Eye on the News [email protected] Truthful, Factual and Unbiased Vol:X Issue No:159 Price: Afs.15

www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes THURSDAY .JANUARY 07. 2016 -Jadi 17, 1394 HS Yo ur Yo ur ad ad he re he re 0778894038 0708954626 Parliamentary vote schedule next week, says IEC chief announce the schedule next week and would it to the government as well. Earlier, President Ashraf Ghani MAZAR-I-SHARIF : A top public society groups in the zone. The ple,” Hadid caimed. He said the the security situation. Gharibyar had said his government is ready representative in northern Balkh aim of the meeting was to hear government was struggling with said traveling on the Mazar-Shi- to hold parliamentary and district province on Wednesday said the views of Afghans from of differ- several hardships in advancing the berghan highway had been risky council elections between summer High Peace Council (HPC) had ent parts about ongoing efforts at peace process. He said people had in the past due to the presence of and autumn of next year. achieved nothing significant despite reviving the stalled peace talks, he little trust in the government which militants but now there was no The president made the pledge consuming a huge amount of mon- said. Provincial council head Mo- lacked a proper policy about peace problem after the insurgents had during separate meetings with ey during the past four years. The hammad Afzal Hadid told Pajhwok and had several other weaknesses. joined the peace process in Balkh. members of the Electoral Reform provincial council head said coun- on the sidelines of the gathering He said the HPC had no role in the He added 100 of the reconciling Commission and the selection tries making hue and cry for peace that the HPC had failed to meet peace process and everything in militants had been absorbed in the committee at the Presidential Pal- in Afghanistan were actually re- people’s expectations. Despite this regard was being done by the Afghan Local Police (ALP) force, ace. Nuristani said the IEC would sponsible for prolonging the con- spending a lot of money, the peace government itself. “Achieving which had a key role improving act as an independent and neutral flict. However, the provincial peace body’s achievements were zero, he peace is difficult until people’s the security situation. He said the body and would allow no group to committee chief said the peace body said. Hadid continued the peace trust in the government is re- government implemented eight de- interfere in its affairs. had many achievements. The con- talks faced many complex issues stored,” he added. But Balkh HPC velopment projects in each area He said the Election Reform flicting claims were made at gather- and countries pretending to be des- committee head Baz Mohammad where militants had joined the KABUL : Independent Election ty’s electoral process. Speaking to Commission (ERC) and the Selec- ing attended by local officials and perate for peace in Afghanistan Gharibyar said the body had many peace process in order to narrow Commission (IEC) chief Yousuf reporters here, Nuristani said the tion Committee had no legal ac- civil society activists in Mazar-i- were not interested in bringing sta- achievements during the past four the gap between the people and Nuristani on Wednesday said the IEC was fully prepared to conduct ceptance after the parliament re- Sharif city, the provincial capital. bility and even they fueled violence years. He said 324 militants had the government. However, Ma- schedule for parliamentary and dis- the elections and announce a sched- jected presidential decrees regard- Civil Society Network head for the in the country. He did not name reconciled with the government in nuchehr Ibrahimi believed coun- trict council elections would be ule. ing them. The IEC has estimated northern zone, Manuchehr Ibrahi- any country. “Recent conferences Balkh province during the past four tries pledging to establish peace in announced next week and no for- He said the commission with the at $63 millions the costs for hold- mi, told Pajhwok Afghan News the held about peace were just a waste years through the peace commit- Afghanistan were not sincere in eign or local organization would be help of its technical team, national ing elections to the Wolesi Jirga and gathering was organized by 60 civil of time and aimed to deceive peo- tee, leaving a positive impact on their promises. (Pajhwok) allowed to interfere in the coun- and international observers would district councils. (Pajhwok) Wolesi Jirga Obama briefed on approves Afs2 to troops’ causalities Afs7 per kW in AT Monitoring Desk leys. Showing meticulous optimism ple must use it all alone, but the in Afghanistan: power tariff KABUL: Pakistan Prime Minis- about results of the upcoming countries from the region, particu- White House By Akhtar M. Nikzad ter, Nawaz Sharif, who is current- peace parleys, President Ghani said larly Pakistan, must also extend the ly on a visit to Sri Lanka renewed that the pace talks will be held with- use of legitimate force,” Ghani said. KABUL: The Wolesi Jirga or Low- his country’s consistent support in the framework of the Constitu- The president said that Pakistan er House of the parliament had giv- WASHINGTON : The Afghan and other international partners for the quadrilateral meeting, fo- tion. Ghani said that Pakistan dur- has agreed to take action against en green signal to Da Afghanistan national security forces are facing going forward, Cook said, adding cusing to resume comprehensive ing trilateral and quadrilateral meet- those militant groups on its soil, Breshna Sherkat (DABS) to bring a tough challenge but not losing any Kabul’s allies were doing their part. peace talks between Kabul and the ings ensured to cooperate with Af- who are not willing to talk peace significant hike in power prices ground to its enemies, the Penta- One US service member was Taliban. Representative from Af- ghanistan in brining everlasting with Afghanistan. Afghans say that ranging from Afs2 to Afs7 per kilo- gon said on Tuesday. killed and two others were injured ghanistan, Pakistan, the United peace to country. He added that they are expecting tangible results watt (kW). Lawmakers on “We've seen Afghan Security on Tuesdaywhen they came un- States and China may soon gather the peace talks would start within and the quadrilateral meeting Wednesday approved a presiden- Forces perform admirably in a der fire while conducting mission under one roof to talk on methods few weeks and the peace would be should not be dominated by sym- tial decree on the management of whole host of situations recently. with their Afghan counterparts in how to resume the peace talks be- talked only with those willing to bolic gestures. It is worth men- AT Monitoring Desk electricity services and payment I would not concede they're losing the Marjadistrict of Helmand prov- tween Afghan government and the come to the negotiation table. tioning that the direct peace talks of power bills on a monthly basis. ground across the country,” the ince. Two HH-60 Pave Hawk KABUL: In his daily news con- Taliban. He said that Pakistan be- “Those who want to talk peace are between the Afghan government ference, the White House’s Press The decree on energy security and Pentagon press secretary said. Medevac helicopters were sent in lieves that peaceful Afghanistan most welcome, but those who don’t and the Taliban started in Murree, expansion of power infrastructure Peter Cooktold a news confer- to provide assistance. One of those Secretary, Josh Earnest told news- was in its interest and termed ter- want peace and want to continue a resort city near Islamabad, in men that President Barack Obama and services were placed before ence the Afghan forces had dem- was waived off after taking fire and rorism a common enemy of both fighting for others interest in Af- June, 2015. However, the peace lawmakers around four months onstrated their skills, capabilities returned safely to its base, the sec- had been informed regarding cau- countries. He furthered that Paki- ghanistan will face legitimate force. talks faced a deadlock after revela- salities of US troops caused in ago. Bi-monthly payment of pow- and improvements in a difficult ond landed safely but sustained By legitimate use of force we don’t tion of the death of the Taliban’s er bills or monthly bills payment stan had been consistently sup- Afghanistan fighting. “This does situation and a constant fighting damage to its rotor blades after it porting an Afghan-led and Afghan- mean that Afghanistan and its peo- supreme leader Mullah Omar. were the only thing where the law- season in the country. apparently struck a wall. underscore that Afghanistan is a makers differed on. Eventually the owned reconciliation process. He dangerous place,” he said. A US He said the Pentagon was con- “This is an ongoing situation, also assured his country’s readi- troop was killed and two more lawmakers agreed on monthly fidentits current strategy would there is still a fight going on in the payment of electricity bill. Sahib ness to continue support for re- were wounded in hours-long fight- support the Afghan security forc- immediate surroundings. And we'll sumption of the peace dialogue ing in southern Helmand province Khan, a representative from Log- es and government so they could provide more details as they be- ar province, said that hike in pow- between the Afghan government on Tuesday. The death took place take control of their country. come available,” he added. and the Taliban. Talking at the Lak- in Marja district of the province, er prices are ranging from Afs2 to “They are not at that stage Afghanistan, in particular the Afs7 per kilowatt (kW). If a con- shman Kadirgamar Institute of In- where American Special Opera- yet. So, this is an ongoing effort, Helmand province, was a danger- ternational Relations and Strategic tions forces have been helping the sumer uses up 200 kW, he will pay one that's constantly under review. ous place, he said. The US forces Afghan security forces to repel the Afs2 additional (per kilowatt), Studies in Colombo, Nawaz said The (defense) secretary has spo- were doing what they could to pro- that radicalization and global ter- insurgents attack. “We are deeply from 200 to 400 kW will cost Afs3 ken recently with President Ghani, vide support, training, advice and saddened by this loss,” said the additional, from 300 to 700 kW to rorism could not be eliminated un- who wished anonymity, said that United States Forces-Afghanistan cost Afs5 additional, and from 700 with CEO Abdullah. He's confi- assistance to the Afghans,the offi- til its root cause was addressed. dent in the Afghan government and cial continued. AT News Report the US soldier was killed in a joint (USFOR-A) spokesman, Brig. to 2000 kW to cost Afs7. Shukria He furthered that Pakistan was operation, adding that ASF also Gen. Wilson A. Shoffiner. “On Paikan, another lawmaker, said their commitment to moving the Cook said the Afghan forces waging a decisive battle against ter- KABUL: A US soldier was killed suffered casualties. However, he behalf of Gen. Campbell and all of that monthly payment of electric- security forces forward, making were getting better at defending rorism. Pakistani primer said that and two others wounded in a joint tough decisions there,” he said. their country, but they were not at did not provide further details. He USFOR-A, our heartfelt sympa- ity bill would be of no use because he was also deeply touched by operation launched in Helmand thies go out to the families and DABS would not be able to col- Although the Afghan forces a point yet where they could op- said that two helicopters were sent Modi’s decision to fly to Lahore province, Pentagon said. to the area to shift the injured friends of those involved.” As lect bills every month. She added remained in the lead, they still need- erate entirely on their own, he re- last month on his way back from Afghan security forces are fighting continues at least 34 Tali- that the consumers would fail to ed support from the United States marked. (Pajhwok) troops to the hospital, but one of Afghanistan. He also said that for- fighting the Taliban insurgents in the choppers hit a wall and could ban insurgents have been killed and pay their bills on time and could eign secretaries of the two coun- Sangin, Marjah and Lashakar Gah 16 others wounded in a joint op- result in surcharges. “Bi-monthly not fly. According to the press eration launched by Afghan and tries would meet in Islamabad districts of Helmand. Afghan se- secretary of Pentagon, Peter Kok, payment of electricity bills will soon. Last month President Ashraf curity forces are backed by the foreign forces in the Marja district, also lead to surcharges because the helicopters could not go and official said on Wednesday. Marja Ghani said that peace talks between US-led coalition forces in some land in the area due to heavy fight- DABS send bills based on energy the Afghan government and the areas to defeat the militants and district was once considered consumption,” another lawmaker ing. He said that they could not stronghold of the Taliban. Taliban Taliban would start within a few regain control over the Taliban- provide more details about the ca- Ghulam Hossain Nasiri said. He weeks. He said that Pakistan has dominated areas. insurgents have recently intensi- added that delay in paying bills sualties as the fighting is contin- fied their activities in the area de- would overcharge masses. vowed to facilitate the peace par- An official at the Pentagon, ued. spite the onset of winter season. Kabul mulls to Activists ask govt for distribution of e-Tazkira before Wolesi Jirga polls import 1.2m tons AT News Report e-Tazkira before the Wolesi Jirga polls,” he said. Jawid Nurani, an- the e-ID card department were ter- of diesel and LPG: KABUL: The civil society activ- elections. They said that due to other protestor, said that due to minated He said that the employ- ists and scores of former employ- lack of budget and political deter- lack of political determination ees were fired because of differ- Iranian Minister ees of the electronic identity card mination, around 1,300 employ- around 1,300 trained employees of ences between the two leaders. AT Monitoring Desk department staged protest on ees of the electronic identity card KABL: Iranian Petroleum Minis- Wednesday in front of the parlia- department were dismissed. Mo- ment house and asked the govern- hammad Elyas, a protester, said ter Bijan Zangeneh in a meeting ment to start distribution of e-Taz- the government should start dis- with Afghan Minister of Industries kira (computerized national iden- tribution process of e-Tazkira be- Hamayun Rasa in Tehran said that tity card) before the Wolesi Jirga fore announcement of the parlia- Afghanistan has expressed its will- polls. The protesters said that it mentary election schedule. He ingness to buy one million tons of has been one year that the law- urged the NUG leaders to put aside diesel and 200,000 tons of Liquid GHAZNI CITY : Most residents your case to government judicial makers approved the population their political differences over is- Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Iran of southern Ghazni province refer organs. But Taliban judges hand law but the authorities had not tak- suance of the electronic ID cards annually. their cases to Taliban courts, largely down verdicts in a short time with- en any measures to ensure timely and initiate the process. “We ask He said that prices of the petro- due to widespread corruption in out receiving money from the peo- issuance of the computerized na- the government to deliver on its leum products would be finalized judicial organs. People have to take ple,” he argued. Most residents tional identity cards. They said pledge regarding distribution of soon. According to Islamic Repub- their legal cases to the Taliban, be- take their small irritants to local that the National Unity Govern- electronic Tazkira. The computer- lic News Agency, Zangeneh after cause the provincial judiciary is militants for arbitration, while ment (NUG) leaders in their polit- ized national identity cards must meeting with Hamayun Rasa, told corrupt, head of the local council complicated cases are referred to ical agreement vowed to issue the be issued before the Wolesi Jirga reporters that they have discussed in Pashtunabad area, told Pajhwok the Taliban’s Quetta Shura, accord- how much diesel Afghanistan Afghan News. “I had a case with ing to another inhabitant of Ghaz- 30 TALIBAN, wants to import. someone, so I went to the Mangoor ni City, Ahmad Khalid. “We hada DAESH MILITANTS He put the current export of die- area of Ghazni City where Taliban long-running land dispute with our sel to Kabul at around 200,000 resolved the issue in half an cousins. With mutual consent, killed in Nangarhar tons annually. According to the hour.The government could not both parties went to Quetta, where firefights Iranian oil minister, the negotia- resolve it in a year,” Haji Bazaz the Taliban office was closed. But AT Monitoring Desk dents of the district faced several claimed that the security forces JALALABAD : At least 30 mili- tions between the two countries recalled. He asked the officials to later, we found a person who took KABUL: As many as 34 Taliban problems and had to use the Nawa had suffered casualties during the over the products’ prices would prevent corruption in the judicial us inside the building. “Inside the district road to travel to Marja dis- clashes in Marja district. tants have been killed and many militants have been killed in a joint others wounded in clashes between continue and Iran would present departments and make state insti- compound, the Taliban had an or- Afghan-foreign forces operation in trict. According to the police Helmand province has become the its proposal in the near future. tutions credible to convince resi- ganised office;they resolved our spokesman Shah Mahmood Ash- nest of the Taliban militants. Taliban and Daesh in eastern Nan- Marja district of southern Hel- garhar province, officials said on “Afghan officials are also interest- dents into submitting their cases case within half an hour and we mand province, said an official on na, the operation was still contin- Afghan security forces backed by ed in importing 200,000 tons of to the government. Another resi- returned home satisfied,” he add- ued in which the Taliban insurgents foreign troops are conducting op- Wednesday. Attaullah Khogyani, Wednesday. In addition 16 other the governor’s spokesman, told LPG. This needs to be finalized in dent of Ghazni City, Abdul Ahad, ed. Provincial council member insurgents were wounded. Spokes- have suffered heavy casualties. eration to eliminate the insurgents terms of price,” the Iranian minis- claimed representatives of Taliban Khaliqdad Akbari acknowledged He said the security forces have from the province. Pajhwok Afghan News 18 mili- man for the 215th Maiwand Mil- tants including two IS command- ter added. Chief Executive Officer courts were present in mosques; ordinary people had to approach itary Corps, Maj. succeeded in retaking most of ar- According to Pajhwok Afghan Abdullah Abdullah leading a high- even prayer leaders are members the Taliban to adjudicate on their eas from the Taliban. News, currently, the Taliban are ers, Ajmal and Abdul Ahad, were Mohammad Rassoul Zazai, told killed and four others wounded on ranking delegation paid a three-day of the judiciary commissions. “To disputes. The Taliban don’t ask Pajhwok Afghan News that the However, the Taliban spokesman operating in Musa Qala, Baghran, official trip to Tehran, capital of have a minor issue resolved, you them for bribes, but government Qari Yousuf Ahmadi denied the ca- Nawzad and Deshu districts of the Wednesday in the 4th Farm area district’s main road had been of the Batikot district. (Pajhwok) Iran. have to wait for monthsif your take employees do. (Pajhwok) cleared of landmines as the resi- sualties suffered by the Taliban and province. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. THURSDAY . JANUARY 07, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES A disabled Afghan’s dream to educate his community The UK’s Girls Education Chal- lenge is providing opportunities for both children and teachers through new community-based education classes. Shabir lives in a remote village in Parwan. He was disabled in an accident when he was young and A petite deserted low-slung pock- The actual scenario in Afghan- has to use a walker to get around. et hiding among the population- istan nothing, but abject. Apart In spite of his limited mobility, he boasted gigantic nations in the vast from a few domestic games here was able to graduate from high continent of Asia; between South and there, nothing major hasn’t school and is enthusiastic about the and Central Asia to be precise- the been organised till date. Dubai and benefits of education, not just for foremost scenario that hits the Sharjah are the current grounds himself, but for everyone. mind when asked about Afghani- where the Afghans play their home Shabir looked for job oppor- stan. games. tunities after he graduated so that Eking out a National Cricket Heartwarming to see India he could support his family. He Team was a distant dream, a cou- coming forward with a helping applied for positions in health clin- ple of decades ago, for the war- hand and gifting Afghanistan with ics and government schools, but stricken country. Things aren’t a new home ground in New Delhi. was never accepted. Shabir has al- quite the same now when you see Nevertheless, there are a few ways seen his disability as an ob- fans cheering their throat out and grounds in Afghanistan which can stacle to getting a job, because waving the Afghan national flag for be potential venues for Interna- employers might think he is un- their beloved players. tional Cricket. able to walk long distances or meet The journey is nothing but a It seems nothing less than a job requirements. story of a group of indefatigable fairy-tale journey when you hear When an NGO established a troupers who, squeezing every that Mohammed Shahzad and lower secondary community- drop of their blood and sweat, dis- many other Afghans from being based class for girls in Shabir’s missively crushed all odds to cur- refugees are now travelling abroad community in late 2013, he imme- rently turning into future poten- and representing their nation diately offered his house as a suit- tial world beaters. boastfully. Kabir Khan had to con- able location. He says: “And another one goes. They vince the defying parents of Sami- I am delighted to support chil- just cannot handle the bounce, the ullah Shenwari who were against dren’s education in my communi- poor Afghan batsman. They Cricket. No hurdle was intimidat- ty and donating a room was what I haven’t seen anything like this be- ing enough to deter them into sway- am able to do. fore”, the iconic Harsha Bhogle ing away from the expedition. After the village established commentated in a World T20 The journey, which started the school management committee, match versus South Africa in 2010. back in 2001 community members and commit- Afghanistan was reduced to a tee members recommended that score of 14/6 in the first five overs Since bagging the affiliate mem- Shabir be chosen as the teacher for chasing 140 displaying the yawn- bership status of ICC in 2001, the class because he had finished ing gap between a veteran and a Afghanistan didn’t take a step high school. He has been working struggling newbie, at least on the backward. 15 years after, they as a teacher for two years now, face of it. The fight paid dividends stand a chance of clinching the full educating children from the local and six years down the line, Af- member status of ICC, the proba- area. Shabir is serving his commu- ghanistan have roared their way ble fifth Asian side to accomplish nity as a teacher, but he’s benefit- into the top 10 ODI teams leaving the prestigious goal if ever it hap- ting too. The salary Shabir receives Zimbabwe and Ireland in the dust. pens to be. Shoaib Akhtar, who is always at list of glorious memories- the Shahzad, or be it the fearlessly ries 3-2 and clean-swept them 2-0 has helped him overcome financial Afghanistan’s unflinching ap- The World T20 in 2010 still the batsman’s face. Shapoor boundary by Shapoor Zadran audacious strokeplay by all the in the T-20 series. The icing on the problems and support his family. proach to the game is choreo- remains to be their greatest mo- Zadran first induced an inside edge flicked away towards fine leg off Afghan batsman, every moment of cake panned out to be their third There is no doubt that Shabir graphed by Kabir Khan, their ment, when a bunch of vibrant on the stumps by Gautam Gamb- the bowling of Ian Wardlaw pre- Afghan Cricket is an event in itself consecutive qualification for the is a dedicated teacher. He arrives former coach. The carnival of glo- cricketers, led by Nawroz Man- hir and then a healthy nick from ceded by a one-handed effort by that seems to bring happiness not World T20. More than one occa- in class on time and well prepared ry when celebrating a wicket, a gal, proudly marched into the play- Virender Sehwag, reducing India to Samiullah Shenwari’s 96 from 147 only among Afghan fans but fans sion they gave big teams a run for with audio visual materials, which boundary or a win can surpass ing arena at Gros Islet vs India- it 22/2 after four overs. Victory didn’t deliveries. The boundary eventu- across the globe. Perturbing the test their money. The T20 World Cup he prepares himself. He often even celebrations on winning a was indeed their maiden World quite shine in Aghan’s favour, but ally gifted the Afghans their maid- playing nations They strained is days away and Afghanistan may seeks advice from other teachers World Cup. Cup encounter and also their first the learning curve was upwardly en taste of glory when they pinned their way to their first win vs a hurt teams big time, provided oth- on how to improve his own teach- The ecstasy associated with against a full member Test playing thrusting in a positive direction. down a fighting Scotland team in a Test playing nation-Bangladesh in er teams take them for granted as ing. As a result of his hard work Afghan cricket success is reminis- nation. The day turned out to be shapoor zadran Group Stage encounter of the 2015 the 2014 Asia Cup. The sixth wick- easy pushovers. The current bunch and commitment, he has won the cent of Bangladesh’s early days’ even more impressive as Noor Ali Zadran did a ‘Akhtar-esque’ ICC Cricket World Cup in Down et stand between Samiullah Shen- promises more than a bright fu- respect of his students, communi- victory lap. The base architected Zadran crafted his way to a ma- celebration after hitting the win- Under. Be it Shapoor Zadran’s wari and Ashgar Stanikzai still re- ture but the actual prospect lies in ty members and other teachers. by Kabir Khan now needs to be tured half-century. ning runs against Scotland in the beastlike run-up and open-chest- mains to be the highest sixth-wick- substantiating the promise into The UK is supporting com- polished by Inzamam-ul-Haq in a 2012 presented to the World World Cup ed celebrations, be it the M.S Dho- et stand in Asia Cup. They choked something big, something that may munity-based education through quest to dish out yet another Asian stage, a paceman who had a run- But one moment, till date, will ni reminiscent helicopter blow by down a vibrant Zimbabwe side in write a new era for cricket. the Girl’s Education Challenge pro- powerhouse. up and a celebration identical to remain perched on the top of the the swashbuckling Mohammed Zimbabwe, clinching the ODI se- (Sportskeeda) gramme, across Afghanistan.

The main place of worship and a communal canteen are both a stronghold and refuge for a community facing extinction.

KABUL: On December 16, mally enshrines Islam as the coun- Taliban." Some in Afghanistan steam filled the room. all people as equal, everyone as a Mukesh woke just before 5am. He try's official religion. But it also have been particularly intolerant But his uncle's message "was human being." "The message of to- smoothed down his shirt, slipped protects the rights of Sikhs, and of Sikhs cremating their dead, a God's intervention for me", he said. day is tolerance," added Koljeet. on leather sandals, and shuffled out members of other faiths, to prac- practice forbidden in Islam. Pro- To him, cooking for the langar is a Even if their community faced dis- into the dark courtyard of the Karte tise their religion freely. testers have interrupted funeral spiritual pursuit - "a type of wor- crimination, he said, "if we retali- Parwan Gurdwara, the main place "On paper we have equal processions by throwing stones ship". ate when they attack us we be- of worship for Kabul's Sikh com- rights, but I can't go out at night," and shouting insults, forcing the Sivender Singh, a gurudwara come just like them." Upstairs in munity. said Koljeet Singh, a shopkeeper. Sikh community to request police resident, drops the first batch of the brightly lit shrine, with mir- Mukesh, 40, who only goes Like many of the men who live at protection so they can mourn in pakora batter into the hot oil just rored walls and carpeted ceilings, by one name, walked quietly to the gurdwara, Koljeet sent his fam- peace. after 5am [Sune Engel Rasmussen/ Guru Grand Submaraj had been the cold kitchen, flicked on the ily to live in India a few years ago, During the civil war, local com- Al Jazeera] A small, tight-knit com- sitting since 4.30am, cross-legged lights, and began preparing the remaining behind only to take care manders from different sides ille- munity and barefoot, knees covered in a morning "langar". of his business. gally confiscated housing and land Despite dwindling in size, thick blanket, reading the morning's Like all Sikh gurdwaras, the In line with his beliefs, Kol- from many Sikhs, and Muslims Kabul's Sikh community has re- prayer over a loudspeaker. The Karte Parwan Gurdwara has a lan- jeet always wears his distinctive were also discouraged from doing tained a strong sense of communi- first handful of worshippers ar- gar - a free kitchen serving daily turban, and other Sikh religious business with them, impoverish- ty. The gurdwara rooms, which rived just after 7am. Men sat on vegetarian meals to visitors. Lan- articles of faith, known as kakkar, ing the minority. once stored hundreds of bags of one side, women, wearing colour- gar is one of the Sikhs' most sacred which in Afghanistan, he said, "I would have left if I could flour and rice to feed thousands of ful, jewelled skirts and fringed head traditions, with simple rules: ev- makes him vulnerable to violent afford it," said Surjeet Qar, a wid- worshippers, are now simple bed- scarves sat opposite, huddled eryone is welcome, whether or not attacks, such as beatings, or ha- ow who lives in another Sikh rooms for dozens of Sikhs with around a bukhari, a traditional Af- they are Sikh, and people eat the rassment. shrine in Kabul. nowhere else to go. ghan wood heater. Submaraj began same meal, shared together. "With these I cannot hide," he Surjeet had also arrived before The residents rarely eat out- to sing, and played the harmoni- Sivender Singh, another gurd- said, pointing to some of the dawn to the Karte Parwan Gurd- side the gurdwara. While leaders um, while the worshippers lis- wara resident, arrived to help. To- kakkar: a metal bangle, uncut wara, and sat in the tandoor room, say anyone is welcome - they rare- tened or quietly read aloud to them- gether they poured canola oil into beard, and a small curved sword to prepare fresh bread for the lan- ly see visitors from outside their selves from palm-sized prayer an enormous iron cauldron, and worn strapped to his body. gar. She worked quickly, slapping community, apart from the occa- books. Numbers began to swell at waited for it to heat, warming their Most of the family of Surjeet the dough into shape before firing sional official or foreigner. 8am, as members from the Sikh hands holding steaming cups of Qar, a widow who lives in another it in the open oven. Some of the community mem- community around Kabul arrived sweet green tea. Sikh shrine in Kabul, left Afghani- One by one, Surjeet's extend- bers are vegetarian and concerned at the Gurdwara for their special "In the past there would have stan during the civil war [Sune ed family left Afghanistan during about the use of animal products celebration. Suddenly, from the been dozens of people here help- Engel Rasmussen/Al Jazeera]Sikh the civil war. After her husband in food, Surjeet explained. Meat is usual group of fewer than 40 wor- ing, many cauldrons," Mukesh exodus The most significant Sikh was killed in a car accident, her not allowed to be consumed at the shippers, there were a couple of said, motioning to the expansive exodus from Afghanistan occurred home was illegally seized, giving gurdwara, but some still do eat it, hundred men, women and children, empty kitchen space behind him. during the civil war (1989-1996) her no choice but to move into the but only if it is slaughtered accord- probably almost the entire Kabul LASHKARGAH : Some tribal el- fusing to pay taxes would be dealt "Not any more." and the and during the subsequent shrine. "I miss them a lot; family ing to Sikh custom. With all meat Sikh community, gathered togeth- ders and members of the provin- with in accordance with rules. “The Not so long ago, Kabul's larg- Taliban rule (1996-2001), during is like part of your body," she said. sold in butchers and served in res- er in the one room. As the praying cial council on Tuesday said Tali- Taliban have informed us about the est gurdwara prepared food for which thousands, like many other But, she emphasised, proudly taurants in Afghanistan prepared continued upstairs, Mukesh made ban insurgents had imposed taxes taxes, but the collection process is hundreds, sometimes thousands, Afghans, sought refuge in neigh- showing her own kakkar, a small according to Islamic principles, the the final langar preparations, car- on land owners in southern Hel- yet to be started,” a resident of of worshippers. These days, on boring countries. curved sword, she took comfort in Sikh community will only eat meat rying piles of Surjeet's freshly made mand province. “The rebels charge Loy Manda area of the district said average, there are only a few doz- Life under the Taliban was a the remaining Sikh community, they prepare themselves. bread into the eating hall on the 200 Pakistani rupees (131 afgha- on condition of anonymity. While en mouths to feed. particularly dark time. Officially, and said volunteering for the lan- "We live together, we help each ground floor. Bored and hungry, a nis) in tax per acre in our area and confirming tax collection by Tali- That's because Afghanistan's Taliban commanders were ordered gar gave her a sense of purpose. other and we prepare the food to- few dozen young boys filtered they create problems for those who ban, the deputy head of the pro- once thriving Sikh community is by their leadership to respect Sikh "I'm here to serve God and my gether," said Mukesh. "And we eat down to the hall and practised their deny the payment,” a tribal elder vincial council, Abdul Majeed facing extinction. Mukesh and Siv- and Hindu communities, on the community," she said. "These peo- together, here in God's house." kung fu moves on each other as from Marja district, Zahir Khan, Akhunzada, said the rebels had ender Singh, another resident of condition they didn't proselytise ple have been my brothers for the That day was particularly spe- they waited for breakfast. The lan- told Pajhwok Afghan News. He earlier been collecting money from Kabul's Karte Parwan Gurdwara, and paid jizya, a religious tax im- past 30 years." In the kitchen, cial for Kabul's Sikh community. gar provides the dwindling com- recalled four years ago, the Tali- traders and drug traffickers in Ka- prepare the chole, a chickpea cur- posed on non-Muslims. Mukesh watched Sivender drop It was the first day of their calen- munity the opportunity to come ban would collect money from jaki district. ry, for the morning langar [Sune But they also required Sikhs dough into the hot cauldron oil to dar month, when almost all the re- together, catch up and reconnect people of Marja to purchase weap- “People have complained to us Engel Rasmussen/Al Jazeera] to publicly identify themselves, by make pakora, a deep-fried appe- maining Sikhs traditionally come [Sune Engel Rasmussen/Al ons and ammunition. “People are saying Taliban collect money from Shrinking community Official cen- wearing yellow patches on their tiser common in Indian cuisine. But from across Kabul for morning Jazeera] We eat so 'our hearts heal' happy in Taliban controlled areas people forcefully. If people refuse, sus figures do not exist, but ac- breast pocket or armbands, and to this one had a special Afghan prayer and the langar, but it was Sikh children commonly face because with Taliban protection, Taliban create problems for them,” cording Rawali Singh, deputy head mark their homes and businesses touch: in addition to the usual also the anniversary of the mar- taunts and discrimination in Afghan they can grow poppy crop in their the secretary of the provincial of the Afghanistan Sikh and Hindu with yellow flags. They were al- flour, oil, ginger, garlic, spices and tyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the schools, resulting in many of the fields.” council, Attaullah Afghan, said, Community Council, about 40 lowed to continue daily prayers at coriander, the batter was studded ninth of the 10 Sikh gurus. remaining families to send them to “Three out of four parts of Marja adding that tax collection was only years ago, an estimated 50,000 Sikh the gurdwaras so long as they with fresh pomegranate seeds. In the late 17th century Guru be educated abroad. Koljeet, who are controlled by Taliban while the the government authority. Securi- and Hindu families lived in Afghan- couldn't be heard from the street, The first batch was ready by Tegh Bahadur, a Sikh from Amrit- can trace his Afghan lineage back government has no full control in ty officials in Helmand denied to istan. That number has shrunk to but it also wasn't uncommon for 5:10am. "I am the guru of food