What Does Future Trade Look Like in Light of the Afghanistan- Page 2 | NATIONAL Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement? Page 3 | ECONOMY Why the Taliban agreed Following several months of talks between trade representative from China’s Economic to let more girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the two countries appear poised to ... Growth Projected at Afghanistan go to school 7.9% in 2021 Page 2 | NATIONAL

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Your Gateway to Afghanistan & the Region Monday, January 11, 2021 Issue No. 901 www.heartofasia.af 10 afs Nimroz Airstrike Kills 18

Govt spokesman Civilians: Local Council Head their hands. Are they Taliban? You killed in Kabul call yourselves Muslims. This is not explosion something done by a Muslim,” said Saleh Mohammad, a relative of the Three people including Zia Wadan, a victims. spokesman for the Public Protection “Seven of them are women and Force were killed and two others others are men and children. One wounded in an explosion in Karte naw of them was a recently married girl area of PD8 of Kabul city around 8:30 AM who was there as a guest along with on Sunday morning, the Kabul police three children who have also been spokesman Tariq Arian confirmed. martyred. There was no Talib in the Kabul police said the incident took place area, neither any Daesh, nor did when Wadan was on his way to the office. anyone have ties with al-Qaeda,” According to Kabul police, one person said Abdul Shakoor, an eyewitness. was injured in the incident. Ahmad, a resident of Khashrod who No group has claimed responsibility for sustained injuries in the airstrike, the blast, but the Interior Ministry in a said he has lost “18 members of his statement blamed the Taliban. family in the incident.” President Ghani also condemned the “We were 15 members in our family. attack and called it “a crime against I was sleeping and did not notice humanity and against Islamic values.” that our house was attacked. When “The increase of violence by the Taliban An airstrike in the western province Relatives of the victims took the airstrikes were conducted by I woke up, I saw that the wall of our shows that the group opposes the spirit of Ghazni on Saturday night left 18 18 bodies to the city of Zaranj, the Afghan forces on Taliban targets in house was damaged and there were of peace and is not committed to peace, people dead, all members of one center of the province, seeking Khashrod district on Saturday night. bullets around me,” Ahmad said. and the group seeks to kill innocent family, said Baz Mohammad Nasir, justice from the government. “The airstrike has affected civilians. The relatives of the victims said people and damage public facilities,” head of the provincial council in the Local officials refrained from Many members of one family, those who are behind the incident Ghani added. province. providing details on the incident, including women and children, have should be punished. The airstrike took place in Munazari but the ANA 215th Corps in a been killed. This is sad,” Nasir said. “We don’t know where to live. The village in Khashrod district, Nasir statement said the reports of However, local government officials government is bombarding our said, adding that the “Taliban civilian casualties in Nimroz will be and security officials have not yet houses, the Taliban is threatening were also targeted but there are no investigated. commented on the airstrike. us. Where should the oppressed reports on their casualties yet.” “The Taliban were targeted in “Eighteen members of my family residents of Khashrod live? Let us Those who have been killed include an airstrike and suffered heavy were martyred. They were found know if there is any place,” said eight children, seven women and casualties,” the statement said. in pieces. Who among them are Mohammad Daud, a resident of the three men, the council chief said. The army corps said that multiple the Taliban members? Look at area. ... P3 Afghan Cricket Team Iran, Afghanistan Trains in UAE for Kabul, Ashgabat agree to expand to hold 14th joint Ireland Matches exhibition in Kabul Afghanistan’s national cricket team regional connectivity, trade Iran and Afghanistan are set to hold began their training on Saturday in Afghanistan and Turkmenistan the 14th edition of joint specialized the United Arab Emirates for the three- have signed two Memorandum exhibition next month. match ODI series against Ireland that of Understandings (MoUs) to Deputy Minister of Industries and kicks off on January 21. enhance foreign ministerial level the head of Trade Promotion Afghanistan will play three One Day interactions and cooperation in Organization of Iran (TPO) Hamid International (ODI) matches against railway sector, a statement from Zadboum made the announcement Ireland on January 21, 24 and 26. the Ministry of Foreign Affair (MoFA) Mohammad Nabi, a star on the national on Saturday, saying that Iran- said on Sunday. cricket team, is “on his way to UAE to Afghanistan specialized exhibition Atmar welcomed his Turkmen join the national team for the Ireland will be held in Kabul on February counterpart Raşit Meredow and series after a match-winning knock in 9-12. his accompanying delegation to BBL,” the Afghanistan Cricket Board The TPO chief referred to Iran’s Kabul, describing Turkmenistan as (ACB) said. $3-billion annual exports to a friendly neighbor and brotherly “Nabi is part of the squad that will take Afghanistan and said the ... P2 country. on Ireland as part of the CWC ODI Super Calling Kabul-Ashgabat ties as transit, political and economic Pleased with brotherly relations League,” it said. excellent and friendly, Atmar said cooperation, and building regional between Kabul and Ashgabat, It’s expected that Rashid Khan and that Mr. Merdow’s visit and the consensus on the Afghan peace The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and other Afghan new agreements signed between process were top priorities of Turkmenistan thanked Mr. Atmar cricket stars who are also playing in the two sides were steps towards Afghanistan’s foreign policy. for the warm and cordial hospitality Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), will further strengthening bilateral He noted that the expansion of of Afghanistan during his visit to join the team. The matches will be play relations. ties among regional countries, Kabul. at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Cricket The Minister of Foreign Affairs especially with Turkmenistan, Mr. Meredow stated that Ashgabat Stadium, ACB said. stated that expanding regional benefited peace and development was committed to cooperating with The series was scheduled to ... P2 connectivity, strengthening trade, in the region. Afghanistan in trade, ... P2 January 11, 2021 Heart of Asia NATIONAL MONDAY 2 [email protected] fb/heart of asia twitter/@heartofasiapost Kabul, Ashgabat... By Monkey Cage transit, commerce, and regional connectivity and considered the success of the Afghan peace talks vital for Why the Taliban agreed to let more achieving those goals. The Turkmen Foreign Minister assured Mr. Atmar of his girls in Afghanistan go to school country’s firm support for the success of the peace In December, the Taliban agreed to allow UNICEF process and the stance of the to open thousands of informal schools in parts of Government of the Islamic Afghanistan controlled by the armed group. The Republic of Afghanistan on Taliban-initiated school talks have been ongoing regional peace and consensus. for the past two years, and originally grew out of The two foreign ministers spoke negotiations over polio vaccination campaigns in detail about the necessary inside Taliban territory. The program will establish preparations to open three community-based classes, reaching as many as projects to be inaugurated by 140,000 children — both boys and girls. the two countries’ leaders in Why would the Taliban — a group known for the the near future. systematic destruction of women’s access to education The meeting was attended — not only agree to but initiate talks on the provision of education? The Taliban continues to fight the by the President’s Chief of government of Afghanistan, and the armed group’s Staff Mohammad Shakir political goal remains unchanged: To reestablish a Kargar, Deputy Foreign strict Islamist system of government, a shift that would Minister Mirwais Nab, Director probably reverse many of the rights granted to women their governance strategies, and how civilians often the Taliban’s formal control of the government of of Afghanistan Railway in the 2004 post-Taliban Constitution. shape rebel governance. In Indonesia, for instance, Afghanistan from 1996-2001, only Pakistan, Saudi Authority Yamma Shams, The group is in negotiations with the Afghan religious leaders pushed GAM — an ethno-nationalist Arabia and the United Arab Emirates formally Deputy Minister of Agriculture government in a bid to end the country’s war. However, group that fought a war to form its own state — to recognized Taliban leadership. Two decades later, Heshmatollah Ghafouri, and the Taliban did not get to the negotiating table adopt an increasingly religious agenda. This change Taliban leadership has encouraged greater openness Head of Afghanistan Petroleum through violence alone. Instead, the group waged a helped the rebel group gain wider support from its toward aid agencies, driven in large part by a hope Authority Seyed Mahbubollah political campaign that required establishing support religious constituency. for political recognition and an improvement in its Rabbani. from Afghan citizens as well as a greater degree of Communities in Afghanistan appear to be leveraging public image. international legitimacy — and both