Eye on the News [email protected] Truthful, Factual and Unbiased Vol:XI Issue No:165 Price: Afs.20

www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes THURSDAY . JANUARY 11. 2018 -Jadi 21, 1396 HS

AT News Report refugees for a month. During Council of Ministers KABUL: Chief Executive Officer session held in CEO office on (CEO) Dr. Abdullah Abdullah has Tuesday, Minister of Refugees and said the issue of refugees should Repatriation Syed Hussain Alami not be politicized and a tripartite Balkhi briefed the CEO and agreement on the subject must be ministers on the condition of implemented in true letters and Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. spirit. In a statement issued from The issue has already been his office here in Kabul on tabled at bilateral and trilateral Wednesday, the Chief Executive meetings, Balkhi said, adding a emphasized on the need of unanimous agreement has signed complete enforcement of the among three parties, including tripartite agreement on refugees Afghanistan, Pakistan and UN signed among Afghanistan, United refugee agency. Nations refugee agency and However, he noted that AT News Report Pakistan. Pakistan has not yet implemented After the US President Donald the agreement as per litters and KABUL: At least 1,372 civilians Trump’s tougher, but widely spirit. embraced martyrdom, and 2,360 popular and realistic approach on Addressing the Minister’s others sustained injuries in various Pakistan, Islamabad has started Council, Abdullah emphasized on violent incidents occurred across crackdown against innocent and Afghan government officials and AT News Report provided by the India.” the country during the last eight legal Afghan refugees in the country their international partners to work Afghanistan’s time-tested and months of 2017, the Civilian in order to blackmail Afghanistan together in the issue to minimized KABUL: The National Security strategic friend, India has been Protection Advocacy Group and the international community. problems of Afghan refugees, Adviser, Mohammad Haneef providing educational (CPAG) said on Wednesday. Atmar held a productive meeting However, some back, Pakistan has adding the refugee’s issue must not opportunities to Afghan students Displaying CPAG findings on extended the stay of Afghan be politicized. with the Indian Ambassador to since the ouster of the Taliban civilian casualties, the group’s Kabul Manpreet Vohra, where regime in 2001. As per mechanism, both sides discussed issues of deputy head, Abdul Rahim Afghan students graduated from Khurram told reporters here in mutual interests. Indian educational institutions 4th round of talks between According to the statement Kabul that most of the causalities would be given opportunities on have claimed by suicide bombings, individuals lost their precious lives seriously the rights and safety of issued by the National Security priority basis. Eligible and Council (NSA), Atmar and Vohra airstrikes and ground operations in and 924 others sustained injuries civilians and bring those involved ARG, Jamiat Islami deserving students would also be Kabul, Nangarhar, Herat, Ghor, in Daesh’s suicide attacks. As a into the court of justice. It discussed a range of issues recommended for the Indian including regional political and Kunduz and Helmand provinces. result of foreign forces airstrikes emphasized on the Afghan scholarships to make them most of the casualties have been government to frame and approve security situations and proper competent in the reconstruction “A majority of the civilian held behind closed doors utilization of higher education process of the country, the casualties occurred in Kabul where recorded in Nangarhar, Herat, a civilian protection law to protect The fourth round of talks between anonymity said the two sides are scholarships awarded by the statement added. houses and cultural sites were Kunduz and Uruzgan, adding 62 lives and properties of civilians. the Presidential Palace-(ARG) and debating the prospects of Jamiat’s friendly government of India. Moreover, the two sides shed damaged and claimed by Islamic individuals had been killed in The group also called on the Jamiat Islami party held behind the shares in the cabinet. Thanking the government and light over the second meeting of State militants. About 600 foreign airstrikes and 167 suffered foreign troops to take deep care of closed doors of the Ministry of The Jamiat party has once people of India for awarding higher the Kabul Process and termed it individuals have been martyred in casualties as a result of Afghan Air human rights of the country’s education opportunities to the Foreign (MoF) on Tuesday. Since again warned to take other options an effective process. In addition the capital,” Khurram said. Forces strikes, Tasal added. CPAG citizens whenever they conduct it was a closed door talks, what unless the government ends the Afghan students in Indian to that, Indian military assistance, Moreover, a member of the group, has urged the Afghan government military operations in residential educational institutions, Atmar transpired in the talks was not current deadlock and find a final and continuation of India’s Aziz Ahmad Tasal said about 327 and other parties of the war to take areas. known. A source on condition of solution for its demands...P2 wrote on his official twitter military aid to the Afghan National account, “Afghan government Defense and Security Forces planned to work on a mechanism (ANDSF), was also discussed to ensure meaningful utilization of during the meeting, Atmar wrote the educational opportunities on his twitter.

AT News Report downplayed its threat as less “This is not true, and Daesh has Taliban and Haqqani network are important. “The Daesh terrorist failed in our country.” behind the attacks, but are KABUL: Defense Ministry group claims responsibilities for Radmanesh said that most of attributed to Daesh to scare some alleges that the Daesh terrorist attacks to pretend it is a strong the attacks are the work of Haqqani countries. group is ordered by the regional group, but the reality is vice versa, network, but Daesh claims “Pakistan attributes the spy agencies to claim AT News Report Abdul Manan and the Taliban and it has failed in Afghanistan,” responsibility. attacks to Daesh to prevent AT News Report responsibilities for attacks in group by commander Faridullah, said Mohammad Radmanesh, a Daesh took responsibility for reactions to the Taliban and Afghanistan. It added that Daesh KABUL: Fifteen militants of the they renounced violence and joined spokesman for the ministry. the recent bloody attack against the Haqqani groups,” Abdullah is active in Afghanistan by the Islamic State (IS) and the Taliban the peace process,” he said. KABUL: The government says it He added that Pakistan arms Tebyan cultural center in the west Qarloq, a member of senate said. insurgents were jointly embraced According to Khogyani the is getting prepared to welcome the order of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Daesh and claims that the terrorist of Kabul that killed 52 civilians and Afghan officials including peace process in eastern Nangarhar reconciled insurgents were migrants that are deported from Intelligence (ISI) just like other group carries out attacks in injured more than 90. President Ghani had earlier called province, an official said on involved in terrorist and Pakistan if diplomatic efforts terrorist group, but said Afghanistan to gain privileges. Senators also believe that Daesh as “serious threat”. Wednesday. The former militants, destructive activities against the didn’t work. Pakistan government included eight Islamic State (IS), government in Khogyani, said last week that it would expel known as Daesh terrorist group Pachirawgam and Chaparhar more than one million Afghan along with a commander, and seven districts. During the last year at migrants within a month. Ministry Taliban insurgents, including a least 166 insurgents including 44 of refugees and repatriates is commander have joined peace Islamic State (IS) rebels had joined making efforts to convince process, said Attaullah Khogyani, the peace and reconciliation Islamabad to extend the deadline the governor’s spokesman. process in Nangarhar. to the end of 2018. “We are Khogyani told Pajhwok Afghan Former commander of the working with the help of some international organizations to News the reconciling insurgents militants, Faridullah said, “We A report by the US Special also handed over their arms to the received training in Pakistan and provide essentials for the migrants,” Hafiz Meyakhel, an Inspector General for Afghanistan National Directorate of Security were active in the three districts.” Reconstruction says a program by (NDS) operatives, and promised Since the start of peace and official of the ministry said. “We ask Pakistan not to politicize the the Defense Department of the to work for their country’s reconciliation process in Nangarhar United States has spent $675 development. “The Daesh group province, about 861 militants had migrants’ issue.” He added that the JALALABAD: Local officials compulsory deportation of the million USD to revive the Afghan was spearheaded by Commander embraced the peace process. economy, but it could not provide say 190 major projects worth 2.6 migrants could create problems for billion afghanis were them and for the government. reliable data on where the money went. implemented in eastern Nangarhar Pakistan agreed during the Istanbul province last fiscal year. The meeting last year to prolong the “DOD was unable to provide reliable data showing the extent to projects include reconstruction, term of Afghan migrants to the end health services, education and of 2018. More than two million which TFBSO projects created jobs, facilitated foreign direct basic facilities in rural areas across Afghan refugees are living in the province. Pakistan, while only 1.4 million are investments, increased exports, or increased Afghan government Governor Mohammad Gulab registered and have refugees cards. Mangal told Pajhwok Afghan The United Nations High revenues,” the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan News he was appointed one Commissioner for Refugees month before the beginning of They demanded Iran to give blood money of those Afghans whom (UNHCR) blamed Pakistan for Reconstruction (SIGAR) said in the report titled DOD Task Force 1395, when the security situation Tehran forced to fight for Iranian interest in Syria, adding that Tehran “directly and indirectly” was bad. He claimed taking steps got full advantage of Afghan refugees trapped there. pressuring Afghan refugees, calling for Business and Stability program to be inept and beyond obligated by TFBSO was spent Operations (TFBSO). to find a solution to this problem. this against international the Defense Department's effectively," the report said. But despite security challenges, conventions. Officials say that TFBSO's purpose was to fund capabilities. TFBSO often had unrealistic KANDAHAR: Civil society formed a special militia called business-related projects to reduce efforts were made for activists in southern Kandahar Fatemyon mostly from Afghans Pakistan started pressuring Afghan "Because important expectations in project execution implementation of development refugees after Kabul supported the violence by encouraging Afghans documents and data were not and it failed to account for local province on Wednesday and dispatched them to Syria for to focus on economic activity and reconstruction projects. condemned the recruitment of war. “On the behalf of Afghan US president’s warnings against consistently collected or retained, factors including politics, culture, The governor said he met Pakistan. rather that fighting. However, the we could not fully assess the weather, and security, SIGAR said. Afghans in the Fatemyon Forces, people we strongly condemned the SIGAR report, showed the cabinet members, the president, an Iranian militia that contributed killing of 2,000 Afghans and extent to which the $675 million (ToloNews) as well as representatives of in Syrian conflict. injuring of 8,000 others in Syrian different embassies and donor They demanded Iran to give war at the behest of Iran,” he said. organisations secure projects for blood money of those Afghans Three days back Iranian media the province. whom Tehran forced to fight for reported that at least 2,000 afghans He added work on 529 Iranian interest in Syria, adding had been killed and over 8,000 projects started at the beginning that Tehran got full advantage of others injured in the Syrian conflict. of the new fiscal year, generating Afghan refugees trapped there. Abdul Wali Wadan, head of the job opportunities for more than Hekmatullah Afghan, head of Zwan Karwan Association, reacted 100,000 people. Afghanistan the Walasi Tolani, said the heinous similarly and denounced the recent Russia's envoy to the United Nations Security Council on the mentioned that it is necessary for thanked Americans for presence in fiscal year starts on December 22. neighbours of Afghanistan not only statements of Pir Syed Ahmad Nations on Wednesday quoted a situation on Afghanistan on Russia and US to cooperate on Afghanistan and their efforts Mangal said 190 major kept the battle field warm in Gilani. top U.S. security official as saying Tuesday. Russian envoy to U.N., Afghanistan, which is an issue we during his annual press conference projects worth 2.6 billion afghanis Afghanistan but forced Afghans to He said the entire world knew that it is necessary for Russia and Vassily Nebenzya told reporters can establish cooperation in,” in December, and stressed the need had been implemented last year fight in other countries for the where the safe havens of rebels U.S. to cooperate on Afghanistan. that McMaster gave a “very good” Nebenzya said following a meeting to cooperate regarding the issue,” (1395) while work on unfinished interest of Tehran. situated and who sponsored them. U.S. National Security Adviser and “very helpful” briefing on with McMaster. “I fully agreed, he said as quoted by Russia’s TASS schemes was still underway. He recalled the Iranians had (Pajhwok) H.R. McMaster briefed the United Afghanistan to the council. “He saying that President Putin news agency. (1TVNEWS) (Pajhwok) THURSDAY.JANUARY 11, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES I n d on e s ia , Afghanistan t o b oost partnership in ca p a c ity officials, many of them political up, the Ministry of Mines and novices. After earning a master’s Petroleum, a crucial institution if b u ild in g degree in the United States, Afghanistan is to ever tap into its Abdullah Habibzai, a 33-year-old natural resources. Years earlier, JAKARTA: Indonesia and university lecturer in engineering, when Mr. Ghani served as finance Afghanistan have committed to began writing about the urban minister, he appointed Ms. Nehan boost partnership in improving chaos of Kabul, the capital. The as the director of revenue collection capacities to maintain peace, while city was designed for a million when she was only 23. He trusted supporting the reconciliation people but now houses as many her incorruptibility in the face of process in the conflict-hit latter as five million. Seventy percent of pressures from criminal networks. country, Foreign Affairs Minister its growth is unplanned. For several months after her Retno LP Marsudi said here on President Ghani read some of appointment early last year as she Tuesday. "Both countries will the writings and, in the spring of waited for parliamentary approval, intensify the partnership in 2016, asked Mr. Habibzai to meet Ms. Nehan worked to gain the capacity building by offering with him. After a brief trust of the ministry’s staff. But scholarships; constructing some conversation, the president when Parliament later voted to vital manufactures; and launching appointed him to be Kabul’s confirm a list of ministerial several programs of Police joint- deputy mayor, and within a month appointments, she was the only trainings, women empowerment, Mr. Habibzai was promoted to nominee among 12 who was and cleric exchanges," Marsudi acting mayor. rejected. “It was heartbreaking,” stated. With Mr. Ghani’s blessing, Mr. said Adela Raz, a deputy foreign The commitment by the two Habibzai started revamping the minister. “She is a strong woman, countries was announced during mayor’s office, which employs she is capable and she knows what the Annual Press Conference of about 8,000 people and tens of she is doing.” But, she added, “The Foreign Affairs Ministry 2018. thousands of contractors. He majority of the men could not replaced 80 percent of the top process the fact that this woman "In November last year, for the officials with Western-educated should be a minister.” first time in more than 50 years, I Afghans 25 to 35 years old who, Ms. Raz was appointed to her had completed a bilateral visit to Kabul," Marsudi remarked. KABUL: When Ashraf Ghani, a injecting educated young people to 90,000 university graduates process. in one of the country’s oldest and post in 2016 when she was 30, former academic and World Bank into senior positions across the each year, but the government “What happened to all the calls most corrupt institutions, operate and she looks after a portfolio that During the working visit in technocrat, took office as the government. generally recruits applicants for for youth to come work for the the city government like a start- is central to Mr. Ghani’s vision: November last year, the foreign president of Afghanistan in 2014, But many of the young only about 15,000 positions each government?” the young man said. up enterprise. “Being Kabul mayor regional economic and political affairs ministers of Afghanistan and he promised to change the way the technocrats have found themselves year. Such is the competition that Nader Nadery, the chairman of is not an easy task — this city has cooperation. She said that young Indonesia has signed a grant on country was governed by putting in a daily struggle against long- in recent months more than the Civil Service commission, said problems that no other capital women in the government were building a health clinic as a sign of a new generation of Afghans into entrenched patronage systems. 280,000 people applied for 18,000 his team had two urgent missions. has,” said Sayed Makhdoom struggling against a culture in which support from the latter to the leadership positions. And they have proved vulnerable entry-level government positions. One is to revamp the Raheen, a former minister of men were not used to the idea of former. The long war with the Taliban in part because Mr. Ghani has been Entrenched patronage networks government’s recruitment process, culture. “The people expect women in positions of power. The clinic will be built inside was still raging. A disputed election unable to manage the country’s have long favored those with replacing patronage and favors overnight change, and they have “They get confused, totally the Indonesia Islamic Center had almost fractured the country. elite power brokers, who have a connections. with transparency and technology the right to. They have been confused,” Ms. Raz said. “They compound beside the "Indonesian" The treasury was drained. The deep interest in keeping the The challenge for educated to ensure merit. pained and slapped by try to fit this individual into the mosque. state operated more as a patronage patronage status quo, and has young men and women who lack The other mission is trying to misfortunes. But I see the future image they have in their head, and Ahead of the visit, Indonesian network for the elite than a failed to create a political connections to break into the change, one conversation at a time, of this city as bright with a young it doesn’t fit.” government had welcomed the government delivering to its consensus for the reforms he bureaucracy can be seen from a a deeply rooted culture in which mayor who understands the The work is draining, Ms. Raz President of Afghanistan Ashraf people. But Mr. Ghani still saw wants. visit to the Civil Service an Afghan visiting a government challenges.” But Mr. Habibzai said said, with daily indignities against Ghani and the High Peace Council an opportunity. He wanted to take Some of the advisers whom the Commission, which regulates the office can often expect humiliating that he underestimated the political women, from the bias shown in members, as well as the first lady a country stuck in a hostile president’s orders are filtering recruitment of a civilian work force treatment. resistance he would face, and has seating arrangements at high-level last year. geopolitical vise and held together through are coming from the West, of 400,000 people. They begin with consoling found himself pleading with the meetings to the disrespectful "We are pleased and honored president and Kabul’s residents for behavior of guards at the entrances by fragile compromises and lacking fluency in the nuances of Once a week, the disappointed applicants. to lend our hands to the brothers transform it into a regional hub for the country’s politics and unable commission’s new leaders — “I am sorry for what you have more time to carry out his of government buildings. But she promised changes. At city meetings said that she still believed that if and sisters in Afghanistan in order trade and transportation between to help the younger officials ranging in age from 26 to 42, and been through,” Mr. Nadery said to to help them build peace," Marsudi Central Asia and South Asia. To maneuver within it. Others are mostly government outsiders — the young man turned down for a Mr. Habibzai clicks through members of her generation, having PowerPoint presentations, his soft found a champion in Mr. Ghani, emphasized. carry out this transformation, he reluctant to change the workings open their doors to the public to job. “Your case, unfortunately, is Since 2001, after the WTC in would rely on a class of relatively of the old patronage system hear tales of frustration and not an exception — often the voice barely audible above the could tough it out they could young Afghans who since 2001 had because they also profit from it. disillusionment with corruption reality is that hiring happens based screeching of chairs. He explains change the culture of Afghanistan’s US was bombed, Afghanistan had gained better access to quality Some of Mr. Ghani’s own moves from visitors who are mostly on biases. But we need your how he has increased the city’s government. been hit by numerous wars and education, embraced new ideas — such as appointing his uncle, young, educated and heartbroken. patience. Until a new system takes revenue by about $14 million, “There were days I literally armed conflicts committed by from beyond their borders and who is well into his 70s, as One young man with a the place of connections and designed new roads and a bus thought, ‘This is my last day,’” some militant groups, once led by appeared ready to buy into Mr. ambassador to Moscow — has also master’s degree had been meddling, it will take a little time.” system to ease congestion, and Ms. Raz said. “I felt I would just Al-Qaeda, and the Afghan troops, Ghani’s vision. He promised to muddied his message. shortlisted for dozens of Those who work closely with developed plans to transform the go upstairs, pick up my purse, and which were backed by NATO. increase the number of government Although Mr. Ghani has tried government positions over two Mr. Ghani, 68, say he has an traffic police, now equipped with go.” “We are going to be crushed, In 2011, the number of US positions for women, who had to bring about a generational shift years, but never got a final call. He almost blind faith in young people only whistles and paddles, into a we will be disappointed, we will troops deployed in Afghanistan struggled to find leadership jobs at the top by making an opening said he was considering emigration. with technical expertise, partly force with body cameras and tablet be hurt,” she added. “I have been, had reached 130 thousand, but beyond the token ones. for the young and well educated, Another, who has a law degree because he struggles to connect computers. The struggles faced by a lot of times. But I pulled myself under the Barack Obama Three years later, Mr. Ghani’s nepotism still trumps merit for from Egypt, was denied a position with the politics of his own young women in the government back, and we will have to continue administration, the number has coalition, including his partner in much of the rest of country’s at Afghanistan’s election generation. He has entrusted some have been even more formidable. to do so until we become the been significantly cut, handing over government Abdullah Abdullah, civilian work force. commission despite having of his government’s most difficult Last year, Mr. Ghani asked majority within the system. It is the major control to Afghan has largely kept with that promise, Afghanistan produces 50,000 completed a rigorous recruitment tasks to some of the youngest Nargis Nehan, 37, to run, and clean absolutely possible.” (nytimes) military in 2014. (antaranews) M oh a m m a d S h a h za d ba ck in Afgh a n ista n squ a d a fter com pletin g ba n The center offers different classes for children and teenagers including music and art. ....P12 their deliverables,” the report showed. As many as 43 of Housed in a shipping container, an the 89 contracts reviewed, organization in the west of Kabul is providing training in music, together worth $201 million, “used theatre, art and handicrafts to limited competition and sole- vulnerable children and teenagers source contracting, increasing the in the city. government’s risk of waste,” The paintings from the auditors noted. Seven contracts institute depict kindness, unity, worth $35.1 million were awarded culture and tolerance. to firms employing former TFBSO The organization was staff as senior executives. established five years ago and so The Pentagon’s unit had far dozens of children and “unrealistic expectations” about youngsters have benefited. Afghanistan’s politics, culture, Some volunteers who have weather and dangers, and “did not been trained by the institution have have the time, resident expertise, now started training other students or outside support it needed to do there. everything it set out to do,” SIGAR Qudratullah, a teenager, said he learned to play the Dombra at the wrote. institution and he now teaches Its managers were also unable other music students at the center. to hold contractors accountable for The youngest student in the poor performance. class, Mustafa, is 11 years old and “The findings of this audit are goes to the center for handcraft just another example of the What's the story? Suspended Doping Association (WADA), had lessons. Defense Department’s failure to Afghanistan wicket-keeper confirmed that Shahzad was found “We have an easy task. We get its financial house in order,” batsman Mohammad Shahzad has to have consumed Clenbuterol, a buy colored socks, rice, cotton and said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, returned to the national team's banned substance as in 2017. other small tools by paying a little who requested the audit with then- squad for their upcoming limited- He had claimed that in October money. We make snowmen, Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H. “I overs series against Zimbabwe 2016, the Afghanistan team rabbits and other handmade toys skills. “We can pay some expenses Karimi, said they started the center container are decorated with applaud Special Inspector General which will be played in the UAE. management had asked him to lose from it and we sell them for 30 to for our families by making these to help children. “One good thing paintings from the students which auditors for their detailed work. Shahzad has so far played 58 ODIs eight kilos of weight, for which 40 AFs each,” he said. handicrafts,” Masooma said. about this container is that it is depict peace and unity; while the Unfortunately, this audit is just one and T20s each for Afghanistan and purpose he took the weight-loss Hajar and Masooma, two “Besides being good movable. We were faced with some inside of the container is decorated more example of the breakdown is one of their more experienced product Hydroxycut, in which was other students, said the activities entertainment, we have an income problems in the past but now we with handmade toys and other offered in the container class give of internal controls that helps cricketers. found the illegal substance of from the work we do,” Hajar said. are among the people,” he said. beautiful paintings made by the explain why the Defense them a chance to improve their art The organization’s owner, Naeem The outer walls of the students. (ToloNews) In case you didn't know.. Clenbuterol. What's next? Department can’t earn a clean In December 2017, the ICC The limited-overs series opinion of its annual financial confirmed that it had banned 29- between Afghanistan and year old Shahzad from all Zimbabwe begins on February 5, audits. The department must cricketing activities for twelve running up to February 19. The 4 th r ou n d of ta lks between AR G , provide accountability for its months. The period of the ban contest will comprise two T20s programs and personnel agency- lasted from January 17, 2017 until and five ODIs, and all matches will wide and put an end to this the same day in 2018, as it was on be played in Sharjah. Recently J a m iat I sla m i h eld beh in d closed door s indefensible waste and abuse of the that date that he had provided his appointed head coach Phil public trust.” urine sample for a test. Simmons will mark the beginning SIGAR quoted a Pentagon Before being charged and of his stint with the matches ...P1“We hope to solve the appointed governor of Balkh, Balkh. Afghan Senators also Mohammad Dawood has been official testifying to the Senate provisionally suspended by the against Zimbabwe. problems through negotiations; Muhammad Dawood is waiting for insisted that the Presidential Palace appointed as the new governor of Armed Services Committee in 2016 otherwise we would take other the Presidential Palace’s final and Atta Muhammad Noor should Balkh after Ata Mohammad Noor’s ICC in April 2017 – he admitted Afghanistan squad for expressing doubts about the options,” said Zabiullah Fetrat, decision with the Jamiat party that end the current deadlock through resignation was approved by the to his offence in June – Shahzad Zimbabwe seriesT20s: Asghar military agency’s ability to played 10 ODIs, 7 T20s and a Stanikzai (c), Aftab Alam, deputy spokesman of Jamiat he can begin works as the new negotiations. “Afghan people are government. But Atta Muhammad Party. Reports suggest that in governor. “We hope the seriously concerning over the Noor has rejected his dismissal as promote economic development four-day Intercontinental Cup Sharafuddin Ashraf, Usman Ghani, during a contingency (combat) match between January and Hamid Hassan, Rashid Khan, these talks, the two side exchange negotiations between ARG and consequences of these political illegal and refused to leave a post views on the implementation of the Jamiat party finalize as soon as tensions. We hope the two sides he has held for 13 years. Noor operation: Said Defense March. However, his statistics Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, undersecretary for policy Brian from those matches have now been Karim Sadiq, Samiullah Shenwari, political agreement on the possible and President issues a reach an agreement as soon as admitted that he submitted his erased from the record books. Shafiqullah, Mohammad Shahzad formation of the National Unity decree that Mr. Dawood begin his possible,” said Senator Gulalay resignation but he had a number of McKeon, “I personally am The heart of the matter (wk), Mujeeb Zadran, Najibullah Government (NUG) and the fate works as the new governor,” said Akbari. The spokesperson of demands before stepping down skeptical that the Department of A laboratory in the United Zadran and Shapoor Zadran of the post of Balkh governor. In Rahmatullah Fetrat, spokesman of Local Organs, Munira Yousufzad which none of them has been met Defense is a natural home for that States, certified by the World Anti- (CRICKET) the meantime, the newly- the newly appointed governor for had earlier said Engineer by the government so far. (ATN) mission.” (GOVEXEC) THURSDAY.JANUARY 11, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