sar in India's Punjab state was four generations and served in the the fourth part,” he added. comment on the issue, but a Tali- around 363 families, the vast ma- errant Taliban to harass or beat here," laughed Mukesh as he was sought out by a Hindu communi- Afghan army for seven years, said “I own 280 farms and each farm ban commander in Nad Ali district jority of whom are Sikhs, and has them, Koljeet said. complimented on the hot, delicious ty to intervene in the Mughal Em- that while he "feels Afghan in [his] consists of 15 acres of land, but I said on the condition of anonymi- steadily declined in recent years, Even after the fall of the Tali- food. Mukesh isn't himself a Sikh, peror Aurangzeb's efforts to forc- heart", his children are much hap- fled to Lashkargah due to insecuri- ty that the insurgents did not use largely due to persistent social dis- ban, however, and promises by nor is he Afghan. He's a Hindu, ibly convert them to Islam. When pier living in India. ty in my district,” said Salam Khan force to take money from people. crimination and prejudice. both the Karzai and Ghani gov- from India, and his Sikh wife and the guru appealed to the emperor, One day, Koljeet said, his from Marja district, who is mem- “We don’t get money from people In Kabul, only 102 Sikh fami- ernments to do more to protect three young children live in New he was asked to convert or per- nephew had returned from school ber of the district social council. by force, but people give dona- lies remained, said Rawali, and in their communities, each year, the Delhi. He was working in Dubai form a miracle. He refused, and was devastated. The school had organ- He said the Taliban forced him into tions to Taliban,” he said, adding the past year alone, more than 150 number of Sikh families continues when his uncle, who prepares food arrested and publicly executed in ised an official ceremony for sending them money in return for Taliban’s financial commission was families have left Afghanistan. In to shrink. in a langar for a gurdwara in Paki- 1675 in Delhi on the emperor's Teacher's Day, and the school prin- allowing him to cultivate crops on working on a plan for tax collec- other areas of the country, such as "Before the wars we were in- stan, told him the Karte Parwan orders. cipal decided his nephew wasn't his farms. tion from land owners in their con- Jalalabad and Kandahar, where tegrated in local communities," said Gurdwara needed a new cook. "Guru Tegh Bahadur was an allowed to participate. The boy He said the Taliban had told peo- trolled areas. Currently, Baghran, Afghan Sikhs once lived in large Sivender. "But with the passing of "I miss my children, of exceptional man," said Mukesh, as wasn't a real Afghan, the principal ple that they enjoyed an organised Deshu, Musa Qala and Nawzad numbers, at most only a few doz- time the prejudice against us has course," said Mukesh, as he began he handed out milky, sweet cups said, and he would have to wait government and tax collection com- districts are in Taliban control. en families remain. increased. People were really rad- to cook a large pot of chole, a of masala chai, with crushed spic- outside, by himself, until the par- mission and therefore anyone re- (Pajhwok) Afghanistan's constitution for- icalised by the civil wars and the chickpea curry, stirring rapidly as es floating on the surface. "He saw ty was over. (Al Jazeera) This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. THURSDAY . JANUARY 07, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

Rejection of presidential decree on ERC’s suggestions:

By Farhad Naibkhel and continue work,” he said, term- fair election across the country,” is one of the major demands of ing rejection of the presidential de- Nuristani added. The IEC came people. “Everyone knows that the KABUL: The Independent Elec- cree a step of the parliament to sup- under severe criticism after it failed current election commissioners tion Commission (IEC) on port democracy. The parliament has to hold the 2014 presidential elec- were responsible for frauds in the Wednesday welcomed rejection of recently rejected the presidential de- tion transparently. Industrial-scale 2014 presidential elections. Thus, the presidential decree regarding cree on the ERC suggestions with fraud was reported in the presi- they should be fired. Mere dismiss- suggestions of the Electoral Re- majority. The lawmakers said that dential poll. The electoral commis- al is not enough, but those com- forms Commission (ERC). Chief details on what the presidential de- sion also failed to announce the missioners accused of involvement of the IEC Ahmad Yusuf Nuristani cree required were unavailable. De- results on time in poll rigging should be also said that political uncertainty has lay in reforms in the electoral bod- The electoral deadlock came to end dragged into court,” he added. In come to an end and the technical ies resulted in postponement of the when the United States brokered a July 2015, the Deputy Chairman MERGENCY method was restored in electoral Wolesi Jirga polls. Speaking about deal between the two candidates of the Special Electoral Reform E process. He said, “There was the Wolesi Jirga elections, Nuristani and laid foundation of the Nation- Commission (SERC), Sediqullah CALLS shadow of political uncertainty said that the IEC was ready to hold al Unity Government (NUG). Tawhidi, said that for long-lasting over the electoral process for the the elections, but was waiting for Many voters say that they would and satisfactory reforms in the last one and half years. But, after the government to make prepara- not go to polling stations if reforms electoral bodies it was necessary Police rejection of the presidential decree tions. He said that the government were not introduced as their man- to fire the all current members of by the Wolesi Jirga and Meshrano had to provide budget to the IEC date was not respected in the pres- the IEC. He stressed that removal 100 - 119 Jirga, technical authority has been and cooperate in the maintenance idential election in 2014. In Sep- of the current members is essen- restored in the process.” Speak- of security to hold the election. tember last year, the Civic Move- tial for restoring trust of public over ing at a press conference here he “The electoral commission [IEC] ment of Social Justice, a cluster of the electoral system. In an inter- Hospitals said the IEC would not allow any will try its best to hold the election civil society organizations, urged view with Afghanistan Times, national or foreign organization to in a fair and transparent manner the NUG to dismiss the current Tawhidi said that people do not FMIC Hospital interfere in the electoral process. However, total fraud prevention is commissioners of the IEC and in- trust the current members of the “After decision of the parliament, impossible until the electronic na- troduce them to the relevant judi- IEC, and urged the SERC to sack Behind Kabul Medical the selection committee’s duty tional identity cards were distribut- cial body. Chief of CMSJ, Ahmad the IEC officials, who are accused University: comes to an ends. The committee ed. Distribution of the electronic Zaki, said that dismissal of the of rigging during the 2014 presi- 0202500200-+93793275595 has no legal ground to stand on identity cards is crucial for free and current commissioners of the IEC dential elections. 9 YEARS OLD Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital Pule Bagh-e- Umomi In the 14 years Saeed Akbar has the Mine Action Coordination GIRL GANG- 070263672 spent removing landmines from Centre for Afghanistan (MAC- Afghanistan’s war-riddled earth, he CA), new mines are constantly RAPED BY 11 never imagined one would kill his added as territorial control shifts Khairkhana Hospital nine-year-old son outside his own between government forces and home. When the mine exploded un- militia groups, MACCA director GUNMEN IN 0799-321007 der Matiullah, he was eating cake Mohammad Shafiq Yosufi told the 2401352 given to him moments earlier by ABC. “In addition, newly identi- BADGHIS his mother. Matiullah’s two broth- fied minefields which actually ex- QALA-I-NAW : Nearly a dozen ers — Nasratullah, 12, and seven- isted before but were missed in Indira Gandhi Children year-old Hekmatullah — were previous surveys are still being men gang-raped a nine years old about to join him but had not yet discovered,” Mr Yosufi said. Nev- girl in the Jawand district of north- Hospital, Wazir Akbar stepped outside the front gate, ertheless, last month, MACCA western Badghis province more Khan, Kabul 2301372 sparing them both. Saeed Akbar declared 78 per cent of Afghani- than a week ago, officials said on was in a different province of Af- stan’s known mined areas cleared Tuesday. ghanistan, clearing mines. The fam- — leaving 4,360 minefields to go. A member of the provincial Ibn-e- Seena ily had just returned home to Kun- The goal is to clear them all by council from the district, Farid duz City after fleeing two weeks 2023, under its obligations to the Akhizai, told Pajhwok Afghan Pul-e-Artan, Kabul earlier to escape the battle between Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty News the 11 rapists included four 2100359 Taliban and Afghan security forc- signed in 2013. IED with pres- policemen and seven illegal gun- es. The Taliban assault — that sure plate attached PHOTO: This men, who sexually assaulted the began on September 28 — result- IED has a pressure plate attached, minor girl 10 days ago in Piraji Wazir Akbar Khan ed in 289 deaths and 559 injured, an example of one of many sorts village. Hospital according to the United Nations of improvised explosive devices “The victim is being treated Assistance Mission to Afghanistan used in Afghanistan, and is big by a local doctor and her condi- 2301741, 2301743 (UNAMA). When Kunduz City enough for anti-tank purposes tion is said to be stable,” the pub- was declared free of Taliban con- when filled with homemade explo- lic representative said. He added trol in mid-October, Saeed Akbar sives or ammonium nitrate. (UN- the orphan girl was later married Ali Abad took his family home and headed MACCA) “Afghanistan has over off to a man in return for 750,000 Shahrara, Kabul off to another province the same 4,300 minefields with an area of afghanis by an illegal armed day to continue de-mining work 579-square kilometres. That is the group. 2100439 with the international landmine current scale of contamination,” The mother and grandmoth- clearance agency, Halo Trust. That Mr Yosufi said. Not included in er of the victim on Monday came very afternoon, Matiullah was this estimate are the firing ranges Malalai Maternity to Qala-i-Naw, the provincial killed. Later that night, in the same used by pro-government military Hospital area of Kunduz’s Police District forces — still littered with explo- capital, and registered their com- MAIMANA First Vice President the provincial capital. civil society activist were also 3, a dog was killed after stepping sive remnants of war (ERW). plaint with the provincial coun- Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum and In fact, the woman brought her present on the occasion. 2201377/ 2301743 on a mine. And the next morning, “There are 82 abandoned military cil and police headquarters about an Afghan expatriate have provid- four children to the market, but a Wahid Nekyar, an Afghan liv- the hidden improvised explosive firing ranges from international the incident. ed cash assistance to a poor fami- shopkeeper stopped her from sell- ing in Canada, also provided $200 Banks devices (IEDs) buried beneath the troops covering approximately Provincial police chief, Brig. ly that offered children for sale. ing them and assisted her with via Pajhwok to the family. The aid soil would claim a third victim — 1,000 square kilometres,” Mr Yo- Gen. Abdul Rauf Taj confirmed Pajhwok Afghan News broke some cash. recipient thanked Pajhwok for a policeman. “If anybody had of- sufi said. “They are being cleared the gang rape, but said the per- the story of the impoverished Following the release of the highlighting her plight in a respon- Da Afghanistan Bank fered me the whole of Kunduz by an international de-mining com- petrators did not include police- household in northwestern Fary- harrowing story, some Afghans in sible manner. 2100302, 2100303 province but said, ‘Your son will pany titled Sterling Demining Af- men. He added nearly seven ille- ab province trying to sell the girl foreign countries and VP Dostum Javed Kiwan, a civil society die’, I would never accept that,” ghanistan funded by the US de- gal gunmen had raped the girl. to meet its basic economic needs. provided the family with cash as- activist, said media had played a Bakhtar Bank Mr Akbar said while struggling to partment of defence.” The firing Taj said no one had so far Pajhwok also released a video sistance of 100,000 afghanis. key role in highlighting the case. hold back tears. “And if anybody ranges are due to be cleared by next been arrested in connection with clip of the woman who brought Dostum provided 50,000 af- “It was due to media that the poor 0776777000 said, ‘For your whole life you will year — but ERWs are easier and the incident, which was jointly her daughters to the local market ghanis, eight bags of rice, three cans family received cash and came out Azizi Bank only eat dry bread for your son to quicker to deal with than mine- being investigated by police and for sale. The family belongs to the of oil and other items to the family of a critical situation.” be alive,’ I would do it.” Matiul- fields, he added. Mines still in the tribal elders. (Pajhwok) Oncha Arlat locality of Maimana, though Pajhwok’s reporter. Some (Pajhwok) 0799 700900 lah is not included in UNAMA’s ground date as far back as the late civilian toll from the Kunduz bat- 1970s, according to Halo Trust, Pashtany Bank tle because he was not killed dur- one of the many de-mining organ- 2102908, 2103868 ing the 15-day conflict. But his isations operating in Afghanistan. death is a direct result of it, and “Most of the ordinances that Halo underscores Afghanistan’s deadly clears are legacy mines from the Air Services legacy: even if the country’s war Soviet invasion (1979 to 1989), the were to end tomorrow, the risk of communist regime of the late Dr Safi Airways a violent death from IEDs remains. Najibullah (1989 to 1992), the in- ‘When Taliban come, they leave ter-factional war between various 020 22 22 222 landmines behind’ Afghanistan Mujahidin groups (1992 to 1995) tops the list for civilian casualties and the civil war between the Tal- Ariana by victim-activated landmines out iban and the Northern Alliance KABUL : Families living near the evening, he said. “Now nightmares doon said. are until this afternoon. We 020-2100270 of the 58 states recorded as having (1995 to 2001),” Halo program Hamid Karzai International Air- come to him in dreams,” the father With tears rolling down his searched all hospitals, but couldn’t anti-personnel mines in their terri- manager for Afghanistan, Farid port on Tuesday asked the gov- said. cheeks, he said his two nephews find them,” he said. The angry res- tory, according to the Geneva- Homayoun, told the ABC. Two ernment to shift military bases “All local people who work in who visited nearby shops for pur- ident said if he was the president, Kam Air based Landmine and Cluster Mu- sons afraid to go anywhere in fear from residential areas because ci- the area fear they can die or be chasing food yesterday were yet he would have sacked the interior 0799974422 nitions Monitor (LCMM). LC- of mines: mother Ebadullah lying vilians mostly suffered casualties wounded in blasts anytime. They to return home and only their minister and other security offi- MM’s latest report, tallying glo- in hospital PHOTO: Ebaduallah in attacks on these installations. cannot abandon work because they shoes were found lying on the cials and would have deprived on- bal mine statistics for 2014, shows with his mother (left) receiving Two people were killed and have to support their families,” ground after the evening blast. duty officers in the area of their Hotels that a worldwide year-on-year treatment in Kunduz public hos- another 36 including nine women another dweller of the area, Fari- “We don’t know where they salaries. (Pajhwok): Safi Landmark trend of shrinking civilian casual- pital after he lost part of his leg were injured on Monday evening ties was reversed largely because when he stepped on a landmine when a suicide bomber detonated of a rise in casualties in Afghani- the day after a bomb clearance team his explosives-filled car near the 020-2203131 stan. “Afghanistan experienced the had declared the area safe. (Cathe- Met Office southeast of the Ha- greatest single rise in casualties, rine James) But once Afghanistan mid Karzai International Airport. SERENA with 1,296 recorded in 2014 com- is declared mine-free, there are no The same day and in the same area, pared to 1,050 in 2013,” the re- guarantees. A fortnight after Ma- another suicide attack occurred in 0799654000 port said. “The bulk of the in- tiullah’s and the policeman’s front of the airport’s entrance gate crease was due to victim-activated deaths, a bomb clearance squad at around 11:30am. New Rumi Restaurant improvised explosive devices, with made it to Kunduz City’s Police In the earlier attack, the bomb- 809 recorded in 2014 compared to District 3 and worked over the area, er detonated his explosives-laden 0776351347 567 in 2013.” Map showing land- eventually giving it the all clear. The vehicle when police signalled him mine hazard locations in Afghani- following day, 19-year-old police to stop at a checkpoint. Nobody Internet Services stan PHOTO: Map shows the re- officer Ebadullah returned to his else was harmed in the explosion. UA Telecom maining 4,360 known mine-con- post with his colleagues, and The Taliban have claimed re- taminated areas still to clear with stepped on a mine. “The night sponsibility for both the attacks, 0796701701 / 0796702702 most of Afghanistan’s major land- before we returned there was very saying many foreign troops were mine threats also in some of the heavy rain,” Ebadullah said in an killed and wounded as a result. Exchange Rate most populated parts of the coun- interview from his hospital bed, A resident of a nearby area, try. (UNMACCA) By contrast, trying to explain how the de-min- Jalaluddin, said his six family mem- Purchase: the country with the second-high- ing team missed an IED buried bers were injured in the second blast est rate of civilian casualties was deeper than the others, but which on Monday, which smashed win- Colombia with 286 victims. The apparently moved closer to the dowpanes of his home. One US$ = LCMM report was consistent surface as the earth shifted with “Military bases should be es- 68.39Afs with UNAMAs finding that 2014 the water. Ebadullah lost his right tablished in non-residential areas One Pound Sterling= was Afghanistan’s highest toll of leg below the knee and nearly died because they could not control the civilian casualties from IEDs. Nei- from a severe loss of blood. Yas- situation and only civilians suffer 100.52Afs ther organisation has released fig- min and Saeed Akbar told me their losses in attacks on them,” said One Euro = ures for 2015. Saeed Akbar’s wife other two sons have been serious- Jalaluddin, whose eyebrow area 99.46Afs Yasmin recalled how he went mad ly affected by witnessing Matiul- was also injured by flying win- with grief and self-blame when he lah’s brutal, sudden death. “They dows grasses. He claimed incur- 1000 Pak Rs = was told of Matiullah’s death over are afraid to go anywhere for fear ring more than 100,000 afghanis in 633Afs the phone. of the mines now,” Yasmin said. damages to his home. “He kept saying, ‘I am so sorry, I Recently, President Ashraf Ghani All people of the area were Sale: should have told you that when again implored Afghanistan’s citi- afraid and even many people could LASHKARGAH : The Taliban on alleged rapist in public three days He said the hanged person, a Tal- One US$ = the Taliban come to a place, they zens not to flee the country, using not come out of their homes fear- Tuesday publicly hanged a man ago in Loy Manda area after a trial iban fighter, was arrested after 68.59 Afs leave landmines behind’,” Yasmin a phrase he has deployed before ing more blasts, another resident accused of raping a child in the Nad also witnessed by local residents. he raped the child and was pun- said. Akbar’s comment, borne of — that the streets of Europe are One Pound Sterling= of the locality, Abdul Mateen, said, Ali district of southern Helmand Nad Ali district chief Mohammad ished to be a lesson for others. 