Eye on the News [email protected] Truthful, Factual and Unbiased Vol:XI Issue No:186 Price: Afs.20

www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes THURSDAY . FEBRUARY 01. 2018 -Dalwa 12, 1396 HS

AT News Report

KABUL: The court of Criminal Justice Task Force (CJTF) on Wednesday said that 18drug trafficker arrested in the past one week. CJTF in a press statement said that said that 18 smugglers were apprehended by Counter Narcotics Police through different crackdown in various provinces By Farhad Naibkhel He said that the Afghan He said that Afghan security one Kerghezistan Citizen and nine and were handed over to CJTF for delegation carried with their selves officials will meet with the Ukraine citizen and 12 wounded. Kabul: Afghan Interior Minister criminal proceedings. Two some documents and witness to Pakistan military Also the second attack in Sadarat smugglers were arrested in Wais Ahmad Barmak and prove that the recent attacks in leadership.Likewise Afghan square near old building of Intelligence Chief Masoom different crackdown in Hamid Kabul was masterminded by Ambassador in Islamabad Omar Ministry of Interior left 103 dead Karzai international airport in Stanekzai left Kabul to Islamabad terrorists from Pakistan soil. Zakhilwal in his Face book page and 235 wounded mostly civilians. on Wednesday to share documents Kabul, who planned to transfer He said after sharing confirmed arrival of the Afghan Kabul has long accused Islamabad heroin to India, the statement and witnesses regarding Kabul documents the delegation will ask delegation and said that they will of sheltering and supporting anti- attacks with Pakistan officials. added. Statement said that that Pakistan to hand over the meet Pakistan prime minister and government armed goups that fight the investigation is going on over “Interior Minister Wais perpetrators of the recent Kabul the military leadership. in Afghanistan, an accusation Ahmad Barmak and National the dossier of the all indicts by the attacks to Afghan government. It is pertained to mention that repeatedly denied by Pakistani CJTF, which after examining the Directorate of Security Head Secondly the delegation will in past two week two bloody authorities. The government of Masoom Stanekzai reached to evidences and arguments from ask Pakistan to take step against attacks took place in Kabul. The Afghanistan claims that Taliban both sides the CJTF will convict Islamabad Pakistan to share all those terrorist groups located first one was attack on and Haqqani network are based in documents about recent attacks in the accused traffickers, added in Pakistan and are threat for intercontinental luxury hotel Pakistani soil and enjoy arms and statement. The remained 16 drug Kabul,” Said Spokesman for Chief Afghanistan’s security and attack in 20 January, which left 18 financial support by the Pakistan’s Executive Office Jawid Faisal. traffickers were arrested from stability, he added. dead including one Greece Citizen, intelligence agency. Kabul, Herat, Ghor, Parwan, Nangarhar, Balkh, Jawzjan and Faryab provinces. Some 131 kg heroin, over 823kg opium, 3691 kg hashish, 122 liters acid and 250 liters alcoholic beverages discovered and seized from the arrested smugglers, noted the statement. All the convicted drug traffickers would have defense attorneys for their legal defense KABUL : Czech Defence Minister and will be convicted after separate Pakistan’s foreign office said this week it handed over Karla Šlechtová has voiced her judicial trials based on the evidence Taliban and Haqqani prisoners in November last year. country’s commitment to brought before the court and the Afghanistan, saying they are ready Counter Narcotics law of The Afghan government rejected report, Faisal said Pakistan to ramp up the number of its Afghanistan. reports on Wednesday that continues to push any suspected military personnel in the war-hit Pakistan handed over 27 Taliban Afghan Taliban and Haqqani country. On her maiden trip to and Haqqani network prisoners to elements with a view to "prevent Kabul, the minister offered her Afghanistan last year. them from using our soil for any heartfelt condolences over the “Pakistan has not handed over terrorist activity in Afghanistan.” recent terrorist attacks in the any members of these groups,” a The suspected insurgents were capital. She said her visit was to credible source told TOLOnews. handed over to Afghanistan in reaffirm support for Afghanistan. This comes after a spokesman November 2017, he said. At a meeting with Chief for Pakistan’s Foreign Office Peace could not be achieved in Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah, she Mohammad Faisal claimed on Afghanistan in the past 17 years expressed her country’s Tuesday that Pakistan handed over despite the use of all sorts of willingness to train Afghan pilots. 27 individuals suspected of having weapons and ammunition, Faisal Her country might increase the FAIZABAD: Local officials on ties to Taliban and Haqqani said, adding that the Afghan conflict number of armed forces in terrorist groups that enjoyed safe reflected the commitment and Tuesday said two days of snowing network to Afghan officials last can only be addressed through Afghanistan, she suggested. havens in neighbouring Pakistan. cooperation of the Czechs. has blocked roads leading to 14 year. dialogue as the military strategy A statement from the CEO The minister visited the Relations between the two districts from northeastern According to a Dawn News has failed. (ToloNews) office quoted Karla Šlechtová as Bagram air base and the airport in nations were strong and enduring, Badakhshan province’s capital. saying that Czech troops were part Kabul, which Czech soldiers are Abdullah said, hailing the Sayed Abdullah Hamayon of the NATO-led mission to train, protecting. The Czech Republic European country as a special Dehqan, provincial natural advise and support Afghan has over 230 soldiers serving in friend of Afghanistan. Karla disasters management authority security personnel. Afghanistan. Slechtova recently took over as head, told Pajhwok Afghan News Speaking on the occasion, The CEO hailed the courage defence minister and her visit to that the disconnected districts Abdullah said the Afghans were of the visiting dignitary in current Kabul showed her commitment to included Yawan, Kohistan, fighting regional and international circumstances and said her visit Afghanistan. (Pajhwok) Raghistan, Khwahan, Nasi, Kufab, US President Donald Trump Shaki Maimi, Shahr-i-Buzurg and delivered his State of the Union Arghanj Khwah. He said roads of address in Washington DC on Zibak, Ishkashim, Wakhan and AT News Report inquiry. During these operations Tuesday and signed an executive Sheghnan districts had also been in the past 24 hours, Afghan order to keep Guantanamo Bay blocked with the provincial KABUL: At least 38 militants National and Defense Security prison in Cuba open. capital. One person was killed, were killed and 23 others were forces shelled and bombed the This decision is a reversal of four injured and as many missing wounded in different crackdowns enemies’ positions by artilleries his predecessor president Barack in snow avalanche incidents in within past 24 hours. and air force During these Obama's policy. Raghistan district and in Pas Pul In a press release issued here, operations, 26 Taliban fighters "Today I'm keeping another Ministry of Defense, (MoD) said were killed, 22 wounded and one area of Kohistan district on that Afghan National Army (ANA) arrested in Andar district of promise. I just signed an order Monday, Dehqan said. directing Secretary (James) in collaboration with Afghan Ghazni, 11 insurgents including a AT News Report government. We are in a poor Eng. Abdur Raouf Sayedi, National Police (ANP) and local commander were killed and Mattis... to reexamine our military condition. So what should we do? provincial public works director, National Directorate of Security 11 mines discovered and detention policy and to keep open KABUL: The government-backed Should we hand over the outposts said the Faizabad-Takhar highway (NDS) personal has conducted confiscated in Khakriz district of the detention facilities at Local Police force in the northern to Taliban and Daesh?” he told was temporarily closed due to joint operations against insurgents Kandahar, one rebels killed and Guantánamo Bay," Trump said in province of Sar-e-Pul threatened Radio Azadi, threatening to leave heavy snowfall last night. in different areas of Nangahar, another wounded in Nadali district his speech. to leave their outposts if they do their outposts if the government “Our clearing team is Laghman, Ghazni, Khost, of Helmand. In past 24 hours, "I am also asking the Congress not receive support from the continues not supporting them. dispatched to the area to spray salt Kandahar, Uruzgan, Zabul, 14 planed clearing operations, 20 to ensure that, in the fight against central government. Provincial police chief, Khalil on the iced part of the road and Faryab, Baghlan, Nimroz and Special Forces operations ISIS (Daesh) and al-Qaeda, we They say that the government Dastyar acknowledged the issue, this highway will be reopened until Helmand provinces. Statement conducted in 12 provinces; also, continue to have all necessary was not providing them with saying the problem referred to the said that in these operations 38 Air forces conducted 49 aerial ministry of interior. “They are 2pm today,” he said. power to detain terrorists -- foodstuff and fuel. He said Agharda Pass to border insurgents including a local operations supporting Afghan wherever we chase them down." Amanullah, commander of the right. Their expenses are high, but commander named Zubair were National army including two local police in the Sayyad district, the problem will remain until a districts had also been buried under "Terrorists who do things like place around three to four meters of thick killed and 23 others were injured. strikes on enemy’s sanctuaries. said they were ensuring security new contractor wins the bid with Afghan forces also arrested ANA discovered and confiscated bombs in civilian hospitals are evil. there with “very little” the ministry of interior. The snow but efforts were underway When possible, we annihilate them. to reopen the pass. (Pajhwok) one insurgent and handed over him weapons and ammunition in the possibilities, while the government complaints come at a time that to judicial organs for further operations as well. When necessary, we must be able has stopped supporting them for Taliban and Daesh terrorist group to detain and question them. But AT News Report six months. “We don’t know what have expanded attacks in Sar-e-Pul, we must be clear: Terrorists are not to do. We had borrowed flour, rice, threatening local people for their merely criminals. They are KABUL: The Independent cooking oil and firewood from the lives. In a mass attack on the unlawful enemy combatants. And Election Commission selected local shops and now they are over. Mirza Olang village of Sar-e-Pul, when captured overseas, they Golajan Abdul Badie Sayyad as the In this cold winter we have not Taliban and Daesh fighters killed should be treated like the terrorists new head, after a long time of lack received anything from the hundreds of the villagers last year. they are." Trump said: “In the past, of chief. “The commission leading we have foolishly released board selected Sayyad as the head hundreds of dangerous terrorists, and Wasima Badghisi as his he special inspector general said this was extremely worrying especially as it only to meet them again on the deputy,” an official of the comes amid an increase in insurgent influence in the country. battlefield – including the ISIS commission told Radio Azadi on (Daesh) leader, al-Baghdadi.” He Wednesday. Former head of the said the US troops in Afghanistan election commission Najibullah A new report released on Monday been one of the last remaining report stated that SIGAR was not also have new rules of engagement. Ahmadzai, was dismissed by NEILI: Local officials and increase. However, the almond states the US military is keeping publicly available indicators for given any justification for the new “Along with their heroic Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the gardeners in central Daikundi price had significantly dropped in information from the public that members of Congress ... and for restrictions. The SIGAR report partners, our military is no longer body was run by a caretaker for province report a 20 percent domestic markets. Each seven gauges the war in Afghanistan and the American public of how the stated that the “worrisome undermined by artificial timelines, almost three months. The increase almond production this kilograms of almond was sold gains made by insurgents. The US 16-year-long US effort to secure development” follows an increase and we no longer tell our enemies commission was blamed for not year, but complain about the dried against 1,000 afghanis last year but Defense Department has restricted Afghanistan is faring,” John of insurgent control or influence in our plans,” he said. Trump did being impartial in the 2014 fruit’s dropping price in the the current price was 700 afghanis. data on population figures and on Sopko, the special inspector Afghanistan. As such, the non- not however mention Pakistan in presidential election and political market. Sayed Abdul Wahid Ferozi, He said the almond market had what areas are held by either general, said in the report. This disclosure of information was of his speech despite the Trump opposition and analysts accused provincial agriculture, irrigation been bullish in Daikundi last year government or insurgents, the however is the first time that particular concern, SIGAR administration announcing earlier some top officials including former and livestock director, told when people made good earning Special Inspector General for SIGAR has been instructed not to reported. It also comes after this month that it would withhold head of the commission of fraud. Pajhwok Afghan News that almond from the business. Ali Danish, a Afghanistan Reconstruction release unclassified information in several other measures for gauging $255 million USD in aid to Political opposition parties insist production reached 24,000 metric farmer, told Pajhwok Afghan News (SIGAR) said in a report released one of its quarterly reports, Sopko the development and strength of Pakistan, based on the perception that an impartial person should be tons in Daikundi this year that fortunately almond on Tuesday. “The number of said, adding that the information Afghanistan’s security forces were that the country was harboring appointed as the head of the compared to last year’s 16,0000 production increased this year but districts controlled or influenced will instead be included in an annex blocked or restricted in the fall. terrorists. (ToloNews) election commission. metric tons, showing a 20 percent its price decreased. (Pajhwok) by the Afghan government had unavailable to the public. The (ToloNews) THURSDAY .FEBRUARY 01, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES MoD b last s sold ier s

KABUL : Afghanistan is asking pave the way for the return of failed addition, Germany, Sweden and agreements. Immigration and Customs the U.S. government to stop Afghan asylum seekers. In Finland have country-to-country When VOA asked U.S. Enforcement if the United States over deporting Afghan nationals, saying has such an agreement, spokesman it has no repatriation agreement Brendan Raedy provided a written with the United States. response: "International law "We did not sign any such obligates each country to accept agreements with the United States the return of its nationals ordered m ilit ar y of America," Ahmad Shekib removed from the United States. Mostaghni, spokesperson for the The United States itself routinely Afghanistan Ministry of Foreign cooperates with foreign Affairs, told the VOA Afghanistan governments in documenting and Service. If there were such an accepting its citizens when asked, b ase at t ack agreement, Mostaghni said, it as do the majority of countries in would have been made by the the world." efense Ministry says some security force nation's Ministry of Refugees and Afghan deportations members were negligent in their duties Repatriations, which he said Deportations from the U.S. which enabled insurgents to scale a wall handles all immigration issues. were down overall in 2017, but an and attack the military camp. "So, since they are not aware analysis of the data by National of such an agreement, I can Public Radio shows that if the officially confirm that we — Latin American countries — which MoFA — did not ink any deal with make up some 90 percent of the U.S in this regard," Mostaghni repatriations — are not counted, said. deportations to the rest of the Ministry of Refugees and world were up by 24 percent. Repatriations adviser Hafiz "Deportations to Brazil and Ahmad Miakhel also insisted that China jumped," NPR reported. his government has not approved a repatriation agreement and said "Removals of Somalis nearly the ministry is asking for a halt to doubled. Deportations to Ghana all deportations. "Ongoing war has and West Africa are up more than been forcing people to leave two times." Afghanistan," he said in an Afghanistan is no exception. interview. "We are a country still ICE statistics show the number of at war, and our people need to be Afghans deported rose sharply helped rather than deporting." last year from 14 in fiscal year 2016 The European Union entered to 48 in FY 2017. into a repatriation agreement with "Dozens of Afghan immigrants Afghanistan in October 2016 to or asylum seekers have been deported to Kabul since [U.S. The Ministry of Defense (MoD) in Kabul in the past 10 days – after President Donald] Trump took the on Tuesday said the soldiers who insurgents first held the power," Miakhel said. "In April were deployed at the entrance gate Intercontinental Hotel under siege 2017, we received a group of 21 of the 111th Division of the Afghan for over 15 hours and also DACAAR National Army in Kabul should detonated an ambulance laden with deportees of different ages." have killed all five suicide attackers explosives close to Chicken Street TENDER NOTICE Miakhel said there was not before they climbed the perimeter in the heart of the city on Saturday. much clarity about the reasons for wall of the military unit. At least 103 people were killed in DACAAR ITB 03 PRF-47-/0001-00/FSK05-01/01.2018 the deportations. The military unit, alongside this incident. Date: January 31, 2018 "We were told that some of the Marshal Fahim Military Former military officers said the Afghan deportees were not Academy, was breached on these attacks in the capital have Sealed offers are invited from qualified companies for supply of uPVC Pipes and Filters for DACAAR qualified to seek asylum in the U.S.; Monday morning. A gunfight undermined the security agencies’ some of them may have posed a between insurgents and security efforts to ensure the safety of the Main Office in Kabul Province - Afghanistan. threat to the U.S. national security forces lasted five hours and resulted people. “Security forces should or may have committed crimes." in the death of 11 military be fully prepared, especially when Please get the detailed tender documents from website at www.dacaar.org/www.acbar.com/ The United States has an personnel. there is a big meeting in Afghanistan estimated 14,000 troops in Defense Ministry spokesman and for the benefit of the country. www.acci.org.af DACAAR Office in below mentioned address. The offers should reach to DACAAR Afghanistan assisting, training and Dawlat Waziri said the guards – Because in these times the enemy equipping the Afghan National deployed from the army unit – doubtless will attack,” former before Feb 20, 2018 at 4:00 PM. The bid opening session will be held at 10:30 AM on Feb 21, 2018. Security Forces to defeat Taliban, failed to do their jobs properly. military officer Atiqullah Your participation is highly appreciated. Islamic State and other insurgent “We accept that they Amarkhail said. groups. (insurgents) should have been The Interior Ministry said According to the U.N. High killed before they reached the wall. they have a new plan to assess DACAAR Address: Commission for Refugees, more But unfortunately they reached security vulnerabilities that have immigrants and refugees hail from the wall and started their led to these deadly attacks. DACAAR Logistics Unit Afghanistan than any other operation. Then our brave soldiers “They (insurgents) carry out country except Syria. Some 2.7 did not let them enter among the inhuman activities in different DACAAR Main Office , Qalay -e- Fatullah, Road No. 12, Street No.3, House No. 403, Paykobe Naswar, million Afghan immigrants and soldiers to detonate their ways. We have taken serious Taimani Project, Kabul - Afghanistan. refugees are under UNCHR explosives. Otherwise, hundreds actions to prevent such activities,” protection worldwide, most of of soldiers would have lost their Interior Ministry’s deputy Email: [email protected] OR [email protected] them fleeing violence and lives,” Waziri said. spokesman Nusrat Rahimi told insecurity. (VOANEWS) This was the third major attack TOLOnews. (ToloNews)