Afghanistan is no more their peaceful Afghanistan. The wife of the martyr will grow old without him and looking after his children who are not even given the chance to attend school or live a normal life. The sisters will never see their brothers again and life will go on”. None of them in past or now business services and advice to with what they produced. He then are given any relief (except the small and medium sized went to Asara which designed his ones surviving and need immediate businesses and also provides cover. “They work very medical attention).Their sons in technical and professional training professionally and also get the ANDSF means there are no other to businessmen and women, opinion of the customer,” said By Pashtana Durrani jobs and they have to feed their especially to start up companies. Idres. Currently Asara has two families and they chose the Asara’s staff said they want agencies and over 30 youths work Palwasha, the only daughter of patriotic way. But question is even to provide necessary training to for the company. Ebad Ghafar, one Barani orphaned as a kid and in safest countries, when you sign 420 youths in the near future - with employee, said he is very happy married recently. Now she is a up in military or police you are the focus on those who want to that the company has provided widow mother of two, who are dealing with death. But they are establish small and medium sized him with a job opportunity. He now orphaned too. given relief what about our people businesses. said that youths should be A tank entered the fortress that what do they get in this war? That “We also provide services supported. “Before this I had was recently turned into check is being waged on our land, on our such as internet, furniture and a worked somewhere else as well, post. The Qala (fortress) was people, in our presence. What is it venue for those companies and but here it is different. Here I found attacked by the tank’s main gun, that Maruf and Arghasan have got? entrepreneurs that start their own the environment so friendly,” few seconds later a suicide bomber Of course looking at Kabul we businesses,” Tamim Jawadi, Ghafar said. came in, a huge blast took place have a developed capital but what operational manager, said. The company’s management and 30 ANDSF men were turned about the districts, bordering the Murtaza Idres is one said they are trying to encourage into ashes.30 men from one village so-called Durand Line? Why that entrepreneur who turned to Asara youths to start small and medium were murdered, one of them was after decades of war and after 17 for help. He said he tried to get a sized businesses to increase job Palwasha’s husband. Palwasha years of democracy these districts Asara, a Kabul service provider founded last year and run by a making a name for itself. magazine cover designed by many opportunities in the country. who was born in war, rose in war are neglected their people is used and consultation company, number of local youths, is already The company provides companies but was not happy (ToloNews) and now widowed in a war, as human shield? including her two kids who were Why their kids don’t deserve born in war, raised in war and now school? Why their parents don’t orphaned in war. deserve a better health care? Why Another family of Nadar Khan the widows are left to beg/suicide? who had born in war, rose in war Why it is the immediately affected and now disabled by the by war. by this cancer called terrorism are Nadar Khan is head of his family left off. Why is it that our martyrs and tribe was target of attack. His barely make it to news? Why is it right eye and face has been that their name is added to list of damaged by attack, was sent to number “number of ANDSF dead India for recovery. On his return stats” FARAH CITY: One civilian has He said the gunfire resulted in worshipers. A provincial hospital to Kandahar while still in bed, his Its either our blood is cheap or been shot dead and another injured the death of a 14-year-old boy -- a official, who wished to go two dear children sit by his bedside, people who don’t make it to news by police in the Pushtkoh district student of 8th class -- and injuries unnamed, confirmed receiving one still in trauma and shock the two outlets never matter? Despite of western Farah province, to another young man. Locals injured and a body from the scene. are still not able to comprehend, everything there is a hope residents alleged on Wednesday. urged the government to The injured is said to be in stable what a single man did to their whole optimism that I see in their eyes Abdul Jabbar, an inhabitant of investigate the incident. condition. Earlier, a 65-year-old family and their dear father. While about a peaceful Afghanistan the area, told Pajhwok Afghan However, deputy police retried officer was killed by Nadar Khan is busy on calls optimism about opened schools, News policemen opened fire at the chief, Col. Gul Bahar, rejected the unknown gunmen in front of his because people continue calling optimism about being able to live civilians at 7:30pm when they claim of residents and said family in the Tukeen village of the him from Maruf about how there a normal life. What difference has were coming out of mosque. unidentified gunmen had attacked district. (Pajhwok) is an ongoing attack the whole the government brought? This will family under great pressure and raise many eyebrows and I will be unable to understand how many bashed for saying it. The question more dead bodies and houses will is before war the government never be attacked until peace. paid attention to these districts in Khanzaman, born and raised particular, then there was a civil in war and now murdered by war, war, decades of utter darkness, was murdered in an attack in Spin then came the Taliban. With US Boldak on a borderline check post led invasion, things changed in by Pakistani army. His parents Maruf being the borderline district who live in Maruf grieve the got check posts police stations and martyrdom of their son. Rahim everything regarding security. Then Tarozai, born and raised in war who comes question of schools, was sent to defuse a remote control hospitals and roads what about mine, lost his both hands while them? defusing it (later on got new hands Roads are imaginary and only through surgery). Naqib in maps or most of time paved but Mahmmudzai whose car was destroyed later on. Then comes LASHKARGAH: Unidentified attacked by Taliban, armed with a schools, because there is no check gunmen shot dead a religious Nasir Mehri, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok rifle killed 3 Taliban when ran out and balance the schools are closed KABUL : The Mehsrano Jirga on the Constitution and if the scholar in southern Helmand Afghan News the UNAMA closed its office in Farah of bullets near Arghasan was the teachers are ghost teachers and Tuesday lashed out at Chief government wanted to reverse =the province on Wednesday, an murdered by the Taliban the salary paid, goes to the pockets Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah parliament’s decision, it should official said. Police spokesman after UNSG special envoy to Afghanistan Tadamichi insurgents. He like others was born of relatives of influential people, Abdullah for supporting the follow legal ways. Abdul Salaam Afghan told Yamamoto last visited the province six months ago. and raised in war died fighting the making sure the corruption postponement of electronic ID “Preventing e-ID cards from Pajhwok Afghan News the armed war. Najib Mahmmudzai was continues. Hospitals there are none cards issuance, saying all problems being issued is not a good move men killed Maulvi Mukhtar FARAH: The United Nations decided to send two employees murdered, when Taliban attacked not even clinics the ANDSF when in this regard had been resolved. because the president issued his a Ahmad Haqqani in Lashkargah. He said: “The scholar came Assistance Mission in Afghanistan from the central office after every the check post in middle of night injured have to be rushed to A day earlier, Abdullah recent order on the issue in (UNAMA) has restarted its work 15 days to visit the province and leaving behind 4 sisters 3 brothers Kandahar city or die while reaching announced his support for the consultation with the CEO,” he under attack on his way to masque in Mukhtar locality.” No or mission in western Farah note problems if any. However, and a mother. Allah Noor was there. My question as an individual postponement of distributing e-ID said. He asked the government province after scaling back six UNAMA restarted its work in targeted on his way home when is not that why government is not cards and urged the process be leaders to start distribution of e- one has been detained in connection with the incident so months ago, an official said Farah after growing interest in the Taliban captured and shot him. helping them question is just to initiated after a unanimous ID cards as soon as possible. Tuesday. province. Governor Dr. hold power we will continue far. Hajj and Religious Affairs They were born and raised in war agreement between the In March, 2013, the Ministry Director Dawood Mudaqiq Nasir Mehri, the governor’s Mohammad Arif Shajehan hoped died fighting the war. sacrificing our generations because stakeholders. The Meshrano Jirga of Justice (MoJ) shared a draft confirmed the killing, saying spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan the UN mission would continue They all died or survived there at the higher positions the or upper house of parliament on population registration law in Mukhtar Ahmad was gunned News the UNAMA closed its its previously job in the province. attacks in hopes of a peaceful people in power are corrupt? Or Tuesday discussed the issue. seven chapters and 39 articles with down in front of his residence. office in Farah after UNSG special The United Nation Assistance Afghanistan. But the point is their that would end this war? Senator Mohammad Hanif the lower house. Radio and Television Director envoy to Afghanistan Tadamichi Mission in Afghanistan is working families, who gave the sacrifice, are A very important question Hanafi from central Uruzgan The lower house approved the Hayatullah Dawari said the Yamamoto last visited the province area of good governance, human neglected and given no attention at that still remains unanswered. Is it province said the CEO remarks law with requesting changes in scholar regularly took part in six months ago. rights, social issues and cultural all. worth it? were unacceptable to them and no some controversial articles. programmes on Islamic issues and He said Tadamichi found no affairs and coordinating with The ones dead and alive are in Is it worth sacrificing the one had the right to stop However, many people highlighted the need for peace. need for the UNAMA branch to Afghanistan in development of a front of great danger known as future of Afghanistan because we distribution of e-ID cards. around the country opposed the (Pajhwok) keep its presence in Farah and better society. (Pajhwok) terror; they are engulfed by dark could not clear/secure a district or He said the Parliament had law and demanded addition of terror. They are left with nothing that the secure areas were under already approved the relevant law nationality and tribe in e-ID cards. what did their sacrifice bring to the the corrupt leadership? Irony is and the president had also On March 2, 2016 following district schools, hospitals, roads that the people who lead us our endorsed it, therefore Abdullah protests, the president approved and the country’s stability? None, officials? Representatives are should not try to stop this process amendment to article sixth of the the Maruf district has 40 closed corrupt they don’t want for a few people. Fawzia Sadat law. Based on the new presidential schools and Arghasan with few development as much the Taliban Samkani, another senator, said: “I decree, nationality and tribes functioning schools, reasons range just look at it this way, The Taliban think Abdullah has verbally should also include in the identity from instability to corruption. won’t let children go to school and mistaken in his speech, if his cards. But the amendment in the Parents grieve the loss of their the corrupt leadership won’t let remarks are true, it would just earn law was rejected by the Wolesi sons. A young wife awaits her the schools reopen so what is the him people’s hate.” Jirga while approved by the husband. Sisters await their difference between them? One is a Mohammad Ajan Mangal, Meshrano Jirga. However, the two brothers. The adolescent children militant in a mountain with arms another senator, said the CEO was houses then approved the law in a wait for their father to be home. and the other is government paid a leader and he should not support mixed delegation. But a number of Every house or family that I visited officer doing the same work as a few figures who were violating lawmakers still opposed the final in my 7 months time period they Taliban but lives in between people the Constitution. decision of the joint delegation. either have a widow or both and holds no arm? A number of other members Distribution of e-ID cards was widows and orphans. But all they Pashtana Durrani is a of the lower house expressed expected to start on January 2 but are left to be the pawn in the war, Kandahar based youth similar views. the process was put on hold due so that they are targeted and ambassador, civil society activist Meshrano Jirga Chairman to differences among lawmakers murdered. All I get to hear is “The and writer—working for the Fazal Hadi Muslimyar said the over the controversial parts of the parents will die knowing welfare of her country’s people. parliament had acted according to law. (Pajhwok) 71 pardoned prisoners released from Herat Jail HERAT CITY: Seventy-one, The Presidential decree under the presidential decree. jail. including five women, have been pardoning the inmates has been Sadiqi asked the released inmates The inmates were freed on the set free from the central jail in issued on the occasion of Eid not to commit any crime hereafter. eve of a planned release of about western Herat province after they Miladun Nabi, said the provincial According to Herat prison’s 81 political prisoners belonging to were pardoned under a presidential jail warden, Hamidullah Sadiqi. officials, as many as 3,000 the Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan decree, an official said on He said jail terms of another individuals, among them 145 (HIA) from the Pul-i-Charkhi Jail Wednesday. 31 prisoners had been reduced women, are being held inside the east of Kabul. (Pajhwok) Bomber shot dead before reaching target in Paktika

