combined judg- rialists" (including, sadly, the late But had the OPCW confirmed Syr- Iraq was invaded even though there ment in a caveat-laden National In- Edward Said) felt obliged to use the ian leader Bashar al-Assad's respon- was no imminent humanitarian ca- telligence Estimate that would only "false flag" theory to absolve Hus- sibility, what consequences should tastrophe demanding action; in Syr- confirm that if left unchecked, Iraq sein in their misguided attempt to have followed? Last year, after the ia, the regime has been on a ram- may develop nuclear weapons in a forestall an intervention. Therein Khan Sheikhoun chemical attack, page since 2011, yet only on two decade. The Bush administration lies the lesson: Facile contrarianism the UN did respond to the calls for occasions has it been subjected to recognised the inadequacy of the as- is an intellectual dead end that con- an investigation by creating the UN- limited and rather ineffective mili- sessment and, in the end, had to rely tributes to moral atrophy and reac- OPCW Joint Investigation Mecha- tary strikes on "humanitarian on two ad hoc operations based in tionary politics. We live in a time nism (JIM) with the authority to grounds". Where in Iraq, the US and the Pentagon to produce its own of great danger and, due to its scope identify perpetrators. But once the Britain had used false pretexts for politicised intelligence, outside the and consequences, Syria may be- JIM concluded that al-Assad was re- action, in Syria real and frequent recalcitrant channels of the "deep come the defining conflict of this sponsible for the attack, Russia re- violations have only twice shaken state". French, German and British century. We can differ on our views voked its authority. And the fact that the west out of inaction. Where in intelligence also failed to oblige Bush about the best course for achieving Thanks to your data-collecting and data-selling the UN confirmed the regime's re- Iraq, the alleged possession of (leading the UK's then-PM Tony peace, but we must not allow our sponsibility for the attack didn't WMDs was deemed sufficient Blair to produce his own politicised conclusions to determine which facts Facebook machine, I'm a happy man. provoke any calls for accountabili- grounds for an invasion, their con- "dodgy" dossier). In Syria, by con- we acknowledge and which we don't. ty from the crowd currently insist- firmed use in Syria has only belated- trast, US, British, and French intel- Let us certainly not distort or bend ing on the sanctity of the legal pro- ly occasioned a response, largely ligence agencies have been unani- the truth to satisfy our preconcep- By Hamid Dabashi "American democracy". Ku- out your Facebook, we would cess. All calls for "more investiga- symbolic, lacking shock or awe. mous in delivering confident judg- tions. In these times of universal dos for that Brother Mark! have had no chance to strike tion" sputter into platitudes about a The analogy also seems ignorant of ments on the regime's responsibili- deceit, it must become a moral duty Whatever Facebook and the back at them. Thank you, sir, "negotiated settlement" or "UN au- the knowns and unknowns in the ty for the chemical attack. These for all citizens to confront misuses I saw snippets of your testimo- case against Iraq. In 2003, despite judgments have been corroborated of language and history. ny in front of the US Congress Russians did or did not do dur- for that! I developed ulcer and thorised action" (which, is another ing the summer of 2016 did not shingles from the New York way of saying "never", since Putin intense US pressure, international by Open Source Intelligence (OS- (Aljazeera) - nice tie! I could not watch the whole thing (you know, unlike cause Hillary Clinton to lose the Times coverage of the Iranian those useless politicians who elections. Hillary Clinton was revolution back in the 1970s were questioning you, I work the reason Hillary Clinton lost. when there was no Facebook. for a living). But from what I Tell anyone telling you other- Now I wake up from a night- Trump thinks we can replace USforces saw and subsequently read, wise to go read Donna Brazile's mare of Nikki Haley at the UN, you were being grilled for us- excellent book, Hacks: The In- and write a post on my Face- ing our data from our Facebook side Story of the Break-ins and book, friends and total strang- pages (mine included I sup- Breakdowns That Put Donald ers see it and discuss it, and I in Syriawith Arab troops.He’s wrong. pose) and selling them to the Trump in the White House, in go about my business like a highest bidder. Apparently, which she exposes how incur- civilised human being without that's how you became a bil- ably corrupt both the Clinton fuming with anger. I owe you By Max Boot lionaire. Praise be to Allah - as clan and the Democratic Party lots of money for therapy ses- they say in Brooklyn - or Ma- are. You know who helped get sions that I would have need- In Washington, bad ideas never die. zel tov: take your pick! All the Donald Trump elected? Shel- ed had I not had a space like They are simply revived by anoth- power to you, Brother Mark! I don Adelson did - the Zionist Facebook where I can blow off er administration that has no clue have no problem with that. businessman who openly and some steam. As you surely they were ever tried in the first Please go right ahead and use proudly gave millions of dol- know, I am a big-time Facebook place. Back in 2003, Defense Sec- all the data on my Facebook lars to Trump's campaign and user. I have almost 70,000 peo- retary Donald Rumsfeld had the and sell them to whoever you got a lovely seat right behind ple on my page, for which I bright idea of asking Muslim nations him when he was inaugurated. have not had to pay a penny. to provide troops to guard holy sites want. I think neither Israelis nor Iranians nor indeed Arab po- But you never hear anyone of They tell me you collect my in Iraq. He was oblivious to the fact those politicians in the deep data and you sell it to compa- that Sunni soldiers would not be wel- tentates or American Neocons will have any use for it. If they pocket of US Zionists utter a nies so they can sell their prod- comed by Iraq’s Shiites. Rumsfeld word about that. No country on ucts to me more effective - go returned to the idea in 2005, writ- do - ahlan wa sahlan! You'd owe ing to President George W. Bush, “I me nothing for it. Enjoy your planet Earth has kidnapped and right ahead! My data is all believe we should seriously pursue billions, but please share it with occupied the US political sys- yours to use. Those advertis- the idea of a Muslim military con- others. Sharing is caring, as tem like the Israeli settler colo- ers have nothing to sell me. tingent in Iraq,” with the goal being Brother Karl said. As you must ny has - but mum is the world And in case you are selling my to “eventually provide relief for know better than any one of on that treachery. To the degree data to the CIA, Shin Bet, or U.S. and other coalition forces.” that the Russians did use your the Iranian or Syrian mokhabar- reportedly, jihadist groups — but those dim-witted legislators in- Rumsfeld claimed that the Saudis and ally a response to the growing Rus- that they have to rely on foreign terrogating you, you have cre- platform to collect data to fool at - go for it, I hope they put a Qataris were supportive but, once sian threat. It would be wonderful to mercenaries even to fight next door. even they are now concluding that, people into voting for Trump - task force together, read what I live in a world in which our allies The Egyptian military has its hands as Crown Prince Mohammed bin ated a behemoth, the unfold- again, nothing came of it: The Arab ing monstrosity of which is there is a poetic justice, a kar- write and come to their senses. states had neither the capability nor take over America’s global policing full battling a growing Islamist in- Salman said recently, “Bashar is ma, in that too. Do you know in In exchange for my data, you, the will to get involved in a costly role and we can focus exclusively surgency in the Sinai Peninsula — staying.” The Saudis, presiding over beyond even your own imagi- an artificial state with a restive Shi- nation. You are Victor Franken- how many countries the US Sir, have given me peace of counterinsurgency. Fast forward to on domestic concerns. It would also and trying to contain the chaos of has interfered, militarily and mind and active solidarity with this week. The Wall Street Journal be wonderful to live in a world where neighboring Libya. The Egyptians ite minority in the Eastern Prov- stein of the Internet. I am total- inces, are also wary of any attempt ly cool with that. After all, we otherwise, to divert and distort decent people from around the reported that the Trump adminis- you can scarf down junk food and refused Saudi demands to send troops their electoral democracy? globe. In a million years I would tration is asking Egypt, Saudi Ara- never exercise and not wind up to Yemen, even though Riyadh is a to redraw the current map of the live in a time when for every bia, Qatar and the United Arab Emir- weighing 239 pounds — or more. major financial supporter of Abdel Middle East. So it’s hard to imagine sneeze we have in New York, Google it if you don't. Let me not have thought my little ates to contribute money and troops But that is not the world we live in. Fatah al-Sissi’s regime. The Egyp- them sending troops, either, even if an intelligence officer in China, add something else, Brother voice would have such a glo- to stabilize