(Project Coordination Unit) Irrigation Restoration and Development Project NATIONALCOMPETITIVEBIDDING

Invitation for Bids (IFB) For Procurement of Works forProtection of HadiraKhol River Bank scheme Invitation for Bid No: JR-501 Date:1-Feb -18

1. This Invitation for Bids follows the General Procurement Notice for this Project that appeared in Development Business published on 11 January 2011. 2. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Ministry of Energy & Water has received a grant from theInternational Development Associationtoward the cost of Irrigation Restoration and Development Project and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this “grant” to payments under the Contract for,the Sub project given in para 3 below. 3. The Project Coordination Unit, acting on behalf of the Ministry of Energy & Water, now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the Protection of HadiraKhol River Bank scheme Invitation for Bid No: JR-501. Invitation for Bid No: PCU/IRDP/ JR-501. inRodat Distract of Ningarhar Province. The construction period is 12 monthswhich includes slack period of 5 months for flood/ adverse weather conditions and resolving community/farmers needs/disputes etc. 4. Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedures specified in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Procurement under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits dated January 2011 and revised in July 2014and is open to all bidders from Eligible Source Countries as defined in the Bidding Documents. 5. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from Procurement Section, (email:[email protected] Mobile No:+93(0)700686110), Project Coordination Unit, Main office, Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 to 16:30Hrs from Saturday to Wednesday (Except public holidays). 6. Qualifications requirements include: (a) The minimum required annual volume of construction work for the successful bidder in any of the last five years – 52,000,000 Afs (a) Experience as prime contractor in the construction of at least one works of nature and complexity equivalent to this work during the last five (5) years – 26,500,000 Afs. (b) Proposals for the timely acquisition (own, lease, hire, etc.) of the essential equipment as given in the bidding document. (c) Contract Manager with five years’ experience in works of an equivalent nature and volume, including no less than three years as Manager. (e) Liquid assets and/or credit facilities, net of other contractual commitments and exclusive of any advance payments which may be made under the Contract 15,000,000 Afs. For detailed post qualification verification please refers to Section I - Instructions to Bidders and Section II- Bid Data Sheet of the bidding documents. A margin of preference for eligible national contractors/joint ventures shall not be applied. 7. A complete set of Bidding Documents in English may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written Application to the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee of 5,000 AFN. The method of payment will be Cash/Direct Payment. The Bidding Documents shall be collected by the bidders from the address below. 8. The bidders or their authorized representatives are invited to attend a pre-bid meeting which will take place on20-Feb-18at 10 AM in the meeting room (Basement) at the address given below to explain the procedure of proper preparation and submission of bid, clarify issues and to answer questions on any matter that may be raised at that stage. 9. Bids must be delivered to the address below at or before 10 AM of 3-March -18 (if this date is announced an official holiday, then bids must be submitted next working day at the same time and venue). Electronic bidding shall not be permitted. Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be opened physically in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend in person at the address below at 10 AM of 3-March -1810. All bids shall be accompanied by a “Bid Security” of amounts 1,500,000 Afs 11. The address referred to above is: Eng. Nasir Ahmad ”Ahadi” Acting Director and Procurement officer, Project Coordination Unit Ministry of Energy and Water, DarulAman Road, Kabul Email: [email protected]; Mobile No: +93(0)700686110), THURSDAY .FEBRUARY 01, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

Web based business is an exceptionally hot issue nowadays. After the upset of Internet, an ever increasing number of nations are getting associated with it. Be that as it may, as a rule, on the off chance that we utilise any sort of electronic gadgets in getting requests and sending indexes, similar to phone, fax or some other such instruments, we should apply electronic business procedures. In any case, the genuine feeling KABUL: The 100-bed hospital’s take action despite it was several of web based business is the building in northern Sar-i-Pul times requested by the governor’s business on the web of which province, a 250 million afghanis house and the public health there are distinctive modes, such project, has started appearing department, he said. as opening a retail location on web, cracks and other infrastructural He said the hospital building where all exchanges are done on failures due to its substandard was handed over to a MoPH line, from determination of item construction, Pajhwok Afghan delegation while Sar-i-Pul public to instalment of bills. The general News has learnt. According to the health department was not volume of online business is more Public Health Ministry, involved in it. than $8 billion yearly. Working together on web isn't an exorbitant construction work on the hospital But Eng. Sahak said the speculation. It is evaluated that in The Ministry of Commerce and have been identified in the National Kabul. These centers will be the Afghan government. in Sar-i-Pul City, the provincial building had been fully handed over not so distant future, just about Industries has outlined a strategy Export Strategy of Afghanistan. It established at all customs offices,” It will have a particular focus capital, kicked off back in 2009 and to the MoPH delegation, the 50 for every penny/cent of the to increase exports and remove is a good alternative for improving Alokozay told TOLOnews. on socio-economic growth, completed in 2016 at a cost of 250 provincial public health department conventional business will be obstacles in the way of investors exports and imports in The National Export Strategy private-sector development, million afghanis by ‘New Jan and other relevant changed over into web business. in this respect. The ministry will Afghanistan,” Qoqandi told will guide Afghanistan's efforts to investment promotion, investor Construction Company.’ organs.Mohammad Altin, former Patterns: E-trade is a data send the strategy to the high TOLOnews. The Afghanistan realize the potential of its export protection, and economic Documents of the government- provincial public health director, innovation slant growing quick in economic council of the National Chamber of Commerce and sector as an important driver for diversification. The final Strategy funded project, provided by Eng. the building was half complete the business world. The corporate Unity Government for approval Industries said the National Export economic growth. will also adhere to the principles Abdul Zahoor Sahak, in-charge of when he took over as the director and the business world, suitably in the near future, the ministry’s Strategy has also taken into It is a key component of the and instruments of the New Public Health Ministry’s and monitored the work quality, bolstered by the IT business, as spokesman Musafir Qoqandi consideration facilities that will be Trade for Economic Growth and Development Planning System infrastructure and buildings, show but the MoPH was mainly of now stands exchanged, which confirmed. He said President needed. The ministry said a single Regional Cooperation, a trade- that has been established by the the building was handed over to responsible for supervising this by late gauge will surpass $800 the health ministry’s delegation project. billion this year. Ashraf Ghani leads the council. center will be established to related support program to Afghan Government as part of the Qoqandi said in the strategy they streamline the export process. Afghanistan funded by the Afghanistan National Peace and upon completion despite low Sar-i-Pul governor As we begin warming up to quality construction work. Mohammad Zahir Wahdat said: “I worldwide online business in have identified six important goods “Many facilities have been European Union in support of the Development Framework for export including dry and fresh considered for exports and Ministry of Commerce and (ANPDF), according to the Dr. Mohammad Rustam am not aware if former officials had Afghanistan, we should Rajabi, head of the Sar-i-Pul links with the contractor, but when comprehend that just about 87 for fruits, saffron, carpets, and exporters. One of them is the single Industries. European Union. every penny/cent of the web precious and semi-precious stones. center which was recently The National Export Strategy Afghan government started hospital, said the building was not I was appointed as governor two based business action happens in “Six important goods from inaugurated by head of the will align with the priorities and work on the strategy in February a standard one as cracks and other years and three months ago, I the USA, clearly determined by Afghanistan which can compete executive council this week in development goals established by last year. (ToloNews) problems had surfaced in the shared the issue of substandard the utilisation of web in that structure only one year after its construction of the hospital with nation. As the January 2016, more construction. both the media and the government, than 210 million individuals have He said lifts in the building not once but several times, but web access there contrasted with were out of order, plaster on walls unfortunately no one heard our 297 million the world over. had fallen to the ground, its voice.” He said the contractor had By the by, Afghanistan can painting had gone and the warm not yet formally surrendered the make great utilisation of this open water system was not working. He project and the hospital office had door with appropriate arranging said lower parts of the hospital been shifted to the new building and execution. In any case, let us building’s walls had become wet based on obligations. The concentrate on the local front and the building tilted down contractor even not interested in before going hard and fast for the disorderly. coming to Sar-i-Pul province, he worldwide market. He added plastic had been used added. Ambiguity in money back Local movement: Offer for instead of mosaic in the floor of guarantee, overtime work enhancing and profitability to the building and now the plastic The Sar-i-Pul governor said: convey it to the superb level. It likewise enables our business had separated from the floor, “This contractor also took the person to test their web business allowing water to penetrate the money back guarantee and we were and showcasing aptitudes before basin. Dr. Rajabi said insects easily recently informed the company going up against the universal ABUL: A top US diplomat entered the hospital building had taken 11 million afghanis in markets. Online business isn't for has reaffirmed America’s because the flour had been the name of overtime work everything except for the Kstrong support for constructed leveled with the without confirming it with the individuals who comprehend it. Afghanistan and discussed joint ground amid absence of exhaust governor’s house.” He asked However, web based business efforts to achieve the objectives of fans and an inactive irrigation judiciary organs to follow the isn't an innovation. President Donald Trump’s South system for the hospital greenery. issue. But Sahak said: “Around The issue at the individual Asia strategy. But the health ministry’s $500,000 of the construction level, it is simply a business During his trip to Kabul, infrastructures head said that the company is with the relevant organ matter. At the Government level, Deputy Secretary John J. Sullivan floor of the hospital was made of according to the procurement law it involves giving foundation to met President Ashraf Ghani, Chief linoleum which was anti-bacteria for quality assurance of the project, exchanges on web. Online business Executive Dr. Abdullah, Foreign while mosaic was not effective. this maintenance money would be or business through web is Minister Salahuddin Rabbani and Responsibility of the paid to the company if it repairs winding up exceptionally other government leaders. construction company problems of the building, but if it mainstream method of exchanging The US embassy said the visit Sahak said: “We wrote a formal does not repair the building, then far and wide especially in the underscored America’s created world. Web based business letter to the New Jan Company the maintenance money would not is an expansive term used to commitment to working with the regarding construction problems in be paid to it.” evaluate the exchanging occurring Afghan government and people to the building such as the repair of He said the governor had on the web. bring peace, security and sustained plaster, lifts, water system and expressed his views without Most investigations, in any economic growth to Afghanistan others. If the company fails to having enough information because case, recommend that web based and the region. Issues like security address these problems, then they the maintenance money was business goes through four stages. cooperation, inclusive will be dealt with in line with the protected and the money for The initial step is, to construct a parliamentary and presidential procurement laws and the repairs overtime work had not been paid site to let the world think about elections and continued reforms would be carried out from the to the company. your reality. The site contains data designed to build a peaceful, secure company’s $500 money Eng. Maqsood, deputy head about the organisation, item/ and prosperous future for the guarantee.” of New Jan Company, said they administrations and other related KABUL: Participants at a seminar Afghans figured at the meetings. Meanwhile, Dr. Noorul Haq had obtained the maintenance data, which can help guests to take here have called for enhancing Sullivan also engaged young Jalis, director of Sar-i-Pul public money but did not obtain the in more about the hosts. The relations between China and leaders of civil society, members health, said the New Jan Company assurance money. About the second step includes requesting Afghanistan, the two neighboring of the media, business leaders, should have handed over the quality of the project, he said they that clients free their pockets and individuals from across the building after one year of its had worked according to the purchase on line. nations. The joint seminar on the 19th political spectrum and leaders of construction and repaired defects contract and they would repair This progression requires efforts to build foundations for embracing advance level of National Congress of the in the construction work. damages in the building in near programming equipped for taking Communist Party of China and peace. (Pajhwok) However, the company did not future. (Pajhwok) care of requests. In the third stage China-Afghanistan Relationship stock, administration adds to the was held Tuesday in the Chinese framework and in conclusion, Embassy. giving arrangements of instalments Addressing the seminar, through web based saving money Chinese Ambassador Liu Jingsong Canary cages hang inside a shop, for sale, at Ka organisation amongst purchasers said he will spare no efforts to Faroshi bird market in Kabul, Afghanistan, and merchants, the most enhance cultural and economic troublesome and complex piece of relations, including people-to- January 18, 2018. REUTERS web based business. The most people bond between the two widely recognised and famous countries. The war seems a long way off in reddish-grey bird with a black band types of web based business will Liu, who recently arrived in the Ka Faroshi bird market in the across its eyes and around its be business-to-customers (B2C) Kabul to serve as China's envoy heart of Kabul’s old city, a narrow throat, a red beak, and black and business-to-business (B2B). to the country, also noted that lane with a few alleys off it, packed stripes on its side. Business-to-government (B2G) with small, mud-walled shops Sayed Mohammad Ali holds and government-to-subjects/ China will continue to support Afghanistan's peace and festooned with bird cages. his rooster at Ka Faroshi bird citizens (G2C) are different Customers, most of them men, market in Kabul, Afghanistan, structures, running on the web yet reconstruction process to see a with low steam. Nonetheless, the peaceful and prosperous but some blue burqa-clad women January 25, 2018. REUTERS/ utilisation of previous two still Afghanistan. too, squeeze down the crowded Mohammad Ismail The partridges rules the web. Nonetheless, In his remarks at the seminar, street, stopping to inspect birds are bred for fighting. Afghanistan is still a long ways Director General of the Third on display, haggle with “My passion is partridges, behind in pursuing the west in Political Department of Foreign shopkeepers and buy bird seed and I’ve been keeping partridges for such manner. Business visionaries Ministry, Sultan Ahmad Baheen, other supplies. about 60 years,” said Abdul in Afghanistan are of the described China as a great and Fighting cocks and partridges Khetab, 80, another market trader. conclusion that web based friendly neighbor of Afghanistan squawk in bell-shaped wicker “I’m first in Kabul in partridge business implies having the and hoped for further cementing cages, while finches, larks and fighting.” capacity to make and get ties between the two countries. canaries of all varieties hop about Another trader, Mohammad instalments through web and "It is a matter of pleasure that in cages, and pigeons coo in small Zahir Tanha, said birds helped some other movement through Afghanistan is a signatory of the aviaries made of wire. (Click bring relief from the stress of life web isn't considered as web based Belt amd Road initiative," Baheen reut.rs/2nrZhJB for a picture in the Afghan capital, recently hit business. This low level of said, adding that "As a great and package depicting the Kabul bird by a spate of bloody militant comprehension has driven market.) attacks. numerous Afghan firms to give friendly neighbor, China has been standing alongside the people of “In Afghanistan, it’s a passion “I have a mental problem and low need to online business to keep birds,” said Rafiullhah doctors advised me to keep birds,” because of inaccessibility of Afghanistan and helping Afghans appropriate structure for the web in the reconstruction process of Ahmadi, who sells fighting cocks Tanha said in his shop, stacked in the country. In Afghanistan, their country." at the market. with cages. “Right now, I have web based business is still in its He noted that the bilateral “Some people love to keep about 50 pigeons. When I’m home early stages and faces numerous relations between the two fighting cocks, some love to have I keep myself busy with the obstruction to develop. The countries will strengthen further in partridges and some love to have pigeons and that keeps me happy prominent boundaries are: the years ahead. other kinds of birds. It’s a custom and fresh.” inaccessibility of appropriate Former Afghan Ambassador to in Afghanistan.” Most of the birds Tanha said he was devoted to foundation [telephone line of stem China Sultan Ahmad Baheen, who come from Afghanistan, caught in his birds and treated them like lines of steam age, visit is presently serving as the in- the wild or raised. Some are family. “When you keep birds in a disappointments of power] charge of China-related issue with imported from neighboring cage you have to take care of them constrained client of web barely the Afghan Foreign Ministry, in his countries, such as Iran and the way you take care of your one for every penny/cent of the address called for promoting Pakistan, but traders said business children,” he said. whole populace approach the people-to-people exchange and was down, with few birds being “You have to love your birds internet], the issue of security of China's investment in the country's imported these days. Ahmadi said because birds can’t speak, to say exchanges on the web, high data the best fighting cocks come from what they need.” And are there any transmission rates, and to wrap development projects. The participants also northern Afghanistan. The most worries about bird flu in the things up the inflexible and expensive ones can bring up to 1 market? “Afghan birds don’t have restraining infrastructure part of discussed peace and reconciliation the Afghan Telecommunication. process and called for an Afghan- million afghanis ($14,000). But the bird flu, Pakistani and Iranian birds (Pajhwok) led and Afghan-owned peace favorite of many Afghans is the have that,” said Gawar Khan, who process. (Xinhua) chukar partridge, an elegant trades fighting cocks. (REUTERS) THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 01, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

The UP town has been tense since Republic Day last week after a youth was killed in clashes following stone-pelting by a mob on a motorcycle rally.