A reliable source in the provincial National Directorate of Security (NDS) told Pajhwok Afghan News the would-be suicide bomber wanted to attack the governor’s house but he was shot dead by security personnel before reaching the target. SHARANA : A would-be suicide (NDS) told Pajhwok Afghan News movement was monitored and killed near the main gate of the governor’s bomber was killed by security the would-be suicide bomber house,” the source said. Separately, three Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan officials before he could reach his wanted to attack the governor’s (TTP) members have been arrested with explosives in Ziruk district. intended target in southeastern house but he was shot dead by Police Chief Brig. Gen. Mohammad Azem Hashami said the TTP Paktika province on Tuesday. A security personnel before reaching members were held during special operation in Ziruk village. He said reliable source in the provincial the target. “There was early weapons and explosives were recovered from the detained men who had National Directorate of Security information about the attack, his crossed into Ziruk from Pakistan’s Waziristan region. (Pajhwok) THURSDAY. JANUARY 11, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

DMK working president MK Stalin con- demned the wage hike for MLAs as cruel. An MLA gets a salary of Rs 55,000 per month.

Legislators in Tamil Nadu have moved a proposal to hike their salaries by nearly 100% amid a crippling strike by thousands of transport workers seeking better wages, in a move condemned by the opposition and trade unions. Deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam, who also holds the finance portfolio, tabled a bill seeking to double the salary of the mem- bers of the legislative assembly (MLAs) on Wednesday. An MLA gets a salary of Rs 55,000 per month. Trade union leaders leading the agita- tion of the transport workers were the first to deplore the government’s move. Centre of Indian Trade Unions leader and president of Tamil Nadu State Transport Employees Federation A Soundararajan and DMK backed Labour Progressive Federation’s (LPF) president M Shanmugam said that employees were fighting for their rights, wage revision and payment of arrears amounting to Rs 7,500 crore, but the MLAs were voting themselves a 100% hike in salaries. “It is nothing but our own money that the government has illegally misappropriated. Most of the sum amounting to Rs 5,500 crore was not deposited into our PF (prov- ident fund) accounts and we cannot even take loans,” Soundararajan said. DMK working president MK Stalin condemned the wage hike for MLAs as cruel and said that his party had opposed the bill at the inception stage itself. “We strongly oppose the bill now too when thou- sands of workers are on the streets with their families and children for their genuine demands. For the past two days, the family members of the striking workers are on the street but the government is not doing The European Union called on the Wednesday, France urged the im- anything about it,” Stalin said. Myanmar authorities to release mediate release of the pair, saying: (Hindustan Times) two Reuters journalists after a “Journalists must be able to exer- court hearing in Yangon on cise their profession freely, with- Wednesday at which prosecutors out fear of being intimidated or ar- sought charges against them under rested.” The EU highlighted that the Official Secrets Act. In one of the Reuters journalists had been its firmest statements yet, the 28- arrested a month ago in connec- nation bloc, which is a significant tion with reporting on the situa- donor to Myanmar, said that the tion in Rakhine state where hun- case of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe dreds of thousands of Rohingya Oo was an important test for the Muslims have fled a military crack- country’s commitment to devel- down on militants. “The EU reit- oping democracy after years of erates its call on the Myanmar gov- military rule. “Having heard the ernment to ensure transparency and charges brought under the Official to make serious efforts in order to Secrets Act of 1923, we continue hold accountable all those involved to expect the Myanmar authori- in serious human rights abuses in As the country mourns over the tions in the nearby area while an ties to ensure the full protection the context of the ongoing crisis in Quetta blast in which seven peo- FIR was also registered at the Civ- of these journalists’ rights and to Rakhine state,” it said. In the Eu- ple, including five Balochistan il Lines police station. release them as quickly as possi- ropean Parliament, liberal leader Constabulary personnel, were The blast in Quetta on Tues- ble,” an EU spokesman said, , add- Guy Verhofstadt, a former prime martyred yesterday, a special in- day took place hours after Sanaul- ing that EU envoys had been minister of Belgium, called on the vestigation team has been consti- lah Zehri resigned as chief minis- present in court. Describing media EU authorities to be ready to fol- tuted on Wednesday to probe to ter of Balochistan, although there freedom as “the foundation and a low up words with action against attack. The SSP investigation will was no indication that the blast cornerstone of any democracy”, Myanmar. “Using outdated laws head the team. Seven martyred in was connected to provincial poli- the spokesman added: “The Euro- to jail reporters covering (the) Ro- blast near Balochistan Assembly tics. It targeted a police truck where pean Union considers this case an hingya crisis is grotesque and un- The attack, claimed by the out- the security personnel were stand- important test for Myanmar’s just,” Verhofstadt tweeted. “Good lawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan ing after performing their duties at commitment to press freedom, an to see condemnation from EU en- (TTP), took place on GPO Chowk, the assembly building. Five secu- independent judiciary and the de- voys but further action should fol- a busy street in a high-security rity personnel died on the spot as velopment of democratic institu- low if fundamental rights continue zone some 300 metres from the a result of the explosion while 16 tions.” Calls from Brussels have to be violated.” Balochistan Assembly. The pro- others, including eight security been echoed across Europe. On (Reuters) cess of collecting evidence from the personnel, sustained injuries. Five blast scene, meanwhile, continued passers-by dead in suicide attack a day after the blast. The area of targeting FC official in Quetta Over the provincial capital where the 900 police and Balochistan Con- bomb went off remained sealed stabulary personnel were de- while traffic on the roads leading ployed inside and outside the Zarg- to the blast site was also suspend- hoon Road to protect the ed for the second consecutive day. Balochistan Assembly session. Meanwhile, funeral prayers of the The IG Police also refuted specu- martyred Balochistan Constabu- lation that the suicide bomber The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child would review children’s lary personnel were also offered wanted to target the assembly ses- rights in Sri Lanka on January 15 and 16 in Geneva, the Office of the UN on Wednesday. Security remains sion where a no-confidence motion Human Rights High Commissioner said today. on high-alert across Balochistan, against the chief minister was to The committee would also review Guatemala, Panama, Seychelles, particularly in Quetta. Police and be discussed. Spain, Solomon Islands, Palau and Marshall Islands on different ses- FC officials have taken their posi- (Tribune) sions spanning till February 2. The Committee, which is composed of 18 independent experts, monitors how States that have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) are complying with their obligations. During the meetings in Geneva, Committee members are scheduled to hold question and answer sessions with the respective government delegations. The Committee’s final evaluation would be based on the written report and replies submitted by the State party, and the information provided by the delegation as well as by other UN bodies and NGOs. (AFP)