eastern Syria so that the In the real world, the United States tians have even less incentive to they had effective forces to con- Russia, Iran, or Israel says "Ge- Mark: "the Western media," as bal echo - from Argentina to United States can pull its 2,000- remains, as Madeleine Albright said contribute a force in Syria, given tribute — which they don’t. Sorry, sundheit!" God only knows in they call themselves, had a South Africa, from Morocco to strong contingent out. This is in line in 1998, the “indispensable nation.” that Sissi is drawing closer to both Mr. President: None of these Arab how many languages. The sore monopoly over how we were India, from New York to Tokyo with President Trump’s comment The United States can strong-arm Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad. allies can do what U.S. forces are to read the world. They were - that gives nightmare to talent- doing. The American contingent is losers, the Democrats, are up that “we’ll be coming out of Syria, other nations into helping on mili- As Oren Kessler of the Foundation in arms that the social network- the culprit of abusing facts to less Zionist propaganda offic- like, very soon. Let the other peo- tary missions — but only as a sup- for Defense of Democracies notes, not only calling in devastating air- twist the truth - BBC and New ers from Philadelphia to Tel strikes on the enemy — whether ing platform you and your fel- ple take care of it now.” Those plement for U.S. forces, not as a Cairo is “coordinating” its policy low-geeks in the Silicon Valley York Times are the masters of Aviv, or to corrupt potentates words reflect Trump’s outlook on substitute. Take Syria. Is there any on Syria “with the Damascus-Mos- Islamic State fighters or Russian this gimmickry. New York Times from Riyadh to Cairo to Tehran. the entire world: For decades, he has indication that countries such as cow alliance,” because it “supports mercenaries — but also helping the developed was used and Syrian Democratic Forces to estab- abused by the Russians to put helped George W Bush fool a You, Brother Mark, have made been claiming that the United States Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE the Syrian regime of Bashar al-As- whole nation to approve the me a happy man to know that has gotten a “bad deal” from its al- are either willing or able to take over sad.” Sending troops to occupy east- lish a functioning state. The Arabs a dangerously incompetent may conceivably contribute but only man in the most powerful of- invasion of Iraq. The shenani- there are so many people think- lies, and that it’s time for them to the role that U.S. troops have played ern Syria would hardly be a pro-As- gans of the BBC, on the other ing like I do around the globe, do more and the United States less. in defeating the Islamic State by sad move, because it would keep the if the United States remains in the fice on this godforsaken plan- He has been browbeating European working with a Kurdish-Arab mili- eastern third of the country — in- lead. There is no deus ex machina: et. You did no such thing, sir. hand, continue supporting the waving at me when I give BBC states, for example, to make great- tia known as the Syrian Democratic cluding the country’s oil reserves — Either America keeps its own troops Quite to the contrary: you settler colonial project in Pal- a piece of my mind! I sincerely er “contributions” to NATO – and Forces? Hardly. The Saudis and out of his hands. The Saudis have in Syria or it risks a revival of the helped expose the rotten roots estine. And they have the au- thank you Mr Zuckerberg for claiming credit for their increases Emiratis are bogged down in Yemen been anti-Assad — they have sup- Islamic State and an expansion of of an outdated and dysfunc- dacity to talk of "fake news" that! All the power to you! in defense spending, which are actu- and so bereft of effective troops ported the opposition, including, Iranian power. Our allies won’t do and "alternative facts". With- (Aljazeera) our job for us. tional political system they call SATURDAY . APRIL 21, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES Facebook moves 1.5 billion users from I reland to U.S. escaping EU

Russian S-400 air defence missiles are completely useless, the Washing- privacy laws ton Examiner reported citing the Pentagon. The one takeaway from last weekend’s missile strike on suspected chemical weapons facilities in Syria is that the Russian military hardware is not up to the job. Turkey should take note, the newspaper said. “The Russian manufactured air defense systems were totally ineffective,” Dana White, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, said Thursday. “Russia and the regime demonstrat- ed the ineffectiveness of their systems again two days later, when those systems engaged accidentally.” U.S. military officials say while its ra- dars were active, the S-400 system did not attempt to engage any of the 105 incoming cruise missiles launched from U.S., British and French R oa d -t r ip p in g on t h e warplanes and ships. Turkey has signed a contract with Russia to buy the S-400s, which could be delivered as early as next year, to the anger of many officials in Washington, who say it is not compatible with NATO systems and may compromise Turkey’s purchase of F-35 fight- b or d er b etween N or t h er jets. The various Syrian air defence sites, using older hardware that is also Russian-built, failed to get any missiles in the air until after the U.S.-led attack was over, the newspaper reported. K or ea a n d C h in a

You would expect that with the the move will lose some existing level of scrutiny that Facebook is privacy rights because such pro- now under following the Cam- tection standards are lower in the bridge Analytica scandal, the com- U.S. than in Europe. For its part, pany would be on its best behav- Facebook says the change was ior. But that doesn't seem to mat- made only because in the EU, the ter to Mark Zuckerberg and crew. law requires that mandated priva- Consider that on May 25th, Eu- cy notices contain certain language rope's new General Data Protec- which is not required in the states. tion Regulation (GDPR) law goes Still, this seems to be an admis- into effect. Simply put, the new sion that the company moved law prevents personal data from these subscribers to escape EU Kyrgyzstan's parliament being used without express con- laws. "We have been clear that we sent. Considering that the penalty are offering everyone who uses Fa- names new prime minister for failing to comply is a whop- cebook the same privacy protec- Peeking behind the closed doors set the table for those negotiations the Korean side — included scenes Kyrgyzstan’s parliament named Mukhammedkaliy Abylgaziyev prime ping 4% of a company's global rev- tions, controls and settings, no of North Korea is always a fasci- to commence, when Kim and not yet witnessed in foreign me- enues, you might see why it be- matter where they live. These up- minister on Friday after his nomination by the Social Democratic party nating exercise, but maybe even Trump meet in a yet-to-be-deter- dia.” So instead of the now-famil- hooves Facebook to keep its nose dates do not change that."-Face- which leads the ruling coalition. Abylgaziyev, previously chief of staff more so these days. Tensions be- mined location.” Again, now is a iar scenes of Kim Il Sung statues, clean. However, Facebook is al- book "This is a major and unprec- in President Sooronbai Jeenbekov’s office, replaced Sapar Isakov whose tween the United States and North very interesting time to try to see women traffic cops and Pyongy- ready moving people around like edented change in the data privacy cabinet lost a no-confidence vote this week. Korea seem to have escalated with what our counterparts in North ang’s subway system, Sagolj’s they are pieces on a chess board in landscape. The change will amount (Reuters) President Trump in office, but Korea are up to. Over the years photos show us less familiar order to make things easier for it. to the reduction of privacy guar- there have been some surprising there have been a few photogra- scenes of North Koreans (and While co-founder and CEO Mark antees and the rights of users, with developments between the two phers who have been able to peel some tourists ogling them from Zuckerberg promised to follow the a number of ramifications, nota- countries as well. Despite the ebb back the curtain on the DPRK: afar) living out their lives on the spirit of the GDPR globally, the bly for for consent requirements. Azerbaijan introduces and flow of tensions over the past Reuters photojournalist Damir two countries’ border. The trip company has already moved over- Users will clearly lose some exist- year or so, it seems increasingly Sagolj is one of them. In Novem- wasn’t an easy one either, as one sight for Facebook users outside ing rights, as US standards are low- another ban on smoking likely that Trump and North Ko- ber 2017, Sagolj and reporting part- might imagine. Sagolj couldn’t pho- the U.S., Canada and the EU from er than those in Europe."