A day after Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath warned of stringent action against those behind the communal clashes in Kasganj, security personnel mounted their patrolling in sensitive areas to instil confidence among people shaken by the recent violence. Authorities stopped a Congress delegation in Mirhachi area in Etah on the border of Kasganj district. They denied permission to the delegation from enter- ing the troubled areas, citing law and order issues, official sources said. District magistrate, Kasganj, RP Singh had refused to give permission to the Congress delegation sensing that their visit to the troubled areas might create additional problems. At least three shops, two buses and a car were torched after a youth was killed in clashes following stone- pelting by a mob on a motorcycle rally taken out to celebrate the Republic Day last week. At least 118 people have been arrested in connection with the violence. Tension still prevailed in a few pockets of Earthquake tremors were felt in as a result of jolts in the building. the western Uttar Pradesh town. Life, however, appeared to be return- various parts of the country on 5.1-magnitude earthquake jolts ing to normal. Stray incidents of violence were reported from Kasganj Wednesday. According to initial parts of K-P, FATA In Nok Kun- on Tuesday, but the situation was by and large peaceful on Wednesday. reports, tremors were felt in di, Balochistan, the wall of a school Officials said the state government was preparing a report sought by Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and fell which may have left school the Centre on the violence and steps taken to control it. “We are sending Quetta. Tremors were also felt in children injured. Two school chil- a report on the incident and steps taken to restore peace. Details of the Khyber Agency and Bajaur Agen- dren have reportedly been injured steps taken to punish the culprits will also be furnished to the Union cy. According to the Pakistan Me- in Landi Arbab in Peshawar after home ministry,” an official said. Adityanath told mediapersons yester- teorological Department (PMD) the tremors caused panic. An emer- day his government was committed to providing security to each and the earthquake’s epicenter was the gency has been declared in Bela’s every citizen. “Anarchy has no place in the state,” he said, and prom- Hindu Kush region, measuring 6.1 Civil Hospital. In Lahore, panic ised strict action against the perpetrators of violence, asserting the on the Richter scale. In Pakistan, gripped different parts of the city guilty would not be allowed to go unpunished. (Hindustan Times) the quake measured 4.9. Accord- as people rushed outside buildings. ing to Reuters, the earthquake Parliament sessions in Islamabad struck 167 miles northeast of Kab- have also been postponed due to ul in the Hindu Kush mountains, the tremors. The Supreme Court MoGA at a deep 180 km, the European has also halted its hearing. Chief Bangladeshurgedtoremovethreats Mediterranean Seismological Cen- Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul tre said. National Disaster Man- Quddus Bizenjo expressed grief posts agement Authority (NDMA) has over earthquake casualties in Las- stated due to minor jolts felt across bela and surrounding areas. He has tofreespeechfromnewdigital law the country, no serious losses are directed rescue teams, forces to staff to expected. In Quetta, many build- reach affected areas and start a res- ings were reported to have cracks cue operation. Bizenjo also asked provinces in their foundations. A minor girl, Provincial Disaster Management aged 1.5 months, died when the Authority (PDMA) to ensure wall of a house fell in Balochistan’s supply of food, amenities to the for first Lasbela district. Sameena, daugh- victims. Tremors were felt across ter of Ali Akbar, was killed, while the region including India and Af- many others were injured. In Swat ghanistan. Earthquake jolts Swat, assembly Valley, a visitor in a local hotel adjacent areas. passed away due to a heart attack (Tribune) meeting

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of General Administration (MoGA) Pr esid en t has started dispatching personnel required for overseeing operations of the province assembly and prov- ince government to the seven prov- at t em p t in g inces. According to Spokesperson at the Ministry Sibaram Neupane, the Ministry has so far dispatched 500 employees to provinces as all t o m islead seven provinces have scheduled The new law is supposed to re- sections of proposed new law, and the needed amendments is the in- prison under article 20, while place the notorious and controver- still carry sentences of up to 14 clusion of an article requiring that “spreading negative propaganda their first meeting to happen soon. sial Information and Communica- years in prison. “The proposed the relevant authorities review against the Liberation War or the Among employees assigned to tion Technology (ICT) Act of Digital Security Act is not satis- complaints thoroughly before ini- Father of the Nation” would be the provinces, around 100 will car- p eop le fr om ry out technical works and their 2006. But Prime Minister Sheikh factory, especially as, on several tiating any defamation or blasphe- punishable by 14 years in prison Hasina’s government has missed points, it is even more draconian my proceedings.” Although the and/or a fine of 5 million taka placement is on interim provision an opportunity to remedy the ICT that the previous law,” said Daniel Bangladeshi Editors’ Council called (60,000 US dollars) under a new basis. A total of 1,778 employees Act’s biggest flaws, including Sec- Bastard, the head of RSF’s Asia- for the repeal of the ICT Act’s Sec- provision. In Section 32 of the new are required to operate the prov- vot in g for ince government in all seven prov- tion 57, which criminalizes online Pacific desk. “We urge the Bang- tion 57 last July, much of it is re- law, espionage is broadly defined content regarded as defamatory or ladeshi authorities to withdraw all produced in Section 19 of the pro- to include “secretly recording any inces and around 1,200 employ- blasphemous. At least 25 journal- the provisions that could be used posed new law, which provides for kind of information” about “gov- ees are yet to be deputed to their SLPP:GL ists and several hundred bloggers to gag journalists and bloggers.” a two-year jail sentence for con- ernment, semi-government and au- work areas. The Ministry will del- and Facebook users were prose- “The still vague wording will al- tent that “pollutes the human tonomous institutions” and is pun- egate 29 employees each to the cuted under Section 57 in 2017 low the same abuses as before, mind, defames someone and hurts ishable by 14 years in prison and/ office of Chief Minister and 25 to alone, so its overhaul was long benefitting those who do not want religious sentiments.” Content “li- or a fine of 2 million taka (25,000 each ministry in the seven prov- overdue. But many of its provi- freely and independently report- able to disturb public order” would US dollars). inces. sions are reproduced in different ed news and information. One of be punishable by seven years in (AFP) (BBC) TRSsupports BJPonissue On ly p ar liam en t h as t h e au t h or it y of simultaneous Lok Sabha, t o am en d lifet im e Assemblypolls d isq u alificat ion law : Ait zaz Ah san

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Aitzaz Ahsan has said that only the parliament has the authority to amend a lifetime qualification verdict from the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Express News reports. Talking to the media in Islamabad on Wednesday, Senator Chaudhry Aitizaz Ah- san was of the opinion that only the parliament could The President is trying to intimidate and mislead the people and is also make changes to SC verdict of lifetime qualification. “The trying to stop people from voting for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramu- ruling of a fourteen member top court bench in the As- na (SLPP), said Chairman of the SLPP, Prof G.L. Peiris yesterday. He fandyar Wali case can serve as a legal reference in this said so while addressing a media briefing held by the Joint Opposition regard,” noted Ahsan. Nawaz left for Saudi Arabia in fear (JO), Economic Investigation Unit at the Vajirashramaya Temple in of Shehbaz: Aitzaz Ahsan According to the senator, the Punchi Borella. The President is trying to mislead the people by say- Supreme Court advised the parliament to reduce the ing that he would not release funds to develop local governments con- amount of time a person is liable to serve in lifetime dis- trolled by the SLPP. This is not his personal fund. This money is collected through taxation of all Sri Lankans, while the Treasury releas- qualification from 21 years to 10 years in the Wali case. es these monies for the benefit of the people. We have a justice system “The parliament acted on the suggestion and reduced the in this country, the Joint Opposition will not allow the rights of the number of years to ten. The court can advise the parlia- people to be thus violated, he further said. JO MP Bandula Gunawar- ment again if it feels the need to,” he added. The PPP dena also addressing the media said the country’s people were ready to leader also addressed the current political turmoil within vote en masse for the SLPP to prevent former President Mahinda Telangana’s ruling party is on board the Lok Sabha member from Mah- Minister Narendra Modi made a the ruling PML-N, saying that the Maryam group of the Rajapaksa’s civic rights being revoked. “If Prabhakaran who fought a with the BJP on the issue of si- bubnagar added On January 29, fresh pitch for holding the polls party wanted to pressurize the judiciary for a ruling in war for 30 years was unable to kill Mahinda Rajapaksa and since they multaneous polls to Lok Sabha and President Ram Nath Kovind called together. Sharif’s favour. “Their hopes have gone up since the ver- could not harm him physically, the next best thing to remove him was state assemblies, a senior party for a “sustained debate” on hold- Modi had said that like festivals, dict in the Hudaibiya and Orange Line Train cases. Fol- to remove his civic rights,” he added. The MP who attacked the gov- leader said. The Telangana Rash- ing simultaneous polls, saying all elections should be held on fixed tra Samithi (TRS)?floor leader in parties need to reach a consensus dates so that governments can lowing the former premier, even his little protegees have ernment on various fronts, also touched on the bond issue and said that started attacking the judges.” Nawaz fears coming back though the government would wish to say that there was illegal issue the Lok Sabha, AP Jithender Red- on the issue. In his maiden address function for five years. He also said dy, said that such a synchronised to the joint sitting of the two hous- that barbs exchanged during cam- after seeing how Sharjeel was treated: Aitzaz “Even Talal of bonds since Mahinda Rajapaksa’s time and presently due to the Chaudhry has referred to the current court as ‘PCO judg- bond issue, Sri Lanka’s bond in the international market was known as exercise will cut costs, save time es of Parliament at the beginning paigning in one state have a bear- and ensure governments focus on of the Budget session, Kovind said ing in other parts of the country es’, and has asked for them to be removed from their posts,” ‘black bonds’. “The government will feel the real impact of this after Ahsan remarked. Aitzaz Ahsan told the reporters that the the election. When the government needs to issue bonds to raise funds development. “We are for it... It citizens alive to the state of gover- which were not going to polls. and when they find that there were no takers for their bonds and they will give us time to focus on ad- nance in the country were con- Modi was of the view that once PML-N wanted to reduce the lifetime disqualification sen- were no longer able to carry on. Then they would have no option but ministration for five years, instead cerned about frequent elections in the elections are held together, the tence to very few years using political antics. “They want to impose heavy taxes on every consumer item. By the end of this local of every time going to elections,” one part of the country or anoth- central and the state governments the disqualification of Shairf to end with the tenure of the government election, the people would have to face a future heavy Reddy said. “It will save money er, which adversely impacted the can devote the next five years to current assembly,” the senator opined. with taxes,” Gunawardena said. and time; you can focus yourself economy and development. His governance. (Tribune) (AP) on the development of the state,” remarks came days after Prime (Hindustan times) THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 01, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES News-in-Brief Turkish court releases local chair of Amnesty International: Lawyer

A Turkish court ordered the re- lease of the jailed Turkish chair- man of rights group Amnesty International, Taner Kilic, while BEIJING — China raised alarms of strategic competition with the other perceived rivals] Despite a the trial continues, Kilic’s law- Wednesday over what it called United States. On Wednesday, state visit last November where yer Murat Dincer said on President Trump’s “outdated Cold China’s foreign ministry called on Trump gushed about his lavish Wednesday. Kilic has been in War mentality” after an address the United States to abandon its welcome and his bond with his prison since June in the coastal that described Beijing as a global “outdated Cold War mentality,” Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, province of Izmir on terrorism rival and set an increasing tough manage its differences with Beijing his administration has repeatedly rity Strategy last month. “For de- globe, including corruption and the Russia want to shape a world con- charges. Prosecutors say he line against China’s economic and and realize that “win-win” coop- signaled in recent weeks a new cades, U.S. policy was rooted in use of surveillance. At the same sistent with their authoritarian downloaded ByLock, a messag- military reach. The president’s lan- eration was the only viable option. cynicism about China’s role in the the belief that support for China’s time, China is building the most model — gaining veto authority ing application used by support- guage in his State of the Union ad- A Chinese foreign policy scholar world and the threat it represents. rise and for its integration into the capable and well-funded military over other nations’ economic, dip- ers of Fethullah Gulen, the U.S.- dress represented a fundamental called Trump‘s language “alarm- “The idea of engagement has un- postwar international order would in the world, after that of the Unit- lomatic, and security decisions,” based cleric who Turkey says reappraisal of the U.S. relationship ing and provocative,” while state derpinned the U.S.-China relation- liberalize China,” it wrote. “Con- ed States. In its National Defense it wrote. Specifically, it called Chi- was behind a failed coup last year. with China — one that has been media warned that “malicious ri- ship for decades,” Bill Bishop (AP) trary to our hopes, China expand- Strategy released earlier this month, na a “strategic competitor” using building for years but has crystal- valry” and further enhancement of wrote in his Axios China newslet- ed its power at the expense of the the Pentagon argued “that the cen- predatory economics to intimidate lized since Trump took office last American military might would ter. “Now the U.S. government sovereignty of others.” Among the tral challenge to U.S. prosperity its neighbors while militarizing the 21 dead, 290 year, experts say. Engagement — only end in disaster. But Trump’s appears to have declared engage- complaints: China gathers and ex- and security is the reemergence of South China Sea, a region where long accepted as the path to a saf- language didn’t come as a surprise ment has failed.” The change was ploits data on an unrivaled scale, long-term, strategic competition by China claims full soverneinty de- er world and a freer China — has in China. [Trump calls for “un- spelled out most clearly by the and that it spreads features of its ‘revisionist’ powers.” “It is in- spite strong opposition from the injured in been replaced with a chillier sense matched power” against China and White House in its National Secu- authoritarian system around the creasingly clear that China and United States. (WP) Yemen’s four months of political limbo in Aden Europe’s biggest economy. After a North Koreaaccuses USof breakthrough on the contentious Some 21 Yemenis have been killed issue of family reunions for mi- and 290 injured in two days of grants on Tuesday - although it clashes between UAE-backed was overshadowed by a subse- forces and the Yemen national rights violations against its quent row over the details - the army in Aden, Yemen Today re- parties ticked off some other, less ported. The majority of the in- tricky, issues. They agreed to cap jured have been transferred to ownpeoplein'whitepaper' pension contributions, divided be- hospitals in Aden and Doctors tween workers and employers, at Without Borders hospitals for 20 percent of an individual’s sala- the fatally injured, Dr Jalal Baou- ry to 2025, said party sources. The da, representative of the Minis- SPD, which failed to win voters with a campaign focused on social try of Health and Population, justice, had before the election told the news site. International- wanted a cap of 21.8 percent until ly recognised Yemeni President 2030 from 18.7 percent. In a blue- Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi’s na- print deal agreed earlier this month tional army clashed with the in exploratory talks, the parties UAE-backed Southern Transi- also agreed to stabilise pensions at tional Council (STC) forces when 48 percent of the average wage by they attempted to enter the 2025. Late on Tuesday, the par- southern city on Sunday. Ten- ties also agreed on steps to create sions in south Yemen began last 8,000 more jobs in the care sector week when the STC vowed to and improve pay. Working groups overthrow the government of are wading through the details of Prime Minister Ahmed Bin Dhag- the framework deal on policies er unless Hadi dismissed the cab- from Europe to tax and migrants. inet in the south by Sunday. Hadi The SPD are pushing for tweaks did not give in to the calls and that will help its leaders sell a final placed a ban on all protests in coalition deal to its 440,000 mem- orth Korea has accused the United rowing case of one defector and Aden ahead of the separatist dead- rising, while increasing numbers of bers, many of whom are against States of a raft of human rights vi- saying, "No regime has oppressed people cannot pay of student loans joining Merkel’s conservatives line. Bin Dhager is currently olations against its own citizens, its own citizens more totally or overwhelmed militarily by the or afford healthcare. According to again. Any deal will depend on the including racial discrimination, brutally than the cruel dictatorship the study, "A woman is sexually STC which has reportedly taken approval of SPD members who erosion of the freedom of the press in North Korea". But Pyongyang abused every 89 seconds". The re- will be balloted after party leaders over Aden city and confined Ha- and gender inequality. The govern- had already made its own accusa- port concludes that the US de- di’s government ministers to the agree - possibly at the end of the ment's "white paper" on viola- tions. The white paper claims Mr scribes itself as a champion of hu- weekend or early next Maasheeq Palace. tions, produced by the DPRK In- Trump "filled the important posts man rights, "but can never camou- (AP) week.Already, the JUSOS youth stitute of International Studies, also of his administration with billion- flage its true identity as the gross wing of the SPD has sharply crit- accuses the US administration of aires who had 'contributed' to his violator of human rights". The re- icised the deal on family reunions causing rising unemployment and election campaign", the state-run lease of the study coincides with a for migrants, saying the SPD lead- Ending North soaring medical costs, as well as KCNA news agency reported. The number of strongly worded edito- ers had not delivered sufficient being to blame for gun crime. The study claims "genuine freedom of rials in the North Korean media, improvements from the explorato- Korea oil report was released shortly before the press and expression [do] not with the Rodong Sinmun declaring ry talks blueprint. “If we don’t President Donald Trump's State of exist", while "racial discrimination in an editorial, "The US imperial- succeed in getting more out of the the Union speech and is being and misanthropy are serious mal- ists are the root cause of all mis- Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives agreed with their would-be negotiations overall, we must break supplies seen as a pre-emptive attack on adies inherent to the social system fortunes and sufferings of the Ko- off talks with the conservatives,” the president. Mr Trump used his of the US". It goes on to state that rean nation and [are the] heinous Social Democrat (SPD) partners on Wednesday to cap pension contri- butions, a sign of steady progress in coalition talks which both sides aim JUSOS leader Kevin Kuehnert told address on Tuesday to warn that the "working masses" are "de- enemy of peace". In another arti- Deutschlandfunk radio. An unex- would be seen "North Korea's reckless pursuit of prived of elementary rights to sur- cle released on Monday, the news- to conclude within a week. German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends the weekly cabinet meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Jan- pected intervention on climate nuclear missiles could very soon vival" and are "hovering in the paper reported that Mr Trump's policy came from across the At- as act of war, threaten our homeland". He also abyss of nightmare". The report America First policy is a "chau- uary 31, 2018. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke Merkel, weakened after losing votes to the far-right in a Sept. election, is pinning her hopes for lantic. highlighted the North's human also claims youth unemployment, vinist doctrine which is driving the (WP) says Russia rights abuses, highlighting the har- personal debt and homelessness are US into isolation and ruin". (AP) a fourth term on a re-run of the ‘grand coalition’ with the SPD to end