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan in ECP against opposition mem- will try to convince them. In an- Abbasi has reached Islamabad af- bers was reviewed. Law Minister other meeting presided over by the ter visiting Quetta where he is ex- Zahid Hamid, during the meeting, PM, the possible success of the pected to brief PML-N leaders in shed light on the legal aspects and non-confidence movement was a cabinet meeting about the visit points due to which action could also discussed. Allied parties have and take them into confidence re- be taken against the opposing said in case of the success of no- garding the political situation in members. Allied parties assured confidence movement a stronger Balochistan. He will also discuss the premier that no one from their coalition party should be formed. the situation with ousted prime party would be part of the no-con- PML-N party leaders are expect- minister Nawaz Sharif and brief fidence movement against Zehri. ed to discuss strategy before con- him about the meetings that took According to sources, the allied vening of the Balochistan Assem- place in Quetta. According to party members said they were still bly today. On Monday, the oppo- PML-N sources, the prime minis- trying to reach a consensus with sition leader in the assembly and ter, Chief Minister Balochistan the opposition members. This other opposition members refused Sanaullah Khan Zehri and Gover- task has been given to veteran Gen- to meet the premier, who had ar- nor Balochistan Muhammad Khan eral (retired) Abdul Qadir Baloch rived in Quetta. The opposition, Achakzai in three meetings with and Jam Kamal Khan Aliani. Also in a news conference before the allied parties negated CM under the leadership of Jamiat Ul- prime minister’s arrival, had an- Balochistan’s resignation and said ema-e Islam (JUI), the PM, Interi- nounced that they would not with- KATHMANDU: Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chair Kamal Thapa has he should face the no-confidence or Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja draw the no-confidence motion said that the country could be pushed towards instability again if the motion in the assembly. More- Saad Rafique, Raja Zafarul Haq they had moved against the CM. government is not formed as per the new popular mandate. Speaking over, a possibility to file petitions Sardar and Mehtab Ahmad Abbasi (Tribune) at an interaction in the capital today, he said the popular mandate was in favour of the left alliance and dividing it to form a different govern- ment would be a betrayal on the public aspiration. Accepting that legal ambiguity had delayed the formation of a new government, he said, Russian Federation wants bigger trade with Sri Lanka; talks on Tea, asbestos “the federal parliament shall get full shape after the NA elections and the government formed after a week of it.” He also said that the con- Russian Federation has vowed for bigger trade with Sri Lanka, calling to nearly 74 percent of Sri Lanka’s but was only about an insect found in a Tea package from Sri Lanka,” sensus of the left alliance was essential in designating the temporary dispatch a strong delegation to the trade meet scheduled in Moscow this exports to Russia in 2016 was Ambassador of the Russian Federation Yury Materiy said. He was provincial capitals and appointing the head of provinces, which is a year. Sri Lanka’s total trade (both imports and exports) with the Rus- Ceylon Tea at a value of 143 mil- meeting the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen at sensitive matter. The RPP Chair said the government finally agreed to sian Federation which was at 435.83 million dollars in 2015, declined to lion dollars. Over the years, total his office on 9 January. the party’s demand of observing Paush 27 as the national unity day in 381.71 million in 2016. In 2015, Russia was the topmost buyer of tea exports to Russia has shown a “If we connected Ceylon Tea exports issue with Sri Lankan imports of memory of nation builder Prithivi Narayan Shah, based on a consensus Ceylon Tea at 156.65 million dollars, and the second leading buyer was declining trend. “Yes, we imposed Russian asbestos as widely speculated, then our tea ban would have to among all the parties. Turkey. However, in 2016, Russia became the second largest buyer of a ban on Ceylon Tea, but it was continue even now, isn’t it.?” (AP) all types of Ceylon Teas. According to the Department of Commerce, nothing to do with our asbestos (Colombo) THURSDAY. JANUARY 11, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES News-in-Brief Iran protests end but regime now faces ‘race against time,’ experts say LONDON — Iran's most signif- icant protests in almost a decade may have calmed, but anger that fueled the nationwide demonstra- tions lingers and could erupt again at any time, according to experts. Suzanne Maloney, dep- uty director of the Foreign Poli- cy program at the Brookings In- stitution, called the recent rallies "one of the most serious crises Iran has faced in the past 25 years." What made this mass dis- play of dissent — which result- ed in at least 21 deaths and more than 3,700 arrests — so signifi- cant was that it appeared to be leaderless and spread without the impetus of any particular oppo- sition group. "We now see that Iranians are willing to take pro- found risks to challenge the re- gime directly in a way we have not seen in years," Maloney said. Late last month, hundreds of people took to the streets in the country's second city of Mash- had. They railed against skyrock- eting prices and took the rare step of chanting "death" to their lead- ers, President Hassan. South Korea's President Moon Moon told reporters on Wednes- at the truce village of Panmunjom Jae-in says his US counterpart, day: "I think President Trump de- in the demilitarised zoneImage An upsurge in air strikes and Tunisia Donald Trump, "deserves big cred- serves big credit for bringing about copyrightREUTERS BBC corre- ground attacks by Syrian govern- it" for talks between South and the inter-Korean talks. "It could spondents in Seoul say Mr Moon ment forces against the besieged rocked by North Korea. The talks, held on be a resulting work of the US-led is treading a difficult diplomatic rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghou- Tuesday, were the first in two sanctions and pressure," he said. line between wanting dialogue with ta has killed at least 85 civilians years and led to the announcement Who is Moon Jae-in? Later on the North but not wanting to an- since Dec. 31, the U.N. human second night that North Korea would send a Wednesday, a lone North Korean noy the US, an ally, or undermine rights chief said on Wednesday. delegation to the Olympics in representative arrived at the Inter- economic sanctions. Russia's for- Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, U.N. of protests Pyeongchang later this year. Mr national Olympic Committee eign ministry welcomed the agree- High Commissioner for Human Moon said he wanted to show Mr headquarters in Switzerland to for- ments reached to negotiate over Rights arrives at the 36th Session over price Trump his gratitude. The US pres- malise the agreement to send ath- military issues. "We hope that their of the Human Rights Council at ident tweeted a week ago that he letes to the 2018 Games. Head of implementation will serve to de- the United Nations in Geneva, rises had brought the talks about. He the North Korean delegation, Ri escalate tensions on the Korean Switzerland September 11, 2017. One person has died, 50 police- said he had done so by being "firm, Son Gwon shakes hands with peninsula and foster stability in REUTERS/Denis Balibouse “In men have been injured and more strong and willing to commit our South Korean counterpart Cho this region," the ministry said. Eastern Ghouta, where a crippling than 200 people have been ar- total 'might' against the North". Mr Myoung-gyon after their meeting (BBC) siege has caused a humanitarian rested in two nights of wide- catastrophe, residential areas are spread and violent protests in being hit day and night by strikes Tunisia, driven by anger over from the ground and from the air, steep price rises resulting from forcing civilians to hide in base- austerity measures. On Tuesday Berlusconi's ments,” Zeid Ra‘ad al-Hussein night a Jewish school on a Tuni- said in a statement. (Reuters) sian island that is home to an ancient Jewish community was coalition attacked. Police and army forces were deployed in several cities rises in during the night, including in Te- bourba, 20 miles (30km) west of 100 feareddeadas boat the capital, Tunis, where hun- polls ahead dreds of young people took to the streets after the funeral of a of Italian 45-year-old man who died in the sinksinMediterranean unrest on Monday night. Police have insisted they did not kill the vote man, who they say suffered a chronic respiratory condition. A centre-right coalition around The results of an autopsy have former prime minister Silvio Ber- not been made public. Unrest lusconi’s party is steadily climb- was also reported in the south- ing in opinion polls as a campaign ern city of Gafsa and in Sidi heats up for Italy’s elections on Bouzid, the cradle of the protests March 4. Italy's former Prime that led to the ousting of the au- Minister Silvio Berlusconi gestures tocrat Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in during the television talk show 'Por- 2011 and sparked the regional ta a Porta' (Door to Door) in Rome, Arab spring uprisings. The pro- Italy June 21, 2017. REUTERS/ tests broke out after activists and Remo Casilli/File Photo Surveys politicians denounced hikes in conducted by Tecne and IPR VAT and social contributions in- showed the centre right far out- troduced at the start of the year stripping both a centre-left coali- as a tough new budget was im- tion led by the ruling Democratic plemented. (WP) Party (PD), and Italy’s single most popular party, the anti-establish- ment 5-Star Movement. Italy’s TRIPOLI -- The Libyan navy said on Wednesday that some 100 migrants are missing at sea and feared dead complex electoral mix of propor- while the coast guard rescued at least 279 others off the coast of Libya. U.S. to world: Deal with migration Zambia tional representation and first- crisis yourselves The migrants, mostly Africans, had embarked on the perilous trip across the Mediterra- past-the-post makes a hung par- nean onboard several vessels and the survivors were found on Tuesday. Those missing were all from a closes main liament likely, stoking fears polit- single rubber boat that capsized while at sea. Its remnants were found off the western city of Khoms, the ical instability could stunt a mod- navy said. The other migrants were found off the city of Zawiya, also in western Libya. Rescue and search est recovery in the euro zone’s efforts went on for more than 12 hours despite the rough sea and limited resources, the navy said. All the passport of- survivors, including 19 women and 17 children, were taken to a naval base in the capital, Tripoli, and were third-largest economy. But Berlus- later handed over to Libya's anti-migration authority. On Sunday, the Libyan navy said it rescued 272 coni’s group looks “very close” to migrants who were attempting to reach southern Europe. The U.N. migration agency said that over 3,100 fices to curb being able to obtain a parliamenta- migrants died in the Mediterranean Sea in 2017. Libya descended into chaos following the 2011 uprising ry majority, said Tecne chairman that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. It has since become a frequently used route cholera Carlo Buttaroni. The four-time to Europe for those fleeing poverty and conflict. The vast North African country is home to competing prime minister cannot personally governments and parliaments, with real power held by an array of militias, many of which make money stand for office because of a 2013 from trafficking and packing hundreds of desperate migrants in unseaworthy boats to make the dangerous spread conviction for tax fraud. Support voyage across the Mediterranean. Libyan authorities, pressured by Italy, which gets the lion share of Zambia has closed its main pass- from 39.2 percent of voters in the migrants, have recently stepped up efforts to stem their flow into Europe. The massive flood of migrants port offices in the capital, a hub Tecne poll takes it towards the 40 across the Mediterranean over the past few years prompted the European Union to take measures, which is always thronged with percent which is considered the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described the case against including training and equipping Libya's coast guard to stop boats attempting the dangerous sea crossing. people, as part of measures to necessary base for a bloc to have a a Turkish banker in the United States as a “political coup attempt” Such measures brought the numbers of migrants crossing to Europe down by more than half in 2017, curb the spread of cholera which realistic chance of governing alone. and a joint effort between the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and compared to the year before. (CNN) is sweeping the country, the gov- The IPR poll gave it 38 percent. the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to strike Ankara. ernment said. Street vending and As well as clearing this threshold, Last week, a US jury convicted Mehmet Hakan Atilla, an execu- public gatherings have also been a party or coalition must beat the tive at Turkey’s majority state-owned Halkbank, guilty of evading US banned in Lusaka to counter the second-placed hopefuls by more sanctions against Iran. The case has strained ties between the two disease, which has killed 67 peo- than 12 percentage points, But- NATO partners. Speaking to members of his Justice and Develop- ple since September, 62 of them ment Party (AKP), Erdogan said that the CIA, FBI and the followers Rights group accuses taroni said. Both Tecne and IPR in the capital alone. Home Af- showed the second-placed 5-Star of the US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen are exploiting the case fairs minister Stephen Kampy- lagging by 10 percentage points or to undermine Ankara. Ankara accuses Gulen of masterminding the ongo said the Passports and Cit- more. coup attempt that took place in Turkey in 2016. (AP) Houthis in Yemen of izenship Office in Lusaka would (BBC) remain closed until further no- tice. “In the meantime officers will only attend to travel emer- torturing 113 gencies. This is to allow for mea- sures to be put in place to avoid Catalanpartiesproposeself the spread of cholera,” Kampy- ongo said. On Sunday, Zambia declared a curfew in a poor Lus- exiledformer leader aspresident detainees to death aka township badly affected by A Netherlands-based human rights a cholera outbreak to avoid The two main pro-independence parties in the Spanish organization accused Houthi mili- crowding and street vending at region of Catalonia have agreed to back former leader tias of torturing 113 Yemeni pris- night. The curfew in Kanyama, a Carles Puigdemont as candidate for regional head, raising oners in its jails to death since the densely populated slum of iron- the likelihood of a renewed push for a split from Spain group took control of Sanaa and roofed shacks and dirt tracks runs this year. Former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont staged its coup against the legiti- from between 1800 hrs and 0600 attends an interview with Reuters in Brussels, Belgium, mate government. The organiza- hrs. Zambia on Wednesday start- December 23, 2017. REUTERS/Eric Vidal However, the tion said on Tuesday that some of ed vaccinations against cholera party that won the most votes, which supports the uni- the cases may be considered "war targeting 2 million people as the ty with Spain, poured scorn on the plan as Puigdemont is crimes." The Rights Radar organi- total number of those who have in self-imposed exile in Brussels and would be a “holo- zation said in a statement obtained fallen sick since the disease broke gram president”. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called by Asharq Al-Awsat that it out peaked at 2,905. The cholera an election in Catalonia on Dec. 21 to try to resolve "strongly condemns the repeated outbreak was initially ascribed to Spain’s worst political crisis in decades after Catalan lead- occurrence of deaths due to tor- contaminated water from shal- ers declared independence in October following a banned ture in Houthi detention camps", sources, according to Rights Ra- and members of the Yemeni Re- low wells, but investigations sug- referendum on secession. Pro-independence parties calling on the international com- dar, estimated the number of de- form Party, as well as new detain- gest that contaminated food may achieved a slim majority of seats but they failed to get munity and the United Nations in tainees in Houthi prisons at about ees from former President Ali Ab- also be to blame. President Edgar over 50 percent of the popular vote, bringing no resolu- particular to "take deterrent mea- 7,000 distributed over 643 illegal dullah Saleh’s General People's Lungu on Dec. 30 directed the tion to months of a increasingly bitter impasse. sures against perpetrators and hold prisons throughout Yemen. They Congress. military to help. (Reuters) them accountable.” Human rights said that most of them are leaders (AFP) THURSDAY. JANUARY 11, 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 Editor: Mansoor Ahmad Faizy Phone No: +93-797070563 E-mail: [email protected]

Email: [email protected] By Adnan Hussein claim that even the rulers do not ists, commentators and prominent the Iranian movement drew atten- deny. Many Iraqi citizens are out- activists, many of whom have been tion to the position of the Shiite raged by the frequent appearance of participating in protests within Iraq political forces and their double stan- www.afghanistantimes.af IRGC chief in Iraq and view it as a – demanding political reform, im- dards. They point out that the posi- Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi violation of their national pride and proved public services, end to ad- tion of Iraqi Shiite Islamists which dignity Iraq infested with Iran’s min- ministrative and financial corrup- was once in favor of the Bahraini ions The sarcastic post immediate- tion on an almost weekly basis since Shiite opposition now opposes pro- Advisory editorial board ly received hundreds of likes and mid-2015 in Baghdad and across sev- test movement in Iran. This change comments. Many Iraqis believe that eral cities having Shiite majority. of heart has occurred due to their Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Dr. Omar majority of the powerful political The comments in social media out- bias toward the Iranian regime even class in the country is either openly lets and posters in the streets re- though the regime does not care about Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal, Saboor Sarir working for Iran is silently strength- flect an Iraqi desire for change in the interests of the Shiites. Several Commenting on the ongoing pro- ening its growing political, military, Iran so that the latter eases its grip factors influence the position of pro- Graphic-Designers: test movement in Iran, a well-known and economic clout in the country. over Iraq. The commentators and Iranian Iraqis. The most important Iraqi writer and journalist posted on This trend is reflected in various social media users have been partic- of them being that any weakness in Bilal Yusufi and Basir Qazizada his Facebook page a picture of diar- facets of Iraqi life and even state- ularly keen on reflecting upon the the power of the Iranian regime Mar ket i ng & Adver t i si ng: rhea treatment pills and wrote the ments of Iranian military and civil- slogans raised by Iranian protesters would reduce its influence in Iraq and following brief commentary: ian leaders point to their open in- that seek internal reforms and high- weaken the hegemony of the Shiite Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0782344728, 0778894038 “There is a great demand for this terference in Iraq as well as Leba- light the economic problems. Many political forces in Iran over politi- treatment in the Green Zone. It is non, Syria and Yemen as if they are writers, commentators, and bloggers cal, economic and social life, which Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan said that men are on edge, carefully their legitimate sphere of influence. have taken a stand against this pub- could positively affect the desired Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 following developments in the re- This fact is further reinforced by lic position. These are mostly mem- political reform process along with gion.” The Green Zone is the closed the frequent appearance of the com- bers of the Shiite political forces in the fight against administrative and Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press and heavily fortified part of Bagh- mander of the Iranian Revolution- power. It is noteworthy that these financial corruption that has poi- dad. The ruling political class con- ary Guard Corps, General Qasem writers, along with prominent Shi- soned the lives of Iraqis for several trols this region that Saddam Hus- Soleimani, on the war fronts against ite politicians, remained silent in the years. On the other hand, there is sein and his entourage once occu- ISIS and within the Green Zone, first two days of the protest and did fear that Tehran will take a hard line pied. Saddam even built huge man- comfortably interacting with the not disclose their position on the in its foreign policy after the recent The constitution says sions and palaces here that his suc- leaders of the Iraqi military forces, Iranian protest movement, until Ira- protests, which exposes the internal cessors, the rulers of the day, squab- even as many Iraqi citizens are out- nian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei fragility of the regime there. This Article 119: ble with each other to live in. This raged by his presence and view it as accused the protesters of being type of regime often chooses to ex- Members of the Supreme Court shall take the following oath of office in the presence of the President: area is popularly called the ‘arro- a violation of their national pride “agents” of foreign powers. There- port its crises abroad, instead of look- “In the of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, I swear in the name of God Almighty to attain justice and gant zone,’ a phrase that expresses and dignity. Iraqis have started tak- after, Iranian loyalists in Iraq start- ing for solutions for its internal prob- righteousness in accordance with tenets of the Holy religion of Islam, provisions of this Constitution as well the hatred of the Iraqis, or at least ing keen interest in social media and ed echoing the same accusation lems. Even Saddam’s regime did this as other laws of Afghanistan, and to execute the judicial duty with utmost honesty, righteousness and their indignation towards the peo- in public life, in the wake of the against Iranian protesters. The dou- several times and the result was that impartiality.” ple of this region as it has become Iranian protests since their com- ble standard For their part, Iraqi he dug his own grave, leaving Iraq in emblematic of the stolen wealth of mencement. The protests have re- writers, commentators, and activ- total ruin and a political class that the Iraqi people on a large-scale, a ceived the support of Iraqi journal- ists who harbor sympathy towards did nothing but worsen the situation. (Alarabiya)