-Lukasz rean leader Kim Jong Un are head- ner Sue-Lin Wong embarked on a tograph everything he saw. For its international headquarters lo- Olejnik, researcher, Privacy In Fa- ed to a face-to-face meeting. In- week-long road trip on the border example, he told Reuters what it cated in Ireland, to Facebook's main cebook's defense, it isn't the only The ban on smoking in lobbies, crossings, station platforms and in deed, it was recently revealed that between China and North Korea. was like to encounter the numer- railcars came into force in Azerbaijan. HQ in California. networking app moving users out CIA Director Mike Pompeo, Usually when we are presented ous checkpoints manned by armed This changes the status of 1.5 bil- of European jurisdiction and into The decision was signed by Azerbaijan’s acting Prime Minister Artur Trump’s nominee for secretary of with photos of North Korea, what Chinese soldiers along the way: “I Rasizade. lion Facebook users who will now the U.S. LinkedIn is moving its state, made a clandestine trip to we see is mostly a glimpse into guess we were an odd couple — a be covered by U.S. laws rather than non-EU members to the states on Previously, smoking was forbidden at stations, crossings and in railcars. North Korea over the Easter week- the lives of the country’s elite liv- Chinese Australian woman and a (BBC) Irish law. While Facebook claims May 8th. end According to The Post’s ing in Pyongyang. But Sagolj and Bosnian man — and it was not that there will be no changes, some In a statement, the company said, Karoun Demirjian and Shane Har- Wong’s trip didn’t focus on the surprising that the Chinese police disagree. Researcher Lukasz Ole- "We’ve simply streamlined the ris, the meeting “did not broker any capital city but on the lives being stopped us at every one. Once iden- jnik says that "Moving around one contract location to ensure all mem- agreements, and the encounter was lived on the border. Of the trip, tified, we were sent out of the area and a half billion users into other bers understand the LinkedIn en- Turkmenistan protests too not the formal beginning of negoti- Sagolj told Reuters: “What we saw immediately with no further dis- jurisdictions is not a simple copy- tity responsible for their personal ations over North Korea’s nuclear — from dirt-poor daily lives to cussion. Simple as that. No hang- and-paste exercise." He adds that data." much as citizens are halted program. … But Pompeo did help clandestine economic activity on ing about to take pictures. from leaving country Facebook users who are part of (AP)

As if for no reason, Turkmenistan’s migration authorities this week decided to remind the public of their basic constitutional right to free There will be immediate reaction if Putin movement. An item appearing on April 17 in the news section of the Migration Service noted that “no citizen of Turkmenistan can be de- prived of the right to leave Turkmenistan or enter Turkmenistan.” The statement then added that “a positive dynamic can be observed” in the attacks Poland, Lithuania: US Colonel rate at which Turkmen citizens are making trips abroad — a slightly abstruse way of saying that people are going abroad more often these If Putin decides to cut off Lithua- tion of the European Deterrence mand in Germany, there were pri- days. The unbidden declaration looks very much like a oblique govern- nia from Poland from the two sides Initiative as well as for the NATO mary efforts from our component ment riposte to reports that, on the contrary, many Turkmen citizens – Russia and Belarus, the reaction Enhanced Forward Presence. services US Air Force Europe, US are actually being prevented from leaving the country. One day earlier, of the United States and NATO Could you please specify the goals Navy Europe, United States Army RFE/RL had reported that hundreds of travelers bound for destinations will be immediate. What will it look of these programmes? R.W.: The and US Marine Corps Europe and like Dubai and Turkey were being stopped from boarding flights de- like? How many soldiers have European Defense Initiative which Special Operations Command. All spite having tickets and valid visas. A video accompanying the article Washington and NATO deploy to started in 2014 by President these components are involved in suggested that the unhappy customers had not taken the unexplained the ‘front line’, to the border with Obama and then followed up by this. It involves rotational exercise prohibition lying down and instead engaged in open confrontation with Russia and Belarus? What are Pu- President Trump in the last few and training deployments of our airport officials. There can be little legitimate excuse for such episodes. tin’s goals in Europe? Colonel Ray years is a large funding mechanism army brigade combat team prima- Turkmenistan ostensibly scrapped its Soviet-style system of exit vi- Wójcik, Director of the Warsaw that pays for our soldiers, our rily based in Poland but moves all sas in 2004. This was a mechanism that required people to obtain office of the Center for European equipment to support operation over the eastern flank of NATO government permission before they could leave the country. To be Policy Analysis (CEPA) and a Atlantic Resolve in the region. from the Black sea to the Baltics. more exact though, Turkmenistan did not so much get rid of exit visas former US military attache in Po- Operation Atlantic Resolve is the S.P.: How many troops are in- that year as deny they ever existed in the first place. “In some places, land, answered questions of Bel- US name for the US forces in- volved? The army brigade combat without understanding the situation, they are spreading information sat TV show Prasviet host Siar- volved [but this is a larger NATO team is close to 5,000 soldiers and that the citizens of Turkmenistan who wish to move to another coun- hiej Pieliasa. S.P.: You worked for mission]. From the USA it is man- again, they rotate across the east- try need to obtain a visa,” the late President Saparmurat Niyazov said the centre of planning and realisa- aged by the US European Com- ern flank. (BBC) in a televised address at the time. “We have nothing of the sort. Any- body who wants to leave can just present their passport and a letter of authorization from another country. Visas are no longer required.” Then as now, this was so much bunkum though. As rights activists have pointed out, if there was no exit visa, there was a system of migration 'No deal Brexit would blacklists that enabled authorities to disallow. (CNN) ANITALIANCOURTDECISIONCOULD BANKRUPT EU’ Political KEEPRESCUEBOATSFROMSAVING Uzbekistan participates in editor issues stunning REFUGEESINTHEMEDITERRANEAN warning to Brussels "Heart of Asia - Istanbul IN AUGUST 2017, an Italian prosecutor ordered police to seize Process" forum meeting A no Brexit deal would bankrupt the European Union and Ireland warned and impound the Iuventa, a ship the Political Editor of the Sunday Express, as some experts have sug- operated by the German nonprof- gested that leaving the bloc could split the Irish nation and send it back it Jugend Rettet, in Trapani, a port to the 1970s. Polly Toynbee was on BBC Daily Politics, with the in western Sicily. The Iuventa is A delegation of the Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan participated in the Sunday Express’ Political Editor Camilla Tominey, and argued that pol- used to rescue migrants attempt- meeting of the senior officials of the “The Heart of Asia - Istanbul iticians like Boris Johnson were undermining the Good Friday Agree- ing the perilous sea crossing be- Process” forum in Istanbul, Turkey on April 19, Uzbek media reported ment. Ms Tominey said: “The only people who would be undermining tween North Africa and Italy, but on April 20 citing the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Uzbeki- the Good Friday agreement would be the EU if they force a hard border the prosecutor said he was inves- stan. Within the framework of the meeting, the results of the forum’s on Northern Ireland. “The EU has said it doesn’t want it, Britain said it tigating the organization for alleged activities in 2017-2018 and the main directions for the next year’s peri- doesn’t want it, and Ireland has said it doesn’t want it. “Actually this is ties to human trafficking operations od were discussed. The participants exchanged views on security issues a negotiation so the government does have another strategy. “I’m not in Libya. The investigation relied and regional economic cooperation, and on strengthening confidence- advocating it but the Brexiteers will say ‘say no deal’ and that leaves on evidence gathered through the building measures among the participating countries to help stabilize two problems. “Firstly it leaves a massive problem for Ireland because use of police informants, an un- the situation in Afghanistan and its socio-economic recovery. At the if Ireland has the Common external tariff slapped on it, it will have dercover operative, tapped phone forum, the Uzbek side paid attention of other delegations to the initia- tariffs on its beef and will go bankrupt. “Second of all, if we withdraw calls, and a recording device that tives of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, voiced during the £40 billion pot of cash, then the EU will go bankrupt. “It will have police placed in the Iuventa’s the International Conference on Afghanistan (March 26-27, 2018, Tash- to turn round to all of the countries and say ‘could you give us a bit more bridge months earlier, and it pur- kent) and the main provisions of the Tashkent Declaration, and also please because we have just lost Britain’s £40 billion.’ This follows ported to show the crew of the discussed with other participants the opportunities for cooperation on after the House of Lords on Wednesday night voted for an amendment Iuventa coordinating with Libyan their practical implementation. which could leave the door open for Brexit Britain to remain in the smugglers. (Trend) customs union. (CNN) (BBC) SATURDAY . APRIL 21, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