100.26Afs his 14 years’ experience, reinforc- not paved with gold. A rejoinder adding that two explosions jolted province, an insurgent leader said Idrees Alizai confirmed the execu- The two formal Taliban es one of the key challenges in shared by Afghans on social media the area on Monday. on Tuesday. A Taliban command- tion that took place on Tuesday spokesmen have not yet con- One Euro= clearing landmines for good. New reads: “At least they’re not paved His son, who was injured in er, who declined to be named, said noon and said hundreds of local firmed the incident. 73.77 Afs minefields still being discovered: with landmines.” the morning blast, was mentally a Taliban court had sentenced the residents witnessed the hanging. (Pajhwok) 1000 Pak Rs= 641Afs MACCA director According to (abc.net) shocked by the second blast in the This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. THURSDAY. JANUARY 07, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is con- to play its role to ease tensions bly would be given an in-camera sparked a diplomatic crisis be- Sheikh Nimr al Nimr in Riyadh. cerned over recent tensions be- between Iran and Saudi Arabia and briefing on the Saudi-Iran tensions. tween Iran and Arab countries, Bahrain and Sudan cut all ties tween Saudi Arabia and Iran that it advocates unity among the Mus- National interest will be given Dawn newspaper reported. with Iran, following Riyadh’s spiralled after the execution of Shia lim countries. priority in context of the diplo- Saudi Arabia rallied regional example.Saudi Foreign Minister scholar Sheikh Nimr al Nimr, the Examine: Pakistan calls for matic row in Middle East, he said. allies to its side in a growing diplo- Adel al Jubeir said his country Adviser to Prime Minister on For- peaceful resolution to S. Arabia, Pakistan disapproved on matic row with Iran on Monday, would also halt air traffic and com- eign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said in a Iran tensions Monday a mob attack on Saudi deepening a split across the Mid- mercial relations with Iran. policy statement he read before the Aziz said the National Assem- Arabia’s embassy in Tehran, which dle East following the execution of In response to rumors that National Assembly . Pakistan was also exploring op- The Muslim World faces grave tions about downgrading its dip- dangers in the situation that has lomatic relationship with Iran, risen in wake of the Saudi-Iran con- Foreign Officer spokesman Qazi flict, Aziz said. Khalilullah said, "I will not com- He expressed concern that ter- ment on rumours and specula- rorists can use the diplomatic cri- tions.” There have been protests sis in Middle East to their advan- in Pakistan against the execution tage. of the Shia cleric. But the FO has The statement follows criti- avoided commenting on the devel- cisz from opposition parties which opment that led to escalation of lashed out at the government in the tensions between the two rivals. National Assembly for not com- Pakistan is a ally of Saudi Ara- ing up with a clear stance on the bia and the countries share close situation arising out in the region economic and defence ties. because of the tension between A scheduled Jan 18 trip by Saudi Arabia and Iran and called Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to for a parliamentary briefing on the Tehran, according to a diplomatic issue. source, has become uncertain fol- In his statement, Aziz main- lowing the tiff between Saudi Ara- ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister sation, Mr Modi called for “firm tained that Pakistan will continue bia and Iran. Nawaz Sharif assured his Indian and immediate action” against counterpart Narendra Modi that those involved in the Pathankot Islamabad would not hesitate to strike. Four TTP men take “prompt and decisive action” “Specific and actionable infor- if the involvement of Pakistan- mation in this regard has been pro- planning suicide based elements in the attack on an vided to Pakistan,” Mr Modi was Indian airbase was proved beyond quoted by the Indian external af- attack arrested doubt. fairs ministry to have told Mr “PM Nawaz Sharif assured Sharif. in Karachi's PM Modi that his government Pakistan is concerned that In- DHA:Police DHAKA: Bangladesh's highest reviews of those four opposition wing of Jamaat during the war and chapter of the conflict. would take prompt and decisive dia could call off the proposed court on Wednesday upheld the leaders on death row, leading to turned it into the Al-Badr pro-Pa- Their bodies were found blind- action against the terrorists,” the meeting between foreign secretar- KARACHI: Four men affiliated death sentence for the 'Emir' of the Indian Prime Minister’s office said ies of the two countries, which is with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Jamaat-i-Islami party for crimes in a press statement after Mr Sharif expected to discuss the modalities Pakistan (TTP) were arrested in during the country's 1971 indepen- called Mr Modi from Colombo to and timetable for different meet- Karachi's posh Defence Housing dence struggle, paving the way for condemn the weekend strike in ings. Unconfirmed but multiple Authority Phase 1 neighbourhood his execution within months. Pathankot and convey Pakistan’s sources have hinted that India has on Wednesday, Karachi-South The Supreme Court led by promise to act on the intelligence already conveyed to Pakistan that Deputy Inspector General (DIG) chief justice S.K. Sinha dismissed given by India about suspected the Jan 15 meeting would only go Dr Jamil Ahmed said. an appeal by Jamaat 'Emir' Moti- handlers and the mastermind of the ahead if Islamabad took “visible Acting on a tip-off from a cred- ur Rahman Nizami, who was sen- terrorist attack. steps” against the elements sus- ible source who claimed that the tenced to be hanged for murder, Unlike the Indian statement, pected of being behind the men were planning a suicide attack, rape and orchestrating the killing the one issued by Mr Sharif’s of- Pathankot attack. Various state- the DIG said police conducted an of top intellectuals as the head of a fice did not contain any explicit ments from Islamabad since the operation in the area to arrest the ruthless militia during the conflict. commitment about action on Is- siege started on Saturday have four, namely Hanif alias 'Nadeem "The court upheld the death lamabad’s part, but said: “Our (Pa- emphasised the need for continu- Kala', Ashraf Ali alias 'Bhaloo', sentence in three out of four charg- kistan) government is working on ing the engagement that the two Rehmat Shah and Zahid Hussain. es," prosecutor Tureen Afroz told the leads and information provid- countries have embarked upon Police recovered a shopping reporters. ed by the Indian government. We since their prime ministers met in bag containing ball bearings, sui- Nizami, 72, Jamaat's leader would like to investigate the mat- Paris on Nov 30 on the sidelines cide jackets and 4 kilograms of ex- since 2000 and a minister in a ter.” of the summit on climate change. plosive material. They also recov- former Islamist-allied government Indian National Security Ad- Mr Sharif, while talking to Mr ered bomb-making material and of 2001-2006, now faces the gal- viser Ajit Doval had earlier called Modi, expressed a view that the four pistols from the possession lows within months unless his case his Pakistani opposite number, attack was a ploy to derail the peace of the suspects, the DIG said. is reviewed by the same court or retired Lt Gen Nasser Khan Jan- process they had initiated togeth- Ahmed said nine First Infor- he is granted clemency by the pres- jua, and shared with him the phone er. According to a statement from mation Reports (FIR) have been ident. intercepts of the attackers and lo- Mr Sharif’s office, he was able to registered against them in cases Three senior Jamaat officials cations of the numbers they had convince his counterpart that “cor- relating to possession of arms and and a key leader of the main oppo- called. dial and cooperative relationship explosive materials, and police en- sition have been executed since India alleges that the attack between the two countries can be counters. December 2013 for war crimes, was carried out by militants affili- the most appropriate response to The men are also suspected of despite global outcries over the ated with Jaish-e-Muhammad, a the terrorists’ nefarious designs”. involvement in the 2011 Ghas shortcomings of their trials by a their execution, the latest in No- kistani militia, which killed top folded with their hands tied and group banned by Pakistan. Moreover, it said that both lead- Mandi gambling den blast which controversial war crime tribunal. vember last year. Prosecutors said professors, writers, doctors and dumped in a marsh on the outskirts Modi for 'immediate action' ers agreed to cooperate in the fight killed at least 15 people, in sectar- The court dismissed previous Nizami was the leader of a student journalists in the most gruesome of the capital. During the telephonic conver- against terrorism. Mr Sharif ac- ian and targeted killings, police knowledged the “maturity” shown sources say. by India in its statements after the In December last year, the attack. Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed the arrests of four Indian defence men suspected of involvement in the Ghas Mandi bomb attack, as minister admits well as killing people from differ- ent sects and other terrorist activ- ities. to ‘some gaps’ The suspects, Mohammed Shahid alias Zubair, Mohammed Sri Lanka and Pakistan have agreed export to third countries.” mated at about $325 million a year. efforts to reach a target of $1 bil- Ali, Manzoor Ahmed and Usman a CEPA could boost that much to include services in a bilateral free Volume of trade between Sri Sharif said both South Asian coun- lion ‘at the earliest’. Ghani alias Baba, belong to the higher with Indian investment trade agreement (FTA), Pakistani Lanka and Pakistan has been esti- tries had agreed to re-invigorate Trade between Sri Lanka and outlawed TTP and Lashkar-i- coming into Sri Lanka’s service Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said India is an annual $4.7 billion, but Jhangvi. sector, economists say. Successive today. India has been in discussion The TTP in December also Sri Lankan governments have re- with Sri Lanka to liberalise the ser- claimed to have gunned down a jected India’s request to sign a vice sector under a trade pact for a retired army major, Major (r) CEPA, but Sri Lankan Prime Min- Comprehensive Economic Part- Raza, in the DHA Phase 1 neigh- ister Ranil Wickremesinghe last nership Agreement (CEPA) since bourhood. month promised to sign an eco- early 2000. But Sri Lankan entre- nomic and technology cooperation preneurs have strongly opposed agreement with India and China. NEW DELHI: Indian Defence Big earthquake such an agreement with India say- Political analysts say any Minister Manohar Parrikar admit- ing they would be at a disadvan- move to liberalise service to Paki- ted on Tuesday to “blind spots” coming, warn tage and could be forced out of stan ahead of India could put a and “some gaps” that led to the businesses. “The two countries strain on relations between Sri attack on the Pathankot airbase. MHA experts have agreed on the inclusion of ser- Lanka and India, which could have Addressing a press conference vices and investments chapters in costs for Sri Lanka. at the airbase, Mr Parrikar, who the bilateral FTA,” Sharif, who is was accompanied by Indian army NEW DELHI: The Union home “India is more important for visiting Sri Lanka, said after over- Sri Lanka diplomatically and se- chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, said ministry's disaster management seeing the signing of eight bilateral the terrorists were armed with AK experts have warned of a bigger curity wise than Pakistan,” said agreements. They signed their Terrene Purasinghe, senior lectur- 47s, under-barrel grenades, knives, catastrophe, earthquakes with a Swiss knives, commando knives magnitude of 8.2 or greater on the FTA in 2005. er in Political Science at the Sri Richter scale which may hit the “This would enable our com- Jayewardenepura University. and at least 40 to 50kg of bullets, already ruptured Himalayan re- panies to form joint ventures for besides three to four dozens of gion. magazines. They say quakes with higher He said the terrorists were fir- intensity than the one that struck ing the mortars from modified un- Manipur on Monday are likely to PM all praise for Youth Federation Nepal der-barrel guns. The bodies of two rock the region in future. The tec- terrorists were badly charred and tonic shift a series of these recent Prime Minister KP Oli today said black marketing and smuggling,” said Pahari. He also urged the government to launch an extensive campaign to remove misunderstandings about the their parts recovered from two dif- earthquakes have caused in the re- the Youth Federation Nepal was new constitution in the Tarai using mass media. He further also urged the political leaders to use their words properly while commenting on Tarai ferent places. gion -- Manipur 6.7 (Jan 2016), one of the most active organisa- unrest and Madhes-based political parties. “We also urged the government to launch special financial programmes in the Tarai region,” he added. The minister said that the Na- Nepal 7.3 (May 2015) and Sikkim tions among the sister organisa- YFN in-charge and Minister for Information and Communication Technology Sher Dhan Rai and assistant in-charge Niru Pal were also part of tional Investigation Agency, after 6.9 (2011) -- have re-ruptured the tions of the CPN-UML. the delegation. getting DNA tests on the parts plates that had already developed Talking to a YFN delegation in twice, had confirmed that the sixth cracks during previous temblors. Baluwatar, PM Oli said that the terrorist was also dead. This has led to conditions which CPN-UML was able to retain its In a related development, might trigger multiple earthquakes image due to the liveliness of the CNN-IBN news channel reported which may go up to 8.0 in magni- energetic youths in YFN. that a former officer of the Indian tude. The youth delegation had Air Force is believed to have In a post-Nepal disaster as- leaked information about the air- sessment, the MHA's National reached the Prime Minister’s Of- fice to brief the PM on the progress base to a Pakistani woman. Institute of Disaster Management It quoted unnamed sources as (NIDM) has warned of enhanced made by the organisation in the risk around the "ring of fire gar- past few months. saying that Airman Sunil Kumar landing the entire north India es- The YFN delegation also sub- who was based in Pathankot was pecially the mountains". This was mitted a memorandum to the PM arrested for passing information also highlighted at a recent meet- demanding an end to all kinds of about the airbase to the woman in ing organised by the Centre in anomalies and black-marketing. 2014. His e-mails to Meena Raina Arunachal Pradesh's capital Itana- Rajib Pahari, president, YFN, led to his arrest. gar where policy-makers from 11 said that they submitted the “Sunil was being paid for the hill states had participated and re- progress report of the organisation information he passed on to the solved to develop a common build- after its restructuring in October, Pakistani woman. However, the ing code for mountains. 2015. investigators did not file a charge- Speaking to TOI, NIDM di- He said they also informed the sheet against him within the stip- rector Santosh Kumar said the in- PM about the awareness campaign ulated time,” the channel said. In terconnected plates across Nepal, launched by YFN from December the last two months, 14 people Bhutan, Myanmar and India pose 15 to 26. On the basis of the sug- linked to the armed forces have a bigger danger, and predicted a gestions received from the public been arrested for spying, the chan- disaster of bigger magnitude that during the campaign, YFN also nel said. They allegedly leaked in- awaits hill states and parts of Bi- made certain recommendations to formation about the army base in har, UP and even Delhi which fall the government. Gwalior and air force stations in under the second worst seismic Bathinda and Jaisalmer in return Zone IV classification. “The government needs to mobilise all its mechanisms to end for jobs or money, it said. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. THURSDAY. JANUARY 07, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES News-in-Brief 2015 was fifth warmest year on record for Australia Police check