fghanistan today is different from what it was yesterday. Today our By Ibrahim Hewitt flag is waving at our every consulate across the world. We are inter rean relations, but about the recon- South proposed that North Korean similar gestures of goodwill is that, ciliation of the nation and its free- athletes march with South Korean according to Yonhap news agency, nationally a new brand and big supporter of peace in the world. To- Tuesday's talks between Seoul and will unification," KCNA said. athletes during the opening and clos- Noh Kyu-duk, the South Korean day we have achieved a measure of political, security and economic stabil- Pyongyang will not have an impact Stephan Haggard, the director of the ing ceremonies. According to the In- Foreign Ministry spokesman, said on future chances of reunification Korea-Pacific Program, and the ternational Olympic Committee, al- on Tuesday that Seoul would con- ity. This is based on tireless efforts of our country’s leadership who are unless other obstacles, such as con- Lawrence and Sallye Krause Profes- though the North Korean National sider the possibility of weakening making indefatigable efforts to push Afghanistan toward more stability. trol over North Korea’s nuclear pro- sor of Korea-Pacific Studies at the Olympic Committee did not meet sanctions against North Korea while gram, the nature of the United University of San Diego, California the October 30 deadline to accept the country participates in the 2018 Meanwhile, can’t ignore drawdown, indicting we have long road to catch up States’ relationship with South Ko- stated that Kim’s wishes for unifi- the figure skaters’ spots, a final de- Winter Olympics. However, full stability. Our current stability is delicate and incomplete. We have fragile rea, and post-reunification leader- cation will not fit within the frame- cision on their participation has not Kennedy stated that North Korea ship arrangements are agreed upon, work of the current bilateral talks. yet been made by the organization. would want much more than these security and economic situations. However, that is another issue, and the experts told Sputnik. The talks took "Unification is a very long process Obstacles to reunification small gestures in order to consider government is currently busy patching-up it. Externally, there are impend- place in the border "truce village" and highly unlikely; this is more like The bilateral Korea talks are a way reunification. Its requirements would of Panmunjom, where the 1953 achieving a detente between North to release the tensions that have be keeping its nuclear weapons pro- ing threats to Afghanistan’s stability which require a dynamic response. We Korean Armistice Agreement was and South… Again, this is really been building since the last talks in gram, re-framing South Korea’s re- are on that path—giving tit-for-tat response to our enemies. But what about signed, and became the first high- about tension reduction and trust 2015, and that would be needed to lationship with the United States, level dialogue to take place between building at this stage, not unifica- be alleviated in order for reunifica- and the guaranteed security of the internal elements that have been threatening our stability—not talking about the two sides in over two years. As tion per se," Haggard said. Pamela tion to be considered by both sides, country’s leadership as the country terrorism and extremist violence as they (extremist groups) are number result of Tuesday's negotiations, Kennedy, research associate with the but other weighty obstacles still re- enters the reunification process. officials from North and South Ko- East Asia Program at the Stimson main before this becomes a real pos- "North Korea’s first requirement one in that list. My point is to those Afghan influential figures that giving rea have agreed to hold military ne- Center, a think tank based in Wash- sibility, experts said. In 2017, ten- would be maintenance of control remarks which go against national interest. Recently, Sayed Hamid Gilani gotiations to defuse the border is- ington, DC, stated furthermore that sions escalated over advancements over its nuclear and chemical weap- sue, reopen a military hotline in the talks could be used by North Korea in North Korea’s nuclear and long- ons programs; second would be the was accused of having links with the notorious Haqqani Network—a Paki- Yellow Sea District and activate ex- to negotiate aid from the South, range missile technology. In late breaking of the US-ROK alliance and stan-based terrorist group, involved in different deadly attacks in which changes in diverse areas. North Ko- rather than for seeking reunifica- November, North Korea successful- the withdrawal of American troops rea noted that it would not discuss tion. "The talks will likely not help ly tested its latest intercontinental from the Peninsula. North Korea martyred and wounded dozens of innocent Afghan masses. Though Gilani, its nuclear weapons in coming talks reunification efforts. The North has ballistic missile (ICBM), known as would also need reassurance of the the Chairman of Mahaz-e-Milli party, totally brushed aside the report of with the South because they were entered talks with South Korea at the Hwasong-15. In July, North survival of the Kim regime’s top targeting the United States only. various levels a number of times Korea launched two ICBMs. Hag- stakeholders – the Kim family, the his links with the terrorist group, but what about his previous statement, The negotiations have also resulted before, usually seeking assistance or gard stated that at this stage the two elites, the top levels of the security showing love to the enemies by saying Taliban leadership is inside Afghan- in the decision of North Korea to trying to weaken multilateral ef- countries are likely to make small apparatus and government – to the send its athletes to the Winter Olym- forts to deal with the Kim regime steps that could begin to bring both extent of maintaining their life- istan. “We no longer accept rumors that Taliban leadership is outside the pic Games in South Korea’s Pyeo- (such as the defunct Six Party Talks). sides to the negotiating table about styles if not continuation of politi- country. The government says this because of weakness and they can’t do ngchang. Bilateral talks won't lead In a bilateral setting, North Korea reunification. "Small gestures like cal influence post-reunification," to reunification On Sunday, North can better negotiate for monetary family reunions or humanitarian aid Kennedy said. The international anything else. Most of the Taliban leaders are inside the country.” With due Korea's state news agency KCNA or humanitarian aid. Rather than could be opening points for the con- community has so far responded respect, a very shameful and irresponsible statement, he made. Opposition reported that leader Kim Jong Un any serious discussion of reunifica- versation," Haggard said. At the bi- negatively to the way in which North addressed the nation with a New tion processes (and what a reunified lateral talks, according to local me- Korea uses its nuclear weapons pro- to the government is not meant to be a play-boy in foreign hands. It has Year’s speech ahead of the bilateral Peninsula would look like, and un- dia, South Korea invited the North gram and in contrast to allowing it been a patent reality known to the entire world that presence of the Taliban talks, in which he said that it was der what government), the talks will to, with the help of local Red Cross to control it, has instead urged for time for an end to the rising ten- focus on more achievable and ur- societies, hold meetings of relatives its shutdown. In July, following a set leadership and their training and fundraising centers have been in Pakistan— sions between North and South Ko- gent matters like the Olympics and separated as a result of the nation's of ballistic missile tests, the United rea in order to improve bilateral re- aid," Kennedy said. At Tuesday's split on the Lunar New Year (Febru- Nations Security Council responded the hostile neighbor that has been supporting and harboring various terror- lations and begin reunification. "It talks, the North said that it would ary 15). The reunion of families, with a unanimous vote to impose ist groups since decades. The government knows better how to deal with is not worth stirring up the past and send a delegation to the Pyeongchang according to the policy released by new economic sanctions on North recalling the specifics of relations Winter Olympics, including its two South Korea’s Ministry of Unifica- Korea – the most stringent yet – foreign enemies, but inner circles should also be held accountable for their with Seoul. Instead of this, relations figure skaters — Ryom Tae Ok and tion, is one of the policy tasks to be which cut at least one-third of the irresponsible remarks. On Wednesday, Atta Mohammad Noor, the ousted between the North and South must Kim Ju Suk — who are the only two resolved before unification can take country’s annual export revenue. be improved… It is not only about North Korean athletes to have qual- place. Another indication that South Russia and China have advocated for Balkh governor, also made irresponsible remarks by saying if central gov- the normalization of the inter-Ko- ified for the Games. Meanwhile, the Korea would be willing to engage in a "double freeze" solution. ernment adopted military option to unseat him, the army would be divided. No need to explain current friction between Noor and the Presidential Pal- ace. We all know, his (Noor’s) resignation leads to so many problems. Sup- pose that Noor is right, but it not rational to make it public. Army is a backbone of a country; none has the right to talk negatively over it. It is a big crime. We are proud of Afghan National Defense and Security Forc- es—an iron hand that given bitter taste to the Pakistani-backed militants. The National Unity Government has to make serious action against offi- cials and Afghan influential figures that goes or pass comments against the national interests. Let’s teach everybody that business of the state could Cost s not be run on might is right. Everyone must bear in mind that no group, can frighten the current stability. We are not in fully stability, but ready to de- fend the half of it in dream of reaching complete stability one day. Nothing is impossible; we will reach political and economic stability by removing steeplechaser on our way. Subscription Rates

Note: The following rates will apply from January 01, 2017. Fee Categories Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 5400 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 2700 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $240 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. THURSDAY. JANUARY 11, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

By Nabil Gangi have been undertaken to address tion habits. Countries throughout the poverty, climate change, inadequate decision-makers responsible for ag- hunger, a substantial proportion of world are putting in place compre- agricultural policies, and poor gov- riculture, food production, transpor- the world’s population continues to hensive interventions and policies ernance and weak infrastructure. It tation and distribution. Rather they In September 2015, leaders of all go to bed hungry. to boost agriculture production and is clear therefore that all mitigating extend to the highest policymak- nations of the world agreed on the Moreover, hunger is again on the productivity, reduce food losses and measures are needed to achieve zero ers, in whose hands rest decisions of UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable rise, and this after more than 10 waste, provide social protection to hunger. peace. Development, which vows to build years of decline. More than 800 the rural and urban poor, and build Instead, we see conflicts and pro- The NENA region, with its enor- a world with no one left behind. Of million people in the world are esti- resilience to shocks, crises and cli- tracted crises becoming endemic and mous human and land resources, has its 17 Sustainable Development mated to have suffered from hunger mate change. inflicting immense suffering on the the capacity to emerge stronger Goals (SDGs), goal one and goal two in 2016, of which 40 million were The challenges facing the Near East populations of the region. This is from the current series of conflicts have been dedicated, respectively, in the NENA region, which is more and North Africa are not just a prob- not only causing it to lag in its de- and crises, but this will require col- to eradicating poverty, and ending than its proportional share. In addi- lem for decision-makers responsi- velopment indicators, but is also lective action to build a shared vi- hunger and malnutrition. This is no tion, almost all the countries in our ble for agriculture, food production, exacerbating the condition of its sion of peace and prosperity among coincidence: If we do not eradicate region are confronted with differ- transportation and distribution; rath- population. the region’s member countries. It poverty and hunger, it will be im- ent forms of malnutrition, where er they extend to the policymakers The strongly interlinked chain of will also need the support of all its possible to achieve the remaining hunger, stunting, waste and obesity who have the power to end con- food insecurity, natural resources partners, and the UN’s Food and goals and the broader objective of go hand-in-hand, reflecting a wider flicts. In a region that is considered scarcity, unemployment, migration, Agriculture Organization (FAO) is leaving no one behind. In recent problem with our food systems from the most arid in the world and which and impoverishment of rural areas committed to doing its part in this decades, there has been progress in production to consumption. faces enormous challenges, hunger is affecting and is affected by the endeavor. May the voices of 40 the fight against hunger in some Eradicating hunger in our lifetime is has been on the rise. These chal- absence of peace and stability and million hungry children, women and countries, not least in the Near East not a dream, as solutions emerge lenges include high population the rise in conflicts and wars. The men in the region be heard and heed- and North Africa (NENA) region. through innovative agricultural tech- growth, growing urbanization, a lim- challenges facing our region are not ed in 2018. However, despite all the efforts that niques and improving food consump- ited and fragile natural resource base, just a problem for the traditional (Aarabnews)

The 2012 coup in Mali, carried out By Ramzy Baroud by a US-trained army captain, Ama- dou Haya Sanogo, is one example. In a 2013 speech, then-US Secre- tary of State Hillary Clinton cau- By S. Nathan Park of South Koreans attending anti- tioned against a “new colonialism U.S. demonstrations in a recent in- in Africa (in which it is) easy to North and South Korea have just terview, she was referring to the come in, take out natural resources, finished their first joint talks since past. As liberal democracy gradually pay off leaders and leave.” While 2015. It’s official: The North will established itself, the center-left Clinton is correct, she was disingen- be sending a delegation to partici- began displacing the radicals among uously referring to China, not her the ranks of South Korea’s liberals. There is a real — but largely con- pate in the Winter Olympics, which cealed — conflict taking place own country. China’s increasing in- are starting next month in the south- And as South Koreans belatedly fluence in Africa is obvious, and learned the full horrors of North throughout the African continent. ern city of Pyeongchang. With the It involves the United States, a re- Beijing’s practices can be unfair. talks concluded, there is sure to be Korea’s massive famine in the late However, China’s policy towards 1990s, which claimed more than invigorated Russia and a rising Chi- anguished reaction from some na, and the outcome is likely to de- Africa is far more civil and trade- American commentators about how 300,000 lives, virtually all linger- focused than the military-centered ing sympathy for the North Kore- fine the future of the continent and it represents just the sort of craven its global outlook. US approach. The growth in the compromise typical of liberal gov- an regime evaporated. The new gen- China-Africa trade figures are, as per eration of South Korean liberals It is easy to pin the blame on US ernments in Seoul. Even before the President Donald Trump, his agen- a UN News report in 2013, happen- talks, one otherwise well-informed harbor few illusions about the bru- ing at a truly “breathtaking pace”, tality of the North’s dictatorship, da and statements, but the truth is expert claimed that there is a “seri- the current US military expansion as they jumped from around $10.5 ous ideological disagreement” be- and see the United States as a cru- billion per year in 2000 to $166 cial source of peace in the Korean in Africa is just one more step in the tween South Korea and the United wrong direction. It is part of a strat- billion in 2011. Since then, it has States. Nor is this the first time Peninsula. Moon is emblematic of continued at the same impressive this newer generation. Moon served egy that had been implemented a we’ve heard such concerns. After decade ago, during the administra- pace. But that growth was coupled Moon’s election last spring, one his military duty as a special forces with many initiatives, entailing soldier defending the demilitarized tion of George W. Bush, and active- journalist even wondered, “Who ly pursued by Barack Obama. many billions of dollars in Chinese poses tougher challenge [sic] for zone. His own family comes from credit to African countries, to de- the North, which they escaped dur- In 2007, under the pretext of the Donald Trump: South Korea’s Moon “war on terror”, the US consolidat- velop badly needed infrastructure. Jae-In or the North’s Kim Jong- ing the Korean War on a U.S. ship. More went to finance the “African Moon his little reason to romanti- ed its various military operations in Un?” Such worries are badly outdat- Africa to establish the United States Talents Program”, which is designed ed. It is true enough that many South cize the regime in Pyongyang and to train 30,000 African profession- has consistently stated his support Africa Command (AFRICOM). Korean liberals previously regarded With a starting budget of half a bil- als in various sectors. It should come the United States with suspicion — the alliance with the United States. as no surprise, then, that China sur- Despite considerable controversy at lion dollars, AFRICOM was suppos- and with good reason. But that’s just edly launched to engage with Afri- passed the US as Africa’s largest trad- not true anymore, and to assert the home and intense economic and ing partner in 2009. The real colo- ported by the United States. Syn- when the South Korean dictatorship and romanticized view of the North political pressure from China, he can countries in terms of diploma- contrary ignores important shifts gman Rhee, South Korea’s first pres- murdered its own people. U.S. ap- Korean regime as a heroic source of cy and aid. But, over the course of nialism, which Clinton referred to that have taken place on the South allowed the Americans to deploy a in her speech, is, however, under way ident, oversaw the massacre of hun- proval for the atrocities committed resistance to American imperialism. missile-defense system to protect the last 10 years, it has been trans- Korean left in recent years. This dreds of thousands of civilians he by South Korean leaders was often Such attitudes colored the liberal formed into a central command for in the US’s own perception and be- error could not come at a worse U.S. troops in South Korea. He has havior towards Africa. Keeping in accused of communist sympathies. quite explicit. To name but one ex- wing of South Korean politics for even managed to get along with Pres- military incursions and interven- time, as it is imperative for the Gen. Park Chung-hee, who ruled ample, President Jimmy Carter re- some time after the transition to tions. However, that violent role mind that Africa has 22 Muslim- United States and South Korea to ident Trump, who has criticized majority countries, the US govern- from 1961 to 1979, imprisoned and sponded to the Gwangju massacre democracy in 1987. They contin- South Korea for not paying enough has rapidly worsened recently. In- stand shoulder to shoulder against tortured opposition leaders. His suc- by pledging his support for the dic- ued into the years of the George W. deed, there are hidden US operations ment is divesting from any long- the North Korean threat. The skep- for the stationing of U.S. forces. (In term diplomatic vision in Africa and cessor, Gen. Chun Doo-hwan, or- tatorship (though he also claimed Bush administration, when the in- a recent phone call before the in- in Africa being carried out in the ticism with which many South Ko- dered troops to fire on demonstrat- that he would apply “longer term vasion of Iraq – coming on top of a name of “counter-terrorism”. Ac- is instead increasingly thrusting fur- reans once regarded Washington was ter-Korean talks, Trump said: ther down the military path. The ing citizens in the city of Gwangju pressure for political evolution”). In 2002 incident when a U.S. military “America supports President Moon cording to a VICE News investiga- well-grounded in the history of the in 1980, killing hundreds. Through- those years, anyone who aspired to vehicle ran over two schoolgirls – tion, US troops are conducting 3,500 US military push does not seem to two countries’ relations. North Ko- 100 percent.”) It’s worth noting that be part of a comprehensive policy out, the United States stood by the democracy in South Korea had ev- prompted a series of massive anti- South Korea remained a steadfast exercises and military engagements rea’s brutal dictatorship tended to dictators in Seoul. Because the Amer- ery reason to regard the United U.S. protests in the streets of Seoul. throughout Africa per year — an approach, either. It reflects the con- overshadow the fact that South ally of the United States even at the stant US over-reliance on military icans regarded South Korea as a cru- States as part of the problem. And, That, however, was fifteen years peak of anti-Americanism in 2002. average of 10 per day. The US main- Korea also endured a series of mur- cial front-line country in the Cold yes, certain corners within the South ago. When reporter Barbara Demick stream media rarely discusses this, solutions to all sorts of problems, derous authoritarians who were sup- Today. including trade and political rival- War, they looked the other way Korean left even developed a naive spoke of “hundreds of thousands” (WP) giving the military ample space to destabilize any of the continent’s ries. Compare this to Russia’s stra- 54 countries as it pleases. “Today’s tegic approach to Africa. Reignit- figure of 3,500 marks an astound- ing old camaraderie with the conti- ing 1,900 percent increase since the nent, Russia is following China’s command was activated less than a strategy of engagement (or in this decade ago, and suggests a major case, re-engagement) through devel- expansion of US military activities opment and favorable trade terms. on the African continent,” VICE But, unlike China, Russia has a wide- reported. Following the deaths of ranging agenda that includes arms four US Special Forces soldiers in exports, which are replacing US Niger on October 4, US Secretary weaponry in various parts of the of Defense Jim Mattis made an continent. For Moscow, Africa also ominous declaration to a Senate has untapped and tremendous po- committee: These numbers are like- tential as a political partner that can do regarding $125 million of U.S. ians return to peace negotiations, a funding crisis if the money ernment has expressed concern bolster Russia’s standing at the UN. By Josh Rogin aid to the United Nations Relief U.S. aid could be in jeopardy. Ha- doesn’t come through by the end about the move, and even the Is- ly to increase as the US is expand- ing its military activities in Africa. Aware of the evident global compe- and Works Agency for Palestine ley and Trump have talked several of January. Inside the bureaucra- raeli government is not calling for tition, some African leaders are now The Trump administration is head- Refugees in the Near East (UNR- times about the issue, according to cy, Haley and Trump’s actions on a total cutoff of funds to UNR- Mattis, like other defense officials in the previous two administrations, laboring to find new allies outside ed for a showdown over whether WA) that was scheduled to be de- a senior administration official. Palestinian funding have caused WA. “Haley is well-intentioned, the traditional Western framework, to follow through on threats by livered Jan. 1 but is now on hold. “The president is fed up with this confusion and spurred backlash by but the practical effects of the po- justifies the US military transgres- sions as part of ongoing counter- which has controlled much of Afri- President Trump and U.N. Am- The meeting will include several phenomena of trashing the United officials at various agencies that sition she has taken actually will ca since the end of traditional colo- bassador Nikki Haley to cut off terrorism efforts. But such a coded Cabinet members, but all eyes will States at the U.N. and then asking deal with UNRWA, refugees and do harm to the refugees, our ally in reference has served as a pretense nialism decades ago. Wary of Rus- U.S. funding for Palestinian refu- be on Haley, who has been leading us for money. Ambassador Haley relations with allies, including Jor- Jordan, and will leave the Israelis sia’s Africa outreach, the US is fight- gees. It’s a major test case of for the US to intervene in, and ex- the drive to cut the funding. Ac- shares that view,” the official said. dan. Several government officials holding the bag when the s–t hits ploit, a massive region with great ing back with a military stratagem Trump’s new approach of using cording to four administration of- “The process going forward is how told me that Haley’s public and the fan,” one State Department economic potential. The old colo- and little diplomacy. The ongoing aid to punish foreign governments ficials who are involved in the de- to translate that presidential direc- private actions on UNRWA fund- official said. Trump officials dis- nial “Scramble for Africa” is being US mini-war on the continent will for bad behavior. On the campaign bate, Haley has been pushing for a tive into actual policy.” Concur- ing have gone far beyond what has puted reports that Haley had al- reinvented by global powers that push Africa further into the abyss trail, Trump railed against giving total cut in U.S. funding for UNR- rently, the Trump administration been agreed on in the interagency ready been telling other U.N. mem- fully fathom the extent of the un- of violence and corruption, which U.S. money to countries that don’t WA in response to the Palestinian is holding aid to the Pakistani gov- process. Those against totally cut- ber countries that the UNRWA aid tapped economic largesse of the will bring about untold misery to do what America wants, part of Authority’s actions following ernment until or unless that coun- ting off U.S. funding for UNRWA is “frozen,” and another senior of- continent. While China, India and millions of people. There is no ques- his mantra that the United States Russia are each developing a unique tion that Africa is no longer an ex- Trump’s Dec. 6 announcement try does more to combat terrorist argue that the tactic is unlikely to ficial told me that no final deci- clusive Western “turf”, to be ex- is getting taken advantage of on the that the United States was offi- havens in its territory. That poli- work. The Palestinians have sions have been made. But three approach to wooing Africa, the US world stage. Now, that idea is be- is invested mostly in the military ploited at will. But it will be many cially recognizing Jerusalem as the cy was also announced in a presi- shown no indication that they will administration officials confirmed years before Africa and its 54 na- ing translated into real U.S. policy capital of Israel. In late December, dential tweet. The UNRWA dis- make any concessions in response that at a Jan. 5 interagency meet- option. While China and Russia take part in the new ‘Scramble for Afri- tions are truly free from the stub- with unknowable and potentially Haley said the Trump administra- pute is urgent because the organi- to U.S. pressure. Also, there is a ing in Washington, representatives born neocolonial mindset, which is drastic consequences. On Monday, tion was “taking names” of those zation, which supports schools classified U.S. government analy- from the State and Defense depart- ca’ with unique approaches centered on significant investment and trade, grounded in racism, economic ex- the Trump administration decided who voted for a resolution con- and humanitarian facilities for ref- sis that outlines the potential hu- ments argued for at least partial ploitation and military interven- to hold an as-yet-unscheduled Prin- US involvement on the continent demning the move. Trump tweet- ugees in Gaza, Jordan and the West manitarian cost of cutting aid to funding for UNRWA, while the is led by harmful armed operations. tions. cipals Committee meeting on what ed Jan. 2 that unless the Palestin- Bank, is already in debt and facing the refugees. The Jordanian gov- representative. (WP) (Truthout)