US-China trade war’s Egypt committed global to economic ramifications reformand The IMF warns that risky financial assets and stock markets have explained surged once again and could crash with devastating consequences. Economic acrimony has been bub- would increase bling between the US and China since Donald Trump became pres- Bankers and finance ministers ident. Now the tensions have from the IMF's 189 member coun- boiled over into escalating tit-for- taxes: MInister tries are meeting in Washington, tat announcements of tariffs on DC on the 10th anniversary of the key imports. This is serious not global financial crisis.The IMF just for the US and China, but for warns that risky financial assets the entire global economy and the and stock markets have surged UK, in particular, as it hopes for a once again and could crash with free trade Brexit. As Christine devastating consequences. Lagarde, the International Mone- And the prospect of a global trade tary Fund director, has warned: the war has the IMF concerned, as the world trade order “is now in dan- US and China impose a growing ger of being torn apart”. Anyone list of tariffs against each other. familiar with Trump’s zero sum Al Jazeera's Shihab Rattansi re- approach to international trade ports. won’t be surprised by the turmoil. (Aljazeera) Although few might have predict- ed a US president assailing the free trade model, while the Communist leader of China rides to its defence. Trump made much of trade and the US external deficit on the cam- paign trail. Among his first acts was to pull out of trade negotiations with Europe and with Asia. He has also threatened to pull the US out of NAFTA and criticised the World Trade Organisation. As seen on the Egypt’s Finance Minister Amr al- the administrative apparatus of the stage of the hit musical Hamilton, Garhy continued his activity in the government, and cutting fuel sub- arguments between protectionists US capital Washington, where he sidies. Garhy said that the govern- and free traders have a long histo- participated in some important ment aims to increase tax revenues ry in US politics. The rise of Chi- meetings on the sidelines of the in the fiscal year 2018/2019 by 23 na and other emerging economies spring meetings of the Internation- percent, increasing its contribution France and Germany have pledged to forge a joint position on euro poses huge challenges for the US al Monetary Fund (IMF) and the to GDP by 0.5 percent from cur- reform by June, despite German reluctance on deeper monetary union. and other developed economies, World Bank (WB). The minister rent levels. He pointed out that the The French and German leaders made the pledge during French presi- with uneven patterns of economic attended a meeting with senior in- reform vision of the government is dent Emmanuel Macron's brief visit to Berlin on Thursday (19 April). winners and losers within them. ternational investors organized by also aimed at reducing the overall Macron had earlier embraced European Commission ideas on creating a Trump’s response reflects con- international financial institutions budget deficit gradually, to reach 4 joint deposit guarantee scheme, an EU bailout fund, and a eurozone cerns over both the lost manufac- and international investment percent of the GDP by 2022, budget and finance ministry. The reforms were meant to show that the turing industries of the US rust belt, banks, including the Merrill Lynch which in turn reduces the volume EU can live without the UK politically and to prevent a repeat of the and the future – a perception that and Washington think tank the of public debt to 75 percent of 2008 financial crisis, but Germany has proved reluctant to use its mon- China’s trade practices are “unfair” Council on Foreign Relations. Ga- GDP in the medium term. On the ey to underwrite the proposals. "No currency union can survive if there and threaten the US’s advantage in rhy also attended a meeting with latest developments in the perfor- aren't instruments for convergence," the French leader said on Thurs- higher technology sectors. Much Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and mance of the Egyptian economy, day. He called for financial "solidarity" and couched the need for reform of the focus has been Trump’s tar- Fitch Ratings, to showcase the lat- Garhy affirmed the real growth in grandiose terms. "We live in a moment of the European adventure that iffs on steel and other heavy in- est developments in the Egyptian rates aim to reach 5.3 percent in is truly unique. Also within our states there are serious doubts [about dustrial goods. But the US tariffs economy. During these meetings, the first half of the current fiscal the EU] and strong nationalistic visions … this is a moment that is also target a range of high tech in- the minister affirmed Egypt’s full year, despite the government’s fis- decisive for the future of Europe," he said. He invoked past French and dustries, particularly in those ar- commitment to continue imple- cal controls. He pointed out that German leaders - Konrad Adenauer and Charles de Gaulle, Francois eas where the Chinese plan to be- menting the economic reform pro- this increase in growth rate is due Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl - as models for a new Franco-German EU come world leaders over the next gram, which exceeded the expecta- to the increasing activity of impor- partnership. (AP) decade. As critics have noted, these tions of experts in its first and sec- tant sectors such as manufactur- tariffs will not bring manufactur- ond stages, taking 18 months to ing, construction, communications ing jobs back. Any jobs created in implement and witnessing the im- and tourism. This reflects a large protected industries by tariffs plementation of a large number of increase in the volume of new in- would be more than offset by those procedures. vestments in the country, acting Market has lost in industries that use these He said that among these proce- as the main driver of growth, re- ZIMBABWE: CHINESE products facing rising costs and dures were imposing the Value- placing consumption-driven export sectors. Added Tax (VAT), controlling the growth. capacityto (BBC) growth of wages of employees in (BBC) absorb COMPANYTOBUILDU.S.$7 higher I ndo-US ties need oil prices, BILLIONTOURISMCITY stronger economic says Saudi bond to realise full minister Falih potential: Subramanian Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al- Falih said on Friday that the glo- bal market has the capacity to ab- sorb higher oil prices, after crude hit the highest level in more than three years. “I have not seen any impact on demand with current prices. We have seen prices signif- icantly higher in the past -- twice as much as where we are today,” Falih told reporters ahead of an oil producers’ meeting in Jeddah, Sau- di Arabia. “Energy intensity as you know has declined significantly ... this reduced energy intensity and higher productivity globally of energy input leads me to think that Chinese multinational group, ment, cultural exchanges, tourism, response from Chinese investors there is the capacity to absorb high- Touchroad Holdings Group, is industrial development of parks during the recent visit by Presi- er prices,” Falih said. Falih insist- planning to develop a $7 billion and construction of special eco- dent Mnangagwa. "The tourism The India-US relationship cannot with really a kind of creative ideas open global trading environment,” ed the Organization of Petroleum tourism city in Zimbabwe as in- nomic zones. Touchroad conducts city to be developed will require realise its full potential without on this,” he said. he said. Asserting that the Indo- Exporting Countries (OPEC) does vestor interest in Zimbabwe by business interests in more than 20 an investment of about $7 billion stronger economic bond, Chief Noting that India has benefited Pacific is and is going to continue not have a price target for oil. “We international tourism players from African countries, as well as Eu- and the city will be bigger than the Economic Adviser Arvind Subra- from an open global trading sys- to be the world’s economic center never have a price target ... Prices the Asian economic giant grows. rope and America. Zimbabwe Tour- Harare CBD (Central Business manian has said. The chief eco- tem in the past and its economic of gravity for a very long time, Sub- are determined by the market,” said Touchroad Group chairman, Mr ism Authority chief executive Dr District). The investors are deter- nomic advisor is currently in Wash- fortunes in the long run depend on ramanian said India has to be well- Falih who warned against the dan- He Liehui, is expected in the coun- Karikoga Kaseke, on Wednesday, mined to invest," said Dr Kaseke. ington DC to attend the annual an open trading system, Subrama- positioned in order to both con- ger of price fluctuations, saying try in June, leading a delegation of said there had been massive inter- He said the tourism city would be Spring Meeting of the International nian said it was “terribly impor- tribute to and take advantage of that “volatility is our enemy.” 