of these goals the Taliban’s need for support and finding new ways to The drawdown of international troops is probably push back on the armed group’s rules. Some experts central to the Taliban’s growing openness toward Iran, Afghanistan... played into the recent decision to make a deal with UNICEF. attribute the shift in the Taliban’s narrative on girls’ education. The Taliban has historically perceived country envisages to increase The Taliban exercises control or influence over at least schooling to pressure from communities that want education as an extension of the government and the figure to %5 billion by half of Afghanistan, and civilian support is important their daughters to have access to education. These international forces. With the international troop March 2022. to the group’s efforts to further consolidate control. demands might have persuaded the Taliban to take a presence now largely reduced, the Taliban may feel He said efforts are underway Often during civil wars, armed groups provide services more flexible approach. In some cases, village elders less threatened by foreign-funded activities like the to compensate for the losses to civilians to win their support — and gain access to made subtle threats that they would turn against the opening of schools. inflicted by the coronavirus food, shelter, recruits and information. While armed group and provide information to the Taliban’s foes if The dwindling numbers of foreign soldiers also means in the past year and reach the groups could use force to extract these resources the Taliban did not respect the community’s wishes. the Taliban can no longer generate civilian support However, pressure from civilians has its limits, and through claims of defending Afghanistan from economic plans in trades with from civilians, territorial control leads armed groups has in some cases been met with violence on the part foreign invaders. Instead, the group might be trying the neighboring countries. to expect sustained interactions with civilians — and armed groups generally find it more efficient to of the Taliban. to gain civilian support by demonstrating the group’s develop a less coercive relationship with communities But there’s probably a second reason for the Taliban’s governing capacity. As the primary authority in many deal with UNICEF. Collaborating with organizations like areas, the Taliban might see its civilian support erode Afghan Cricket... under their rule. That shift seems to be taking place in Afghanistan. UNICEF, political science analysis shows, can bolster when it actively prevents access to public services such begin on January 18 but will With many Afghans — 87 percent, according to one the Taliban’s international legitimacy, carrying the as education. now instead start three days survey — believing that women should have the symbolic significance of imitating a country’s external The current negotiations also place an added spotlight later following a request by same educational opportunities as men, the Taliban relations. Mullah Akhtar Mansour, a previous leader on the Taliban, raising questions among Afghans about the ACB. has faced pressure from communities to change of the Taliban, reportedly was aware that the Taliban how Taliban leaders will govern at the local level. The Cricket Ireland agreed to the its policies toward education, which barred girls needed recognition from the international community Taliban may thus see these factors as presenting an delay which was in part caused and women from schools in the past. The Taliban’s to realize its political ambitions. ideal time for the group to take actions that will bolster by the Covid-19 quarantine change in strategy is in line with my research, which The Taliban recognized the consequences of being its international legitimacy. regulations. explains why armed groups tend to be pragmatic in perceived as a pariah state in the 1990s. Despite Despite the excitement surrounding the deal, ... P3 By Arman Sidhu What Does Future Trade Look Like ADB approves $154mn for electricity in Light of the Afghanistan-Pakistan supply to western Afghanistan Transit Trade Agreement? The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved of clean, safe, and affordable energy sources. Following several customs obstacles, and ports, particularly the a $154.4 million grant to boost the supply of power The project will extend power supply from months of talks between insecurity has culminated port of Gwadar. As the in Afghanistan by extending the country’s power Turkmenistan under the ongoing power purchase trade representative in frequent border flagship project of the grid into the western provinces of Herat and and sales agreement between the two countries. from Pakistan and closures, compelling China-Pakistan Economic Farah, ensuring access to electricity for vulnerable This includes supplying power transmission