The delivery of oil and oil prod- ucts to North Korea should not Evangelical be reduced, Moscow’s ambassa- Parliament Lebanon's Berri dor to Pyongyang was cited as saying by RIA news agency on Anglicans Wednesday, adding that a total in peril: UK end to deliveries would be inter- says government warn they preted by North Korea as an act lawmakers of war. The U.N. and United might walk States have introduced a wave of work might sanctions aimed at curbing North debate away if CofE Korea’s development of nuclear weapons, including by seeking to stumble departs from reduce its access to crude oil and leaving refined petroleum products. “We can’t lower deliveries any fur- over tension 'apostolic ther,” Russia’s envoy to Pyongy- aging home ang, Alexander Matzegora, was truth' quoted by RIA as saying in an interview. Quotas set by the U.N. LONDON — This is not a met- An umbrella body for evangelicals allow for around 540,000 tonnes aphor: Britain’s Parliament is a in the Church of England has is- of crude oil a year to be delivered mess. The 19th-century Lon- sued a stark warning of conse- to North Korea from China, and don building is crumbling, quences for Church unity if it de- over 60,000 tonnes of oil prod- leaky, infested with vermin and parts from 'apostolic truth' on sex- ucts from Russia, China and oth- riddled with asbestos. Fixing it ual ethics. The Church of England er countries, he was quoted as will take years and cost billions, Morethan 200 Evangelical Council (CEEC) com- saying. “[This] is a drop in the but experts say the alternative prises a wide range of representa- ocean for a country of 25 million could be catastrophic. After tives from within the evangelical people,” Matzegora said. Short- years of dithering, lawmakers tradition. Members are drawn not ages would lead to serious hu- companieshave are set to vote Wednesday on only from bodies noted for their manitarian problems, he said, what to do — but there’s a good opposition to any move to libera- adding: “Official representatives chance they will opt for more lise Church teaching, such as the of Pyongyang have made it clear delay. Experts warn the Victori- Israeli settlement Anglican Mission in England, but that a blockade would be inter- an Gothic building is at risk of mainstream organisations such as preted by North Korea as a dec- a flood or fire that could leave the Church Mission Society laration of war, with all the sub- (CMS) and New Wine. Canter- sequent consequences.” Last it uninhabitable. A 2016 report urged politicians to move out ties:UN bury Cathedral week, the United States imposed for six years for renovations Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Wednesday govern- ReutersCanterbury Cathedral further sanctions on North Ko- ment work might stumble because of political tension, al-Manar TV is at the heart of the Anglican Com- rea, including on its crude oil min- costing 3.5 billion pounds ($5 reported, a reference to a row involving President Michel Aoun’s son- The United Nations human rights office said on Wednesday it had billion). On Wednesday law- identified 206 companies so far doing business linked to Israeli settle- munion, but evangelicals are warn- istry. In his first annual State of in-law. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri heads a general parlia- ing that a drift from 'apostolic the Union speech to the U.S. makers will vote on several op- ment discussion in downtown Beirut, Lebanon October 18, 2017. RE- ments in the West Bank, where it said violations against Palestinians are “pervasive and devastating”. The report is politically sensitive teaching' might weaken ties. In a Congress on Tuesday, President tions, from agreeing to leave UTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo A political standoff between Ber- document entitled Gospel, Church Donald Trump vowed to keep the building so work can begin ri and Aoun escalated this week when Aoun’s son-in-law, Foreign Min- because companies in the U.N. database could be targeted for boy- cotts or divestment aimed at stepping up pressure on Israel over its & Marriage: Preserving Apostolic up the pressure on North Korea to deferring a decision for sev- ister Gebran Bassil, was caught on camera calling Berri “a thug”, leading Faith and Life released to its sup- it from developing missiles which eral more years. Copyright 2018 to protests in Beirut and gunfire in one part of the city. Berri, a Shi‘ite, settlements, which most countries and the world body view as illegal. “The majority of these companies are domiciled in Israel or the settle- porters and organisational repre- could threaten the United States. The Associated Press. All said on Wednesday he wanted Bassil to apologise “to the Lebanese” for sentatives, CEEC says: 'As we North Korea on Saturday con- rights reserved. This material the remark. Bassil, a Maronite Christian, had expressed regret for the ments (143), with the second largest group located in the United States (22). The remainder are domiciled in 19 other countries,” the face many changes in British soci- demned the latest U.S. sanctions. may not be published, broad- remark in comments to a Lebanese newspaper on Monday, but this has ety and forceful challenges within and Russian deputy. cast, rewritten or redistributed. done little to contain anger in Berri’s camp. U.N. human rights office said in a statement. (BBC) the Church of England on matters (AFP) (WP) (Reuters) of human sexuality and marriage. THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 01, 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] www.afghanistantimes.af Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi Advisory editorial board Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal, Saboor Sarir Graphic-Designers: By Fabian Wagner paigns" like this one are a key fea- materials", driving home the same without any additional charges. Bilal Yusufi and Basir Qazizada ture of Europe's alleged fight against message. "No to irregular migra- However, processed goods, such as Mar ket i ng & Adver t i si ng: the root causes of migration. The tion", said the front side of the tote chocolate, incur a hefty import sur- On a hot November evening last EU Emergency Trust Fund for Afri- bags that hung on every other chair charge, making it unprofitable to Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0782344728, 0778894038 year, I found myself in the middle ca allocates 1 million euros in the cinema that hosted the de- process cocoa in situ. The real prof- of a bizarre, otherworldly scene in ($1.24m) for "raising awareness on bate. The other side of the bag said its, however, are generated not in Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan the economic capital of the Ivory the dangers of illegal migration". "My paradise is here", alongside a growing the beans, but in process- Coast, Abidjan. On a small stage set Some member states spend their own map of the Ivory Coast. "The sea ing them. If Europe really wanted Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 up at a local stadium, Ivorian foot- money on similar events. The "con- kills, the desert as well - no to irreg- to do something about "the root Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press ball star Didier Drogba was urging cert" was not the only "migration" ular migration!" proclaimed a post- causes of migration", such as creat- hundreds of local youth to chant, "I themed side event of the EU-Africa er on the wall. 'Your paradise is here' ing jobs, reworking its own trade promise I won't migrate! I promise Summit in Abidjan. A few days later, The EU and its member states spend policies would be a good way to start. I won't migrate! I promise I won't I found myself in the audience of a a lot of money telling young people Thousands - if not millions - of jobs migrate!" Drogba, who moved as a panel debate, at which eight people in Africa how nice their continent could be created by allowing cocoa The constitution says child to France and spent most of spent two hours discussing the root is. Yet, they never mention the fact to be processed in West Africa. And his football career in Europe, was as causes of migration without ever that EU trade policies are one of cocoa and chocolate are just one Article 133: a special guest at a concert by pop- mentioning Europe's role. The panel the main reasons behind the conti- example. With a simple change in When a judge is accused of a crime, the Supreme Court shall, in accordance with the provisions of the ular Ivorian music band "Magic Sys- was organised by the French Insti- nent's inability to offer attractive trade tariffs, entire commodity tem", at the "Palais des Sports de tute and financed by the German opportunities to its youth. For ex- chains could be established. Africa law, consider the case. After hearing the defense, if the Supreme Court considers the accusation valid, it shall Treichville", an indoor sporting present a proposal to the President for dismissal of the judge. After Presidential approval, the accused judge foreign ministry. It was also support- ample, the main export product of has a young population that is rap- complex at the heart of Abidjan. ed by the International Organisa- the Ivory Coast is cocoa. With an idly growing, so jobs are urgently shall be dismissed and punished according to the provisions of the law. The concert was part of a series of tion for Migration. According to the annual export value of $3.75bn, it needed. The EU and the African events taking place in the city on organisers, the aim of the panel was makes up roughly one-third of the Union acknowledge this challenge the eve of the Fifth EU-Africa Sum- to take away the emotion from the country's total exports. But, surpris- and pretend to work on it, but they mit. When I arrived shortly before debate about migration. In reality, ingly, the Ivory Coast is not one of show no interest in reforming Eu- the concert, the entire stadium was the panel was based solely on emo- the world's main exporters of choc- ropean trade policies in a way that buzzing with excitement. People tion. If Europe really wanted to do olate - a product made out of cocoa. would allow job creation within Af- were chanting and cheering as they something about "the root causes The EU, though, exports around rica. "Progressive" forces in Europe waited to see their favourite foot- of migration", such as creating jobs, $18bn worth of chocolate, amount- pretend to be fighting the root causes ball star. But it did not take me long reworking its own trade policies ing to around 75 percent of the of migration, but, in reality, the to realise that what I was witnessing would be a good way to start. There world's annual chocolate exports. measures they are taking are ineffi- was not just a concert. It was an were sad images of mothers who had The entire African continent - where cient at best. The narratives they EU-funded propaganda event lost their migrant children, there the cocoa trees grow - remains far use in their "fight against migration" against migration. During the con- were graphic photos of dead migrant behind, with less than $200m worth simply gloss over the real issues and cert, band members, Drogba and oth- bodies washed ashore on Mediterra- of chocolate exports. How can it be help retain the status quo, which, in er high-profile guests took turns nean coasts, there were distressing that a continent on which no cocoa this case, is hurting African econo- addressing the crowd. And every sin- images of migrant men being beat- tree can survive outside a greenhouse mies, and contributing to keeping gle one of their speeches carried the en by their captors in Libya, there makes 90 times more chocolate people poor and desperate enough same message: "You should not mi- were photos of disillusioned refugees than the continent on which cocoa to risk their lives seeking better liv- grate." "Emigration is no solution being returned to West Africa on a trees grow naturally? The answer is ing conditions. If Europe simply to our problems," said the lead sing- plane … The message of the panel simple: trade links and regulations reforms its predatory trade system er of the band at some point. "The was quite clear: If you migrate, all that haven't changed much since rather than use football stars as pro- best way to be happy is to stay here of this will happen to you and it will colonial times. The tariff regulations paganda instruments, Ivory Coast with us." Today, so-called "sensi- all be your own fault. The room was towards African states allow Euro- could well become a paradise with bilisation and information cam- plastered with other "information pean countries to import cocoa beans enough jobs for its youth. (Aljazeera) abul residents enjoy this week as the second snowflakes Am er ica h a s been r edu ced to 'm in u scu le were coming down. Residents were happy to see the city, everywhere white, blanketed by snowfall of the year. pr esen ce' in Afgh a n ista n : An a lyst However, parts of the country are struggling with heavy snow- fall as thousands of people are being reported in trouble and By Amalendu Misra but the reality is that they simply Nikki Hayley, said that the US' strat- renewed American commitment to cannot do it because of hard facts egy of putting military pressure on militarily defeating the Taliban could major highways were closed. Recently the Salang highway— on the ground. First of all we have the Taliban to get them to the ne- only exacerbate attacks like those Donald Trump has rejected the idea seen four American presidents which gotiating table was working. From we've seen recently? Amalendu Mis- passes through treacherous mountains in Baghlan and Parwan of peace talks with the Taliban and have not been able to successfully your own analysis then, is this not ra: The fact is that the American provinces, linking the capital Kabul with northern provinces, has suggested that he intends to at- undermine the Taliban. We're talk- the case? Amalendu Misra: Well the presence in Afghanistan has been tempt a military victory over it. ing about the year 2000, until 2018. proof of pudding is in the eating. If reduced to a very miniscule pres- was closed twice for light and heavy traffic. Lt. Gen. Moham- The President's words come on the So to talk about bringing it down in you say that we can put military ence. heels of a deadly attack in the cap- one is somewhat of a pipe dream. pressure, how could the Taliban When the United States or presi- mad Rajab, the highway maintenance commander on Tuesday ital of Kabul over the weekend that The other thing is that the Taliban bring about this fantastic — quote dent Trump is talking about ‘Amer- left at least one hundred people dead. themselves are not talking about unquote — ‘strike' against the Af- ica first' he's perhaps asking this announced reopening of the tunnel. With good fortune, human Sputnik spoke to political analyst peace. The reality on the ground is ghan people? Whatever happened question: is it worth the penny? Now and author Amalendu Misra. Sput- that they don't want any kind of to the Afghan military strategist? the fact is that the Americans are loses have not yet reported. However, the worst consequences nik: So a number of people, includ- peace talks with the Americans or To talk about Afghan forces under- not going to get anything out of ing a former representative to Af- president Trump or whoever you mining the Taliban is a non-starter their military engagement in Af- of heavy snowfall could not be under estimated in coming weeks. ghanistan, have criticised President have in mind. So when you talk about because they are striking at the very ghanistan. How does the Trump ad- Trump's rejection of future talks not having any negotiations with heart of the Afghan state, which is ministration rationalize it before the Minimizing human and financial losses of heavy snowfall, trig- with the Taliban, and have said that them, we're the ones becoming the Kabul. So how can we say that they American public, the taxpayers? gering avalanches, destroying buildings and leaving many trapped there is no evidence to prove the laughing stock here. So we have to can defeat them if the Americans They don't simply gel well here. So US and Afghan forces can defeat the make a kind of clear distinction be- couldn't do it, how could the Afghan when the Americans are talking tall in their snowbound homes, the Afghanistan National Disaster Taliban militarily, what do you think tween intent and reality, and the forces do it? We don't even know if talk, or if the US representative in of that? Amalendu Misra: There are reality on the ground is very differ- the Afghans themselves are respon- the United Nations Mrs Nikki Ha- Management Authority (ANDMA) has to put all efforts on card two things involved here: the first ent from what president Trump sible for the Afghan forces them- ley is talking about a massive mili- one is intent and the second one is would like us to believe. Sputnik: selves are responsible for not tak- tary presence and some kind of out- and take preventive measures in advance. The ANDMA authori- reality. The intention of president Earlier on in the month, the US' ing the imitative in this particular come, it is not going to happen. ties should go through their responsibilities by identifying and Trump is to bring the Taliban down, ambassador to the United Nations, matter. Sputnik: Is it likely that a (Spuntak) setting strategic measures for disaster reduction and plans for reconstruction, declaration of state of disaster, development of national policies, management of funds for relief purposes, mo- bilization of the government and national and international do- nors to provide required machinery to the ANDMA and assis- tance to affected families. Heavy machinery should be deployed to major highways to clear roads of snowfall and minimize mis- eries of our people travelling from one place to another. Citizens in remote mountainous areas should be provided with food items and tents and shift them to safe areas for a specific time. Online help center, medical teams and emergency response cell, com- prising all relevant institutions needs to be operational and re- gional departments of the ANDMA should be activated to reach and report the disaster on time. The emergency cell should be supported by the country’s security forces and air force. Heli- copters need to be used for supplying of relief items and rescu- ing snowbound families across the country. Good management and effective leadership is the way forward to rescue our people and turn the challenges into opportunities. 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. FEBRUARY 01, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