17 billionaires from China expect- est from Chinese businesses in the located outside Bulawayo or Monetary Fund and the World tant” for India and the US to work this kind of opportunity. Market stability ed to scout for investment oppor- local tourism sector and the Harare, but Victoria Falls would Bank. Subramanian said that there towards sustaining this open rela- “I think, India will also have Speaking at the same meeting tunities and location of the tour- Touchroad chairman was expect- not be part of the plan because of were some aspects of the India- tionship. to prepare itself at some stage to of OPEC and non-OPEC oil pro- ism city. The birth of Touchroad ed in the country to explore in- investment deals that have since US relationship which were doing “So, I think we need to work much being a part of this whatever the ducers, UAE Energy Minister Su- Group can be traced back to May vestment opportunities. "Follow- been signed with investors already extremely well, especially on the more closely together in all forms. trading relationships that hail al-Mazrouei said his main con- 17, 2000, when Mr He, the group's ing extensive discussions with for the tourism resort. Dr Kaseke strategic side and the defence side. I do think that, my own personal emerged,” he said. cern was stability. “We don't have founder, travelled to Ghana to ex- Chinese investors, we were as- added that ZTA managed to secure “But, I also do believe that in the view is that, hopefully we’ll ride “At some stage we will have a target price, our target is market plore investment opportunities, sured that Touchroad's chairman agreements with some major Chi- long run, unless economic ties bind out the current problems of atti- to be. We are trying. All that the stability,” Mazrouei said. OPEC making his first major investment will be coming to Zimbabwe ac- nese tour operators to market the us more closely together, this will tudes to the trading relationships. government is doing is should go producers and non-OPEC coun- in Africa. Touchroad International companied by a team of billion- Zimbabwean tourism destination. always be a kind of relationship But in the medium run, it’s up to some way towards preparing us tries struck a deal in 2016 to trim Holdings Group, has now become aires from China who want to He said the Chinese companies that will have not realised its full countries like India, many middle- for this,” the chief economic advi- production by 1.8 million barrels a multinational business with in- scout for investment (opportuni- were not only interested in invest- potential,” he said. “At this stage income countries like India, medi- sor said. per day to reduce a global glut of terest international trade, invest- ties). There was massive positive ing. (CNN) it’s really hard for me to come up um-sized countries to sustain an (BBC) oil. The deal, which is due to run out at the end of this year, has suc- ceeded in boosting oil prices above $70 a barrel from below $30 a bar- rel in early 2016. The recovery has Saudi cyber federationtoroll out innovation also been fueled by geopolitical tensions, US President Donald Trump’s threat to reimpose nucle- ar-related sanctions on Iran and HUBCENTERSPOWEREDBYGOOGLE production problems in Venezue- la, Nigeria and Libya. Benefitting The Saudi Cyber Security and Programming Federation has signed attracting and training local tal- school students as young as from the higher prices, US oil pro- a final agreement with Google to set up an Innovation Hub, seek- ent, providing educational and eight, vocational students and ducers have ramped up drilling, ing to develop and train local talent in the production of proto- technical materials and ad- amateur community members pushing domestic output to a types, mobile application design and artificial intelligence. vanced technology curriculum, who are interested in the tech record 10.5 million barrels a day The agreement aims at setting up five Google Innovation Hub as well as preparing a training industry. The centers will also last week, according to data from centers across Saudi Arabia to train talent and enhance joint ef- laboratory in an environment create an environment that the US Energy Information Ad- ministration. The United States had forts to develop national capabilities in advanced software. The conducive to developing local brings together speakers, spe- already eclipsed Saudi Arabia as first of these will be at the federation’s headquarters in Riyadh, talent. The centers will be es- cialists, practitioners and en- the world’s second largest crude where it will be the largest of its kind in the world with a capacity tablished in different regions of trepreneurs to enrich the tech- producer with the OPEC kingpin to train up to 40,000 people per year. The agreement included Saudi Arabia targeting all seg- nological innovation communi- pumping just under 10 million. several aspects, the most important of which would focus on ments of society, including ty. (BBC) SATURDAY.APRIL 21, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES Millie Bobby Brown youngest person ever on Deepika Padukone has been named in Time TIME’s magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influen- 100 Most tial people of the year. Read her testimony, by her xXx co-star, Vin Diesel. Influential list Deepika Padukone has been named in the 2018 list are the survivors star, Vin Diesel, who recounted India, which he did. “She was the as one of the‘Most Influential Peo- of the Parkland school shooting, their first meeting, when she audi- first role we cast in xXx: Return of ple in the World’ by Time maga- who started the #NeverAgain tioned for a role in Fast & Furious Xander Cage. She said, ‘I want to zine, making her the only Indian movement, OLA founder 7. “When Deepika Padukone came do this movie, but if I do, you have female actor to be featured on the Bhavnish Aggarwal, and actors in to read for one of the Fast and to come to India’. Thank God I annual list celebrating the biggest Kumail Nanjiani, Hugh Jackman, the Furious films, I knew instant- made that deal.” He also wrote achievers of the year. The list also Gal Gadot, Nicole Kidman, Millie ly I was in the presence of some- about how she is more than a Bol- features persons from the fields of Bobby Brown, Greta Gerwig and one very special,” Diesel wrote. lywood star now. “So often in the entertainment, politics, business John Krasinski. Deepika’s piece in He continued that one of her con- entertainment industry we deal in and activism, among others. Some the feature was written by her xXx: ditions for accepting her role was stereotypes, and people get stuck of the other prominent inclusions The Return of Xander Cage co- that Diesel come to promote it in in certain markets. (Hindustan Times) October box office day seven: Varun Stranger Things star Millie Bob- by Brown, 14, has become the Dhawan’s film earns Rs 30.24cr youngest person to be named as one of the world’s 100 most in- Shoojit Sircar’s October has earned fluential people by TIME. The Rs 30.24 crore in the first week of magazine revealed its annual ‘100 its release. Starring Varun Dhawan Most Influential People’ list for and Banita Sandhu in lead roles, 2018 on Thursday which recogn- the film opened to wide critical ises the activism, innovation, and acclaim on April 13. After a slow achievement of the world’s most start on Friday with Rs 5.04 crore, influential individuals. Millie Bob- the film picked up the pace over by Brown speaks onstage at The the weekend and continued a Paley Center for Media's 35th steady run during the week. Trade Annual PaleyFest Los Angeles - Actor Sanaya Irani shot to fame with shows such as Left Right Left and Stranger Things at Dolby Theatre. analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted the Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon, and was recently seen in a short film, figures: “#October is DECENT in (AFP) Brown, who starred in the Dum Dum Dumroo. While many television actors are now progressing first series when she was 12, rose Week 1... Biz was driven by mul- to films, Sanaya’s more-than-a-decade-old career has a sole Bollywood tiplexes of major metros specifi- to prominence for her role as Elev- film — Fanaa (2006), starring Aamir Khan and Kajol in the lead roles. en in the hugely popular science cally... Weekend 2 is crucial, will When we ask her why we didn’t see her in any film after it, she give an idea of its lifetime biz... Fri fiction TV show. She earned a confesses, “Everyone keeps talking about Fanaa, but let me just make it Primetime Emmy Award nomina- 5.04 cr, Sat 7.47 cr, Sun 7.74 cr, clear — Fanaa wasn’t a route to get into Bollywood. It was a mistake, Mon 2.70 cr, Tue 2.61 cr, Wed tion for Outstanding Supporting honestly. To be in the movie and just walk in the background. When I Actress in a Drama Series at age 2.43 cr, Thu 2.25 cr. Total: ? 30.24 was offered the film, I thought ‘this sounds fun’. However, I had a great cr. India biz.” 13. Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul, time meeting and shooting with Aamir and Kajol, who are great in their who wrote an appreciation of #October is DECENT in craft.” Sanaya in a still from Fanaa with Kajol. “I have been offered two- Week 1... Biz was driven by mul- Brown for Time magazine, called three films, which I have said ‘no’ to — which may have been wrong (on her an “extraordinary” actor. “She tiplexes of major metros specifi- my part), as they went on to become big. But, I haven’t been offered cally... Weekend 2 is crucial, will may have been 12 in years (when something worth my while,” she says. I met her). (Santa banta) give an idea of its lifetime biz... Fri (Hindustan Times) 5.04 cr, Sat 7.47 cr, Sun 7.74 cr, Mon 2.70 cr, Tue 2.61 cr, Wed 2.43 cr, Thu 2.25 cr. Total: ? 