from Afghanistan, the two both sides to seek costlier Corridor (CPEC), the port communities in those provinces, a statement said local wind and solar photovoltaic projects of up countries appear poised alternative transit routes of Gwadar is particularly on Thursday. to 100 megawatts and substituting electricity to finalize a preferential and ink multilateral trade useful to landlocked The assistance included $36.4 million from the Asian generated from diesel with renewable and imported Development Fund. The Afghanistan Infrastructure gas-based grid power at a lower cost. trade agreement (PTA) deals that exclude one Central Asian states Trust Fund (AITF) has supplied an additional The project will also finance first time access to by the end of January, another. like Kyrgyzstan and $118 million in cofinancing, contributed by the electricity in the targeted areas. just one month before For Pakistan, the Uzbekistan, each of Government of Italy through the North Atlantic The project is aligned with the government’s the Afghanistan-Pakistan opportunity to cultivate whom have seen their Treaty Organization Afghan National Army Trust National Energy Supply Program, ADB’s Strategy Transit Trade Agreement strong trade linkages South Asian trade Fund. 2030, and the Central Asia Regional Economic (APTTA) is set to expire. with Afghanistan has aspirations hindered by AITF, administered by ADB, is a donor-financed fund Cooperation Program’s Energy Strategy 2030. It Previous discussions little to do with access over 40 years of instability established in 2010 to improve the livelihoods of the is also aligned with ADB’s Afghanistan Country have struggled to resolve to the Afghan market. in Afghanistan, which Afghan people through infrastructure development. Partnership Strategy, 2017–2021, and its country numerous trade-related Instead, Pakistan views remains the critical “Herat and Farah are not connected to the national operations business plan for Afghanistan, 2019– concerns raised by both Afghanistan as a gateway bottleneck in linking grid, leading to higher costs of doing business 2021. sides, leading to a sharp to the more lucrative South and Central Asian for people in these provinces, environmental ADB is one of Afghanistan’s largest on-budget degradation, and weak sustainable development development partners in the energy sector with decline in bilateral markets found in China supply chains. indicators,” said ADB Energy Specialist Takhmina cumulative commitments of $1.77 billion in grants trade between the two and Central Asia. Having Though it has Mukhamedova. since 2002. The project is financed from ADB’s countries last year. borrowed billions spearheaded a near “Connecting villages in these two provinces to Special Funds resources and is part of an overall Trade remains one of the to improve its own 26-year old attempt to the grid will tangibly and sustainably improve $1.2 billion Energy Supply Improvement Investment more complex aspects of transport infrastructure, circumvent Afghanistan health outcomes, living conditions, and economic Program (2015–2024). the relationship between Pakistan’s economic via the Quadrilateral opportunities for households living in the harshest ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, Islamabad and Kabul. success is contingent Traffic in Transit conditions.” inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Complaints of extortion on directing the flow of Agreement (QTTA), Electrification of Western Afghanistan is a priority Pacific while sustaining its efforts to eradicate by government officials, goods to its maritime Pakistan still ... P3 for the government in order to reduce the significant extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned social and economic costs associated with the lack by 68 members—49 from the region. January 11, 2021 Heart of Asia ECONOMY MONDAY 3 [email protected] fb/heart of asia twitter/@heartofasiapost

China’s Economic Growth Projected Exchange Rates at 7.9% in 2021 77 77.1 The International Monetary Fund As the recovery takes hold, the (IMF) projected China’s economic temporary measures supporting the 92.6 93.7 growth in 2021 at 7.9% after financial sector should be replaced concluding the annual Article IV with policies to address problem 103.4 103.5 review of the Chinese economy. loans and strengthen regulatory “The Chinese economy continues and supervisory frameworks, said 478 479 its fast recovery from the pandemic, the executive directors. helped by a strong containment “Structural reform will be key to 20.8 20.9 effort and swift policy actions to boosting potential growth, reduce mitigate the impact of the crisis,” external imbalances, and build a 1030 1040 the executive board of the IMF said more resilient, green, and inclusive in a statement. economy,” they said. “Policymakers have provided “We’re assuming under our baseline