By Khalil Charles clear deal with Iran, along with five back to 2012, when the former CIA pansion, which greatly explains of confrontation with its people, but they did not attempt to assassi- over $150 billion of frozen funds. other global superpowers, the com- intelligence analyst, Kenneth M. America allowing Iran to deeply who believe that “their country’s nate him, even though they could Instead of spending these funds on mittee issued extensive details on Pollack, argued in his book the strat- penetrate the Middle East. For ex- government is interfering in the af- have. In Syria, the Israeli aircrafts the Iranian citizens, who organised In 2001, before the September 11th the policy of containing Iran, which egy to “contain” Iran as an alterna- ample, in Iraq, the US was the big- fairs of neighbouring countries at were combing the Syrian territories marches of joy after the signing of attacks, a committee specialising in Obama believed to be best in the tive to military confrontation. The gest sponsor for Iran. Perhaps ex- their expense.” About two weeks day and night and launched several the nuclear agreement, all of the studying the details of the Middle process of facing the Iranian danger importance of the book stems from amining the progression and series ago, media reports stated that Wash- attacks on targets, without dealing money went into the pockets of Eastern countries, presented a num- in the region. With the announce- Pollack’s meeting with former of battles against Daesh in Iran and ington prevented Israel from assas- a fatal blow to Soleimani. It seems Iran’s fighters in the neighbouring ber of recommendations (or deci- ment of the agreement’s details, Iran prominent American officials and how the US spared no effort in al- sinating Commander of the Quds that the US was well aware that this countries, as well as on Iran’s ex- sions) to the American President, was expanding in the Middle East- Iran affairs experts in 2012 at the lowing Iran to expand in the coun- Forces, Qasem Soleimani, in Syria. American expansion would mean in- pansion projects. Iranians patient- George W Bush. These recommen- ern region, spreading from Iraq to Brookings Institute during his par- try by means of its militias as well This is quite interesting, as Soleimani ternal problems for Iran, that it ly waited two and a half years for dations included changing Iraq by Syria and Yemen, and before that, ticipation in the crisis simulation of as in Syria, answers several questions is on the American terrorist list and would be unable to resolve. After their country to shower them with military means and changing Iran Lebanon. It even reached Africa, a US-Iranian confrontation. It regarding the reasons that the US he was moving about on the battle- years of economic sanctions, the nu- its money, as it no longer suffers from within. In 2015, when US Pres- Latin America and Europe. The idea seems that the US was convinced by allowed Iran to expand. The gov- fields in Iraq and Syria. American clear agreement with Iran in 2015 from economic sanctions and it is ident Barack Obama signed the nu- of the strategy to contain Iran dates this strategy to confront Iran’s ex- ernment in Iran reached the point aircrafts were covering his moves, gave it the opportunity to regain no longer fighting against Daes. THURSDAY. JANUARY 11, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

US President Donald Trump's ad- envisages the use of modernized attempt by Russia or North Ko- er drafts of the NPR were even ministration plans to diminish con- Trident D5 submarine-based mis- rea to use nuclear weapons would more combative. straints on the use of nuclear weap- siles equipped with such warheads result in a massive consequence for Thus, the forthcoming docu- ons and create a new low-yield in order to deter Russia from using them," Wolfsthal was quoted as ment may recall the US national nuclear warhead for Trident bal- tactical warheads in the event of a saying by the newspaper. Accord- security strategy, which listed listic missiles to deter Russia, The potential conflict in Eastern Eu- ing to the publication, the nuclear Russia, China, Iran and North Guardian has reported, citing an rope. "My read is this is a walk- posture review (NPR) is expected Korea as "the revisionist powers", Obama-era special assistant on back from how extreme it was ear- to be published in late January, and threatening the country's security. arms control and nonproliferation. ly on. It doesn’t have as much ter- this will be the first such docu- This stance has been widely Jon Wolfsthal, the special assis- rible stuff in it as it did original- ment in eight years. The new nu- criticized by the specified coun- tant to former US President Barack ly… What I’ve been told by the clear policy is much more hawk- tries, with China calling Washing- Obama on arms control and non- people who wrote the thing was ish compared to the posture ton to "abandon its Cold War men- proliferation, has seen the most what they were trying to do was adopted by the Obama adminis- tality" and Iran saying that the recent draft of the US nuclear pol- to send a clear deterrent message tration, which sought to reduce the NSS was a US attempt to shift re- icy review and held conversations to the Russians, the North Korean role of nuclear weapons in US de- sponsibility for their own failures The U.S. Department of State tives' technical assistance, trans- pan, raising concerns in Tokyo. with its authors, The Guardian re- and the Chinese. And there is pret- fense, the media outlet noted, how- on other nations. agreed to the sale of an estimated portation, engineering and logistics Amid escalating tensions between ported. According to him, the new ty good, moderate but strong lan- ever, Wolfsthal believes that earli- (AFP) $133 million worth of interceptor support services and other related North Korea, its neighbors and the review prepared by the Pentagon guage that makes clear that any missiles to Japan amid growing elements of logistical and program U.S., this week saw a series of tensions in the Korean peninsula support. The estimated total case breakthroughs, with Pyongyang over North Korea's nuclear war value is $133.3 million." "The pro- agreeing to reopen the diplomatic threats. The announcement comes posed sale will provide Japan with hotline, send a high-ranking dele- amid the much anticipated high- an increased ballistic missile de- gation of athletes and officials to level talks between the Koreas on fense capability to assist in de- the upcoming Winter Olympics Tuesday. The U.S. Defense Secu- fending the Japanese homeland and and hold military talks to reduce rity Cooperation Agency an- U.S. personnel stationed there. hostility between the nations. On nounced in a press release the Pen- Japan will have no difficulty ab- Wednesday, South Korean Presi- tagon has decided to green light the sorbing these additional munitions dent Moon Jae-in credited Presi- deal as Japan plans to “fundamen- and support into the Japan Mari- dent Donald Trump with making tally” improve its defenses. "The time Self Defense Force (JMS- a "huge" contribution to bringing government of Japan has request- DF)," the statement added. North the North and South together for ed a possible sale of four (4) Stan- Korea continued its nuclear ad- landmark talks. "War must not dard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA vances despite condemnation from break out on the Korean Peninsula missiles," the release said Tuesday. the international community. It again," Moon said. "My goal is to Iran,Azerbaijan to discuss "Also included are four (4) MK ramped up its missile activity last resolve the North Korean nuclear 29 missile canisters, US govern- year, firing ballistic missiles that problem and solidify peace during trade ties in Tehran ment and contractor representa- repeatedly landed in the Sea of Ja- my term." (BBC) Officials from Iran and Azerbaijan will hold the 12th meeting of the joint economic commission of the two countries on Jan. 15-16 in Tehran, a diplomatic source told Trend. Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Sha- hin Mustafayev and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Karbasian will attend the meeting. According to the source, Mustafayev is expected to Deat h t oll in Califor n ia meet high ranking Iranian officials during the meeting. Azerbaijan’s trade turnover with Iran amounted to almost $229 million in January-No- vember 2017, more than $213 million of which accounted for the import m u d slid es exp ect ed t o r ise of Iranian products, according to Azerbaijani State Customs Commit- tee. (Trend) Kazakhstan returned to Kyrgyzstan and China 48.72 tons of illegally imported agricultural products Kazakhstan has returned 48.72 tons of agricultural products illegally imported from Kyrgyzstan and China, reports the Ministry of Agricul- ture. "In the time of inspection of quarantineable products of high phyto-sanitary risk imported to Kazakhstan 4 facts of law violations have been revealed, including: 2 cases Kamstok worm discovery in Turkey said on Wednesday that … you should stop the regime. It’s persimmon imported from Kyrgyzstan; other 2 cases - oats import- Russia and Iran must fulfil their not just a simple air strike. The 18.22 tons, and sawdust- 0.5 tons imported from China without phyto responsibilities and stop strikes regime is moving in Idlib. The in- certificates. 48.72 tons of products have been returned to the exporter by forces of the Syrian regime in tent here is different,” he said, add- states," reads the message. The violations have been revealed in the the Idlib province. This came as ing that such a move would under- period since January 1 until January 5. (Kazaq) Moscow warned Ankara to fully mine any peace process in Syria. The number of those killed by who are missing and unaccounted Angeles. A 14-year-old girl was implement the ceasefire after The foreign minister said that An- mudslides in California was ex- for,” Santa Barbara Sheriff Bill found alive after firefighters using drones that struck its bases in Syria kara would hold a meeting on Syr- pected to rise from at least 13 dead Brown of the death toll during a rescue dogs heard cries for help reportedly came from Idlib. Forc- ia with like-minded countries in but rescue efforts became easier on news conference on Jan. 9. The from what was left of her Mon- Nazarbayev designated es loyal to Syrian president Bashar Turkey after talks in the Russian Jan. 10 after the powerful rain upscale communities of Montecito tecito home, the Los Angeles Al Assad were targeting moderate city of Sochi, where a Syrian con- storm heads west and skies clear, and Carpenteria, just outside the Times reported. “I thought I was priorities in new message opposition groups in Idlib “under gress of national dialogue is sched- authorities said. Rescue personnel city of Santa Barbara, were hard- dead there for a minute,” the teen- the pretext of fighting the Al Nus- uled to be held end on January 29 in Santa Barbara County early on est hit. Over the past month Cali- ager Lauren Cantin, covered in mud, to Kazakhstani people ra [Front] terrorist group”, Turk- and 30. On Tuesday, Turkey sum- Jan. 10 continued searching for vic- fornia’s scenic coastline was rav- said after workers spent six hours ish foreign minister Mevlut Cavu- moned the Iranian and Russian tims where mudslides slammed into aged by a series of intense wild- rescuing her, NBC News report- President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has designated 10 pri- soglu told the state-run Anadolu ambassadors, who were asked to homes, covered highways and fires that burned off vegetation. On ed. About 300 people were strand- ority tasks in the new message to the people of Kazakhstan. news agency, referring to the relay to the Assad government that swept away vehicles early on Jan. 9, emergency workers using ed in a canyon. Local rescue crews, "My annual message to the people of Kazakhstan will be published former Al Qaeda affiliate. Mr Ca- the violations must end. Mean- Tuesday when more than a half- search dogs and helicopters to res- using borrowed helicopters from tomorrow. It is dedicated to development of the state in the conditions vusoglu said the Syrian govern- while, according to the Russian inch (1.5 cm) of rain fell in five cue dozens of people stranded in the U.S. Coast Guard, worked to of the fourth industrial revolution. I see 10 main tasks which we are ment’s advances in northern Syria defence ministry’s official news- supposed to perform," said N. Nazarbayev in the message on Tuesday minutes, a rate that far exceeds the mud-coated rubble in the normal- airlift them out, officials said. are in violation of a “de-escalation” paper, drones that attacked Rus- normal flash flood threshold. ly pristine area, sandwiched be- Heavy downpours struck before evening. He has stated the cores of each task. "First, Kazakhstani indus- agreement in Idlib province sian bases in Syria last week were try must become the flagman of introduction of new technologies. Sec- “While we hope it will not, we tween the ocean and the sprawling dawn on Jan. 9 after 7,000 resi- ondly, it is necessary to improve effectiveness of use of natural poten- reached by Ankara, Moscow and sent from Idlib. Idlib province has expect this number to increase as Los Padres National Forest, about dents in Santa Barbara County tials. Third, it is necessary to raise the industrial complex to a new level. Tehran. “If you are the guarantors been a source. (AP) we continue to look for people 110 miles (180 km) north of Los were ordered. (BBC) Fourth, we need to develop transport and logistics infrastructure," he said. "Fifth, we should develop application of modern technologies in construction and housing-communal complex. Sixth, to "reload" the financial sector. Seventh is a new quality of human capital. Eighth, is effective state ruling. Ninth is supremacy of law. (Trend) Trump's inner circle escapes televised grillings on Russia Among the most memorable quotes from a new tell-all book about the Trump White House is Steve Bannon’s prediction that President Donald Trump’s oldest son would be hauled before Congress and grilled on live television about his contacts with Russians. “They’re going to crack Don Junior like an egg on Tajik, Uzbek PMs to national TV,” Trump’s former political guru told Michael Wolff in his explosive new book, “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House.” But frustrated Democrats now say they’ve all but given up on their past vows to question the younger Trump before a national audience. The same goes for several other key Trump discuss demarcation insiders whom, Democrats complain, Republicans have hidden from the klieg lights in order to protect the president. Despite lawmakers’ pledges last year that other top Trump associates would also be questioned in open hearings before the cameras, none have done so — and, given talk among congressional Republicans of wrapping up their investigations, it looks increasingly likely they will not. The most reliable politics of borders newsletter. By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or alerts from POLITICO. You can unsubscribe at any time. Democrats say that deprives the public of a clearer understanding of the unfolding Dushanbe will host meetings of two Tajik-Uzbek intergovern- Russia saga. It also means Trump allies who have been allowed to speak privately behind closed doors — mental commissions on delimitation and demarcation of bor- often with staffers instead of the lawmakers themselves — have avoided the sort of spectacle that can make ders, Tajik media reported. The delegations of Tajikistan and political history. Some of the most indelible moments from past scandals, like Watergate and Iran-Contra, Uzbekistan, headed by Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kohir Rasul- occurred during televised appearances from insiders. (Reuters) zoda and his Uzbek counterpart Abdullah Aripov, will take part in the meetings. The talks will be held within the framework of the working visit of Aripov to Dushanbe. Aripov is expected to meet with Tajik Cybersecurity threat on the rise, President Emomali Rahmon. The parties are expected to discuss not only the disputable part of the borders, but also bilateral even non-ITcompanies not spared economic cooperation, as well as the preparation of the official HYDERABAD: With India being and Services Companies (NASS- Year 2017, proved to be difficult visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Dushanbe. The ranked fourth globally among the COM). According to experts, even even for city-based companies, said length of the state border of Tajikistan with Uzbekistan is 1332.9 countries most affected by ran- non-IT companies in the city to- experts. "While ransomware at- kilometers. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, about 20 per- somware, cybersecurity continues day are falling prey to ransomware tacks used to happen sporadically cent of the line of the Tajik-Uzbek state border has been left to be one of the most pressing chal- and Petya malware attacks. As per earlier, in the year 2017, there were undivided. lenges faced by companies today, the NASSCOM report, organiza- a spate of ransomware attacks (AKpress) shows a report published by the tions are becoming more vulnera- across the country and in Hydera- National Association of Software ble to fraud and privacy breaches . bad as well. We also noticed that THURSDAY. JANUARY 11, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