30.24 cr. India biz. October traces the story of Dan (Varun), a hotel man- agement trainee who fancies his co- worker Shiuli (Banita). Prior to October, the average opening for Varun Dhawan was Rs 11.4 crore. Talking about his role, Varun had earlier told IANS: “October comes from an extremely special place from my heart because as my career forwarded, I just felt that I Anuja Sathe Gokhale talks about how started becoming more selfish and I wanted to do a selfless character like Dan.” actor Irrfan unknowingly teaches and (Tribune) helps out actors in a scene Actor Anuja Sathe Gokhale is enjoying the praise and feedback she is with him on the sets of Blackmail it was Abhinay’s conspiracy to give me the tough- receiving for her role of Prabha Ghatpandey in Abhinay Deo’s directo- was completely different. He is est scene opposite Irrfan on day one. I wasn’t scared, rial, Blackmail. This is Anuja’s second project with the Deo household very soft with his actors and is a but I was definitely nervous, because I respect Ir- — she had played a cricketer in the Hindi TV show Tamanna, which very patient director.” It’s impor- rfan and I had to look down upon him and make him was produced by Abhinay’s parents, Ramesh and Seema Deo. Speaking tant to be steady and consistent: feel miserable. However, It went really well, be- about working with Abhinay, the actor says, “I had brief meeting with Shriya Pilgaonkar cause Irrfan unknowingly teaches you so much in a Abhinay while shooting for Tamanna a few years ago. He shot a promo The actor recalls her first day scene. He is unpredictable in a good way, and that for the serial, and that was it. I had this notion that he was strict and if on the sets and admits to being teaches you to be alert and challenges you as an I did anything wrong, he might scold me. However, my ten-day shoot nervous and anxious. “I still think actor,” says Anuja. (Hindustan Times) Priyanka Chopra The crazy strategy Marvel is employing to calls Meghan Markle keep Avengers Infinity War plot a secret

Princess for the Robert Downey Jr has perfected have been seeing fans queue up from don’t give anyone the full script. the art of evading questions about 10 in the morning - I really appreci- They just get their part of the Iron Man’s fate in Avengers: In- ate that. If I was walking the red script.” She added, “Some days the People in Time essay finity War. The actor, who first carpet and if they were not around, actors don’t even know what they played the character 10 years ago I would cry.” But Downey Jr’s are shooting, they are told on the in Iron Man, has responded to ru- statement confirms something that set what they will shoot that day. mours of Tony Stark’s impending directors Joe & Anthony Russo had Out of all the Marvel movies, this demise with everything from non- said earlier. To avoid spoilers from is one of the biggest kept secret answers to talking about a differ- leaking out, they’d made sure that films. We went in being very pro- ent topic altogether. But at the re- actors would not be given complete tective.” The Russos recently cently held press junket in Sin- scripts. Multiple versions of piv- shared a letter addressed to the fans gapore, Downey Jr told NDTV otal scenes were shot, as well as in which they informed them that that Marvel hasn’t even told him multiple endings. Actors from left, to ensure their experience watching how the movie ends. “Marvel Tom Holland, Mark Ruffalo, Rob- the film isn’t spoiled, the film hasn’t even told me what the end ert Downey Jr., Tom Hiddleston would not be shown in its entirety of this movie is,” he said, before pose for the media during a promo- until the Los Angeles premiere. The launching into the same answer he tional event for the latest Avengers: press would only be shown certain gave everyone who asked this ques- Infinity War movie. (AP Said exec- segments of the film, keeping im- tion at the Singapore red carpet, “I utive producer Trinh Tran, ““We portant plot points a secret. Dipika Kakar: For a TV Actor Priyanka Chopra took to social media to congratulate her “friends” Deepika Padukone and Virat Kohli for featuring in the Time’s 100 Most show, we fight on a weekly Influential People list. The actor also penned an essay on Prince Harry’s bride-to-be, Suits actor Meghan Markle, who also features on the list this year. Priyanka Chopra took to Twitter to congratulate Deepika and basis to churn episodes Virat and wrote, “So happy and proud to see my friends @deepika- padukone and @imVkohli on the #Time100 list.. Big congratulations and so well deserved #DesiPower #Represent.” Deepika Padukone is After being one of the most loved and favourite bahus on Indian televi- now that she has worked in both the only Indian actress to feature in the list this year, sharing space with sion, Dipika Kakar is excited to be making her Bollywood debut. The the mediums, asked how different names like Nicole Kidman, Gal Gadot, Greta Gerwig and Lena Waithe. actor, who will be seen in JP Dutta’s war film, Paltan, has already shot it is to shoot for a film than a daily Meghan, featured among 100 Most Influential People along with Harry, for a schedule for the film. As Dipika joins the list of many other TV soap, Dipika says that it’s “poles is described by Priyanka as someone who “made a cynical world believe actors who have successfully made a transition to films, she agrees that apart”, when you compare the in fairy tales again” and believes she has power to change the world. popularity helps an actor bag a role in films. “That’s because when two. “Shooting for a film and Giving a glimpse not only into their friendship, but Markle’s personal- somebody is considering or thinking about casting people for a particu- shooting for a TV show has no ity, Priyanka wrote in the magazine, “Somewhere among biryani, pou- lar role, and if they have already seen the actor, they can understand if he match. Though the unit, lighting, tine, and endless conversations, I realized just how deeply Meghan or she fits the bill. On the actors part, I feel, every person wants to camera and acting are the same, the Markle cares for the world. With her, what you see is real, and what you explore and do work that is suitable for them,” says the actor, who is way films are shot are different. In get is a relatable young woman with her heart. best remembered for her titular role in the show Sasural Simar Ka. And TV. (Tribune) SATURDAY.APRIL 21, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES Bradley Dredge, Alvaro Quiros share lead at Trophee HassanII

Bradley Dredge fired a five-under 67 to grab a share of the lead after the opening round of the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco. The Welsh- man birdied three of his final five holes to set the clubhouse target at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, only for Alvaro Quiros to move alongside him at the top of a bunched leader- board. Oliver Fisher is one of four Australia hope to name a new one- him as skipper of the ODI side is Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp happy. At the moment I love it and I cannot walk anymore. "I have first of two wins which will guar- day captain and vice-captain as expected when Australia name players sitting a shot off the pace insists he will not be patrolling the but I don't need it. back problems in the morning and antee Champions League football after a blemish-free start to the well as a head coach before their their squad for the limited-overs touchline into his later years like Jurgen Klopp neck problems when I wake up but next season. He is hopeful when tour of the UK. They are without tour of England next month. Aaron week, with Lee Slattery and Arsene Wenger as he does not need "I love what I do and I enjoy it life is not only for that. "I don't the new campaign starts his side an ODI captain following the ball- Finch, who is currently playing in Michael Hoey in the group two football to be happy. The Arsenal but it's intense - but most jobs are need football to be happy. At the will be able to close the gap on this tampering scandal which saw the IPL for Kings XI Punjab, has strokes back. Beginning on the boss has announced he will step intense. The big difference is we moment I love it but I don't need campaign's runaway champions Steve Smith banned for 12 months put himself in the frame. Whoever back nine, Dredge birdied two of down at the end of the season, end- are constantly in the focus. "Do I it. "There will be a moment - and I Manchester City, having beaten along with vice-captain David is selected is likely to be charged his first three holes and cancelled ing a 22-year reign at the club. need the fact that I am famous? don't know when - when I say, them three times in four meetings Warner. Darren Lehmann resigned with leading defending champions out a blemish at the 17th with suc- Klopp, who has a six-year con- No. I don't need it a bit. It's not 'thank you very much'. There is in the last eight months. "When as head coach in the aftermath of Australia into the 2019 World cessive gains after the turn. "I tract which runs until 2022, has that I feel that special but it hap- always the next guy who can do we started the season there were the controversial tour of South Cup, which will be held in England played nicely all day so delight- no intention of staying on any- pens and I'd be really happy if it the job. "I love what I do. It's not different opinions about different Africa and Cricket Australia has and Wales between May and July where close to Wenger's tenure. stops one day. "If no-one remem- too intense to deal with it. At one clubs and who could be where and denied reports Justin Langer will of next year. Both Smith and Warn- ed," Dredge said. "I feel as though The 50-year-old said earlier this bers me, that's not a problem. point it's enough and