Contact Numbers financial relief and fiscal support forecast the main driver of (China’s to protect the most-affected firms economic) growth this year will be Acting Vice President for Equitable Citing the signing of the Regional Kabul Police -119 while safeguarding financial private consumption,” Helge Berger, Growth and Financial Institutions Comprehensive Economic stability,” the IMF’s executive board the IMF’s China mission chief and Ayhan Kose. Partnership (RCEP) free trade Kabul Ambulance - 112 said, adding macroeconomic and assistant director in the Asia and “As the Chinese economy continues agreement and the completion of financial policies have supported Pacific Department, told Xinhua on to steadily recover from the COVID-19 bilateral investment agreement Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital the economic recovery. Friday at a press briefing. shock, the authorities remain negotiations with the European IMF executive directors called for China’s recovery so far has been committed to pursuing prudent Union (EU), Jin believed that China 0202301360 a continuation of the “moderately proceeding “more rapidly than policies that will foster sustainable will continue to expand global supportive” fiscal and monetary expected,” and also supported by and high-quality growth going economic linkages and cooperation Ata Turk Hospital policies until China’s recovery is on stronger-than-expected release of forward,” Jin Zhongxia, IMF executive to enhance its economic efficiency solid ground. pent-up demand, said World Bank director for China, told Xinhua. and resilience. 0202500312 Corona call center - 166 Nimroz Airstrike... What Does... a 2,600-kilometer border Afghanistan and India include “We have 18 killed and two wounded. The two wounded remains Afghanistan’s primary fence that is scheduled to be an expensive air corridor and are members of the family who are the only survivors,” trading partner, accounting for completed in less than two the circuitous use of Iran’s said Zainullah Zwak, a resident of Khashrod district. over 40% of all Afghan exports. months. For decades, trade Chabahar Port. Barring an According to Maiwand 215 Corps, the airstrikes targeted Furthermore, Pakistan’s talks have zeroed in on border abnormal modification in a Taliban customs center on a highway that passes motives in maintaining a issues, including the desire to its foreign policy, Pakistan is through Khashrod district, causing casualties among stable relationship with the formalize the booming black unlikely to grant accession to the militants. markets that have proven such a provision, making it Taliban spokesman Qari Yusuf Ahmadi said 14 civilians Afghan government stems profitable for traders and likely that the status quo will were killed in the airstrike. from its stake in the outcome Shigal of ongoing intra-Afghan militants that traverse the persist unless Afghanistan English Academy dialogue. Given the strong Durand Line to traffic stolen can make several favorable Why the Taliban... possibility of the Taliban goods, arms, drugs, and concessions to Pakistan. humans. The nature of the Pak- it’s not clear whether this marks a clear break with past converting into a recognized Taliban policy. The Taliban’s policies toward girls’ education in a potential To Pakistan’s chagrin, the Afghan trade relationship Easy remain inconsistent and somewhat unpredictable — peace deal, Pakistan’s post- Afghan government has been underscores the formidable local commanders’ approaches vary by personality and conflict relationship with unwavering in its demand obstacles to both intra- English according to their relationship with the local community. As Afghanistan will depend on to incorporate the trade of regional trade within South a teacher in Wardak province explained, “Today, [a Taliban its ability to operate within Indian goods in the terms of its Asia and extra-regional Learning official] tells you that they allow girls up to sixth grade, but the Afghan state, giving it an deal with Pakistan. Lobbying linkages between Southern tomorrow, when someone else comes instead, he might opportunity to supplement pressure from Afghanistan’s and Central Asian supply not like girls’ education.” Western Street of its support base from the private sector and industry chains. In spite of its natural Kabul University Close to More broadly, despite the leadership’s rhetoric, the Taliban Dehbori Park. Taliban by appealing to a groups have demanded that geographic advantages in the past has imposed tight restrictions on education their government work out and the potential for for girls once they reach puberty, and it is difficult to find wider coalition of parties and +93 (0) 789 98 9696 an arrangement that would mutually beneficial trading a secondary school open to girls in areas under Taliban officials. control. In spite of their differences, allow