The Philippines posted a record trade deficit in November as im- ports from machines to steel and iron climbed while exports faltered, adding pressure on the currency. The trade deficit was $3.8 billion, preliminary data from the Philip- pine Statistics Authority showed on Wednesday. That is the widest since at least 1980, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Pres- ident Rodrigo Duterte’s $180 bil- lion infrastructure program is boosting demand for imports of machines and raw materials with the central bank forecasting a third consecutive annual current-ac- count deficit in 2018, removing a key pillar of support for the cur- rency. “2018 is supposed to be a banner year for government infra- structure projects,” said Emilio Neri, an economist at Bank of the Philippine Islands in Manila. “It should again translate to further ex- pansion in capital importation. The percent to 50.34 against the dollar in Manila. The currency is down 1.7 percent in the past 12 months, the adjustment that will follow is on worst performer in Asia, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. the currency.” The peso fell 0.1 (AP)

Egypt’s agriculture ministry has officially brought its policy on common grain fungus ergot into line with other government agen- Bahrain raised gasoline cies, in a move traders hope will prices on Monday to end long-running confusion over import requirements at the world’s bring them closer to in- biggest wheat buyer. “We want to ternational levels, state reassure our suppliers,” Hamed news agency BNA re- Abdel Dayem, spokesman for the ministry, told Reuters on Thurs- ported, quoting the Na- day, confirming its new decree. tional Oil and Gas Au- Reuters reported late on Wednes- a decree by the prime minister put ago. Other Egyptian officials and thority. day the new decree, dated Dec. an end to the crisis by enforcing bodies followed a different speci- 12, stated that any wheat with an the common international 0.05 per- fication issued in 2010 by the Octane 91 sold for 140 ergot content above 0.05 percent cent tolerance level over the strict- Egyptian Organization for Stan- fils (37 U.S. cents) a li- would be rejected, while ship- er zero tolerance policy practiced dardization and Quality allowing tre, up from 125 fils, ments infected below that level by agricultural inspectors. The trace levels of up to 0.05 percent, would be treated and accepted. root of the problem was a 2001 the common worldwide standard while Octane 95 sold for This fixes a discrepancy in regula- regulation used by the country’s and the one stipulated by Egypt’s 200 fils, up from 160 fils. tions governing the work of the agriculture quarantine inspectors grain-importing body, the General Prices will remain agricultural quarantine agency, which stipulated, until this week’s Authority for Supply Commodi- which falls under the agriculture decree, a zero tolerance for ergot. ties (GASC). The agriculture min- among the lowest in the ministry. Confusion over Egypt’s That regulation had remained un- istry’s latest decree changes that. world. ergot policy wreaked havoc on changed despite the prime minis- “This means officially by the law, (WP) global grain markets in 2016 until ter’s decree issued more than a year there should. (Alarabiya) Greek economic, industrial think-tank

The growth of the global economy appears to have peaked, according to sees a new report from the World Bank. The report shows a lack of invest- ments, a slowdown in productivity and tightening monetary policy. Although the bank has raised its projection for global growth from 2.7 improved percent to 3 percent, it warned that the acceleration in growth would be temporary unless governments implemented structural reforms to raise long-term growth potential. This is in spite of the fact that it has revised estimates upwards for both 2018 and 2019. “Focus should now turn to economic the structural policies needed to boost longer-term productivity and living standards,” said the report. The World Bank’s lead economist Franziska Ohnsorge said: “It would be the slowest decade of potential climate growth since [the World Bank's dataset began in] the mid-nineties.” This could have serious repercussions for investors and for borrowers, she The Foundation for Economic and warned. The World Bank has predicted that advanced economies (as a Industrial Research (IOBE) has group) are expected to slow in the coming years as they run up against found that the economic climate full employment and as central bankers raise rates to contain inflation. indicator improved in December, Growth in advanced economies is expected to slow from 2.3 percent 2017, largely because of a rise in- last year to 2.2 percent this year and 1.7 percent by 2020. Emerging and dustrial output and consumer con- developing economies, which grew by 4.3 percent as a group last year, fidence in Greece. The economic are also likely to slow and contribute less to global growth. Geopolitical climate rose to 101 points in De- tensions and an upsurge in protectionism which could stop trade growth cember, compared to 98.4 points from recovering and undermine GDP are also among the potential risks in November, 2017. The 2.6 point for the global economic expansion. According to Ohnsorge, stock mar- rise comes on the heels of a two- kets are at levels similar to those seen before the Wall Street Crash of month decline, and it is the best 1929. Bond markets are assuming that low inflation will keep official performance since November, borrowing costs down, she said. “There is a sense in which financial 2014. Overall, the economic cli- markets appear to be complacent. That makes room for disruption mate index for 2017 was higher than when there are surprises – a repricing of risk.” (BBC) it was in 2016 (96.2 points as com- pared to 91.8 in 2016), which is in line with the positive annual growth rate. As for specific sec- tors of the economy, the station- ary construction and services in- Surge in foreign fund inflows dices, and the fall of retail trade, A package of handouts to Saudi citizens to compensate them for cost of were offset by the rise in industry living increases will cost the government about 50 billion riyals ($13.3 and consumer confidence. Less un- billion) this year, the information minister was quoted as saying on certainty about economic course Sunday. "The allocation of 50 billion riyals for this decree indicates the sets stage for Egyptian boom The improved economic out- leadership's concern for the people's comfort and quality of living," look in December reflects the rela- Minister of Culture and Information Awwad bin Saleh Alawwad told tive limiting of uncertainty regard- the Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. On Saturday, King Sal- Encouraged by Egypt’s economic reforms, a major gas find, streamlined business ing the course of the economy and man ordered a monthly payment of 1,000 riyals to state employees rules and a devalued currency, investors are increasingly optimistic about pros- the completion of the third evalu- over the year in compensation for the rising cost of living after Riyadh pects for the North African country after years of political turmoil. Foreign hold- ation of the current fiscal adjust- hiked gasoline prices and introduced value-added tax. Pensioners and ings of Treasury bills hit a record high in December, foreign inflows into the stock ment programme, without the soldiers will also be given bonuses, while the government will bear the market last year were the highest since 2010 and direct investment by foreign lengthy delays of previous evalu- cost of VAT in some situations, such as the first purchase of a home. firms and private equity funds is on the rise again. Key for many longer-term ations by creditors. Improved out- Alawwad also repeated previous government statements indicating Riy- foreign investors are the natural gasfields that have come on stream in the last few look in industry is linked to im- adh would spend 30 billion riyals this year on the Citizens Account, a months, including the offshore Zohr field, whose estimated 30 trillion cubic feet proved exports performance. The household allowance scheme designed to reduce the impact of austerity makes it the largest in the Mediterranean. rise in consumer confidence. policies on low and middle-income Saudi families. (AFP) (AP) THURSDAY. JANUARY 11, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

A French court has ordered that furniture to be seized. The couple lawyer for the couple said they nied having a Paris apartment. “It’s apartment nor has rented one. Bollywood actor Mallika Shera- began renting the apartment in the were in financial difficulty. The absolutely not true, if someone has “I have said it before and I am wat be evicted from an apartment pricey 16th district on January 1, lawyer emphasised the “irregular” donated one to me, please send me saying it again, I do not own or in a posh part of Paris for failing 2017, for a monthly sum of 6,054 nature of Sherawat’s work – an the address,” she tweeted in re- rent any apartment in Paris! I have to keep up with the rent. In a De- euros. Mallika Sherawat denies argument dismissed by the own- sponse to media reports about the been in Los Angeles and India since cember 14 ruling seen by AFP on marriage and being kicked out of ers of the apartment who claimed case. The couple may appeal the last eight months,” Mallika tweet- Tuesday, the court told Sherawat Paris apartment But according to she had earned tens of millions eviction order. Sherawat, on the ed on Wednesday morning. “I do and her French husband Cyrille the owner they never paid the during the rental period. Neither other hand has debunked rumours not live in Paris, please do not Auxenfans to pay 78,787 euros rent, making only a single payment Sherawat nor Auxenfans replied to about being thrown out from her spread false rumours!” she added. ($94,000) in rent owed and expens- of 2,715 euros. At a hearing in a AFP‘s request for comment. In flat in Paris for failing to pay rent They cannot be thrown out until es, giving the green light for their Paris court on November 14, a mid-December the actor had de- and says that she does not own an March 31. (Tribune)

Actor Saif Ali Khan says that his people,” he said. I was almost part wife Kareena Kapoor Khan has of Kareena Kapoor starrer ‘Veere many adorable qualities. “There are Di Wedding’: Emmad Irfani “She so many adorable qualities about understands all of this. She always her (Kareena) like time manage- wanted to be an actor and I think ment, organization, fitness, disci- she will be great. We worry about Jumanji, following four teens who find pline and she is very patient also,” children as this profession has so themselves inside the video game world said Saif while talking about Ka- much drama to it. So I had thought reena at the promotional interviews she will do some normal job be- of Jumanji, has grossed more than $500 of his forthcoming film Kaalakaan- cause she is brilliant student, but I million (Rs 31,752,500,000) worldwide. di. Saif and his ex-wife Amrita guess nobody wants that (normal Singh’s daughter Sara Ali Khan is job),” added Saif. Saif Ali Khan has making her Bollywood debut with completed 25 years in the indus- Abhishek Kapoor’s film Kedar- try and he finds his journey inter- Sony’s family-oriented movie Ju- continued to slow in North Amer- nath and the actor says that he has esting. “As far as my acting jour- manji: Welcome to the Jungle ica, totaling $23.7 million (Rs given many advices to the young ney is concerned, in these 25 years, roared into first place this week- 1,506,253,500) in its fourth week. face. “I have given her so many it has been interesting, full of ups end in North American theatres as Star Wars: The Last Jedi has pieces of advice. I told her to be and downs and learning constant- horror film Insidious edged into been directed by Rian Johnson. honest and to find what is special ly,” he said. second past a slipping Star Wars The space saga stars Daisy inside her and not to be like other (Tribune) installment, final data show. Ju- Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver manji, starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ and two members of the series’ Johnson and funnymen Jack Black original cast, Mark Hamill as Luke and Kevin Hart, netted an impres- Skywalker and the late Carrie Fish- sive $37 million (Rs er as Princess Leia. Fourth place 2,349,685,000) for the three-day went to Fox’s The Greatest Show- weekend, bringing its domestic to- man, a “good old-fashioned corn- tal to $246 million (Rs ball PG musical” (so says 15,624,813,000) in its third week Variety.com) about larger-than-life out, said website Exhibitor Rela- circus impresario PT Barnum. tions. The film, following four With the popular Hugh Jackman teens who find themselves inside in the lead role, the film took in the video game world of Jumanji, $13.8 million (Rs 876,927,900) in has grossed more than $500 mil- its third week, down only slightly Agnyaathavaasi has collected Rs 160 crore world through theatrical lion (Rs 31,752,500,000) world- from the previous week. And in wide and opens in the huge Chi- fifth was another musical, Pitch rights, satellite rights and music rights. The film now holds the nese market next weekend. Direct- Perfect 3, a Universal sequel that record for second highest pre-release collection after Baahubali 2. ed by Adam Robitel, Insidious: The took in $10.3 million (Rs Last Key, is the fourth installment 654,518,650) in its third week. The in the Insidious franchise. In sec- movie’s cast, led by Anna Ken- Pawan Kalyan’s Agnyaathavaasi is crore at the box office to be con- er in Telugu film industry. The ond place was Universal’s newly drick, follows the continuing ad- set to release for Sankranti (Janu- sidered a hit. If the movie were to music has received rave reviews so released Insidious: The Last Key, ventures of glee singers the Bellas. ary 10) and there is a lot buzz collect any less than Rs 84 crore, far. The film also stars Keerthy with a take of $29.6 million (Rs Rounding out the top 10 were: around this film. So much so, the it would be termed a flop. A lot is Suresh and Anu Emmanuel in lead 1,881,228,000). The horror film, Ferdinand ($7.7 million {Rs film’s pre-release business has set riding on the success of this film roles, while Khusbu, Boman Irani the fourth installment in the Insid- 489,300,350}) a record of sorts. According to for Pawan Kalyan. His last film, and Aadhi Pinisetty play pivotal ious franchise, stars Lin Shaye and Molly’s Game ($6.9 million Andhraboxoffice.com, the film has Katamarayudu did not make a dent roles in the film directed by Triv- Angus Sampson and follows a {Rs 438,463,950}) collected Rs 160 crore world at the box office. In fact, it was ikram Srinivas. The film is bank- parapsychologist investigating a Darkest Hour ($6.1 million through theatrical rights, satellite reported that the film, which was rolled by Haarika & Hassine Cre- haunting in her childhood home. {Rs 387,868,500}) rights and music rights. The film a remake of Ajith’s Veeram in ations. Pawan Kalyan has also lent News for third-place Star Wars: Coco ($5.4 million {Rs now holds the record for second Tamil, had only recovered approx- his voice for a special song, The Last Jedi was mixed: the lat- 343,145,700}) highest pre-release collection after imately 70% of its cost. Ag- “Kodaka Koteeswara Rao” solely est in the hugely popular series has All the Money in the World Baahubali 2. It is also stated that nyaathavaasi also marks the debut to promote his film. now taken in $1.2 billion (Rs ($3.6 million {Rs 228,771,000}) the film needs to collect Rs 125 of composer Anirudh Ravichand- (Hindustan Times) 76,218,600,000) worldwide, but it (Hindustan Times)