then another a lot of people would have said it's progressing quite well at the be named as his replacement on er will be eligible to return for the week that he did not want to die That's a dream for me. "We get re- one has to take over." Klopp takes Man City would be champions, Friday, insisting the hunt for a new tournament, but the former is moment so I'm quite pleased the on the touchline and when asked ally well paid so that's okay, we his side to West Brom on Satur- maybe Chelsea or United, but no- coach has not yet begun. Tim Paine banned from holding a leadership way it's trending." Dredge to expand on that he said: "Because can have the life we never dreamed day, live on Sky Sports Premier one thought about us and that is has replaced Smith as Test captain role with Australia until March dropped a shot at the fourth but of age. I don't need football to be of but I don't want to have this life League from 11.30am, seeking the okay," he added. and a decision on who will replace 2020. (Sky Sport) birdied the par-five next, before back-to-back gains from the sev- enth saw him edge ahead of the large group on four under. Quiros was part of the chasing pack after following a front-nine 33 with a gain at the 10th, with the Spaniard bouncing back from a three-putt bogey at the 14th to birdie his fi- nal two holes and grab a share of the advantage. Fisher is joined on four under by Joakim Lagergren, Erik van Rooyen, Lorenzo Gagli and Benjamin Rusch, while top Lance Armstrong has agreed to pay Postal Service-sponsored team. mission that during his career as a seed Thomas Pieters is seven off $5m (£3.5m) in order to settle his "Lance Armstrong today an- professional cyclist he had used the pace following a two-over 74. federal fraud case stemming from nounced that he has settled the performance enhancing substanc- Defending champion Edoardo his use of performance-enhancing long-running False Claims Act case es." The Washington Post also re- Molinari struggled to a three-over drugs during the Tour de France. brought against him by former cy- ported that Armstrong will also 75 as Paul Dunne, runner-up last The former cycling superstar was clist Floyd Landis and the US Post- pay $1.65m to cover the legal week in Spain and last year in due to face a trial next month over al Service," a statement from Arm- costs of former team-mate and Morocco, posted an opening- claims that he defrauded the US strong's lawyer Elliot Peters said. whistleblower Landis. The US round 73. government when he took drugs "This ends all litigation against Postal Service - sponsor of the while racing for his United States Armstrong related to his 2013 ad- team Armstrong won six of his sev- (Sky Sport) en Tour de France titles with - and Landis were seeking $100m from Armstrong, who has admitted us- ing performance enhancing drugs during his career. "I am glad to re- solve this case and move forward with my life," Armstrong said in a statement. "I am particularly glad to have made peace with the Post- al Service. While I believe that their lawsuit against me was without merit and unfair, I have since 2013 tried to take full responsibility for my mistakes, and make amends wherever possible. Novak Djokovic will playeither Budapest or Barcelona next week Former world No 1 Novak Djokovic will play either Budapest or Bar- celona next week as he looks to step up his court sharpness ahead of the French Open. Djokovic, playing just his ninth tour match in as many months, was knocked out of the Monte Carlo Masters on Thursday after suffering a third-round defeat by Dominic Thiem. Unsurprisingly the Serb said that he will play in either Budapest or Barcelona as a wildcard as he continues his return from a right elbow injury. "Ideally I'd want to be playing the way I played for so many years," Djokovic said during a press conference. "But obviously patience is required, trust in the process, believing in myself, in my game, people around me. Djok- ovic will continue working with long-time former coach Marian Vajda until the end of the clay-court season after linking up with the Slovak again for the first time in almost a year. "I'm feeling like it's been getting better every day," Djokovic added after losing 6-7 (2-7) 6-2 6-3 to Thiem. "I've had three matches here. I didn't expect anything. I played without pain in the elbow, which is important. I have my coach Marian back in the box. So lots of good things. "It was a lot of positives in this tournament. Three matches played."

Paul Nicholls believes Vicente has mood. "He's fine. He went up to he's got to have a massive chance. Khan vs Lo Greco: The Panel pick their best a "massive chance" of becoming the Aintree last week as we were You target these races at the end of first horse in over a century to win thinking of running him but the the season - the big ones are spe- performance from Amir Khan ahead of his return three consecutive renewals of the ground went against him," said the cial." Nicholls has a second string Coral Scottish Grand National at Ditcheat handler. "It's amazing to his bow in Silsol. "We also run Ayr on Saturday. Couvrefeu II is what a difference a week makes Silsol, who is not without a chance. His win against Marcos Maidana was brilliant. He had him down in the the only horse to have achieved with the sun shining now, and the He ran well in the Welsh National first with a great bodyshot and then had to get through a shakey 10th to the feat between 1911-13. South- more it dries, the better it will be and Midlands National," he told hold on. There have been plenty of great fights with him in, but that was ern Hero struck gold on three oc- for him. "We shouldn't have run At The Races. Vicente is one half a real gritty performance. Highlights of Amir Khan's epic Las Vegas win casions in the 1930s and Queen's him at Cheltenham, to be honest. of a formidable twin assault for over Marcos Maidana in 2010. The Lamont Peterson fight and his Taste did the same in the 1950s, He never jumps well on soft leading owner Trevor Hemmings American debut against Paulie Malignaggi were brilliant performances, but neither horse managed to win ground in a big field, but he's a dif- along with the Sue Smith-trained but the Maidana one stands out for me. Maidana was a serious threat, three on the bounce. Vicente has ferent animal on good ground - Vintage Clouds. The latter was got up and came on strong, it was a big, big performance. Amir has his failed to complete on his two most we've seen that at Ayr the last two fourth reserve for the Grand Na- vulnerabilities, his fragilities but no-one can ever question his heart. recent outings and was pulled up years." He added: "He's a bit high- tional last Saturday and connec- The return of King Khan when last seen at the Cheltenham er in the weights this year and be- tions were left frustrated after he Don't miss the return of Amir Khan as he takes on Phil Lo Greco. Festival. However, connections cause of the ground he's had a pret- failed to make the cut. Mick Catch all the action live and exclusive on Sky Sports Action for £18 a sidestepped the Grand National at ty ordinary season, though he did Meagher, the owner's racing man- month with no contract. It was the combinations he threw. They were Aintree in favour of a potentially run well at Cheltenham first time ager, said: "Every hour it stays dry mad, so fast, they had pace and were on it, for all 12 rounds. historic hat-trick bid at Ayr. And up and if he'd jumped well that is a bonus for Vicente. He's only Johnny Nelson I saw speed in that fight against Devon Alexander with the ground turning in his day he'd probably have won. "On 4lb higher than last year and he that I had seen from any fighter before. I am not talking about one-shot favour, Nicholls is in confident a track he likes, on ground he loves, was competitive first time out this speed, like we'd seen Naseem Hamed and people like that. SATURDAY . APRIL 21. 2018-Sawar 01, 1397 H.S Vol:XI Issue No: 262 Price: Afs.20

AT News Report religious scholars had the responsibility to preach the AT News Report KABUL: President Ghani on importance of the process. The Thursday urged all civic agents and election body, however, KABUL: The Chief Executive KABUL: Government has passed agencies to intensify awareness- announced an increase in the Officer (CEO) office said on a bill which will facilitate raising activities so that people number of people turning in voter Thursday the ongoing voter’s investments in mining and may flock to the polling stations registration centers. The IEC registration process faced some processing granite and marble to register for the upcoming commissioner expressed issues but security officials were stones, officials said on Friday. The parliament and district councils satisfaction over the public turnout trying to resolve them. Mujeeb bill will also allow establishing elections. He also urged people to in voter registration process in Rahman Rahimi, CEO’s marble industry in the country. participate in the voter registration recent days. Registration of spokesman, told a press conference Marble depositsin Afghanistan, campaign. In a joint conference candidates for the parliamentary here that it was the time for all according to surveys, are worth with the governors of 34 provinces, elections will begin on May 22 and tribes of Afghanistan to support $150 billion and 25 extraction and security brass and the election the registration process would the ongoing voter’s registration 108 processing companies are commission officials on Thursday, continue to June 2 for twelve days process and vote in the operating