Afghan traders to use arrangements, the essential [email protected] A related concern is whether the program will be successful both sides continue to overland routes through prerequisite lies with the in actually reaching girls in rural communities. There’s some affirm the need and desire Pakistan to access India via trajectory of intra-Afghan Shigal English Academy evidence, however, that the community-based education to strengthen bilateral Wagah border, which splits talks, where Pakistan remains www.shigal.edu.af strategy proposed by the deal has been effective in enabling trade ties, particularly as it the Indian and Pakistani the most important foreign girls to attend school in areas where they are unable to relates to formalizing border halves of Punjab province. stakeholder. In the absence attend government schools because of insecurity, family markets across the porous Among the main gripes of a political compromise, the resistance or community restrictions. and insecure Durand Line. cited by the Afghan business litany of trade woes afflicting While a surprise to many, the Taliban’s deal with UNICEF Border skirmishes remain a community include both sides are unlikely to fade, suggests a growing recognition among Taliban leaders inadequate market access exacerbating infrastructure that the group will need to respond to the preferences of critical point of contention, and expensive transit costs in gaps and the ability to attract Afghans and the international community if it hopes to as seen with instances like the July 2020 clash that resulted its trade with India, which is and sustain investment to govern successfully. WAYGAL Printing Co. in the deaths of 15 Afghan Afghanistan’s second largest the region, putting it at a trading partner. The existing further disadvantage to other civilians as well as Pakistan’s If You Can Think It, trade routes available to emerging markets. unilateral decision to build We Can ink it.

Chief Editor : M. Hamid Hamdard Facebook... banned from Facebook, but if been killed by Myanmar’s state Reporters: Safiullah Nasary, Shafiq Amirzay, companies that promote their you recruit people to commit forces, according to a report products, the rights group said, violence in Burma you still get by the Ontario International Jawad Temori & Hameedullah Hamidi providing pages of the Burmese an official Facebook blue tick.” Development Agency (OIDA). Graphic & Design: Arman military. -Persecuted people More than 34,000 Rohingya Facebook has not acted on According to Amnesty were thrown into fires, over Phone: +93-202502100 - +93-777989696 Burma Campaign UK requests International, more than 114,000 more were beaten and Website: www.heartofasia.af to remove the pages, despite 750,000 Rohingya refugees, as many as 18,000 Rohingya mostly women, and children women and girls were raped Email: [email protected] a UN report detailing how military-owned companies help fled Myanmar and crossed into by Myanmar’s army and police Address: Behind Rahman Baba High School fund violations of international Bangladesh after Myanmar said the OIDA report, titled forces launched a crackdown Forced Migration of Rohingya: - Opposite to 3rd District, law. “Facebook appears to have on the minority Muslim The Untold Experience. Over Kabul - Afghanistan double standards,” said community in August 2017. 115,000 Rohingya homes were Since Aug. 25, 2017, nearly burned and 113,000 others Print: Waygal Printing .Co - +93 - 202512626 Farmaner. “If you incite violence in America you get 24,000 Rohingya Muslims have vandalized, the report added. January 11, 2021 WORLD MONDAY Heart of Asia 4 [email protected] fb/heart of asia twitter/@heartofasiapost Parliamentary elections kick off in Kazakh voters headed to parliamentary polls delegations from the Turkic Council and the on Sunday to elect deputies for the lower Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-Speaking chamber of parliament for five-year terms. States. About 12 million registered voters in the A total of 312 candidates are running for 107 country started to vote at 7 a.m. (0100GMT) seats in parliament from the ruling local time, while citizens living abroad will Party, Ak Zhol Democratic Party, Auyl Party, vote at the same time. The voting will end at and Adal Party. 8 p.m. (1400GMT). After casting his vote, President Kassym- Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, voters are Jomart Tokayev said authorities did being checked for high temperatures and everything to ensure free and just elections, getting their hands disinfected before entering providing equal opportunities to all polling places nationwide. candidates. The election is being followed by nearly The Kazakh parliament has a Senate and a 400 observers from 30 countries and 10 lower chamber, the latter consisting of 107 international organizations, including deputies who all serve five-year terms.