MELBOURNE: Australia re- suspicious ob- corded its fifth hottest year in history in 2015 with soaring ject at Merkel’s temperatures breaking new records across the country, ac- SEOUL: North Korea said it had office cording to a new report. successfully conducted a test of a "The national mean temper- miniaturised hydrogen nuclear de- The office of German Chancellor ature was 0.83 degree Celsius vice on Wednesday morning, mark- Angela Merkel has been sealed off above average, with a number ing a significant advance in the iso- due to a suspicious package, a po- of notable heatwaves during the lated state's strike capabilities and lice spokesman said on Wednes- raising alarm bells in Japan and day. year and record-breaking tem- South Korea. peratures from October to De- “We are investigating a suspi- The test, the fourth time cious package,” a spokesman for cember," the Bureau of Meteo- North Korea has exploded a nu- rology figures reported. Germany’s Federal Police told clear device, was ordered by young Reuters. The combination of the leader Kim Jong Un, state media most El Nino, a phenomena A Reuters eyewitness said said. there were four plastic yellow post- which sparks global weather "The first H-bomb test was extremes, in nearly two decades al crates in the cordoned off area. successfully conducted at 10:00am “We are investigating a suspi- and background warming led to on Wednesday," North Korea's very warm temperatures global- cious package,” a spokesman for official KCNA news agency said. Germany's Federal Police told Re- ly throughout 2015 and contrib- Last month, Kim appeared to uted to Australia's warm year, uters. claim his country had developed a Officers were waiting for spe- the bureau said. hydrogen bomb, also known as a The World Meteorological cialists to inspect the package, he thermonuclear device, a step up added. Organisation has said 2015 is from the less powerful atomic almost certain to be the warm- In 2010, police intercepted a bomb, but the United States (US) package containing explosives sent est year on record globally. and outside experts were sceptical The El Nino also led to be- from Greece to Merkel's office. at the time. Europe has entered 2016 un- low average rainfall over much Some analysts questioned of eastern Australia. whether Wednesday's test was in- Rainfall was well below av- deed of a hydrogen device. erage in southwest Western "North Korea has made claims Australia, southeast South Aus- about its nuclear and missile pro- tralia, western to central Victo- grams in the past that simply have ria, much of Tasmania and a large not held up to investigation," said area of inland Queensland in Melissa Hanham, a Senior Research 2015, the bureau said in an an- Associate at the California-based nual statement on climate. James Martin Center for Nonpro- The year started with a liferation Studies. wetter than average January in Yang Uk, a senior research fel- large parts of the country but low at the Korea Defence and Se- most of 2015 was drier than curity Forum, added: "Given the average across Australia. scale it is hard to believe this is a The bureau says Australian real hydrogen bomb. They could temperatures have warmed ap- have tested some middle stage kind proximately one degree Celsius (of device) between an A-bomb South Yemen officials survive bombing since 1950, consistent with glo- der a state of heightened alert, sev- and H-bomb, but unless they come Three senior south Yemeni officials The assassination attempt hi district, along with two of his active in Yemen, and ISIS appar- en weeks after Islamist militants bal climate trends. up with any clear evidence, it is difficult to trust their claim." survived a car bombing that tar- comes after security forces arrest- bodyguards, sparked a gunfight ently vying for influence. killed 130 people in shootings and BRITISH The US Geological Survey re- geted their convoy in the port city ed a local Al-Qaeda leader during a overnight in which a policeman The government imposed a suicide blasts across Paris. ported a 5.1 magnitude quake that of Aden on Tuesday and killed two sweep targeting extremists in the was wounded, they said. one-month night-time curfew in The incident follows a securi- PARLIAMENT WILL South Korea said was 49 km from of their guards, security sources southern city, security officials Aden, the government’s tem- Aden on Monday, a day after clash- ty scare over New Year after po- the Punggye-ri site where the said. said. porary capital, has seen a growing es blamed on extremists killed at lice received a tip that militants DEBATE BANNING North has conducted nuclear tests Seven other guards were The capture of Mohammed al- extremist presence, with Al-Qae- least 22 people, including 10 mem- from Iraq and Syria were planning TRUMP FROM THE in the past. North Korea's last test, wounded when the bomb-laden Lahji, the group’s chief in the Tawa- da in the Arabian Peninsula, long bers of the security forces. attacks in Munich. of an atomic device in 2013, also vehicle exploded in the Inmaa dis- UK registered at 5.1 on the USGS scale. trict, the sources said, after previ- The claim of miniaturising, ously giving a toll of one dead and Israel returns Donald Trump, the bombastic which would allow the device to eight wounded. candidate for the U.S. Republi- be adapted as a weapon and placed Newly appointed Aden Gov- bodies of can presidential nomination, is on a missile, would pose a new ernor Aidarus al-Zubaidi, city po- used to provoking controver- threat to the US and its regional lice chief General Shallal Ali Shayae slain sy. But when a western democ- allies, Japan and South Korea. and the governor of neighboring racy considers banning you North Korea said it will con- Lahj province, Naser al-Khubaji, Palestinians from its shores, is it time to re- tinue to strengthen its nuclear pro- were travelling in the convoy. think your approach to public gramme in order to protect itself They were returning from a Israel has returned the bodies of speaking? against the hostile policies of the visit to a camp of Emirati troops three Palestinians killed carrying Later this month, British United States (US) taking part in the Saudi-led coali- out attacks, their families said MPs will debate possibly shut- In a statement after conduct- tion that has been battling Iran- Tuesday, in the first such handover ting Trump out of the U.K., it ing its fourth nuclear test, North backed rebels in Yemen since in east Jerusalem in three months was confirmed Tuesday, after Korea's state news agency said it March, the sources said. a petition on the parliament.uk of violence. will not give up its nuclear pro- Aidarus was appointed in De- Ishak Badran and Ahmed Qu- website gathered over 560,000 gramme as long as the US main- cember after his predecessor, Jaa- signatures. Parliament is re- neibi, both from Kafr Aqeb in east tained what it called "its stance of far Saad, was killed in an Aden Jerusalem, were buried at noon, quired to consider holding a bombing claimed by ISIS. debate on any petition which aggression". while the body of Mohammad Said gathers over 100,000 signa- North Korea also said it will was laid to rest in a separate cere- tures. act as a responsible nuclear state mony nearby. In December, Trump and vowed not to use its nuclear Fresh abuse The three men were among sparked international outrage weapons unless its sovereignty dozens of Palestinian attackers after he called for all Muslims was infringed. It also said it will carrying out stabbings, car ram- to be banned from entering the not transfer its nuclear capabilities allegations mings and shootings that have led U.S. “Until we are able to de- to other parties. to the death of 22 Israelis since termine and understand this A confirmed test would mark October 1. problem and the dangerous another big step toward Pyongy- against UN At the same time, 139 Pales- threat it poses, our country ang's goal of building a warhead that tinians have been killed by Israeli cannot be the victims of hor- can be mounted on a missile capa- peacekeep- forces, most while carrying out rendous attacks by people that ble of reaching the US mainland. attacks. believe only in jihad, and have North Korea conducted its Israel had been holding the no sense of reason or respect third nuclear test in February 2013. ers in CAR bodies of dozens of attackers, but for human life,” he said at the Another test would further North in recent days has released all bar time. Later, Trump took a jab Korea's international isolation by The United Nations has launched one from the occupied West Bank, at what he called Britain’s prompting a push for new, tough- a fact finding mission into new al- according to Palestinian rights “Muslim problem.” “We have er sanctions at the United Nations legations that its peacekeepers sex- group Addameer. places in London and other and worsening Pyongyang's al- ually abused four underage girls in These were the first bodies of places that are so radicalized ready bad ties with Washington Bangui, the capital of the Central attackers from east Jerusalem, that the police are afraid for their and its neighbours. African Republic (CAR). however, and security forces still own lives,” he told MSNBC. Pyongyang is thought to have The UN mission in CAR, have at least 11 others of Palestin- “We have to be very smart and a handful of crude nuclear weap- known as MINUSCA, said in a ians from the area, three of them very vigilant.” In it call to ban ons. The US and its allies worry statement on Tuesday that it was Trump from Britain’s shores, under 18, according to Addameer. about North Korean nuclear tests "investigating fresh allegations At Tuesday’s joint funeral, the the petition says: “The UK has because each new blast brings the banned entry to many individ- concerning both sexual exploitation mosque in Kafr Aqeb was packed country closer to perfecting its with hundreds of mourners. uals for hate speech. The same nuclear arsenal. and abuse and other misconduct principles should apply to ev- by UN Peacekeepers and interna- After the funeral Palestinian Examine: North Korea: Truly flags and those of the Islamist Ha- eryone who wishes to enter the evil? tional forces in Bangui". UK.” The right-wing Dutch Stephane Dujarric, spokesman mas movement were waved. Since the elevation of young Ahmad Quneibi was killed “on politician Geert Wilders, a crit- leader Kim Jong Un in 2011, North for the UN secretary-general, said ic of Islam, was barred from en- Korea has ramped up angry rheto- the four victims had been provid- October 30th and was handed over tering the UK in 2009 because ric against the leaders of allies ed with medical and psychosocial early this morning at 1:00 am,” his authorities thought his pres- Washington and Seoul and the US- care, but did not specify when the father Hamada Quneibi told AFP. ence could threaten public se- South Korean annual military drills alleged abuse took place or how The family said they paid curity. it considers invasion preparation. many peacekeepers were involved 5,000 Israeli shekels ($1,270, 1180 'Emergency UNSC meeting' euros) for the body as a deposit, in the case. on the condition it would be re- European court North Korea has been under In line with UN policy not to United Nations Security Council turned if the funeral passed off orders Russia to name the countries whose peace- peacefully. (UNSC) sanctions since it first keepers were accused of sexual pay damages to tested an atomic device in 2006 Rafat Sub Leban, advocacy misconduct, Dujarric did not say coordinator at Addameer, called on and could face additional mea- where the peacekeepers were protester sures. The UNSC is planning to Israel to release the rest of the bod- from. ies, labelling it a “form of collec- hold an emergency meeting on He added, however, that the MOSCOW: The European Wednesday to discuss North Ko- tive punishment”. Court of Human Rights ruled UN had asked the countries to in favor of a Russian man who rea's latest reported nuclear test, three council diplomats said. immediately launch their own in- was detained during a political vestigations - nations are respon- rally in Moscow in 2012 and Speaking to Reuters on condition later sentenced to two weeks of anonymity late on Tuesday, the sible for holding their own troops The Islamic State of Iraq and the Alqoad said tribal-led forces Hamid said barriers erected by in jail for jaywalking. diplomats said the meeting would accountable in such cases. Levant (ISIL) group has launched have killed at least 250 ISIL fight- tribal fighters around Haditha had The ruling was a rebuff to probably take place at 11am. One The new allegations follow a a major offensive against the stra- ers. "More than 100 of ISIL's cars been destroyed by ISIL's attacks, the Russian practice of crack- diplomat said the meeting would series of sexual abuse claims tegic Iraqi city of Haditha with have also been destroyed," he add- which included dozens of suicide ing down on political rallies likely be held behind closed doors. lodged against UN peacekeepers hundreds killed during three days ed. bombings. with harsh fines and jail time. Another council diplomat said the in CAR in 2015. of heavy fighting, a tribal source Reports have also emerged of Iraq: 80 percent of Ramadi in It undermined a central element said. civilians being taken hostage by ruins after fighting of Moscow’s narrative of the US and Japan jointly requested the In December, an independent clashes — that unruly protest- urgent council meeting. It was not panel sharply criticised the UN ISIL's offensive against Ha- the armed group. Al Jazeera's Iraq editor Hamed ers had set off the violence, immediately clear what action, if response to claims of child abuse ditha came less than 10 days after Alqoad described the foreign Hadeed said Haditha plays a ma- thus justifying new laws crack- any, the 15-nation council was plan- that allegedly took place in a cen- the Iraqi military took over most coalition's air strikes as "ineffec- jor role in the country's conflict ing down on public assembly. ning to take in response to the tre for displaced people near Ban- of Anbar province's capital of tive and weak". because of its strategic location and Ramadi - forcing its fighters to ISIL managed to continue the unparalleled resistance to ISIL. The police arrested about North Korean statement that it had gui airport between December 400 people, including the plain- withdraw in one of the biggest ad- unrelenting offensive because of "Haditha serves as a significant conducted a fourth nuclear test. 2013 and June 2014. tiff in the case, Yevgeniy The White House said it could vances for the army since the reinforcements from neighbouring transportation route between the Frumkin, after scuffles broke The panel's report said the UN armed group took over large Syria and weapons seized from western regions of Anbar, the cen- out at the rally, on May 6, 2012, not confirm North Korea's claims, had failed to properly vet peace- in Bolotnaya Square. The dem- but added the US would respond swaths of Iraq and Syria in 2014. military installations in towns and tral province of Salahuddin, and appropriately to provocations and keepers for past abuses and need- Naeem Alqoad - a prominent villages around Haditha, he said. northern governorate of Nineveh. onstration followed a series of ed to do more to protect children. large, peaceful protests by peo- defend its allies. Prime Minister member of Albu Nimr, one of two Strategic city It is also the only city in Anbar ple who opposed the election Shinzo Abe said Japan would make The latest allegations in CAR tribes in Haditha resisting ISIL's Mabruk Hamid, the mayor of province that has been able to block in March 2012 of Vladimir V. a firm response to North Korea's have prompted discussions over assault - told Al Jazeera that doz- Haditha, called on the Baghdad ISIL's repeated attempts to con- Putin to a third term as presi- challenge against nuclear non-pro- the establishment of a special po- ens of Iraqi security forces and trib- government to "immediately inter- trol it. "One of ISIL's ultimate am- dent, and who suspected fraud liferation, calling its test a threat lice-force to help patrol camps and al fighters were killed and wound- vene" and send reinforcements to bitions is to avenge the tribal forc- during voting. to Japan's security. other high-risk areas, the UN said. ed after attacks on security posts. back the resistance. es," Hadeed reported. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. THURSDAY . JANUARY 07, 2016 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: Abdul Saboor Sarir Phone No: +93-772364666 E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.afghanistantimes.af Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi Advisory editorial board Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, By Fatemeh Safavi ence. after Russia’s intervention in Caucasus to Daesh terrorist Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal They say that a major rea- Syria began, countries in Cen- group; a group, whose reach Many stories have been told son for Russia’s presence in tral Asia have practically found now extends from Nigeria and Graphic-Designers: during recent days about the Syria was to protect the securi- themselves at war with Takfiri Libya to Iraq, Syria, Afghani- rise of Islamic State (Daesh) in ty of Central Asia and post- terrorists. stan and even Uzbekistan. Mansoor Faizy and Edriss Akbari the northern neighbors of Iran, Soviet Union republics. At At present, various groups In a possible scenario, Marketing & Advertising: including in Central Asian re- present, a large number of the made up of the nationals of semi-autonomous groups and publics — as if Daesh, and its citizens of these republics are Central Asian and Caucasus networks and units will take Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 supporters, have started an ex- fighting for terrorist and extrem- countries are coming together steps to get activated under Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan tensive plan to spread insecu- ist groups in Syria and Iraq and under the same flag. One of the suitable conditions and will rity along the northern borders against governments in both serious groups, which is con- declare jihad after being recog- Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 of the Islamic Republic ,as well countries. Although different sidered as an offshoot of Daesh nized by leaders of foreign Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press as in security environment of analyses have been so far of- in Central Asia, Afghanistan groups. They will plan terrorist Russia. Russia’s military in- fered by political circles about and Pakistan, is Jaish al-Kho- operations and assassination volvement in Syria crisis dur- this course of events, there is rasan, whose main goal is infil- of political figures. The difficul- ing recent months has also se- no doubt that Russia’s military trate into Central Asian coun- ty of political and military con- The constitution says curitized the situation in Cau- presence in Syria is the result tries. In view of the branching ditions in Iraq and Syria require Article 102 casus and Central Asia. Article One Hundred Two If a member of the National Assembly is accused of a crime, the of a security necessity felt by that took place among the Tal- that part of forces recruited The current conditions in the entire region. iban following the death of its from Central Asian countries go responsible official shall inform the House of which the accused is a member, and the West Asia and the general fo- accused shall be legally prosecuted. In case of an evident crime, the responsible official After the beginning of the leader, Mullah Mohammad back to that region or go to cus on countries like Syria and crisis in Syria and the role Omar, and official announce- Afghanistan. Infiltration of that shall legally pursue and arrest the accused without the permission of the House of which Iraq have prevented due atten- the accused is a member. In both cases, if the legal prosecution requires detention, the played by Salafist Islamist fig- ment by the Islamic Movement country by Takfiri forces will tion from being paid to the sit- ures from Central