in the field. President Ghani urged officials to facilitate with the condition that candidates parliamentary and district council Ghani chaired a meeting on the turnout of women in are aged 25 or above to contests in elections. He urged all jihadi Thursday with the High Economic registration centers. He said the polls. leaders, political figures and civil AT News Report warring parties in Afghanistan to was supported by several Commission and approved the society activists should play their renounce violence and promote provincial authorities and tribal strategy on marble industry part in ensuring transparent KABUL: Peace campaigners have peace. One of the campaigners chieftains. stressing on transparent technical elections and motivating others to risen in central Maidan Wardak urged all stakeholders in the Deputy Governor of Maidan standards. The president demanded participate in the democratic province and set up a camp on Afghan war to declare ceasefire and Wardak supported peace firms with high standard operations exercise. The CEO spokesman said Thursday to spread the message initiate civil dialogues to end the campaigns and sit-ins that were be exempted from taxed. security forces were trying to of peace. Civil society activists in war. A provincial council member being launched across the country, According to a statement from the facilitate elections in areas where support of a peace camp in volatile also encouraged all warring parties urging the people, especially the Presidential Palace, Ghani AT News Report told Pajhwok Afghan News. the Taliban were in control. Helmand have gathered in a tent in to promote ceasefire and negotiate youth, to spread the message of encouraged investments on stones. Attaullah Khogyani, the (Pajhwok) Maidan Wardak city to urge all a way out of the crises. The sit-in peace. The president granteda contract of KABUL: Five civilians have been provincial governor’s spokesman, marble stones mining and martyred and tens other received also confirmed the incident, but processing to Natural Sang injuries after their vehicle strike provided no information about the Processing Company. It is with a roadside bomb in the Haska casualties. No insurgent group, pertinent to mention that the Mena district of eastern Nangarhar including the Taliban insurgents company would invest $15 million province on Friday, a tribal elder who are highly engaged in roadside for the mega project. The meeting said. The early morning blast too bombing, claimed responsibility also discussed establishing dry place in Paeen area of the district for the attack. Roadside bomb or ports in the county. In this regard, on a pick up vehicle and the victims improvised explosive device the president said limits, included women and children, a remains a leading cause of civilian opportunities and standard should tribal elder in the town, Sazwali, deaths in Afghanistan. be clarified. The president directed the ministries of transport and finance to evolve a comprehensive A group of civil society activists this camp, we want to call on armed strategy regarding infrastructural and residents of Jawzjan province, opposition groups to stop war and affairs in coordination with the AT News Report uprising commander, and nine in the north of Afghanistan, stop killing people,” Shogufa public and private sectors under Taliban militants were killed in the established a sit-in camp to Awrin, an activist, said. The the supervision of the presidential KABUL: A key uprising clash. Another seven attackers support the peace campaign in activists meanwhile called on the advisor. Ghani said a committee commander embraced martyrdom, were wounded in the overnight Helmand and say no to violence Taliban to lay down their arms and should be created to monitor and 24 Taliban insurgents have clash, said Pana, who accused the and war. According to local share their demands through a quality of construction of been killed during separate clashes government of negligence when it officials, at least five districts of negotiations process. “We want to installations because dry ports in Kohistanat and Dawlatabad came to rebel attacks in the Jawzjan are faced with high support Helmand residents by this districts of northern Faryab province. On the other hand, Abdul were established to facilitate province, officials said. Abdul security threats. The Jawzjan move. People need peace. They exports and imports and that the Karim Yourash, provincial police activists said Afghans are tired of want peace. We are tired of war Rahman Pana, the Kohistanat’s spokesman, said that Taliban proposed committee should have district administrative chief, told militants stormed uprising war and that they call on the and we want a lasting and a real the required capabilities. Under the Taliban to join the peace process. peace,” said Ghulam Ali, an Pajhwok Afghan News that nearly members’ check-posts in Qarish “My message to the opposition activist. Members of the sit-in strategy, dry ports should have 600 insurgents stormed security locality of the Dawlatabad district who has selected war is that they protest said they will continue their facilities like car parking areas, forces check-posts late on on Wednesday night. He said 15 should come and join the peace movement until their demands warehouses, loading, unloading, Wednesday night and the ensuing Taliban militants were killed and process and the civil society will regarding peace are met by the the hope to make happen a People across Afghanistan customs offices, transport, cold clash lasted till Thursday morning. five others wounded during the help them in achieving their legal Taliban. ceasefire between government recently expressed their support storages and other related facilities. He said Suliman Rahmani, an nighttime attack. demands,” Farzin Fahimi, a civil Last month, in a rare move, forces and the Taliban in the of the Helmand protestors – society activist in Jawzjan, said. dozens of Helmand residents, province. The peace campaign was including lawmakers in the “Our goal is that we want peace. including women, established a sit- launched after a deadly attack in country’s parliament. People are tired of war. Through in camp in Lashkargah City, with Helmand claimed dozens of lives. (ToloNews)

The number of Chinese language we can develop through is to learn to speak the language. “Chinese is fans has increased unprecedently different languages,” Jan Ali language of economy in the world. JALALABAD: University as university students say it will Yusufi, an instructor of Chinese I want to become a bridge between teachers, students and police on boost relations between language, said. “I want to continue Afghanistan and China by learning Thursday donated blood for those Afghanistan and China. Youths my education in China; that is why Chinese,” said Mahdi, a student. in need in eastern Nangarhar from Kabul learn the language in I learn Chinese,” said Gul Shah At least 1.5 billion people are province. The blood was collected private schools and meanwhile Ghulami, a student. speaking Chinese in the world. It from police, students and teachers students learn it in the Chinese Many Chinese tourists visit is one of the six official languages on the Nangarhar University literature department at Kabul Afghanistan every year, but the of the United Nations. campus in Jalalabad, the provincial University. “One of the ways that country lacks guides who are able (ToloNews) capital. The organizers said they planned to extend the drive to common people. Nangarhar police chief Lt. Gen. Abdul Rahman Rahimi told Pajhowk Afghan News that the blood donation aimed at saving injured security forces and FEROZKOH: The voter’s civilians. He said mostly injured registration process has gotten off people lost their lives due to a lack to a slow start in western Ghor of blood and today’s blood province as many residents do not donation was aimed at saving have paper identity cards, previous lives. Ahmadullah, a provincial election officials said on police officer who donated 500cc blood, said he wanted to save Friday. “People in villages and compatriots and called on other remote parts of Ghor still don’t police officers and ordinary people have identity cards and they are to do so. Meanwhile, hundreds of unable to obtain the cards by students and teachers of Nangarhar visiting the concerned office due University also donated blood to insecurity in their areas,” said under the slogan “Donate blood, Nazir Nasrat, Independent Don’t shed blood). Babrak Election Commission (operations) Miakhel, the Nangarhar University chief for Ghor. He said the census Women in Ghor province are the provincial capital to apply for chancellor, said students donated department had no office outside yet to register to vote because they the ID cards due to insecurity. their blood on their own free will. Ferozkoh, the provincial capital don’t have the ID cards, said Hajira However, Ghor census department Around three hundred students and this was why people in Bashir, the provincial women’s head Khudadad Hamkar said 80 donated blood. Inamullah Miakhel, villages were unable to obtain affairs director. She no one in people had been appointed and provincial health department paper ID cards. “This situation has villages and remote parts had been divided into groups to work as spokesman, thanked teachers, created huge problems for our issued ID cards. She said people mobile and distribute the ID cards students and police who took part work,” the election official said. in remote areas could not travel to to people. (Pajhwok) in the blood donation.