A look at the world UN says foresees Facebook urged to Italy tops 500,000 deployment of Libya prevent Myanmar vaccines doses truce monitors army campaign injected Thu UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Italy Saturday topped 500,000 people said Saturday it foresees the deployment of vaccinated against COVID-19, becoming a limited number of international monitors the country with the highest number of first to ensure the implementation of the cease- doses administered in the EU. fire between Libya’s warring rivals. According to the latest data, out of over In a statement, the UNSMIL said a meeting 900,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was held by the co-chairs of the Security delivered across Italy since Dec. 27, more Work Council to discuss the security than 55% have already been injected. Despite an acceleration in the vaccination situation in Libya and ways to support the campaign over the past week, the situation work of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission. varies substantially from region to region, The statement called on Libya’s rivals to A Rohingya rights group strengthened its with some highly populated regions – like accelerate the implementation of the demands Saturday for Facebook to stop the Lombardy – still lagging behind. cease-fire and the immediate repatriation Burmese military from using its platform to On Saturday, Italy also reported 483 new of all foreign fighters and mercenaries. recruit members. coronavirus-related deaths, down from It came after Facebook suspended US 620 a day before, after the government President Donald Trump’s account for inciting violence. The rights group also urged Facebook to stop Myanmar’s military from promoting its businesses on the site -- profits from which help fund genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, it said. About 1.2 million Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh in the face of Myanmar’s military crackdown and are currently taking temporary shelter in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. “Donald Trump has been suspended for strengthened restrictions in some regions inciting violence, but the Burmese military to stop the second wave of contagion. “The Mission reaffirms that it foresees commit violence against civilians every The Italian Health Ministry also reported the deployment of a limited number of day and are free to use Facebook to recruit 19,978 new daily infections, up from 17,533 impartial, unarmed, non-uniformed, soldiers to commit that violence,” said Mark a day before. Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. international monitors, to complement the On Friday, the government decided to “Military owned companies are allowed Libyan monitors deployed by the 5+5 Joint tighten anti-virus measures in the hard-hit to use Facebook to promote products, the Military Commission,” it said. Lombardy region and four other areas, as it English Academy profits from which fund the military and help On Oct. 23, the UN announced a permanent tries to reverse a recent acceleration in the fund violations of international law, including cease-fire agreement between Libya’s infection rate. genocide of the Rohingya,” he added. warring rivals during 5+5 Libyan Joint Five regions – including Lombardy, Veneto Facebook has faced severe criticism for failing Military Commission talks in Geneva. and Emilia Romagna in the north, and Sicily Easy The Joint Military Committee includes to tackle hate speech against Rohingya and and Calabria in the south – were listed as other minorities in Burma, and has removed five members from the Tripoli-based medium-risk “orange” regions, starting from English some military pages, including Min Aung internationally recognized government Jan. 10. Hlaing, the head of the military, read a Jan. and five from the camp of eastern warlord Amid the health emergency, the government Learning 9 statement by Burma Campaign UK. Khalifa Haftar. of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte continues But several military Facebook pages still Libya has been plagued by chaos since the to face political instability, as the threat of his exist, including some with an official Western Street of ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in coalition partner Matteo Renzi to bring down Facebook blue tick. the government remains concrete. Kabul University Close to 2011. Dehbori Park. Burma Campaign UK asked Facebook A meeting among the main coalition forces Based in Tripoli and currently led by Prime to ensure the pages are not used for on Friday did not produce any agreement, Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, the Government of recruitment, but no action has been taken, showing that the tensions within the ruling +93 (0) 789 98 9696 National Accord was founded in 2015 under it said. majority are still high. a UN-led agreement, but efforts for a long- The Burmese military has significant Conte aims for his Cabinet to approve next [email protected] term political settlement have failed due to economic interests in Burma, owning week a new version of Italy’s economic a military offensive by Haftar. companies involved in a wide range of recovery plan, which includes some of the Shigal English Academy Al-Sarraj’s government has been battling products including beer, mobile phone requests presented by Renzi’s Italia Viva Haftar’s militias since April 2019 in a conflict networks, tea, cement and ballrooms. party. But it is still unclear if that would be www.shigal.edu.af that has claimed thousands of lives. There are dozens of pages for the ... P3 enough to ensure the government’s survival.