By Janine Jackson diss Kebriaei. Pardiss Kebriaei: in both the basis for continuing to Guantánamo, and that was because, Thank you, Janine, it's good to be hold people, the standards of evi- in his words, they were all danger- Janine Jackson: January 11 marked here. Tell us about this new legal dence that have been used, the pro- ous. This was without regard to the 16 years since the opening of the challenge. What is your argument, cedures that have justified these de- facts, as usual, without regard to the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, and has it changed? It is different tentions and their duration. So we fact that five people, at least, have Cuba, specifically designed to be be- than what we've argued before. So it make arguments under the Consti- been approved for transfer, mean- yond the reach of US law and away is on behalf of 11 of the 41 men tution and under international law. ing that the government itself has from public view, holding only Mus- who remain detained, as you said. And the basic request to the Court is determined they are not a threat, lim men and boys, many without All of these men are people who've to grant their habeas petitions and but he made this blanket statement, charge or trial. Guantánamo is a been held for at least a decade with- order release, and to find that these and more importantly, that position monument to the lawlessness and out charge at Guantánamo, and held detentions are unlawful. The gov- has played out over the first full year cruelty of the US after September before that too. So, in total, it's ac- ernment has the option of -- as it's of his administration. There has 11, 2001, throwing over civil rights tually true to say that all of them always had, if it wants to continue been absolutely no movement on and liberties under the pretense of have been held for nearly 16 years detaining them -- charging them, if Guantánamo at all. The offices that defending the country from those without charge. Two of them have there's credible evidence, charging had been set up, that had been who "hate us for" them. For as long actually been approved for transfer them in a fair process, not the mil- opened under the Obama adminis- as it's been open, activists, attor- by the United States, which means itary commissions. But otherwise, tration, to work with foreign gov- neys and others have been refusing that every government agency with this continuing limbo is untenable, ernments and negotiate repatria- to forget Guantánamo and the peo- a stake in their detention has said the status quo is not tenable, so that's tion, resettlement, have been closed, matter, because no one is going any- it's clear that that is the case here. or the nature of the attention that ple imprisoned there. With 41 men they don't need to be there, despite the basic argument and request. or are without any real capacity or where, and that's, again, demonstrat- Newsweek did run a column by your it would warrant. And I guess I would remaining, there is a new effort to their continuing detention. And the Donald Trump has flatly declared authority to negotiate transfers. ed by the fact that five people who client Sharqawi Al Hajj, in which he say, let's face it, in some ways challenge their continued detention basic argument, under the Constitu- that he won't be releasing any pris- There are these government reviews have been approved for transfer are asks plainly, "Am I going to die Guantánamo doesn't sound like such -- now, for many, under its third pres- tion and under international law, is oners from Guantánamo, and that that, again, were also set up under still sitting in Guantánamo, and here?" I thought it was very power- an outlier, unfortunately, to people. idency. The filing, in Washington, that their detention is indefinite and sort of statement is meaningful in the Obama administration, that had there's just been no movement at ful. The New York Times ran an We have cops from Chicago going DC, federal court, is on behalf of 11 perpetual, and that's as clear as it's itself, is it not? As with the Muslim been reviewing the individual detain- all. So we're looking at both his clear editorial that called this legal chal- to Guantánamo to train them, you of the remaining prisoners. Our next ever been under the Trump admin- ban, where he said he wants to lock ees and approving some for trans- statements about Guantánamo, and lenge "the sharpest test yet of Amer- know. Why do you think it still guest is part of the legal team be- istration, and perpetual detention of Muslims out of the country, but then fer. Those reviews have become more broadly the statements he's ica's commitment to its most im- matters so much? You are absolute- hind it. Pardiss Kebriaei is senior this kind is illegal. It's not permit- tries to argue in court that the ban is meaningless. I mean, they are still made in other policy areas, the an- portant founding principles -- the ly right that in many ways, staff attorney at the Center for ted by the due process clause of the not religion-based. Those words can happening in form, but absolutely imus he's demonstrated toward for- guarantee of due process and the Guantánamo is just an extension of Constitutional Rights. She joins us Constitution, and it's not permitted be used, can't they? Absolutely. He no substance. But the bottom line eigners, towards Muslims, the state- right to habeas corpus." But this kind what's been happening in the crim- now by phone, from here in town. under the laws of war. These deten- made clear as a candidate that no is, even if someone were to be cleared ments that have motivated and of anniversary editorial aside, it inal justice system in the United Welcome back to CounterSpin, Par- tions are absolutely unprecedented, detainee should be transferred from through that process, it wouldn't played out in policy, and saying that doesn't seem like it gets the quality States. (Truthout)

deed, Palestinian lives do not mat- By Ron Fein officers can still enforce federal im- cannot use its spending power to By Yvonne Ridley ter as much as Europeans’. In a migration law. They just have to do "coerce" a state "to adopt a federal world becoming increasingly ob- it on their own. The question here regulatory system as its own." That's sessed with equality and gender bal- It's 4 am in New York. Federal agents is not whether sanctuary policies are partly why a federal judge issued a Think tanks and commentators in tactical gear confront the police wise. The question here is whether permanent injunction against around the world have analysed and ance – and rightly so – it is appall- ing that the Palestinians are neither department's mayoral security de- our constitutional democracy can Trump's earlier attempt to withhold evaluated US President Donald tail outside Manhattan's Gracie Man- survive mass roundups of mayors and federal funds from sanctuary cities. Trump’s decision to accept Jerusa- featured in campaigns nor treated equally. The apartheid system run sion. After a tense standoff, the governors for refusing to use local But let's not lose the forest for the lem as Israel’s capital and move the NYPD stands down and steps aside resources to help enforce federal trees: The United States government American Embassy from Tel Aviv. within Israel and by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories is as the bedraggled mayor is removed immigration. To be sure, elected of- is contemplating a mass arrest of seen as an obstacle to that process, Their analysis has been exhaustive, in handcuffs. Across the nation, care- ficials are not immune from the law. US mayors and governors for refus- By Hanaa Hasan such a proposal seems up for discus- and while roundly condemned by apparently accepted as being both necessary and the norm by Western fully coordinated pre-dawn raids Many have spent time in the feder- ing to help the president's agenda. sion. In an interview released last most countries, political observers sweep up the mayors of Boston, al penitentiary for corruption. And We've seen this before in other coun- During a visit to Stanford Universi- week with Middle East Forum re- and Middle East experts, it seems governments and public percep- tions. Israel flouted international law Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle, elected officials who deliberately tries. Mass purges of dissident local ty last week, US Secretary of State search fellow Aymenn Al-Tamimi, that only extreme right-wing groups and the governor of California. Two violate court orders can be subject officials are moves from Putin's Rex Tillerson laid out five objec- YPG spokesman Nouri Mahmoud have welcomed the controversial in the flotilla attack and ended up paying out millions in compensa- hours later, President Trump tweets to criminal contempt of court. For Russia (if not Stalin's) or Erdogan's tives of the US military involve- emphasised that the group did not decision without question. Arguably victory. Paranoid conspiracy thrill- example, in the 1960s, Mississip- Turkey. But nothing in our own his- ment in the Syrian conflict. Rang- want to divide Syria: “We don’t have the most thought-provoking semi- tion to Turkey which was not pre- pared to sit by silently and so acted er? Feverish dystopian fantasy? pi's governor was charged with crim- tory has prepared us for this mo- ing from expelling Daesh and con- a problem. We are prepared to dis- nar on the topic was that hosted in Hardly. This is a plan that the Trump inal contempt for defying a court ment. Is this a red flag for autocra- trolling Iran’s influence to facilitat- cuss and we don’t want to partition London recently by EuroPal Forum on behalf of the “Gaza Freedom Flo- order to desegregate the University cy? Some take comfort in Trump's tilla”, the collective name for the administration is actively consider- ing the return of refugees, his com- Syria. And we don’t want to draw called “Trump’s Jerusalem promise: ing. On January 16, Secretary of of Mississippi. And former Arizona disorganization and distraction. On ments on the issue seemed to be an new borders … but we want Al-Shaam Time for Europe to lead for peace ships collected together by six or- Sheriff Joe Arpaio was convicted for this theory, breaking the republic is ganisations. The flotilla was a mul- Homeland Security Kirstjen Niels- attempt to prove that the US did [Syria] to be democratic.” The SDF in the Middle East”. Given that the en told the Senate Judiciary Com- disobeying a court order to stop un- a full-time job, not something you have some rational basis behind its further called on the Syrian govern- whole Palestinian crisis was created tinational coalition of the Free constitutional policing practices. squeeze in between golf and live- Gaza Movement, the Turkish Foun- mittee that, at her department's re- controversial backing for the Kurd- ment last week to aid them in their right here in Europe, it’s only right quest, federal prosecutors are "re- (President Trump pardoned him, but tweeting morning television. But as ish-led Syrian Democratic Forces fight against Turkey, stating that that the historical errors and injus- dation for Human Rights, Freedoms that pardon is the subject of ongo- longtime Putin critic Masha Gessen and Humanitarian Relief (IHH), the viewing what avenues might be (SDF). The US’ role in the conflict Ankara’s aim was to occupy Syrian tice should be corrected by Europe- available" to arrest and prosecute ing and potential future litigation.) notes, the first rule for survival in has attracted criticism in recent land: “We call on the Syrian state ans. This time, though, discussions European Campaign to end the siege It's possible that administration of- an autocracy is to "believe the au- of Gaza, Ship to Gaza-Greece, Ship mayors of sanctuary cities for har- months due to the SDF being pri- to carry out its sovereign obligations should be held in concert with those boring unauthorized immigrants. ficials are performing elaborate the- tocrat. He means what he says." And marily made up of militants from towards Afrin and protect its bor- in the Arab and Muslim world who to Gaza-Sweden, and the Interna- Nielsen's testimony wasn't even the ater for an audience of one -- the even if Trump himself doesn't know tional Committee to end the siege the YPG (People’s Protection ders with Turkey from attacks of have the best interests of the Pales- first time in January that the ad- president. Trump himself often says how to achieve his goals, the peo- Unit), an offshoot of the designat- the Turkish occupier … and deploy tinian people at the heart of their of Gaza. It is a pity that the legal ministration floated the idea of ar- "We're looking into it" as a way to ple running the president's immigra- proceedings in the Turkish courts ed terror organisation, the Kurdis- its Syrian Armed Forces to secure proposals, starting with the Pales- resting mayors and governors. Two dodge an awkward question. Or per- tion enforcement policy -- Secre- tan Worker’s Party (PKK). To con- the borders of the Afrin area.” tinians themselves, who have all too were not allowed to take their full weeks earlier, Acting Director of haps the Department of Justice tary Nielsen, Acting Director course. While Turkey adopted a tinue to back a terrorist affiliate has Whilst the US has given little indi- often been spectators while others Immigration and Customs Enforce- chuckled at the request for criminal Homan and, of course, Attorney often been hypocritical and, given cation that it would support calls decide and dictate their future. Aside pragmatic approach to the Israeli ment Thomas Homan told a Fox prosecution of mayors, but is con- General Jeff Sessions -- know what war crimes, justice has still not been the group’s stated desire to establish for an independent Kurdish state, from the geopolitical role of Eu- News host, "We gotta start charg- sidering narrower options to punish they are doing, and how to achieve a state in the north of the country having condemned last September’s rope in the issue, Palestine has a served on the Zionist State which ing some of these politicians with sanctuary cities. There aren't many, what they and the president want. continues to violate international based on federalism inspired by the Kurdish referendum in Iraq as “ille- Mediterranean coastline, as do a host crimes." This is dangerous, danger- partly because most sanctuary poli- Maybe it won't happen. Maybe cool- communist values of PKK founder gitimate”, the YPG’s potential flex- of European countries. Fishermen law with apparent impunity. Once ous talk. It's important to under- cies don't even violate any federal er heads will prevail. But we should again, the right for justice has been Abdullah Ocalan, are contrary to ibility on the issue may present it from all of these lands seek a living stand what a sanctuary city (or state) statute. More importantly, as the reflect on the chilling fact that Pres- the US’ own interests. Yet the with a more feasible ally. Similarly from the same sea, but whereas those denied to the Palestinians who stood status means. While local policies late Justice Antonin Scalia explained ident Trump's handpicked appoin- to benefit if the flotilla had been Trump administration’s continued its calls for democracy and staunch- from Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, vary and there is no universal defi- in 1997, the Constitution prohibits tees to run immigration enforce- support for the YPG is not as en- ly secular stance seem more palat- Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and allowed to reach its destination. At nition of the term, in sanctuary cit- the federal government from "com- ment openly discuss prosecuting the the EuroPal seminar, the Middle tirely baseless as portrayed. The able to the US’ desire for a quiet Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania ies, local police stick to enforcing mandeering" local law enforcement mayors of US cities. We must pre- militants’ objectives in the region transition, particularly when con- and Greece can do so with relative East peace talks were addressed by local and state law, not federal im- to enforce federal law. Even Con- pare for the day when the adminis- Dr Ghada Karmi, a Palestinian aca- complement many of those stated trasted with the various Islamic fac- ease, the Palestinians risk being shot migration law. That frustrates fed- gress's power to condition federal tration makes good on its threat. tions present among Syrian opposi- demic and writer who pointed out funds is limited; as Chief Justice John We may not get a second chance. by Tillerson and the group has large- at, sunk or killed by the Israeli navy, eral authorities, but it's not obstruc- ly shown itself as a willing proxy tion groups. The YPG also mirrors which restricts their access to their that the US is not an independent tion, let alone nullification. Federal Roberts explained in 2012, Congress (Truthout) broker in the process. She suggested for the US to aid. But whilst such the US’ interest in mitigating Irani- own territorial waters. There would support may make sense in princi- an influence. The Trump adminis- be international outrage if a foreign that the EU could play a role in this acceptable to both sides. Professor ple, in practice, the effects could be tration has expressed its concern at navy attacked fishing boats from more detrimental to America than the establishment of an “Iranian Italy or Croatia as they cast their Kamel Hawwash from Birmingham University noted the importance of predicted. The benefits in theory crescent”, with sympathetic govern- nets. Yet that is the daily reality for The US’ first objective in Syria is to ments in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, fishermen from Gaza who risk their Europe’s rejection of Trump’s an- nouncement about Jerusalem, but ensure Daesh and Al-Qaeda experi- creating a corridor from Iran to the lives whenever they try to make an ence an “enduring defeat”, accord- Mediterranean Sea. The YPG is also honest living. It is long overdue, added that as it stands today the Palestinians are regarded as the ing to Tillerson and with this in determined to prevent such a reali- therefore, for Palestine to be con- By Abdullah Al-Arian sive global propaganda campaign and 2010, Qatar won the right to host mind, America’s continued support ty being permanent: “Iran stands in sidered a European issue. The semi- weakest party. The chair of Euro- accusations of supporting terrorism. the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In 2012, Pal Forum, Zaher Birawi, said that of Kurdish groups makes sense. Ini- the way of democracy in Syria, in nar was opened by Dr Daud Abdul- Last June, London-based newspaper the state-owned Qatar Sports In- tial aid for the YPG was primarily order to protect its interests, and lah, Director of Middle East Moni- it is time for the Palestinians to Earlier this month, Spanish foot- The Sun ran a headline warning that vestments (QSI) completed the pur- “think outside the fruitless negotia- ball club Barcelona completed the prompted by the US’ need to have a Iran is sowing war, supporting war tor, who asked delegates to exam- "wearing a Barcelona shirt in the chase of PSG, and, a year later, the stake in the conflict and monitor in Syria in order that the security ine possible European roles. One of tion box.” They must, he added, 160m euro ($198m) transfer of Bra- UAE with Qatar Airways advertis- national airline became the first- prepare to deal with Israel as an oc- zilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho the situation in regards to Daesh. stability should continue in Iran,” the speakers was international hu- ing could land you in prison for 15 ever corporate sponsor to appear The SDF has been largely successful spokesman Mahmoud emphasised. cupying state, which international from England's Liverpool football years". While the story was an ob- on the iconic Barcelona shirt. When man rights lawyer Toby Cadman, club. The move was a record pur- in this regard, driving out Daesh With supporting the YPG proving who took an active role in the legal law gives them the right to resist in vious exaggeration typical of the it pursued Neymar last August, PSG order to restore their national rights. chase by a Spanish club and the high- militants from numerous areas in helpful for the US to fulfil arguably case against Israel’s deadly military English tabloids, it nonetheless re- clearly had footballing reasons for Syria, including the group’s strong- their three primary objectives, it is All of these speakers gave com- est sale of a player in the history of flected the sudden escalation in ten- doing so. Neymar is on track to re- assault on a humanitarian flotilla, the English Premier League. The holds in Raqqa, Mayadeen and Deir unsurprising that Washington opt- including the Mavi Marmara, back mendable arguments about the im- sions by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and place former teammate Leo Messi portance of Europe in the Pales- transfer follows last summer's high- Ez-Zor, and also gaining control of ed to continue to support them un- in 2010. The flotilla was bound for Bahrain, who earlier that week had and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronal- strategic oil reserves in the process. der the guise of the SDF. With little tine-Israel issue, but they all missed profile exodus of Brazilian star for- cut off all relations with Qatar in an do as the world's best player when the Gaza Strip and sailing through ward Neymar, from Barcelona, who It has also made tackling Syrian other side to support and a need to the eastern Mediterranean, in inter- the point that the geography of the attempt to force it to alter its do- their remarkable decade-long stran- territory in question has shared char- joined Qatari-owned French club opposition groups, all of whom it monitor the ever-changing situation national waters, when it was inter- mestic and foreign policies. Photos glehold over the Ballon d'Or award in the region, as well as the rela- acteristics with Europe. I believe Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) with a circulated across social media of bill- finally comes to an end. The club's views as terrorist organisations, a cepted by Israeli commandos who record-shattering 222 million euros priority, admittedly more so than tionship between Turkey, Russia and attacked the passengers in a highly that this makes the Palestinians and boards in Emirati shopping malls chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi had their issue very much a European ($263m) buy-out payment. Since the regime. Support for the SDF has Iran, such an offer seemed better coordinated assault. Nine Turkish featuring Neymar, Lionel Messi, and also long expressed his admiration than any other alternative. The dif- issue. Westerners with donor fatigue then, clubs like Manchester United Luis Suarez in their Barcelona shirts for the player and made no secret allowed the US to maintain a diplo- civilians were killed on the spot and and Liverpool have had to pay over matic and military presence on the ficulties in practice another succumbed to his wounds tend to lump the Middle East into a with the Qatar Airways sponsorship of PSG's desire to add him to the homogenous mass; politically it was, the odds for their new recruits, while ground, whilst Kurdish groups also Despite supporting the YPG posing later; scores more were seriously logo visibly censored. Whatever team's forward line, especially after numerous benefits to the US in iso- of course, before European colonial- a traditional powerhouse like Span- political pressure this regional bloc the role Neymar played in knock- remain active on the same battle- wounded. The attack was a crime ish football club Real Madrid was fronts. Such a strategy is helpful for lation, the move cannot be said to under international law, noted Cad- ists drew lines in the sand 100 years hoped to exert onto Qatar had ing PSG out of the Champion's ago and installed Arab despots in the priced out of a move for promising quickly degenerated into petty dis- League, providing two goals and an the US, who in the words of Tiller- be positive in reality, most impor- man at the time. However, to date, young prospect Kylian Mbappe. son, wish to avoid “the same mis- tantly in terms of international re- Tel Aviv has never been held ac- newly-created capital cities. If they plays of this sort. To be sure, foot- assist in the final minutes of Barce- consider the role of Europe in the While club managers and fans alike ball diplomacy is nothing new. States lona's improbable comeback victo- takes that were made in 2011 when lations. Funding an organisation countable by the international com- have since lamented the sudden rise a premature departure from Iraq al- connected with the PKK, that has munity. Had a similar attack been creation of the Palestinian crisis, and have frequently relied on notable ry last March. Still, there was little its proximity to European territo- in the cost of the world's top foot- matches and tournaments at the club reason to expect a deal could have lowed Al-Qaeda in Iraq to survive killed more than 40,000 people in carried out in French, Spanish or ballers, what has often been left out and eventually morph into ISIS Turkey in the past 30 years, was Greek territorial waters, a trial of ry, perhaps those in the West might and national team levels in order to happened last summer. For one, see the conflict in a very different of the discussion is the degree to improve their international image Neymar had just signed a five-year [Daesh].” In terms of resolving the always going to produce a response some sort would almost certainly which the blockade of Qatar by sev- Syrian conflict, the US has called from Ankara. Turkey had arguably have been done and dusted by now. light. This strategic shift has been or repair relations with rival coun- contract extension that would have utilised very effectively by the Is- eral of its Gulf Cooperation Council tries. Following its rise in the mid- kept him at Barcelona until 2021. for an UN-led political process that been patient for over two years, but When the victims are Palestinians, (GCC) neighbours contributed to Eu- would see the establishment of “a the US declaring its intention to es- or citizens of states standing in sol- raelis and their supporters in West- 1990s as an energy-rich nation seek- The 222-million-euro buyout clause ern capitals and media. The Pales- ropean football's surging transfer ing to climb out of the domineering (a requirement in Spanish football) stable, unified, independent Syria, tablish a permanent, 30,000 strong idarity with them, their status as the market. Neymar's transfer came at under post-Assad leadership”. border force made up of the SDF, Other is made all too obvious; in- tinians have been “Othered” in the Saudi orbit, Qatar invested heavily was included as a prohibitive warn- process. (Aljazeera) a time when Qatar faced an aggres- in, among other things, football. In ing to would-be suitors. Whilst the YPG had largely been proved a step too far. THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 01, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES North Korea will Parade long-range missiles soon,reportedly to scare the US