Asia and Cau- of Uzbekistan (IMU) about certainly sow unrest in north- responsible official shall immediately inform the respective House and obtain its uation in a region, whose cul- approval. casus in committing unprece- swearing allegiance to Daesh, ern provinces of Afghanistan. tural, religious and political dented violence, and also due Daesh is sure to strengthen its On the other hand, blocking the conditions should be studied to high influence of such ele- positions in Afghanistan in the transit route of terrorists to in the light of the impact that ments in terrorist organizations near future and will gain more Syria via Turkey may cause extremist groups in the Islamic such as al-Nusra Front and the influence in that country. It some Central Asian Takfiri world can potentially have on Islamic State of Iraq and the must be noted that “Usman groups to stay in their own this region. Familiarity with the- Levant (ISIL or Daesh), con- Ghazi,” the leader of the Islam- countries and focus their activ- oretical foundations as well as cerns raised about possible ic Movement of Uzbekistan, ities there. fighting methods and policies spread of religious extremism who swore allegiance to Daesh The issue of the nationals of Islamic movements, as one into these regions. As a result, last summer and vowed his fe- of these countries playing role of the important actors in the intelligence organizations in alty to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in regional and transregional Will we have a fair, political arena of Central Asia Central Asia and Caucasus the leader of this terrorist developments following mea- and Caucasus regions, which countries expressed concern in group, has been quoted as say- sures taken by Daesh terror are both considered as part of their latest meeting about a ing that the Islamic Movement group has raised more con- the Islamic world, is among phenomenon they described as of Uzbekistan is no more a cerns among the ruling elites timely election? noteworthy issues. Major ques- the “exodus and transfer of movement, but a state. Ghazi in the region. They are afraid tions that are currently raised Talibanism to territories in Cau- has also said on behalf of all that this issue will lead to con- The third round of the parliamentary elections was expected to by experts include: Have devel- casus and Central Asia.” From his fighters and followers that ditions in future under which opments in Syria and Iraq had this viewpoint, Moscow is well ‘from now on, we are a branch these people would go back to be held in April 2015, before the end of the second service any security impact on Central aware of the possibility that of the Islamic State of Iraq and their own countries and set up term of the lawmakers. People are experiencing democracy by Asia and Caucasus and how such Takfiri groups may try to the Levant in “Khorasan” re- their own organization and possible impacts of these de- strike blows to its interests in gion’. Allegiance of the Islamic conduct terrorist activities with going to the polls to choose their country’s leader and their velopments can be analyzed? those regions that are consid- Movement of Uzbekistan to the goal of destabilizing these representatives in the parliament after the Taliban were re- And will Russia’s military inter- ered Russia’s backyard after the Daesh is, in fact, the latest ex- countries and speed up the vention in Syria prompt Takfiri beginning of Moscow’s mili- ample of swearing fealty by current trend in favor of their moved in 2001. Although the first presidential (2004) and par- forces to take the war theater tary intervention in Syria. various groups in the Middle own goals and interests.— liamentary (2005) elections were held with less complaints to Central Asia and Caucasus Therefore, in coordination with East region, North Africa and (Eurasia Review) and other spheres of Russia’s intelligence services of coun- and criticisms of insecurity and fraud, but the second presiden- traditional influence? tries in Central Asia and Cau- tial election in 2009 and parliamentary one in 2010 were be- Just in the same way that a casus, Russia has embarked on move by the former Soviet large-scale arrests and routing lieved to be full of fraud. Government officials, political op- Union in the past decades led of all groups that are potential- position and analysts believed lack of a transparent electoral to certain currents that engaged ly capable of cooperating with and affected the entire world, Daesh. In other words, as a re- systempaved the ground for the post-election problems. The this time around, the perfor- sult of the securitization of the then government announced that it would distribute electronic mance of Russia has had a region, the ruling governments powerful effect on develop- have created difficult condi- ID cards to prevent or at least minimize the fraud for the next ments in the world and the re- tions for their people. gion. Therefore, Russia joining Following the start of Rus- elections. A department was established for this purpose and the progressive parts of the sia’s military operations in Syr- the government allocated significant budget. But the distribu- global anti-terrorism front in ia and bombardment of the po- Syria has led to heated debates sitions of the Takfiri terrorists, tion of the electronic ID cards is yet to begin. The third presi- about the necessity of taking which are considered a serious dential election was held at the time that the electronic ID cards more active measures in Cen- threat to Moscow and member tral Asia and Caucasus, which states of the Collective Securi- should had been already distributed. The delay of this led the are close to Russia’s borders ty Treaty Organization (CSTO), election to a crisis that resulted in the mediation of the US and unlike the Middle East, there were hopes that the even after the collapse of the above risk would be somehow government to form the ultra-constitutional administration by Soviet Union, have not gotten reduced. However, despite the name of National Unity Government. After a long silence, out of Russia’s sphere of influ- what experts thought earlier, President Ashraf Ghani said last week that his government would be able to hold the election either in summer or autumn. This is apparently good news, but this is not clear yet if the government can overcome the challenges before. Beyond se- curity challenges, we are facing bunches of other problems. The electronic ID cards distributionis still in limbo. Recently, the electronic ID department was closed and some 1,300 em- ployees were fired. Presidential decree on some suggestions of the electoral reforms commission was rejected by the two houses of parliament. The lawmakers argued that presidential decree had suggested amendments to the laws that are already enforced. The electoral reform commission was formed to bring reforms to the independent election commission. The commis- sion has been accused of committing fraud especially during the 2014 presidential election. The government’s all programs and works should be in accordance with the law. It has to take serious measures for the distribution of the electronic ID cards. If the statesmen think that reforms can lead the electoral law to the right direction, then they should put their weight behind it, Taliban otherwise, they should prevent waste of time and budget for a useless program. t y ri cu Subscription Rates se ’s Categories Fee e lin Afghanistan Times e Annual Afg: 3600 ip at your door step p For fast delivery service I Six Months Afg: 1800 P Afghanistan Times seeks the A names, addresses of your T International Organization $200 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF.

THURSDAY . JANUARY 07, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES LOW-HANGING FRUIT: THE FIGHT FOR

FOOD SECURITY By CESAR CHELALA becomes a double disadvan- only better-off families live. poor. have shown that educated cent of the “rice” harvested (the tage. In addition, gender bias – Physical availability of schools, Elimination of gender bias women not only have fewer By PETER A. COCLANIS husk or hull and bran layers) is Inequality and unequal access approaches to teaching and the though, is not the most critical in education is particularly im- children but also have better Questions relating to global intentionally removed in the to education holds millions of degree of attention from teach- factor in most developing portant when the level of edu- economic prospects them- security have dominated the milling process to produce mar- girls and women back across ers – puts girls at a further dis- countries. It is important to cation of parents is linked to selves. Girls’ education not headlines in recent weeks, ketable rice. Another 8 percent the world. While the “gender advantage. consider not only national av- their children’s educational at- only empowers them, but also pushing discussions of other or so is normally “broken” in gap” in education has narrowed Overall access to basic ed- erages, but also how poor girls tainment. Several studies have is considered the best invest- important aspects of human the milling process and market- over the past decade, girls are ucation has risen markedly over in rural areas are faring. shown that educating mothers ment in a country’s develop- security off the front page, to ed as such. PHL does notrefer still at a disadvantage, particu- the past decade in many devel- Although expenditures on is more important than educat- ment. appear several clicks away from to such losses, but to losses larly in getting access to high above and beyond them, loss- oping countries. In spite of that education have increased over ing fathers to increase the Several factors indicate that home pages. Yet many of these school education. And women poor children are still less like- the past few decades in many chances of their children’s suc- special attention must be paid questions will still be with us es generally due to spoilage. The upshot of PHL is that still constitute two-thirds of the ly to attend school or be en- countries, unless these re- cess. to the poor. Poor women are long after groups such as ISIS world’s illiterate population. have faded away. Food securi- there is often a large, over- rolled in school and more likely sources are specifically ad- In addition, a great deal of more likely to die during preg- ty is one. How will the world looked gap between gross and This gender gap is general- to repeat grades than those dressed to those most vulner- evidence shows the benefits of nancy or at childbirth. In- feed a rapidly growing world net crop yields; but most agri- ly wider at higher levels of who come from wealthier fami- able, they will tend to increase women’s schooling not only for creased expenditures on edu- population (current projections cultural reporting concentrates schooling. According to some lies. There is widespread agree- disparities rather than decrease their children’s to attain edu- cation for the poorer sections run to about 9.7 billion by 2050, on the former, which overstates estimates, women in South ment that primary school edu- them. cation, but also for their health, of society yields better returns or 31% more than today) of food availability to varying de- Asia, for example, have only cation should become univer- Disparities in attaining ed- nutrition and survival. Immuni- in productivity, income and more affluent consumers desir- grees, sometimes considerably. half as many years of educa- sal early this century, but the ucation have been attributed to zation rates among children of economic growth. In contrast, ing more resource-intensive Every year we see market re- tion as men, and female enroll- ports regarding crop yields (in differences in educational at- ineffective school systems. educated mothers, for example, inequality in the distribution of protein and dairy-based diets? ment rates at the high-school tendance and attainment ac- Governments tend to spend have been consistently higher education has held down eco- And how will we do so with August, the USDA forecast corn yields at 169 bushels per level are two-thirds that of cording to economic status less on public primary and high than those of uneducated moth- nomic growth and per capita less land to use (and often of males. declining quality), less water, acre, soybean yields at 47, and show that the poor are less like- school education – the type of ers. income in many countries. less fertilizer and fewer pesti- wheat yields at 44) but the dirty Within countries, gender ly to achieve this goal than schooling that tends to benefit Educated girls can develop Taking measures to allevi- cides? And all this in the con- little secret behind such reports disparity is greater among the those better off economically. the poor most – during eco- essential life skills, including ate poverty has become an ur- text of climate change? is that the numbers refer to poor, and in some countries the There are several reasons nomic crises. Wars, civil con- self-confidence, the ability to gent global priority. And one The answers are generally gross rather than net yields. disparity continues among the to explain this gap. It is harder flicts, economic disruptions participate effectively in soci- of the best ways to reduce pov- gloomy, referencing half a doz- Total PHL— that is, avoid- poor even after they have dis- for poor children to have easy and epidemics alter services ety, and the capacity to better erty is to increase the educa- en factors that will hinder, if not able loss — can range from as appeared among the wealthier access to schools, because and affect school attendance. protect themselves from HIV/ tional level of the poor, partic- prevent, us from meeting the little as 5-10 percent to over 50 sectors of the population. To percent, with losses generally schools tend to be concentrat- All these problems are likely to AIDS and sexual exploitation. ularly the girls among them. mounting demand for food over be a girl from a poor family thus ed in cities and areas where have a greater effect on the In addition, several studies (Counterpunch) the next thirty-odd years. greater in crops considered Yet there are a number of perishables (fruits and some grounds for optimism — any vegetables) and semi-perish- shortlist would include ables (pulses, other vegetables, roots and tubers, oilseeds) than IS RUSSIA A Saudi Arabia and Iran progress expected from GMOs, precision farming, the greater in cereal grains. Not surprising- employment of agricultural an- ly, conditions are such in less alytics, “manufactured” foods, developed countries that the WORLD POWER dietary changes, and person- levels of PHL are much greater and how we got here alized nutrition. However, there than in developed countries, is another consideration, which which generally employ mod- By Michael Stephens sought to draw equivalence However, it is unlikely that ern drying and milling facilities, because of its everyday, seem- OR A WORLD The decision by the Kingdom between Nimr and al-Qaeda, any serious rapprochement ingly quotidian nature is often and possess advanced logis- tics/cold chains. of Saudi Arabia to recall its dip- arguing that terrorism is terror- can be made through these overlooked, even by people ism, regardless of creed. But in channels. Iran and Saudi Ara- interested in agriculture: reduc- So why the grounds for lomats from Tehran and expel ing post-harvest loss (PHL). optimism? Because the tech- LEADER? all Iranian diplomats is a deep- today's Middle East that was bia are deeply at odds with each Due to writers such as nology characteristic of mod- ly worrying development in a never going to be enough to other over both conflicts and ern agribusiness and cold- will harm not only its national se- Jonathan Bloom, whose 2010 By Maria Dubovikova curity and stability, but that of the troubled relationship between calm the waves of anger that the future does not bode well book American Wasteland: chain logistics is rapidly being reengineered and adapted to Russia’s new National Security world. Strengthening the state The the Middle East's pre-eminent erupted across the Shia world for the already stunted and How America ThrowsAway Strategy was announced on Dec. document considers the strength- in response. The tensions be- stumbling diplomatic process- Nearly Half of Its Food (and suit circumstances in LDCs and regional powers. 