Writer lyricist Amitosh Nagpal up dekhne jaa rahi hai, aisa na ho humour. When I see relationships interesting),” he says. A scene from doesn’t want the young generation ki theatre se kat ke rahe (People these days, mujhe lagta hai duniya the a performance of Talli Tues- to be disconnected from the fasci- are leaning towards stand-up com- thodi talli ho gayi hai (laughs). Pe- day. ‘Pehle milte hain toh selfie le nating world of theatre. The writ- edy these days. I don’t want the hle milte hain toh selfie le rahe hote rahe hote hain, phir baat nahin er-lyricist, who got noticed with new audience to be disconnected hain, phir baat nahin karte, aur sab karte, aur sab complicate ho jata Piya Behrupiya, a Hindi musical from the world of theatre),” he complicate ho jata hai. Badi maze- hai’ With films such as Hindi Me- adaptation of Shakespeare’s says. The performance fuses dar double standard wali cheezein dium (2017) and Oye Lucky Lucky Twelfth Night, wants to rid the- stand-up comedy and theatre. The hain logon ke beech. It also explores Oye (2008) to his credit, the lyri- atre of the ‘serious’ tag, with his play is about a series of blind dates how different strata of society are cist from Hisar (Haryana) believes latest Talli Tuesday performance that take place over a dating app reacting to new technology, and that direction and writing are ex- in Gurgaon and Delhi. “Theatre ke called Talli Tuesday. Written and how digital things are making us tensions to being an actor, which saath taboo juda hua hai, ki theatre directed by Amitosh, the play high- lonely in a way (at first, people he wanted to be, as a child. hai toh bada serious hoga, which lights how dating and chatting apps meet and click selfies, then stop “[Growing up] I was one duffer only certain people can go and have made romantic relationships talking, and make it complicated. saying ‘Hero banna hai’. understand. Ab jo audience stand- more amusing. “It’s very relatable The double standards are rather (Hindustan Times) Race 3 team starts shooting for the first song

Salman Khan starrer 'Race 3' begin the shoot for the first song for the Ramesh Taurani shared the news most awaited films. film. Filmmaker Ramesh Taurani took to Twitter to announce the com- on Twitter saying, "Shooting our The audience would be up for a treat to witness Superstar Salman Khan mencement of shoot. Featuring Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez, first song on #race3 with my Di- back in the action avatar post the humungous success of his blockbuster it will definitely be intriguing to witness the duo shaking a leg together rector and the best Choreographer film Tiger Zinda Hai. After the first look of Salman Khan and the leaked after the chartbuster 'Jumme Ki Raat'. Remo D'Souza will not only be in the country @remodsouza Star- image of Anil Kapoor, the audience is highly anticipating to witness the directing the film but also choreographing the first song. After the ring an ensemble cast of Salman action thriller. blockbuster hit 'Kick', Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez will be Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Anil Produced by Salman Khan Films and Ramesh Taurani under the banner reuniting on screen for the first time with 'Race 3'. Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Saquib Sal- of Tips Films, Race 3 is directed by Remo D'souza and will hit theatres Fans of the kick Jodi are more than excited to watch Salman Khan and eem and Daisy Shah, the action on Eid 2018. Jacqueline Fernandez feature on the silver screen together yet again. thriller is undoubtedly one of the (Santa Banta) THURSDAY. JANUARY 11, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Trevor Bayliss gives backing toJames

ames Vince and Mark Stoneman look set to Vinceand have all seen it... he's looked as comfort- keep their places in the side after head coach able as anyone in the runs he has scored JTrevor Bayliss said the pair deserved "an- here but just makes a mistake and gets out. other couple of games". Vince and Stoneman "They have been similar each time and that struggled in England's 4-0 Ashes series defeat in Mark frustrates him more than any of us. That is Australia, with both averaging in the mid-twen- something he has to work on." Bayliss an- ties and scoring just four half-centuries between nounced on Tuesday he would step down them. England play New Zealand across March from his role when his contract expires in and April in a two-Test series with the squad Stoneman September 2019, but he said he was will- due to be announced on Wednesday. "It gets ing to blood youngsters before he departs down to when is the time to move on and per- so as he can leave England in as healthy a sonally I think people like Stoneman and Vince state as possible. "It has never been about probably get another couple of games to show aheadof me," Bayliss added. "It is about the team us what they've got," Bayliss said. "I think at you are working for and making them as times during this series against what is probably good as possible in the future. "If in four close to the best bowling attack in the world in New years' time the away Ashes series is our their home conditions, they have shown they holy grail then you are better off making can play a bit. "I think they have done enough some changes well in advance and giving without anyone really pushing them from be- some of those guys time to bed themselves hind and they probably deserve another oppor- Zealand into the team rather than waiting a couple tunity." Vince, in particular, has come in for crit- of years and giving them 12 months' expe- icism after he was repeatedly caught out playing rience. "If that means we happen to lose at wide balls outside his off-stump. Bayliss ac- one or two series because of that experi- Bristol City may have lost to the Premier League teams that have something we work on an awful knowledged Vince's need to improve, saying: "We ence, that's what we've got to put up with." Manchester City on Tuesday come to Man City," Johnson re- lot. There was a lot of good foot- series night, but their 2-1 defeat in the vealed to Sky Sports. It was im- ball played at times. Individuals first leg of their Carabao Cup semi- possible to argue. Bristol City led stuck to their task, they didn't get final still showed that there was at the break and it was no fluke. beaten by one-twos. I thought another way of playing against the They had three shots on target in they showed the confidence. They Premier League’s runaway leaders. that first 45 minutes to the home weren't frightened to be on the Thomas Lee Johnson's Championship side side's two and it was one of them, ball." The stats tell that tale. Bris- took the game to Pep Guardiola's Bobby Reid's opener from the tol City finished up with 32 per team at times. In doing so, they spot, that highlighted the wisdom cent of possession. If that doesn't put many others to shame. That of their approach. The visitors sound too much then perhaps a Bjorn was the view of the Manchester were rewarded for pressing little context is required. That is City boss himself after needing a Eliaquim Mangala high up the more than any bottom half Pre- Sergio Aguero header in stoppage pitch, winning possession and mier League team has seen of the time just to go back to Ashton Gate forcing a John Stones error. "In the ball at the Etihad Stadium this sea- expects with the slenderest of leads. "Pep lead up to our goal the pressing son. In fact, it is more than any Guardiola just said to me that we was absolutely amazing by our bottom half Premier League team played better than the majority of players," added Johnson. "It's has seen against them anywhere. close contest Great Britain'sWinter at Olympicsteamchallengedto EurAsia secureat least fivemedals Cup

Great Britain's team for the Win- bronze medal from the four-man style snowboarding competition. ter Olympics has been challenged bobsleigh team. UK Sport has UK Sport Chair Dame to break a medal-winning record more than doubled investment in Katherine Grainger explains why by UK Sport. UK Sport has set a winter sports since Sochi, putting it has set Team GB such a large target of at least five medals from up a total of £32m over the four medal target for next month's Win- the team heading to Pyeongchang years leading up to the 2018 ter Olympics in South Korea in South Korea for the Games, Games. Lizzy Yarnold was Brit- Yarnold, who has struggled which begin on February 9. The ain's sole gold medal winner in this season, has been given a top- British team equalled its 1924 Russia four years ago, while Dav- eight target for 2018 along with record haul of four medals at the id Murdoch's men's curling team team-mate Laura Deas. Short-track 2008 Winter Olympics in Sochi, won a silver and Eve Muirhead's speedskating star Elise Christie although that could rise to five be- women's team claimed bronze - the and her team-mates have been giv- cause of the Russian doping scan- fourth medal was a bronze from en a target of one-to-two medals. dal potentially adding a further Jenny Jones in the women's slope- (Sky Sport) Amir Khan will announce his plans to return to the boxing ring in 2018 on Wednesday. The 31-year-old, who has not fought since losing to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in May 2016, will be making a major announcement at the Dorchester Hotel, Mayfair, London. The former unified world champion was most recently in the public eye when he appeared on ITV programme 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here' in the latter half of 2017. In November last year, Khan said he still wants a fight with Kell Brook, but admitted they both need Thomas Bjorn has warned his Eu- to rebuild their careers with wins before settling their long-running rivalry. Khan has previously said he Cameron ropean team not to underestimate wants his next fight to be in the UK. the strength of Asia ahead of this (Sky Sport) week's EurAsia Cup in Malaysia. Bjorn believes Arjun Atwal's side Norrie is possibly the strongest they have fielded since the inaugural staging of the event in 2014, which ended wins in a thrilling 10-10 draw. The Dane has six former Ryder Cup players in his team along with reigning Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleet- Australian wood and rising stars Tyrrell Hat- ton and Paul Dunne, while Paul Casey returns to team competition Open for Europe for the first time since Cloudy Dream is likely to be back 2008. Darren Clarke captained Eu- in action next month as connec- rope to a comprehensive 13-point tions aim to find him a suitable qualifying victory in the last EurAsia Cup opportunity to return to winning two years ago, but Bjorn is expect- ways. Malcolm Jefferson's Grade ing a much closer contest in Kuala Two-winning grey was runner-up first round Lumpur this week. "It is an event to Altior in the Arkle Trophy at that is growing. We come here with Cameron Norrie safely progressed to the second round of Australian a good team and I'm excited to stand the Cheltenham Festival last sea- Open qualifying on Wednesday with a three-set victory over Filip Peli- son and has finished second on at the head of that team," said wo. The 22-year-old, ranked 112 in the world, defeated his Canadian match Bjorn."As an individual golfer, each of his three starts this term. opponent 6-1 6-7 6-4 to book a second-round match with Australian The eight-year-old most recently you're out there representing your- John-Patrick Smith. Fellow Briton Liam Broady crashed out in the first self all the time, and sometimes you chased home Definitly Red at Ain- round after losing 5-7 6-3 7-6 (5/7) to Matteo Berrettini. Broady's sister, tree in early December on what was against lose track of that a little bit; you Naomi, is set to face Liechtenstein's Kathinka von Deichmann in the represent so much more than your- his first appearance over three first round of qualifying for the women's singles draw. Elsewhere in miles. Ruth Jefferson, the North self. "This week, these players rep- men's qualifying, Nicolas Mahut suffered a shock exit in the opening resent themselves, but they also Yorkshire handler's daughter and round of qualifying with a straight-sets defeat to Serb Danilo Petrovic. Filip assistant, said: "He's just had a lit- represent Europe and the Europe- The former world No 37, who has won both the Wimbledon and US an Tour, and they represent their tle break to freshen up but he'll be Open doubles title, lost 7-6 (4-7) 6-3. (BBC Sport) ready to run again in February. own countries. (Sky Sport) "There are a few options we are Peliwo looking at, without wanting to pin anything down. "I'm sure he'll get three miles on good ground. It was Team Sky's Luke Rowe defies predictions and returns to training very testing at Aintree that day he ran- as testing as it's been there for Team Sky's Luke Rowe is not putting a timetable on a racing comeback season, by joining his Team Sky colleagues in Mallorca, but he is still a while. "He's got some Chelten- after returning to training only four months after breaking his leg in 20 not thinking too far ahead. "So far it's been fairly plain sailing," Rowe ham (Festival) entries over two places. The Welshman suffered the gruesome injury in an accident jump- said. "Being out here with all the lads, getting back to it - I love it. I'm and a half and three miles, so we'll ing into a river while whitewater rafting in August and was even warned obviously not training as hard as them or doing the same hours they are, see how his next run goes." by surgeons that he might never be able to race again. Rowe has defied but doing a bit of what they're doing and being a part of the whole scene (Sky Sport) that outlook, as well as talk he could have to miss the entire 2018 here is sweet. (BBC Sport) THURSDAY . JANUARY 11. 2018-Jadi 21, 1396 H.S Vol:XI Issue No: 165 Price: Afs.20

AT News Report

KABUL: The court of Criminal Justice Task Force (CJTF) on resident Ghani has directed the responsible Wednesday said that 16 drug administrations and departments to use all their trafficker arrested in the past one week. CJTF in a press statement facilities to effectively implement the polio said that said that 16 smugglers eradication program. were apprehended by Counter Narcotics Police through different crackdown in various provinces and were handed over to CJTF for criminal proceedings. Nine smugglers were arrested in different crackdown in Hamid Karzai international airport in Special Inspector General for Kabul, who planned to transfer Afghanistan John Sopko over 7.439 kg heroines to India, added statement. Statement said The Defense Department’s now- that that the investigation is going defunct business task force for on over the dossier of the all indicts rebuilding war-torn Afghanistan by the CJTF, which after examining has again been found to have the evidences and arguments from ineffectively spent its budget, both sides the CJTF will convict devoting more than half of $675 the accused traffickers, added million in contract obligations to statement. The remained seven indirect or support costs and drug traffickers were arrested from favoring sole-source providers, a Kabul, Herat, Baghlan, and watchdog found. Kandahar provinces. Some 9 kg The Special Inspector General heroin, over 18 kg morphine, over Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on be considered and also a clear and for Afghanistan Reconstruction on 25kg opium and 69 kg hashish a Wednesday in meeting with Public comprehensive analysis must be Tuesday released its latest critique discovered and seized from the Health Ministry officials called for done in this regard. The statement of the Pentagon’s Task Force for By Farhad Naibkhel arrested smugglers, noted the the full elimination of polio across further said that in order to Business and Stability Operations, statement. All the convicted drug the country, a Presidential Palace effectively implement and expedite which worked from 2010-2014 to KABUL: Members of the Wolesi traffickers would have defense statement said. According to the the polio eradication program, hire companies to help the Afghans Jirga (Lower House) of the attorneys for their legal defense and statement, during the meeting Ghani has directed the relevant with economic development in Parliament on Wednesday reacted will be convicted after separate Ghani listened to the health authorities, in particular the such areas as mining, irrigation and to President Ashraf Ghani’s recent judicial trials based on the evidence officials reports on developments Independent Directorate of Local banking. That body was disbanded remakes, saying that they won’t brought before the court and the and challenges ahead of the polio Governance (IDLG), to take in 2015, with many of its projects get to the ministries, but the cabinet Counter Narcotics law of implementation program. Ghani serious and urgent action in incomplete or turned over to the must come to the parliament to Afghanistan. said that challenges must be coordination with local authorities. State Department and the U.S. identified, and remote areas should (ToloNews) Agency for International address the issues. President Development. » Get the best Ghani on Tuesday during federal news and ideas delivered graduation of police cadets warned right to your inbox. Sign up here. lawmakers to refrain from The new IG findings show that interfering in recruitment process “from the start, [the task force’s] in the ministries. President said goals were at odds with its that if lawmakers caught in capabilities, and its role within the interference in recruitment process U.S. reconstruction effort was in the ministries, their interference Deputy minister of haj and unclear.” The unit’s documentation will be filmed and shared to media. religious affairs, Daiulhaq Abid, of goals and progress was often “Our massage to the government that “we don’t need to refer to the on time. Lawmakers Obaidullah and former member of Balkh lax, and “DoD was unable to is that we won’t go to the ministries, but we are obliged due Barekzai called president remark provincial council, Asif Mohmand provide reliable data showing the ministries anymore, but the challenges faced our people.” He insulting to the members of were sentenced to imprisonment extent to which TFBSO projects cabinets must come to the also called on the commission to parliament. on Wednesday. created jobs, facilitated foreign parliament to address the issues,” summon ministers and asses their He said that parliament must make Abdul Rahman Ahmadzai, a direct investments, increased said Speaker of the Lower House cadets politician to understand a procedure and summon ministers exports, or increased Afghan former director at the ministry of Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi. He said that wheatear balance considering in to the commission in order to haj was also improsnment. government revenues,” SIGAR hiring and firing or no. Lawmaker address people challenges. found. Of more than $675 million the authorities were given to the They were sentenced to the unit obligated to contracts, less legislators based on law no one has Zahir Qadir said that if we don’t Number of legislators also blamed imprisonment of between 3 and 5 than half was spent “directly on the right to limit their authorities. to the ministries people won’t be presidential and Sapidar palace years by Afghanistan Anti- projects” in Afghanistan, going We are not soldier of any organs, able to meet deputies and ministers with nepotism. Corruption Justice Centre in Kabul instead to support services. Only but representatives of people, so and solve their problems. He said They claimed that currently 15,000 on charges of forgery and misuse 22 percent of the $316.3 million no organs or figure has the right to that instead of lawmakers personals are working in of authority. Ahmadzai was obligated on contracts for direct express such remarks regarding president must warn ministers and Presidential and Sapidar palace present during the court session Mohmand were absent. Wahid and case and who are being hunted by support “fully met...P2 lawmakers, he added. He stated deputies to address people issues with high salaries. while the other two Abid and Sher Aqa are also involved in the the police. (1tvnews.)

HERAT: A suicide bomber, allegedly planning to involved in the killing of 36 people him for months. He didn’t provide hit a mosque, was arrested by intelligence officials in Ghor province. He said the man further information about the in western Herat province on Tuesday, bringing to was arrested by the National alleged suicide bomber, but added an end a months-long pursuit, an official said. Directorate of Security (NDS) he had the plan to strike inside a Jilani Farhard, the governor’s spokesman, told personnel in the second police main mosque in the city. Pajhwok Afghan News the detainee had been district of Herat city after chasing (Pajhwok)