A report Wednesday claimed North Korea was planning to display dozens of long-range missiles at a parade Feb. 8, a day before the com- mencement of Winter Olympics in South Korea. The CNN report claimed they obtained the information about North Korea’s intentions from two trusted diplomatic sources Wednesday. One of the sources said the large display of long-range missiles would be an attempt “to scare the hell out of the Americans.” Foreign media would reportedly be banned from covering the event and, according to one of the sources, the reason behind this could be the “sensitivity of the weapons that will be on display, and to avoid questions about the deployability of the missiles.” The sources also did not rule out the possibility of a missile test in the near future with the motive of sending a strong message to American forces that are currently deployed in the region. The news of North Korea displaying its missiles comes right after President Donald Trump’s maiden State of the Union speech, during which he heavily criticized leader Kim Jong Un’s regime. President Kim Jong-Un In this photo, released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a New Year's speech at an undis- closed location Jan. 1, 2018. Photo: Getty Images During his State of the Union address, Trump not only described North Korean defector Ji Seong Ho’s suffering in detail, but also painted the Jong Un’s regime as an enemy of humanity and Christianity. “He (Ji) woke up as a train ran over his limbs. He then endured multiple amputations without anything to dull the pain. His tormentors wanted to know if he’d met any Chris- tians. He had — and he resolved, after that, to be free,” Trump said about Ho's suffering during the conclusion of his speech. Vox News reported Trump recounting the incident served an important political purpose, which was to paint North Korea as “a country that mistreats its people so cruelly cannot be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons”. “North Korea’s reckless pursuit of nuclear missiles could very soon threaten our homeland. We need only look at the depraved character of the North Korean regime to understand the nature of the nuclear threat it could pose to America and to our allies,” Trump added. (CNN) Stateof EU holding the line against Union passporting 2018:Al Gore for British On January 11, The Huffington cording to nuclear bomb simulator banks after Post leaked a copy of the Trump Nukemap, it would instantly kill Elmar Mammadyarov rejects administration’s first nuclear pos- 8 million people and injure an ad- ture review. The report assesses ditional 6.6 million if dropped on meets with Turkmenistan’s the role nuclear weapons will like- New York City. Kanyon’s weap- Trump's ly play in U.S. security over the on wouldn’t be dropped, though. President Brexit next five to ten years, and it con- It would arrive via the ocean and Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has met with Mr. Gurbanguly firms that Russia is developing bring with it a massive artificial Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan in the framework of his Kanyon, the world’s most power- tsunami that would blanket the official visit to Turkmenistan, APA reports citing Azerbaijan’s Foreign claims ful nuclear weapon. The Differ- coastal area in radioactive water. If Ministry. Minister Elmar Mammadyarov conveyed the greetings of ence Between a Hydrogen Bomb the warhead is “salted” with the Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to President and an Atom Bomb Rumors of radioactive isotope Cobalt-60, as of Turkmenistan. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who in turn he has Kanyon (or Ocean Multipurpose some have reported, a detonation asked to convey his greetings and the most sincere wishes to H.E. Mr. System Status-6, as it’s known in could render contaminated areas Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. At the meeting it Russia) first started swirling in uninhabitable by humans for an was noted that the official visit of the President of Turkmenistan to 2015 following a leak on Russian entire century. “Kanyon is unique Azerbaijan in 2017 and high-level political dialogue held by the heads of saved television. Soon after, the nation in every respect,” said Sutton. state of two countries gave additional impetus to the development of confirmed the weapon’s existence, “There really is nothing like it in traditional friendship ties between our countries. while claiming the leak was a mis- any navy’s inventory.” Though take. However, as defense analyst both massive and powerful, coal and military historian H. I. Sutton Kanyon isn’t particularly fast. The Turkmenistan strengthening told Futurism, this leak of the lat- autonomous torpedo’s reported European Union negotiators see no room for discussion with Britain on est nuclear posture review is the top speed is 100 knots (115 miles its Naval Forces Former US Vice President insists maintaining “passport” access to EU financial markets for its banks first official recognition of Kanyon per hour), so it would need almost America should lead on clean en- after Brexit, but they are willing to look at free trade in the sector, by U.S. officials. “The unclassi- 36 hours to travel from Kronstadt, ergy following Trump's State of diplomats said. Speaking after EU officials briefed representatives of fied posture review document the westernmost point in Russia, The Turkmen State Security Council has held a meeting, where infor- the Union address which claimed the other 27 member states on Tuesday, several diplomats who were doesn’t really tell defense analysts to New York City, the most pop- mation was provided on measures aimed at strengthening the material he has 'ended the war on clean coal' present told Reuters that there appeared to be some differences among anything new, but it does estab- ulated city in the U.S. Of course, and technical base of the country’s Naval Forces, Turkmenistan State Campaigners have hit back at governments over how much access to EU customers they were willing lish Kanyon as a military fact,” said it could be launched from some- News Agency reported Jan. 31. Turkmen President Gurbanguly Ber- US President Donald Trump's to give banks and other financial firms from London. But, said one said, Sutton. “Until now, many observ- where closer, but according to Sut- dimuhamedov, who visited the country’s Balkan province, stressed State of the Union address claims ers had regarded the system as ton, Americans probably don’t that in accordance with the neutral status, Turkmenistan consistently “On financial services, it is nowhere close to the access one gets as a that his administration has "ended member state or through the EEA (European Economic Area). There ‘fake news.’ I think that this was need to worry about a surprise implements peaceful policy of good-neighborliness reflected in the pure- the war on beautiful, clean coal", ly defensive military doctrine. In recent years, the material and techni- will be no passporting rights.” Michel Barnier, the EU’s Brexit negoti- partly because the stated specifi- Kanyon attack. However, he still with former US Vice President Al ator, has already made clear in public that Brussels will reject sugges- cations are so incredible and part- believes it’s a “terrifying weapon” cal base of the Turkmen Naval Forces has been continuously updated, Gore insisting the US should be with modern equipment and warships replenishing the Naval Forces of tions from the City of London that institutions maintain the “pass- ly because it is hard to understand and sees its development as a sign leading on green energy rather than ports” that allow them to offer services across the 28-nation bloc. how it will be used.” “Incredible” that Russia is looking to diversify the Turkmen Defense Ministry, Berdimuhamedov noted. focusing on fossil fuels. In his first All this are concrete measures aimed at strengthening the reliability of He has, however, said that some British regulations could be treated is perhaps putting it mildly. Based its nuclear arsenal, likely in an at- State of the Union address Trump as “equivalent” to the EU supervisory regime, giving some favorable on leaked Russian documents, tempt to find ways to get around the Turkmen maritime borders, he added. boasted America is now an energy (AP) access in some types of business. That would mean banks in Britain, Kanyon is a nuclear-armed auton- future missile defenses. As Sutton exporter with a revived coal indus- including the London subsidiaries of global players from the United omous torpedo capable of travel- told Futurism, nuclear deterrence try, thanks to his efforts to roll States, Japan and elsewhere, losing the automatic right to offer the same ing 10,000 kilometers (6,213 miles) is a nuanced topic. Ultimately, back Obama-era policies to curb services in any other EU country. However, they might offer specific with a 100-megaton thermonucle- impenetrable missile defenses Visa center of Kazakhstan in emissions. Are woodburners and products, where UK regulations were deemed “equivalent”. Otherwise, ar weapon as its payload. That’s could actually decrease safety by stoves next in line for air pollution banks may set up new EU subsidiaries, involving extra cost, including at least twice as powerful as any undermining mutually assured de- Beijing commenced crackdown? "We have ended the having to inject capital into those units. (Spuntak) nuclear weapon ever tested. Ac- struction (MAD). (AFP) war on American energy - and we acceptance of documents have ended the war on beautiful, clean coal," Trump said. "We are now very proudly an exporter of for group visas procurement energy to the world." But the The visa center of Kazakhstan in Beijing has started accepting the doc- claims were quickly attacked by Saudi fundsigns $3.5 million to uments for procurement of group tourist visas, reports the Foreign green commentators, with Gore Ministry of Kazakhstan. tweeting that "there is no war on "Within the frameworks of the memorandum between the Ministry of American energy" and insisting Investments and Development of Kazakhstan and the state department that "smart leaders" are tapping aid Syrian refugees in Lebanon for tourism affairs of China on facilitation of group tourist trips of the into the "unprecedented" oppor- citizens of China to Kazakhstan can be submitted in the visa center tunity offered by renewables. Dr Saudi Arabia's Development Fund announced on Monday signing an since January 30 2018," reads the message. Andrew Steer, president of the agreement with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to The visa center is located in Beijing. The phone numbers are +86 (021) World Resources Initiative, said provide $3.5 million to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The funding will be 6016-8633, +86 (021) 2221-8533. although Trump's tone was seri- to carry forward the implementation of the second phase on the housing (Kazaq) ous, the speech "missed the mark". project covering over 10,000 Syrian families, according to the Saudi "There has never been a 'war on state-owned news agency SPA. The Fund's total contributions to UN- energy' or on so-called 'beautiful HCR’s projects so far have amounted to $30.7 million. This is part of clean coal,'" he said. "Yet, this ad- the Fund's assistance to displaced Syrian refugees in Lebanon and other Iran, UN discuss Syria's ministration has failed to take ad- neighboring countries. The agreement was signed by Vice President of vantage of the growing renewable the Saudi Fund for Development Eng. Yousef Bin Ibrahim Al Bassam developments energy markets, and instead focus- and UNHCR's Regional Representative for the Gulf Cooperation Council es on outdated energy sources. (GCC) Khalid Khalifa. The contribution comes from Saudi Arabia at a Senior Assistant to the Iranian Foreign Minister and senior ne- "The administration has also un- time the Syrian crisis extends its toll for the eighth year in a row, forcing gotiator in Astana talks Hossein Jaberi Ansari and UN's Special dercut auto emissions standards, more than 5.4 million Syrians to leave their homes and property as they Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura in a meeting in the Russian which have actually helped inspire seek safety in neighboring countries. Increasing refugee influx has man- resort city of Sochi discussed the latest developments in Syria. innovation to make cars less pol- aged to strain the social and economic situation of host countries, espe- During the meeting on the sidelines of the Syrian National Dia- luting and save drivers money. cially Lebanon, which hosts over a million, of which almost 70 percent logue Congress in Sochi on Tuesday, Jaberi Ansari and de Mis- America's infrastructure certainly live in striking poverty and are in dire need of aid. tura underlined the need for continuing consultations and co- needs more investment, but that operation to the Syrian crisis. The two sides also reviewed the must be accompanied with safe- guards to protect people and our process of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress held in Sochi, natural resources." US media out- as well as the actions and plans of the UN envoy for Syria. The lets were also quick to point out French president warns Turkey against Sochi talks, which are in fact dialogues between some of the the factual flaws in Trump's Syrian opposition parties and the Syrian government, started claims, with many pointing out that on Tuesday with the participation of the three guarantor coun- although coal production in the US 'invasion' of Syria amid Afrin op tries (Iran, Russia and Turkey). Addressing the conference, Rus- has ticked up over the most recent sian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow, in co- fiscal year, just 500 new jobs in Turkey launched its operation in Syria on January 20 and has YPG militias, which Ankara at securing the country's bor- operation with Tehran and Ankara, is after establishment of safe the coal industry have been creat- repeatedly emphasized that the campaign doesn't in any way considers to be linked with the ders amid the terrorist threat. regions in Syria. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Gu- ed over the same period. The roll back of the Clean Power Plan leg- threaten the Arab Republic's territorial integrity. French Presi- Kurdistan Workers' Party According to Ankara, Turkish terres has sent de Mistura, to the Syrian peace conference in dent Emmanuel Macron has warned Ankara against an invasion" (PKK), which has been waging army and its allied Free Syrian Russia. Guterres is confident that the congress in Sochi will be islation is thought to have had a minimal impact on coal investment in Syria in the wake of Ankara's anti-terrorist campaign dubbed an armed conflict in Turkey Army rebels won't fight Dam- an important contribution to revive the UN-sponsored peace the 'Olive Branch." "I immediately called for precaution and re- seeking autonomy and equal ascus during the campaign, talks in Geneva. The UN decision to send its envoy to the Syrian strategies, given that the plan was tied up in the courts when Trump straint and voiced this concern during the early hours [of this rights for the Kurds in the coun- which in being conducted in National Dialogue Congress in the Russian Black Sea resort of offensive]," Macron said. Since January 20, Turkey has been try. The Turkish leadership has respect of the Syrian territorial Sochi comes despite the Syrian opposition’s calls for the boy- took power and had yet to be im- plemented. conducting a military operation in Syria's Afrin, an area is con- emphasized that its military integrity. cott of the event. (Trend) trolled by the Syrian Democratic Forces-affiliated and US-backed campaign is aimed exclusively (Spuntak) THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 01, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Kenya has been ranked 112 glo- bally on macroeconomic stability, institutional strength, openness and human capital and remains behind 11 other African countries. Mauritius, Botswana and Rwan- da are the top-most in Africa in terms of future growth promise on account of the measured indicators, according to a newly released re- port by audit and financial adviso- ry firm KPMG titled Growth Promise 2018. By macroeconomic issues the report refers to government defi- cit and public debt while openness refers to the stock of foreign direct investment and total trade. Other metrics used are infrastructure which refers to availability of fi- nancial services, the quality of transport and technology readi- ness. Institutional strength Rwanda is put ahead of most other African countries mainly because of its in- stitutional strength that refers to the quality of regulation, judicial independence, transparency of government policymaking, control of corruption and business and to rank countries with sub-indica- financial meltdown in the US and its turbulent aftermath as well as the property rights. “Unpicking tors that also include human re- decline in commodity prices. “Most regions fared poorly in this cate- trends in the sub-indicators sug- sources aspects such as education gory, cancelling out possible gains in areas such as human development gests that the real strides have been and life expectancy. But it says and infrastructure,” said KPMG. Macroeconomic stability Although made via improvements in infra- that, across the globe, GPI scoring the report does not reveal the details about Kenya, it shows that the structure, and in particular in tech- in macroeconomic stability has fall- country’s macroeconomic stability is still not as good as that of Egypt, readiness,” said the report that en due to the Great Recession Morocco, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Algeria and Tunisia. uses Growth Promise Index (GPI) (2008-to date) resulting from the (WP)