31. Its predecessor, published in ening of the state as key to ensur- tween Iran and Saudi Arabia es. Those wishing to bring an What We Can Do About It), emerging economies. Indeed, 2009, was supposed to remain in ing national and public security. In The Islamic Republic of consumers in the US and other through the creative and inno- place until 2020, but had to be have reached the point where end to years of war across the vative efforts of both private- contrast to the previous strategy, Iran has developed a habit of affluent countries are now far updated due to global develop- in the new one democracy and civ- disregarding the 1961 Vienna nuances are quickly aban- region will have their work cut more aware of the problems sector firms and governmental ments and changes in Russian for- and non-governmental institu- il society are mentioned in pass- Convention on diplomatic re- doned and all actions are inter- out for them. caused by failing to maximize eign policy. The National Security ing. This raises concerns over the preted as political. While insecurity across the use of foods made available for tions, the technology already Strategy is a fundamental docu- future of civil liberties in Russia, lations when it sees fit. This is purchase in the retail sector. exists — much of it consistent ment on internal and external pol- as the government could go too far not the first time that angry Understanding why Nimr's region is likely to continue and Less-than-perfect fruits and with “appropriate technology” icy, updated in accordance with the death has so quickly escalated even increase, security in the principles — to mitigate crop in exerting its control. The new mobs have stormed embassies, vegetables go unsold; consum- Kremlin’s political and geostrate- strategy stresses the importance a recent example being the Unit- into a diplomatic rift requires Gulf itself can be managed. US, ers leave uneaten food piled losses in all stages of post-har- gic vision. of culture regarding national secu- vest activities. Whether we are ed Kingdom's embassy in Te- understanding why Saudi-Ira- British and French military high on their plates in restau- The previous one saw Russia rity, and “traditional spiritual and nian relations have become so power ensures that direct war rants; leftovers at home often speaking of the many new va- as a world power. The new strate- moral Russian values,” including hran in November 2011. spoil or are thrown away. Food rieties of inexpensive grinders gy sees it as a world leader, and is prioritizing the spiritual over the In response to the attack, tense in recent years. will not break out, and these waste is a problem, but there is and mills, which use little ener- more defensive than offensive. material, family, service to the the UK closed its embassy and It is fashionable for people countries will not quickly aban- a difference between food loss gy but achieve good milling According to the document, Rus- motherland, and the historical uni- results, or the new generation ordered the Iranian embassy in to hark back to the martyrdom don their Gulf allies. and food waste — and food sia faces many challenges and dan- ty of the country’s peoples. The of the Prophet's Grandson Notwithstanding this, quite loss is a big problem all over of temperature and humidity- gers from terrorists and unfriend- government recalls the value of the London closed. As such, there the world, not only for rich controlled express trailers, or ly global players. spiritual over the material during is nothing altogether unusual Hussain at Karbala on the 10th how they will manage a larger countries in the OECD. similarly controlled (and moni- It underlines that hard power the deepest economic crisis since in the Saudi response, which is Muharram as a sign that this rapprochement with Iran fol- tored) warehouses/silos pow- PHL refers to avoidable has not lost its usefulness, despite the 1990s, which has severely hit certainly not unprecedented split between Sunni and Shia lowing the Iranian nuclear deal food losses (quantitative and ered by various low and non- expectations, but that to protect citizens’ purchasing power.Russia carbon energy sources, includ- and outside the usual norms of has always existed. is going to be difficult in the qualitative) occurring earlier in national interests, Russia will have will introduce censorship and con- But that is not quite true - coming months. The five small- the production/consumption ing solar and wind, we can now an “open, rational and pragmatic trol to ensure “cultural sovereign- inter-state relations. sequence, generally due to achieve close to developed- foreign policy that excludes cost- ty.” It will develop domestic tour- Analysis: Saudi Arabia and sectarianism is a phenomenon er Gulf states will have to watch losses occurring between har- country results regarding PHL ly confrontation,” including an ism and state production of cine- Iran relations at its lowest point that waxes and wanes over time. the situation very closely. vest and marketing (although almost anywhere. And unlike arms race. ma, TV, internet and print prod- This current period of tensions Saudi Arabia and its allies more controversial technolo- Make no mistake though, some experts take PHL all the Mention of NATO as a threat ucts. It will use culture as a soft stretches back to about 1978, For three decades, they way to the time of consump- gies for bumping up yields to national security has made much power and an instrument of expan- the diplomatic furore surround- tion). There are various stages such as gene editing of stan- noise in the media, but the mes- sion. Despite its bravura, the new ing Saudi Arabia's decision to when the first uprisings in the have managed to balance their within this sequence where dard crops or introducing sage is nothing new. NATO’s ex- strategy shows the country’s execute Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr - a Shia-dominated Eastern Prov- identity as Gulf Cooperation PHL can occur, beginning with GMOs, reducing PHL is unlike- pansion toward Russia’s western weakness. The drop in oil prices, Shia Saudi religious leader who ince of Saudi Arabia began Council members with their vi- the harvest itself, which if late ly to lead to serious opposition, borders has always been consid- economic sanctions, the failure to against the Al Saud, which were tal economic interests and his- green or otherwise. had long opposed the Saudi or occurring in sub-optimal ered a threat. The changing role of diversify the economy, and the rise then capitalised upon by the torical trade relationships to conditions, can lead to consid- Sometimes big differences the alliance, from a regional to a in global instability make Russia regime - is about tensions that erable reductions in the quan- can result from close scrutiny global player, raises deeper con- vulnerable. Nevertheless, it will have been simmering between Iranian Ayatollahs after they Iran. But the Iran-Saudi break tity and/or quality of output. of existing practices and a se- cerns. The rivalry between NATO remain a global player. The inter- the two sides for years. swept to power in 1979. is a real test. After the harvest itself, addi- ries of small adjustments rath- and Russia is inevitable given the national community needs a sta- Saudi and Iran in a greater Saudi Arabia, Iran and sec- While Bahrain associates it- tional losses occur during han- er than through seeking magic alliance’s history and purpose dur- ble Russia, and should partner with tarianism self closely with Saudi foreign bullets in the form of revolu- ing the Cold War. game dling, threshing, drying, clean- it for the sake of world peace. For The drivers of sectarianism policy initiatives and very ing, processing, transportation tionary breakthroughs. In- Despite its bravura, Russia’s partnership, all players need com- Nimr has become a pawn in and storage, with further loss- creasing gross yields is getting new security strategy shows the mon sense and respect.Maria a much greater game - a game are rarely only religious, and quickly severed its ties with es at marketing sites of one type harder and harder. Paying more country’s weakness However, the Dubovikova is a President of IM- which he himself would have usually come packaged with Tehran, Qatar, UAE and Kuwait attention to reducing PHL, new strategy states the importance or another. ESClub and CEO of MEPFoun- resisted being part of were he cultural disputes, and reams of did not follow suit. The UAE The important word is thereby decreasing the mar- of partnership with the United dation. Alumni of MGIMO (Mos- political analysis about the oth- has downgraded its relation- gin between gross and net States “on the basis of common cow State Institute of Internation- still alive. His now infamous avoidable. Some food loss is er side's brutality and oppres- ship with Iran but will not sev- expected in the processing of yields, is low-hanging fruit, interests, including economic al Relations [University] of Min- speech of October 7, 2011 in many crops, particularly grains. fruit hiding in plain sight. ones.” Russia understands that istry of Foreign Affairs of Russia), which he rejected all external sive behaviour. er it, and it is likely that Qatar In the case of rice, over 30 per- (Counterpunch) confrontation with Washington now she is a PhD Candidate there. interference in his community The most recent phenome- will consider something similar. was directed as much at Iran's non, of course, has been for While on Tuesday Kuwait re- leader Ayatollah Khamenei as media personalities on both called its ambassador, perma- it was the Al Saud. sides to accuse the other of nently severing relations with LETTER TO THE EDITOR being the patron of the Islamic Tehran is too damaging for the That the region's two most powerful countries have end- State of Iraq and the Levant Gulf states to consider at the ed their diplomatic ties because (ISIL). A cheap political tactic current time. of his death is ironic to say the wrapped in conspiracy and with Oman on the other hand Women role in peace talks least Nimr's friendship circles little basis in fact, but which faces an even greater conun- were certainly not comprised of nevertheless resonates deeply drum. Often seen as Iran’s only The Afghan people are desperately looking toward durable peace to come to the twar-hit country. But it does not mean to compromise women peace-loving pacifists. His cler- across the region, and serves true ally on the Arabian Penin- rights in a bid to convince Taliban to shun violence. As representatives of Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United States and China are set to meet ical inspiration came from the only to deepen the sectarian sula, Muscat cannot afford to in Islamabad next week, where they shed lights on methods who to resume peace talks with Taliban, Human Right Watch called on stakeholder divide. upset its ties with either Riy- not to compromise women right in talks. Afghan leaders were promised to include women in peace talks but so far there is no participation hard-line, politically active Ira- of women sees in talks. Several times Afghan women’s rights activists raised concerns and asked the government not to trade away women’s qi Ayatollah Muhammad al As bilateral ties between adh or Tehran, and it is likely rights in an effort to reach an accommodation with the Taliban. It is believe that in 23 rounds of informal peace talks with Taliban between 2005 Hussaini al-Shirazi, who held the two sides are now broken, that the Omanis will remain si- and 2014, women were present on only two occasions. And also there were no women in the government delegation in Pakistan-brokered deep longstanding ties to un- the only avenue for them to sit lent for the time being, remain- Murree talks with Taliban. Women should be included to lead Afghan side in quadrilateral meeting to indicate full participation of women in palatable elements in Iran. and discuss their points of view ing in full diplomatic contact peace talks. It is a stark fact that women’s right were the first thing that violated by the Taliban insurgents when they were in power. They are via multilateral initiatives. with Iran while saying nothing prevented women and girl from going to educational institutes, banned from roaming around the city freely and so many The tensions between Iran other crimes against them. It is their constitutional law to make their headway in every kind of peace talks. and Saudi Arabia have reached The spat, therefore, has against any other Gulf state's Shakiba Khan, Kabul Afghanistan the point where nuances are wider regional implications. As decision to cut ties. quickly abandoned and all ac- bilateral ties between the two Moving forward, the Unit- Letter to editor will be edited for policy, content and clarity. All letters must have the writer’s name and tions are interpreted as politi- sides are now broken, the only ed States and Britain in partic- address. You may send your letters to: [email protected] cal. Moreover, Nimr's notable avenue for them to sit and dis- ular will show a far more visible supporters included Abd al- cuss their points of view are via presence in the Gulf in support Raouf al-Shayeb, a Bahraini re- multilateral initiatives. of the GCC. cently convicted in Britain for The Vienna Process and re- Military exercises are the possession of materials and in- sulting peace talks over Syria modus operandi at times of re- Disclaimer: formation that could aid terror- and discussions concerning gional tension, and if the Amer- ist activities. the ongoing conflict in Yemen icans want tensions to cool The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the author(s) By executing him alongside are now the only places where they will need to remind both and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Afghanistan Times. a number of infamous al-Qae- the two nations can sit togeth- sides of the Gulf who the real da terrorists, Saudi Arabia er. boss is. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. THURSDAY. JANUARY 07, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES In Syria regime bastion, Russian ‘guests’ feast for free In the windows of his father's shop in coastal Syria, Ihab replaces bot- tles of the national tipple arak with vodka, hoping to please his grow- ing customer base of Russian sol- diers. "In the past the demand was more for whisky and arak, but with the Russians arriving in Syria, it's changed to vodka," Ihab, 32, says inside the "Crown" store in Latakia province. "So I put these bottles in the front so they can grab them first," he says with a smile. Ihab's storefront is one of many shops and restaurants hoping to attract the Russian soldiers who have arrived in Latakia since Mos- cow began a military intervention in Syria in late September. Russia has stood firmly by its longtime ally President Bashar al- Assad since an uprising against his It is Tuesday morning, 8am in the cancel classes on a day by day ba- quality is similar to other big cities Alert could have been used and it regime began in March 2011, pro- financial centre. Streets ordinarily sis. It harms society when schools in the world like Sydney or LA", wasn't, so this is a positive step. viding political and military sup- choked with traffic are strangely don't run. Also does it do any good? says Herz. It's a sign that the city government port to a government that has be- quiet. The usual crowds of office I don't think so," says Zhu. "Anything past that we'd just are changing their attitude and de- come an international pariah. workers congregating outside When Zhu first arrived in stay home no matter what, at least ciding to confront the problem of On September 30, Moscow building entrances are missing, and Beijing from the country's south until she's old enough to wear a air pollution." began air strikes in support of the the sidewalks are mostly empty - 20 years ago, she said that the main mask." The problem of air pollution government, dispatching war- empty save for a few pedestrians problem was the city's notorious Though Herz says she gener- is something Zou Yi confronts ev- planes and several thousand ser- briskly walking through the street, sandstorms. These have since ally enjoys her life in Beijing, the ery day. vicemen to Syria, according to most with faces half-covered in stopped, but Zhu says she has smog makes it difficult to raise a The investment and develop- Russian officials. masks. noticed the air pollution intensi- family. ment manager has spent each morn- The planes and soldiers are It is Day One of the capital's fying over the past three years. "There are a lot of ways around ing for the past two years taking based at the Hmeimim military air- first issued "Red Alert", but un- "The smog has become so ter- it, but I wouldn't like it because I photos of Beijing's skyline and port deep in Assad's heartland, like the phrase suggests, this isn't rible. We used to hate the sand- want my children to experience posting the results on social me- For those recently debating cli- amount of annual rainfall. south of the provincial capital of a city under siege. This is a city storms and hate the wind because playing outdoors. Here you can't dia. mate change at the global summit In 1974, Cherrapunji experi- Latakia. under smog - dangerous levels of it was so cold and made us suffer. guarantee how many good air days The staggering contrast be- in Paris, the coinciding deluge in enced 24,555mm of annual rain, a Russian soldiers go into the it. Now, because of the smog, we love you'll get." She adds, "even the tween good and bad air quality days India's southern city of Chennai world record. city for food, drink and entertain- The highest-level air pollution the wind because only the wind simple task of walking my dog have shocked millions living both seemed a powerful illustration that So at about 8,000mm to ment, creating a new customer warning was given the evening be- that can save us by sweeping it doesn't happen daily because I'm inside and outside of China. "When the gathering urgently needed to 9,000mm, the present average is base with different demands for fore, triggered by three forecasted away," says Zhu. worried he'll get bad lungs from the I first started I didn't have a spe- succeed in its aims. only about a third of the town's Latakia's businesses. days of severe haze. When AQI levels broke records air." cific purpose. It was January 2013 While flooding hit the south, annual rainfall compared with only To make what he calls his "new Residents received text mes- at the end of November, she and Air quality and emissions stan- and we were experiencing terrible an increasing lack of water in Cher- 40 years ago. friends" feel comfortable, Ihab has sages from Beijing's municipal gov- her husband were forced to recon- dards levels of smog. I was spending rapunji, a northeastern town which That was when Cherrapunji begun learning a few Russian most of my time indoors and didn't was once the world’s wettest had far fewer people living in the words from his father. have much to do, so I decided to place, is causing growing concern town. 