Turkey's exports in 2017 amount- eign trade volume reached $390.84 covering imports fell from 71.8 ed to over $157.05 billion, mark- billion in 2017, marking a 14.56 percent in 2016 to 67.2 percent in ing a 10.2 percent rise compared percent annual increase, according 2017.TurkStat said Germany was with the previous year, the Turk- to provisional data provided by Turkey's top export market, at ish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) TurkStat and the Ministry of Cus- $15.12 billion or making up 9.6 announced Wednesday. Despite toms and Trade. Meanwhile, Turk- percent of total exports, while the important surge in exports, the ish imports climbed 17.7 percent $73.94 billion worth of Turkish worth of exports stood slightly to $233.79 billion, amounting to a exports were delivered to the EU's less than that of 2014 with $157.7 foreign trade deficit of $76.73 bil- 28 member countries. Turkey im- billion. Exports in December in- lion with a 36.8 percent increase. ported the most from China creased by 8.6 percent to reach The foreign trade deficit was $84.5 ($23.37 billion), followed closely $13.8 billion, whereas imports in- billion in 2014, $63.2 billion in by Germany ($21.30 billion) and creased by 25.4 percent to hit 2015 and $56 billion in 2016, re- Russia ($19.51 billion). $23.8 billion. The country's for- spectively. The ratio of exports (AP)

WASHINGTON – In his first State of the Union address, President Donald Trump continued his promises to turn the page “on decades of unfair trade deals” and to rebuild the nation’s “crumbling infrastruc- Saudi ture,” both issues of major concern for American family farmers and Saudi authorities ranchers. National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in response to the president’s remarks: “Family Economic farmers and rural residents are looking to President Trump to deliver on his promises to fix the nation’s failed free trade agreement framework City to surprised after and crumbling rural infrastructure. “The President, rightly so, spoke to how our past trade agreements disadvantage the working class, family farmers and their communities. These agreements operate under a failed expand 107,000 women framework that the president can begin to fix by replacing NAFTA with an agreement that addresses our massive trade deficit and lost sovereign- ty. Unfortunately, President Trump has gone about this in a fashion that port to isn’t conducive to positive relations with our trading partners. The apply for administration must produce a better NAFTA and avoid massive mar- ket disruption through a NAFTA withdrawal. “We also appreciate the holdup President’s attention to current infrastructure woes. There is clearly a growing need for significant federal investment in our nation's roads, 140 jobs rails, broadband, locks and dams. We urge the administration and Con- tofive gress to move swiftly in developing the promised comprehensive infra- million structure package.” (WP) containers In an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya News Channel on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Fahd Al Rasheed, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), said that the company has plans for this year which are in line with Kuwait on Monday approved its barrel. Oil income is estimated at Saudi Vision 2030. The plans in- budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal $44.3 billion on a daily produc- clude launching an entrepreneur- year, projecting a huge deficit for tion of 2.8 million barrels. Spend- ship investment fund worth 70 the fourth year in a row because of ing is projected at $66.7 billion, million riyals. He stressed that The Saudi General Directorate of paper Sabq learned that the direc- low oil prices. Next year's deficit marginally higher than last year, King Abdullah Economic City fo- Passports has said that it was sur- torate of passports has dealt with is estimated at $16.7 billion, or 13.5 the minister said. He said govern- cuses on attracting entrepreneurs. prised to receive 107,000 job ap- the mass applications in accor- percent of the OPEC member's ment wages and subsidies account Rasheed said plans include expand- plications from female nationals in dance with the terms and condi- gross domestic product. Finance for 73 percent of the budget which ing the port from a capacity of one week. There are only 140 tions stated on its website. Each Minister Nayef al-Hajraf told a takes effect on April 1. It still has three million containers to five available positions. The director- application was reviewed and sort- press conference the government to be passed by parliament. Just million containers, as well as add- ate had placed the job offerings on ed out to ensure they met applica- will withdraw from the state re- 18 percent of spending will go on ing new logistics services. Al- its website last week which includ- tion requirements, they added. serve fund and borrow on the do- development projects, Hajraf said. Rasheed pointed out that 38 ed positions at airport immigration Some of the conditions demanded mestic and international debt mar- He said Kuwait will not impose projects have been launched in the or the kingdom’s air, land and sea by the directorate stipulate that the kets to finance the shortfall. After value-added tax or other taxation field of tourism and leisure, and ports. The jobs target female Sau- applicants must be a Saudi nation- posting healthy surpluses for 16 without parliamentary approval. that one billion riyals will be in- di nationals holding a high school al born and raised in the country successive years, Kuwait has post- Only Saudi Arabia and the United vested to create a golf course. Al- degree or its equivalence. Accord- (those who grew up outside the ed a budget deficit in each of the Arab Emirates have implemented Rashid said that the number of vis- ing to the directorate, they were kingdom whilst their fathers served past three years after oil prices a pan-Gulf decision to impose VAT itors will increase from 400,000 to not expecting the high response the country are exempted from this began to slide in mid-2014. Hajraf from this year. But Hajraf said the one million visitors this year. rate they achieved. Since establish- condition). The applicant must said the new budget projects reve- government may raise charges on KAEC plans to use solar en- ing the directorate’s website, more also be no less than 25 years old, nues at $50 billion, up 12 percent public services to boost non-oil ergy in the desalination project, he than 600,000 individuals have vis- but does not exceed 35. on last year's estimates after the revenues. Like other Gulf states added. ited the site recently. Saudi news- (Alarabiya) oil price rose from $45 to $50 a which rely heavily on oil income. Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan activate Eurozone inflation falls bilateral trade,economic relations despite buoyant economy BRUSSELS – The eurozone econ- Leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will exchange views on enhancing omy may be enjoying its best cooperation in the trade and economic sphere, chief of the foreign pol- growth in a decade but there are icy department of the President’s Office Aizada Subakozhoeva told few signs that's fueling inflation. during a briefing on the official visit of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov In fact, figures Wednesday from to Dushanbe on Feb, 1-2, Kabar reports. She said that the trade turn- the European Union's statistics over between the two countries is growing, but it still does not corre- agency show annual consumer spond to the existing potential and does not reflect the real state of price inflation across the 19-coun- affairs. In this regard, the sides developed a plan to intensify coopera- try bloc fell to 1.3 percent in Jan- uary from the previous month's 1.4 tion in the economic sphere. percent. The January rate is the "For 11 months of 2017, the trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan lowest since July and suggests the and Tajikistan amounted to $ 30 million, which is 29% higher than in the rising euro has weighed on prices same period in 2016. On trade and economic cooperation, the Ministry by lowering import costs. Infla- of Economy conducts relevant work. We will offer the Tajik side to tion has been below the European think about using the potential of free economic zones in Kyrgyzstan, Central Bank's target of just under as well as to consider the possibilities for establishing joint production 2 percent for most of the past few lines for the supply of products to the market of the Eurasian Economic years. While low inflation is good Union, as well as for the European Union market, taking into account for consumers, it can also be a sign the GSP+ status," Subakozhoeva said. of a weak economy. The core rate, (Trend) which strips out volatile. (AP) THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 01, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Padmaavat was made at a bud- get of Rs 180 crore and needs to maintain the momentum to be declared a hit. Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s test’... Maintains the momentum... in the overseas markets. As per the film lost a big amount as it controversial film Padmaavat has Collects a SOLID figure… Wed Adarsh, Padmaavat is doing good didn’t get a release in many states, passed the crucial box office test [limited previews] 5 cr, Thu 19 cr, business in Singapore. The film has “Protests... Disturbances... No on Monday. The film saw a dip in Fri 32 cr, Sat 27 cr, Sun 31 cr, Mon stayed strong at the US box office screening in few states... Yet, #Pad- business, but it’s not as bad as it 15 cr. Total: ? 129 cr. India biz. as well. “While most films don’t maavat does EXCELLENT biz in was with some of the big films last Twitter Ads info and privacy But do more than $ 3 million / $ 4 mil- its extended weekend... The film year. Most of the films see a slump that doesn’t mean Padmaavat can lion *lifetime* internationally, lost out on substantial biz [approx of more than 60% on first working safely be called a hit, not yet. The #Padmaavat has grossed close to $ ? 35 cr / ? 37 cr], but the SUPERB day after the weekend while Pad- film has been made at a whopping 5 million in its *opening weekend* trending in other circuits helped put maavat fared slightly better. After budget of Rs 180 crore and thus it in NORTH AMERICA alone... up a MAJESTIC total... (sic).” The Sunday’s massive Rs 31 crore, the needs to sustain a similar momen- HUMONGOUS... Weekend total: film needs to sustain the momen- Deepika Padukone-starrer earned tum at the ticket window for an- $ 4,980,887 [? 31.71 cr]… Few tum to cross the finishing line. Rs 15 crore on Monday. #Padmaa- other five days at least. Meanwhile locations to be added... @Rentrak,” With the coming Friday offering vat passes the crucial ‘Monday the film is doing excellent business Adarsh wrote. He also wrote how an open. (Hindustan Times) A sessions court here today framed idence on June 3, 2013 by her Police, which earlier probed the charges against Bollywood actor mother Rabiya. She had left the case, on June 10, 2013, was writ- Sooraj Pancholi for allegedly abet- house of Sooraj Pancholi, where ten by Khan which narrated her ting actress Jiah Khan’s suicide. she had been staying for the last “intimate relationship, physical Judge K D Shirbhate framed charg- two days, in the morning the same abuse and mental and physical tor- Telugu actor Samrat Sui Dhaaga: es against the 27-year- old actor day, it said. According to the CBI, ture” allegedly at the hands of Pan- under section 306 (abetment of Pancholi had “hidden facts and fab- choli which led her to commit sui- Anushka suicide) of the Indian Penal Code, ricated information” during ques- cide. It said the letter was not to which he pleaded not guilty. tioning. Sooraj Pancholi, the son signed and even not addressed to Reddy arrested after “Sooraj pleaded innocence and the of Bollywood couple Aditya Pan- Sooraj Pancholi but it incriminat- Sharma examination of witnesses will start choli and Zarina Wahab, had re- ed him. from February 14,” his lawyer fused to undergo polygraph or In October 2013, Rabiya Khan had wife accuses him of theft practices Prashant Patil said. According to brain-mapping tests which the moved the Bombay High Court the chargesheet, Khan, best known agency wanted to conduct to get alleging that her daughter had been sewing skills for her performance in film to the bottom of his alleged role in murdered and sought a CBI probe, Samrat Reddy’s wife has also said that the actor used to Nishabd starring Amitabh Bach- the incident. The CBI said a three- which was granted. harass her for dowry. The couple was living separately. for film with chan, was found hanging at her res- page note seized by the Mumbai (Hindustan times) Varun Dhawan

Salman Khan action drama 'Tiger Zinda Hai', which released on 22nd December 2017 has already crossed 330 crores at the box office. Salman Khan starrer is 2017's Bollywood' biggest blockbuster Superstar's movie was not only liked by the critics but also by the masses. Salman is seen in an action octane Anushka Sharma, who is busy movie after a long time. The film not only with Shah Rukh Khan-starrer emerged as one of the top grossers of 2017 Zero, has begun preparing for her but also proved to be Salman's third venture next film Sui Dhaaga. In Sui Dhaa- to cross Rs 300 crore milestone. The actor's ga, Anushka will be seen essaying last three big hits in the Rs 300 crore club The Cyberabad Police today ar- household articles and gold orna- under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) a self-reliant embroiderer. She has happen to be 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan', 'Sultan' and rested Telugu actor Samrat Reddy ments, besides damaging CCTV sections 380 (theft in dwelling already started workshops to per- 'Tiger Zinda Hai' respectively. The super- on a complaint filed by his wife, cameras and furniture at her house house) and 448 (house trespass) fect her character before she starts star's fans have showered their love on the 29-year-old K Harshitha Reddy, here, Inspector R Kalinga Rao said. was registered against Reddy, the filming. On Monday, Anushka film and box office figures are solid proof of who accused him of theft and “Some family dispute was going official said. During the investiga- posted an image of herself practic- the same. TZH is directed by Ali Abbas house trespass, police said. Red- on between the couple and they tion, police recovered the missing ing her sewing skills with the cap- Zafar. It is Salman and Ali's second project dy, who has acted in films like Pan- were living separately here. Re- valuables from Reddy’s posses- tion: “Katran mein buni khaani, together. Superstar Salman's movie which is chakshari and Kittu Unnadu Ja- cently, in view of the Makar sion and placed him under arrest, Paband lagaake hai sunani - Sui a sequel to 2012's released Ek Tha Tiger has gratha, and his wife were living Sankranti festival, she went to her Rao said. Reddy’s wife alleged that Dhaaga“. Sui Dhaaga, produced by separately, following some mari- mother’s house and after returning in the past he had “harassed” and Maneesh Sharma under the Yash set the Box Office on fire and continues to tal dispute, they said. The actor’s home she found the door lock bro- “tortured” her for dowry. She said Raj Films banner, also features do so on its sixth week as well. The super- wife lodged a complaint at the ken,” he said. “She said valuables they got married in November Varun Dhawan. It is written-di- star has done some kickass action stunts in Madhapur police station on Janu- were missing and furniture was 2015, but within a few days, he rected by Dum Laga Ke Haisha the movie. ary 25, accusing her 28-year-old found damaged at her house.” started “harassing” her. helmer Sharat Katariya. Maneesh husband of committing theft of Based on the complaint, a case (Tribune) said in a statement, “We wanted someone who could effortlessly transform herself into a character who is intelligent, strong and ex- pressive even in her silence. Anushka brings in the authentici- ty and resilient spirit as a perform- er and a star. Today, moviegoers want to discov- er and love characters that they connect with. They want to iden- tify themselves with the story and see how convincingly and truth- fully actors translate it.” Katariya said Anushka is even taking mate- Diljit Dosanjh has the ability to look of Diljit Dosanjh from the #WorldWar1 & Trailer 6th Feb. Nu tell the story of the Sikh regiments rial home to get better at the craft. take the viewers on an unforgetta- movie on social media. The ‘Patia- Aa Jana. SHUKAR SHUKAR.” who went to the front lines during Slated to release on September 28, ble journey through time. The ac- la Peg’ hit-maker also shared a pic- In the poster, the Udta Punjab World War I. Sui Dhaaga is a story of pride and tor has brought the past to life ture on his Twitter account and star can be seen sporting a heavily Diljit will be seen opposite self-reliance, rooted in the heart of twice already - in Punjab 1984 and captioned it as, “The Moment bearded look and appears to be Sunanda Sharma, who will make India. Varun will also be seen in a Phillauri and is now all set to make We’ve All Been Waiting For Is Fi- covered by dust with a rifle in a her acting debut with the film. Shoojit Sircar directorial October, a hat-trick with upcoming movie nally Here. Sharing the First Look hand. Helmed by Pankaj Batra, the flick which is scheduled to release on Sajjan Singh Rangroot. The mak- of #Rangroot Our DREAM He is suited in an army uni- is slated to release on March 23. April 13. ers of the film revealed the first PROJECT. Story Based on form for the shot. The movie will (Santa Bant) (Tribune)

Alia Bhatt shows us how to dress like a perfect bridesmaid

Bollywood A-lister Alia Bhatt made the perfect bridesmaid on her best friend, Kripa Mehta’s nuptials. From apt colour choices to swoon-worthy outfits and jewellery pieces, she made quite the fashion statement on every occasion. Here’s our pick of her best looks during the wedding madness. The Dear Zindagi startlet was a ray of sunshine in a voluminous anarkali outfit from designer Manish Malhotra. The floor-length yellow ensemble was cinched at the waist, featuring intricately embroidered floral details and fell loose to the ground. Silver chandbalis completed her look. Alia further accessorised her look for the day with a tiny black bindi and left her hair open with side-braids. 2. Shining in silver Exuding glitz and glamour, B-town’s cutie made a strong case as she stepped out in a heavily embellished contemporary silver-on-silver lehenga choli for her best friend’s wedding reception. Designed by Koëcsh by Krésha Bajaj’s recent collection, she paired her jora with a sheer dupatta that comprised sparkly silver embellishments. Heavy mascara and nude lips – we are a big fan of her makeup choices. Oversized silver earrings and a matching maang tika from Amrapali Jewels and a silver bag added to the finishing touches. 3. Pretty in pink On another event, the maid of honour kept away from the traditional look and opted for a peach Gauri & Nainika dress for the polo brunch. The off-shoulder mini dress boasted of minimal floral embroidery and frill details – making her look perfect for a sunny afternoon. THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 01, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Reece Oxford loan move may be blocked byWest Hamboss David Moyes Roger Federer has no thoughts

West Ham defender Reece Oxford the festive season. Gladbach made of catching will meet manager David Moyes a bid in the region of £10m for on Wednesday to discuss his fu- Oxford on January 2 and the club's Margaret Court ture at the London Stadium. The sports director later reiterated their 19-year old was due to return on desire to tie Oxford to a perma- on the all-time loan to Borussia Monchengladbach nent deal. after Tuesday night's match against West Ham 1-1 Crystal Palace Crystal Palace. Time is against them as all the list Grand However, Sky Sports News un- paperwork for any potential loan derstands Moyes is now consid- will have to be completed before Slam list ering blocking the loan and keep- Germany's transfer window clos- ing the youngster in his squad. The es at 5pm UK time. Oxford came teenager made four appearances on as an 86th-minute substitute for while on loan with Gladbach this Cheikhou Kouyate during the 1-1 season but returned to the London draw with Crystal Palace. Stadium after being recalled over (Sky Sport)

B u m ble's B log: D avid L loyd O kolie vs Ch a m ber la in : Roger Federer insists he is happy to stick at 20 with no visions of claiming the outright record for on Tom Cu r r a n , th e I P L Grand Slam singles titles. The 36- M ika el L awa l on life in year-old is showing no signs of slowing down after moving four a n d wh y bowlin g clear of Rafael Nadal in the overall ca m p with L awr en ce men's standings with a compelling five-set victory over Marin Cilic m a ch in es a r e n ot th e a n swer in the Australian Open final on O kolie, I sa a c Ch a m ber la in Sunday. That took him to fourth on the all-time list behind Marga- ret Court, Serena Williams and Stef- "My view is that we're creating fi Graf, who have 24, 23 and 22 respectively.Number 20 is super special so we'll try to make the manufactured, mechanical play- most of it. It's one of the great moments in my career. Roger Federer ers rather than there being a Federer has won three of the last five tournaments but said of his chances of reaching 24: "I don't flow and rhythm to the batting." think so. I didn't think 20 was ever possible. I think it's too far. I nev- er thought about it to be honest but those numbers are surreal and they're amazing. I'm very happy if it stays at 20. "I'm just very ex- cited that I have nothing going on in the next couple of weeks. It's all quiet so I can just take time to cel- ebrate. Number 20 is super spe- We know you have been out in wasn't easy. Every time I was go- back. Maybe it's just my percep- cial so we'll try to make the most Kiev with Chamberlain, but you ing in to spar, I was having to think, tion of him and it can work for of it. It's one of the great moments know both of them well? I've make up a bit of a gameplan and you in boxing and it can also mess in my career." Federer will now sparred with Lawrence before, I that was just for sparring. I couldn't you up. Okolie is active. He take time to decide on his sched- can't remember exactly, five or six imagine actually fighting him. It seemed fired up, always wanting ule, with the most pressing issue months ago. He is a big puncher was good. You've sparred with to do something, get it all going. being whether he will play in and he's quite awkward, too. I sup- Chamberlain before and worked Are they both the same out of the Dubai at the end of February. His pose he's fast on his feet which with him recently, has anything ring as they are in it? I don't really sixth title in Melbourne moved him people might not think. And the changed? I'm not saying it wasn't have bants with either of them very to within 155 points of Rafael big thing I remember was that spar- good before, but it just looks like much - especially when I am about Nadal at the top of the rankings. ring him was anything but relax- fitness is much better. I also guess to spar. There is a big difference With Federer defending titles in ing. How was it working with he's learned a few different tech- then. He is pretty relaxed. But Indian Wells and Miami in March, In his latest blog, David Lloyd talks they lost one, it was completely totally different - it's like classical Usyk? It was a great experience niques. The last time I worked when I was out in Kiev and went it could be his best chance for a Tom Curran, the IPL, the success different - "same old England, not music and pop music! It is so dif- and I picked up a lot of knowledge with him wasn't long ago and three out running with Isaac, I got to good while. Should Federer over- of "filthy" leg-spin, the U19 World good enough!" I'd just remind you ferent, you can't do that. England from it. The sparring was hard, too. months isn't enough time to make know him a bit better. I guess for take Nadal, he would be the oldest Cup and blocked drains. There that in the Ashes, at 3-0 you said are not looking for an 82mph I learnt a lot, but especially the drastic changes but he is just 'bet- that he is the funnier of the two, man ever to top the rankings, sur- was a telling line from Steve Smith it was done and dusted and they bowler in Tests but he's a very clev- hard way. I just sparred Usyk. He's ter' than last time, if that makes kind of chilled in the gym. When passing current record holder An- at the end of the ODI series - "we might as well go home. Anyway, er bowler, particularly in one-day not just an experienced world- sense. So what is the big differ- Ted starts shouting it can get a lit- dre Agassi by more than three were totally outplayed" - which England came back to win the last cricket with his changes of pace class fighter but he's a southpaw ence between them? One thing I tle intense but apart from that he years. was very gratifying to read if you're ODI and I'm a massive believer that and deliveries out of the back of too as well, so it was intense. It would say is Isaac is far more laid- is relaxed. (Sky Sport) 'Federer is greatest of all time' an England player or an England you're only as good as your last the hand. The other thing about Roger Federer is the greatest fan. It's an emphatic win, 4-1, in game. In that last game, England him that I like immensely is that sportsperson of all time, says Australia. I just want to go back to only got 250-odd but then they he's a very infectious cricketer. He Mark Petchey Then there is the what was said and written when squeezed Australia, who will have is one of those cricketers that drags question of how much Federer will England were 3-0 down in the Ash- thought that they were well in that people along with him. Juli Inkster to captain USA for play on clay and whether he will es. There were people saying it game. It was a terrific performance England are playing brilliantly miss the French Open for the third was pointless playing the rest, "it from Tom Curran to turn it in En- now but there is a lot of cricket to year in a row. He said: "We were in doesn't mean anything", "Alastair gland's favour but you have to be be played before the 2019 World third time at 2019 Solheim Cup talks with them (Dubai) but then Cook's 200 means nothing, they've careful about people on social me- Cup, a lot of form to be made and when the tournament started I said, been beaten." When England went dia calling for him to be a regular in a lot of form to lost. Juli Inkster will captain Team USA 'If it's OK, I'd like to decide after 3-0 up in the one-dayers and then the Test team now. No, they're (BBC Sport) for the third successive time as next the tournament'. I also have to de- year's Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. cide on the clay-court season, all Inkster has led her team to back-to- these things are interlinked. It's back wins in the last two contests, possible I'll play something. The and the American legend has ac- next week or so I'll make a deci- cepted the role once again as she sion." Federer was unexpectedly bids to retain the trophy against emotional after his five-set victo- Catriona Matthew's side in Septem- ry and could not hold back the tears ber, 2019. The 57-year-old, who during his victory speech with the also featured in five winning teams Swiss superstar admitting that he in her nine appearances as a player, is still taking it all in. He said: "I'm becomes the first three-time cap- still a little bit confused that it's all tain for Team USA since the com- over and that I was able to do it. petition was launched in 1990, and It's just a lot trying to take it in. she is looking forward to taking on Last year it was more straightfor- the responsibility. Inkster said: ward, just disbelief, this year it "This is an unbelievable honour and one I do not take lightly. I'm so seems more surreal. I can't believe stoked to be able to take the US I was able to defend my title after Team to Scotland, the home of golf, all these years. "I'm not sure how to compete in the 2019 Solheim Cup. much I really felt like I could de- We can't wait to get started." Her fend it. I just felt, like last year, appointment was warmly welcomed something was going to come in by her European counterpart Mat- its way, one guy was going to thew, who faced Inkster in only two catch fire and I was not going to be matches despite both featuring in able to stop him. Maybe next year six Solheim Cup events. "Congratu- when I do come back I might actu- lations to Juli on this announce- ally believe I can win it. But then I ment," Matthew said. "She's done probably won't win it." an amazing job in the last two Sol- heim Cups, and throughout her Sol- heim career, and will certainly be a formidable opponent at Gleneagles. "Juli is someone who I have admired very much over the years in all that she has achieved both on and off the golf course, and I am delighted she will be my opposite number for the 2019 match. "I've definitely picked up some valuable insights into Juli's captaincy style over the last two matches, so I am excited This afternoon's meeting at Leices- The Professional Darts Corporation's global expansion will continue in 2018 with the introduction of the we are both now in place and are ter goes ahead as planned while PDC Asian Tour. The growth of steel-tip darts in the region in recent years has included World Series of ready to get down to business." LPGA Down Royal has also got the green Darts events in China and Japan and inclusion for players from across the region in the World Championship Commissioner Michael Whan add- light. Officials had called a precau- and World Cup of Darts. The PDC Asian Tour will feature six weekends of two events in 2018, beginning ed: "Juli being the US Solheim Cup tionary inspection for 7.45am due in Seoul on March 10-11, with a season-ending World Championship Qualifier to find four players for the captain for a third time is certainly to the threat of rain, but were able sport's biggest event. Further PDC Asian Tour events will be held in Macao, Kobe, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei historic, but almost everything to give the go-ahead slightly earlier and China mainland throughout the year, giving greater opportunities for Asian players in the steel-tip about Juli's career is historic. "She than expected. The ground is report- has set the standard on the LPGA ed to be heavy on the hurdles track format. Each weekend will feature one event per day, with $10,000 in prize money on offer including $3,600 Tour in so many ways, and now she'll to the winner, while the format will see best of seven leg matches played throughout each event in a step and soft, heavy on the Flat course do the same for the US Solheim Cup crossings, for the chase course. towards the PDC's professional circuit. "It's fantastic to see the ongoing growth of professional darts Team. Under Juli's unique style of worldwide continuing with the introduction of the PDC Asian Tour," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn. Meanwhile, this afternoon's meet- leadership, the US Team is relaxed, ing at Down Royal also goes ahead "The potential for darts across Asia is huge, and this new tour will provide vital experience for players in cohesive and incredibly successful. addition to the exposure they are currently receiving to PDC events." The new PDC Asian Tour has been after the track was declared fit for "Maintaining this highly successful action. Officials had been concerned backed by Singapore's Paul Lim, who starred recently in the World Championship and has been the region's formula, and continuing Team most successful player. "It is huge," said Lim. "This tour is going to be the biggest news for Asian darts. "I by the prospect of overnight snow USA's momentum, was the first pri- and freezing temperatures, calling a think right now, with what is going on in the world of darts, it has fed over to Asia and is creating a little bit ority among the US Solheim Cup of a frenzy. "Steel-tip darts is catching on now in Asian darts. It has always been more popular with Committee." precautionary inspection for 8am. electronic darts, but I think it's going to be exciting for steel-tip to be over in Asia. (Sky Sport) However, they were able to give the (Sky Sport) go-ahead before that planned check. THURSDAY . FEBRUARY 01. 2018-Dalwa 12, 1396 H.S Vol:XI Issue No: 186 Price: Afs.20

. The six people were killed on the spot. Basir Khan Wazir, the area administrator, told reporters the victims belonged to the Shiite sect

PESHAWAR: Six members of a in the vehicle was wounded. blast, residents blocked the road family, including three women, Residents said that the vehicle was between Parachinar and Kharlachi. AT News Report network claimed responsibility for have been killed in a bomb blast in passing through a rainwater stream Wazir assured the protesters the attacks. Though Indian prime Pakistan’s tribal region of Kurram in Parachinar when the explosive the administration would take KABUL: Indian Prime Minister, minister did not did not name the near the Afghanistan border. The device went off. The six people steps to improve security in the Narendra Modi, condemned the “neighboring”, but his hint was to vehicle carrying the family from were killed on the spot. Basir Khan area. The measures aimed to latest attacks in Kabul and Pakistan, where Kabul and New Muqbil area to Boshera for a Wazir, the area administrator, told prevent the entry of militants into provinces of Afghanistan, saying Delhi believe that terrorist groups funeral struck the roadside bomb reporters the victims belonged to the area included fencing of the that terrorists’ sanctuaries and are based and supported. on Tuesday. At least one person the Shiite sect. Angered by the border, he added. (Pajhwok) training bases are in the neighboring The two countries blame of Afghanistan and India. Pakistan for not doing enough in In a telephonic conversation fight terrorism. with President Ashraf Ghani, He has also said that India Indian premier emphasized on would be ready to help Afghan elimination of the terrorists’ health sector in the treatment of hideouts. the injured of the recent attacks. Three subsequent attacks President Ghani said that it killed around 140 people last week, was the time to intensify efforts while over 260 others injured. for further isolating the terrorism- Taliban and the Daesh terrorist supporting countries.

Following US President Donald Trump’s remarks on closing the doors to peace talks with the Taliban, the Afghan defense ministry on Tuesday said it will step up campaigns against the group in the coming weeks. Defense ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said they will increase the number of military operations against the Taliban and Some survivors of the attack on room and took people’s laptops, telecommunication employees, only the anti-government groups Intercontinental Hotel claim that money, phones and even my especially the ATRA, and my not involved in killing civilians their money and some valuable friend’s shoes. From my room, phone, my colleagues’ phone, two and interested in joining the peace items were stolen from their they have taken my perfume, computers, a watch and money process will escape unharmed. “If roomsfollowing the deadly cigarettes and everything. When we have been stolen,” he claimed. it is Haqqani network, if it is the incident 10 days ago. asked anyone about this, they said “Two days after the attack, no one Taliban or Daesh or any other The survivors said they have police havedone this. They advised except the security force members terrorist groups who are operating in Afghanistan, no option logged their complaints with the us to thank the Almighty Allah that and the investigation team entered hasremained except to be relevant commission, but their we survived the attack. It is a the hotel. No doubt, I can saythat eliminated,” said Waziri. But in problems have not been taken shame.” they have done this. Maybe some response to Trump’s comments, seriously. Zmarai Hamdard, head of of the hotel employees are also the Taliban hit back in a statement “Police have done this,” a Afghanistan Telecommunication involved in this. Most of the and said the group will increase survivor said referring to their Regulatory Authority (ATRA) foreign guests who were there also its activities against the Afghan missing money and objects. office in Herat province, also raised said their money and expensive security forces and foreign troops. He explained: “They (police concerns about this. “Seven items have been stolen. (ToloNews) force members) went in to every laptops and cash that belonged to (ToloNews)