'Sales are up' get out my camera," says Zou. among residents. In 1961, it had 7,000 residents "The Russians are a profitable Each morning at around Both Indian examples point to – now it has 10 times more. economic presence, and our sales 7:30am Zou Yi takes a photograph the vicissitudes of climate change "Our water supply was meant have gone up more than 20 per- of the view from his window in on our planet in a country where a to cater to a small population, but cent since they don't argue about downtown Beijing, posting the raw rising population always creates now it cannot cater to a much big- prices," Ihab says. image alongside the day's corre- huge pressures on the environment. ger population," says Symlieh. Russia's ties with Syria go back sponding AQI. In 1861, Cherrapunji, known Locals have observed a marked decades, with Moscow long main- On good air quality days the to locals as Sohra, created a world decrease in the amount and regu- taining a naval facility in the coastal sky is bright blue and clear. record with 22,987mm of rainfall larity of rain in Cherrapunji [Sub- town of Tartus. On bad air days, images show in a year. hamoy Bhattacharjee/Al Jazeera] Many Syrian military officers hardly anything at all, or are tinted More than 150 years later, and Water supply system have trained in Russia, and it is grey or yellow. experiencing an average annual rain- Such is the shortage of water not uncommon to find Syrians In addition to his daily posts, fall of 11,430mm, it is still the sec- in the months between November married to Russians or who speak he combines all photos taken at ond wettest place in the world. and March that Cherrapunji's res- the language. the end of each month into one grid Mawsynram, a village just six idents have to walk down the hill Elsewhere in Latakia, Moham- and posts the result. He says his kilometres away and boasting an for several hours to fetch water mad is arranging a display of cam- latest collage, taken at the end of average annual rainfall of from the springs. ouflage jackets in "Commandos", November, was viewed and shared 11,887km, is now considered the It is hard work, with buckets a shop that sells military-style more than 100 million times. dampest place on the globe. placed in wooden carts which are clothing and accessories. "I couldn't believe it," said Zou However, the current rainfall dragged uphill with some effort. The 26-year-old employee Yi. in Cherrapunji, located in Megha- "The other option is to buy says sales are up and he now has "Perhaps it was because it was laya state, is just one third of what water," says Mary Pariat, a house- more Russian customers than Syr- the same week as the Climate it was in the 1970s. wife in Cherrapunji. ians. ernment warning them that all sider her children's future in In a recently released Green- Summit in Paris and all those liv- Deforestation Tankers loaded with water go Pocket-sized portraits of As- schools would be closed, construc- Beijing. "We're thinking of sending peace campaign video a man ing in Beijing were suffering from The reasons for the dramatic up the hill to Cherrapunji every sad -- stacked next to boxes of tion halted and car restrictions put them to boarding school in anoth- wakes up in his apartment, slow- extreme levels of haze." decline in rainfall are disputed. day in the lean months - from combat boots under a large Rus- in place. er country," said Zhu. "Maybe ly turning on appliances which emit Looking at it, it's not hard to Residents blame events be- November to March - and sell sian flag on the wall -- are in par- "Stay indoors," was the in- America or Europe." streams of smoke that he doesn't see why this post attracted so yond their control for the prob- water for anything between 10 to ticularly "high demand by Russian struction, and most happily Public health and lung damage notice. Eventually he goes to sit much attention. From a total of lems they face - the place is hot- 15 Indian rupees (about 20 cents) soldiers", he says. obliged. According to Greenpeace, Chi- down in a living room completely 30 photos, the grid depressingly ter, drier and shorter of water than for a big bucket. Mohammad is also learning With an air quality index (AQI) na's air pollution puts public health engulfed in an ominous cloud of contains only five sunny days. even before. "That is our last option," says some Russian words and is pleased of over 250, more than twenty at risk every day because of the smoke. "When you live in Beijing you try "We never had very large for- Pariat, as she gestures towards a to see Russian soldiers learning times the level recommended by presence of minuscule particles The short film ends with the not to notice how bad it is," says Arabic words such as "salam", the World Health Organization, known as PM2.5. These are more words: 'Lungs see what your eyes Zou. which means "peace" and is used the city was shrouded in thick se- prone to carrying a variety of tox- don't. Particulate matter causes "But when these pictures are for both hello and goodbye. pia-toned air. ic heavy metals, acid oxides, or- respiratory diseases. End the age side-by-side it really sinks in. A "They've become our friends," From street level the tops of ganic pollutants, and other chemi- of coal.' picture is worth a thousand he says. "They pass by to say skyscrapers seemed to disappear, cals, as well as micro-organisms "Coal is responsible for 60 words." hello or they wave at me from afar blurring into the dull grey sky. In such as bacteria and viruses in the percent of PM2.5 in China," says Zou Yi hopes that the project, as they pass by the place." some areas visibility reportedly air. Greenpeace East Asia Climate and officially called "Beijing Air Now", Haidar, 29, is so enthusiastic dropped to only 200 metres. But When inhaled the particles can energy campaigner Dong Liansai. will encourage others to ask ques- about the Russian presence that while this was the capital's first enter the bloodstream and contrib- "The air pollution is caused by tions, observe their environment he has named the restaurant he declared Red Alert, it wasn't the ute to a number of cardiovascular a combination of industrial emis- and take personal action. opened last month "Russia". worst smog it had seen. Just days and respiratory problems, as well sions and coal burning emissions, In late 2013, the avid hiker "I've loved Russia and Rus- before the AQI levels soared to increasing the risk of cancer. but the largest source is coal," he started organising weekly volun- sians since my childhood, and now more than 1,000, and the city had In a report about the health says, adding that one third of the teer missions to clean up left over is the time to express my love for seemed to disappear entirely. impact of particulate matter the coal-burning sector in Beijing and rubbish in unmaintained sections them through my restaurant," he Air pollution World Health Organisation states: the surrounding region is con- of the Great Wall, and he hasn't says. For Margaret Zhu, a mother "There is no evidence of a safe lev- sumed for power. driven either of his two cars for The Russian flag billows in the of two, Beijing's severe smog is el of exposure or a threshold be- While there are no quick fixes two years, preferring to walk or ests around Cherrapunji. Those unique water point near her home breeze outside and the walls in- nothing new. "It's like gambling, a low which no adverse health ef- Dong says that the government has take the subway. that were there were sacred to us - a leak in the town's water pipe- side are covered with Russian say- lucky draw. Every day you wake fects occur." And those with pre- implemented a number of new "My family and friends and we did not cut a branch," says line. ings. up and look up at the sky and see existing lung or heart problems, as policies to improve conditions over thought I was crazy, but I made Millergrace Symlieh, a senior "We put our buckets under the "Spasiba, spasiba," he calls out how it goes. We're powerless," she well as children and the elderly, are the long term, including a new emis- that decision. I'm not saying peo- member of the Sohra Science Soci- leak and collect the water," she to his customers with a wide smile says. particularly vulnerable. sions standard which took effect ple should look at me and stop ety. says. "But often that is not as they leave the restaurant. The public relations profes- Bec Herz, a Beijing-based this year. driving," he says. "I'm just saying "We are affected by what's enough." "Thank you, thank you." sional had been getting ready to Australian expat, is all too aware "Beijing and Hebei province that people have choices. You can happening all over the world," he The water supply in the town On the house put the kids to bed on Monday of the risks. now have stricter emission stan- do something and help in some told Al Jazeera. provided by the state’s public Haidar has hired a Russian lan- evening when she received the first Only a month away from giv- dards for the coal industry," says small way." "This hot weather and less rain health engineering department is guage professor to teach his staff Red Alert text message. ing birth to her first child, she and Dong. "Emissions facilities will Air purifier here is not due to huge deforesta- active only for a few hours. how to communicate with their "It was so sudden and we didn't her husband have agreed to take need to be upgraded to cap their "Congratulations! You've Just tion or massive industrialisation. "People rush to the taps in the new guests and hopes to find a chef have time to plan anything," she every possible precaution to pro- emission levels and factories who Taken the First Step To Enhanc- We only have a cement plant near localities and fill up as many buck- who can make dishes for an all- says. tect her health and that of her un- cannot meet these standards will ing YOUR Vitality!" reads the here." ets as possible," says community Russian menu to please his new Like thousands of other par- born child. eventually be phased out." landing page of the website of Vi- However, Amarjyoti Borah of elder William Shalong. "For wash- customers. ents in the city, she was told that "We only go out when it's ab- Beijing has already closed tality Air. the Centre of Environment and ing and bathing, we go down to the "The Russians have revived the schools of her 10-year-old son solutely necessary and if I do I al- down three of its four coal-fired The Canadian company pur- Social Policy Research, based in springs." both the nightlife and daytime busi- Yoyo and daughter Ann, aged three, ways wear my mask. We're pur- factories, and the last remaining portedly sells bottles of superior India's northeastern city of Guwa- But even the discharge in the nesses," Haidar says. would not be open the next day, chasing two more purifiers for our facility is due to be shut this year. oxygen sourced from the Rocky hati, says deforestation by illegal springs drops sharply in the lean But a Syrian soldier sitting and alternative last-minute ar- own home and are really careful This year also heralds the im- Mountains, and have told media logging groups enjoying political months - so the Public Health En- nearby says the fuss over the Rus- rangements would need to be made. about when to open our windows," plementation a harsher environ- outlets around the world that patronage has badly damaged the gineering (PHE) would not be able sians is "exaggerated". On the first of the three days, Zhu says Herz. mental protection law which Dong they've been struggling to meet forests around Cherrapunji, and to improve water supply in the "The whole world is focusing took time off work and scrambled The 30-year-old first moved says will measure infringements by demand in China. Priced between that has adversely affected the lo- town even if they wanted to. on the Russian army and has for- to organise a day-trip out of the to China in 2008, shortly after the number of days, rather than per $12 to $25 a bottle, the product is cal ecology. Officials of the department, gotten all about the Syrian army," city for the second. Beijing Olympics and says at the incident. "Previously penalties marketed as "the next bottled wa- "The place still gets much rain, unwilling to be quoted because he says. "We have been fighting "With the smog, it's difficult time the air was quite clear. were calculated per action. So if ter" and "your solution to pollu- but with very few trees still stand- they are not authorised to speak for nearly five years and I haven't to keep kids at home and not al- "I just didn't know how bad there's a factory which releases an tion!". But while Vitality Air has ing, all the water just washes away to the media, say the water sup- seen a single place called 'Syria' or low them to play outside," says the pollution could get. I lived in illegal emission for a single time made international headlines in re- downhill," says Borah. ply system was built for 15,000 'The Syrian Army'." Zhu. the south of China for the first for over 10 days, according to the cent weeks, the product is in real- "There is no culture of rain to 20,000 people. "How can that And not everyone in Latakia's "So we invited some of my years and wasn't exposed to the old law it would be counted as just ity viewed more as a novelty in harvesting here, as residents never hold for 70,000 people," says a business community sees the Rus- son's friends to come with us to a smog. I definitely feel it's becom- one infringement and lead to one China. Those living in Beijing who felt it was necessary. PHE official, pointing to the rising sians as paying customers. forested area in the countryside ing increasingly worse. When we penalty. But now the penalty is are seriously concerned about the "So Cherrapunji suffers acute population's pressure on resourc- Tarek Shaabo, 30, says he where the air is much better. Other first came it wasn't such a big is- counted by days. So even if it's effect of air pollution are more like- water scarcity when the rainfall es, a familiar story all over heavily opened his coffee shop -- Mos- families I know packed up and sue, and I didn't really think about only one action, the penalty will ly to buy air-filtration masks, starts to drop sharply from No- populated India. Rainfall cow Cafe -- in 2012 as a sign of drove even further to the moun- it. But after getting pregnant my be times 10, much bigger. The cost home air-purifiers, and increasing- vember until March." Reminiscing about Cherrapun- gratitude to Russia for vetoing UN tains for the entire week to escape perspective has changed." of disobeying will increase." In ly, devices known as "laser eggs". Population growth ji' s decades-old claim to fame, lo- Security Council resolutions on the pollution." Herz and her husband will re- spite of continuing crippling bouts The portable dome-shaped ma- The past 10 years have seen a cal teacher Ila Manora Nongbri Syria's war. "Since then, I swore Beijing's Red Alert was used main in the capital for another two of severe smog over the winter, chine monitors AQI levels in the major drop in the average annual said: "That seems like history. We to myself I would never let a Rus- twice in December, with the sec- years so she can finish her degree Dong says air quality is slowly immediate vicinity using simple rainfall in Cherrapunji. can't expect that anymore. sian customer pay," he says. ond announcement taking place in early childhood education. Un- improving, pointing to Greenpeace laser technology. "In the past you "It is basically since 2005 that "Earlier, we got rains here even When he first opened, only a over a weekend, and to Zhu's re- til then they have put in place findings that air quality improved had to look at a smartphone app we are often getting 8,000mm to during the winters and that is not few Russian military advisers lief, at a time when her children's measures to help them avoid the by 10 percent in the first nine to know what the pollution levels 9,000mm of rain in Cherrapunji happening now. We have to pur- would come to the shop, but now school had already broken for the smog, such as getting groceries and months of 2015. He believes in- were. And an app is telling is what annually - against the normal aver- chase water here in the winter he says he serves Russians "near- end of the year. other necessities delivered to their creased awareness about the health somewhere maybe 25 kilometres age of 11,000mm," says Amit where before there was so much ly every day". Another coffee Although she says the Red home. "It's one of those things that dangers associated with smog, as away from you said an hour ago. Chaudhuri in the Cherrapunji rain. We never learnt water harvest- shop nearby offers Russians drinks Alert is a good idea, Zhu believes you just have to learn to live with. well as intensified public debate It is not right here right now," says weather office. ing, but we don't have a choice at half price, but at Moscow Cafe it is overly disruptive to force all It can't stop your life." When her are partly to thank for new mea- Liam Bates, founder of the com- Even Chadhuri’s "normal av- now." they are free. "They came to de- schools to cancel classes for three baby daughter is born they have sures, including the recent use of pany producing the pollution mon- erage" of 11,000mm of annual rain Meanwhile, her sister Mimi fend us," Shaabo says. "The least consecutive days. "It would have already agreed to only take her out the Red Alert. "There were previ- itoring device, Origins Technolo- is a far cry from the 1970s, when complains that rainfall is now very I can do is host them in my small been better to make a decision to on blue sky days, "when the air ous clear instances where the Red gy. Cherrapunji got almost double that erratic. Aljazeera cafe." Aljazeera This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. THURSDAY. JANUARY 07, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES

In a cryptic statement, Chinese Some Western analysts opined government regulators today de- last year that the probe had been manded that Microsoft explain triggered by Microsoft's April "major issues" in data authorities 2014 retirement of Windows XP, collected from the company last the 2001 operating system that had year during an antitrust investiga- been aggressively pirated by Chi- tion. nese consumers and businesses to It was the first time in more run their personal computers. than a year that China's State Ad- China reportedly had asked ministration for Industry and Microsoft to extend the lifespan Commerce (SAIC) hinted that its of XP -- continue serving security probe is continuing. patches for the aged OS, in other "We're serious about comply- words -- if only to PRC custom- ing with China's laws and commit- ers. After Microsoft retired XP, and ted to addressing the SAIC's ques- confirmed that Chinese users tions and concerns," a Microsoft would not get preferential treat- spokesperson said. ment, authorities there banned the China's investigation into Mi- use of Windows 8 on government crosoft began in August 2014 with computers, a move some claimed raids on Microsoft offices in was a reaction to the end of Win- Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and dows XP's support. Shanghai.. At the time, SAIC -- one Windows XP's global user of several agencies in the People's share for December was 10.9%, Republic of China (PRC) that en- said U.S.-based analytics compa- force antitrust law -- said it was ny Net Applications on Friday. after information about how Win- But according to Baidu -- China's dows and Microsoft Office were largest search provider -- XP pow- bundled, about Windows-Office ered 33.4% of the country's PCs compatibility, and about other un- last month, second only to Win- named concerns after fielding com- dows 7's share of 52.4%. plaints since mid-2013. SAIC's continued investiga- During those raids, authorities tion of Microsoft comes even af- seized Microsoft computers; col- ter the Redmond, Wash. technolo- lected internal emails, contracts gy vendor has made several recent and financial information; and in- moves in the PRC to shore up sup- terviewed senior managers and port. In September, Microsoft other personnel in the company's struck a deal with Baidu to pro- marketing and finance depart- mote Windows 10 and its free up- ments. Tuesday's statement by grade to consumers there. Then SAIC did not spell out what Mi- three weeks ago, the company ex- crosoft would be required to ex- panded an existing partnership The Ministry of Economy has plain, but the agency demanded with one of China's largest defense announced that the UAE managed that the American firm submit its and technology conglomerates, to achieve top ranks in internation- defense in "a timely manner." announcing a joint venture to li- al trade statistics 2015 according Highlighting the government's cense Windows 10 to government to the World Trade Organization move, both The People's Daily -- agencies and some state-owned report. the Communist Party's official or- corporations in critical infrastruc- The report said the UAE main- gan -- and the state-run Xinhua ture sectors such as energy, tele- tained its top ranks on the world news agency published pieces on communications and transporta- trade map and came 16th globally the announcement. tion. in commodity exports, and 20th globally in commodity imports. In the area of service trade, the UAE ranked 19th globally as service importer, and 42nd globally in ser- vice exports. The UAE’s non-oil trade (in- Drivers in the United States bought auto industry is finishing off its cued GM and Chrysler at the clusive of free zones trade) valued more cars last year than ever be- best year ever just six years after depths of the financial crisis in ear- Amazon at AED1. 632 trillion in 2014, while fore, a staggering turnaround for the depths of the Great Recession,” ly 2009. A year ago, the president its direct trade totaled AED1.072 an auto industry fighting for its life said Jessica Caldwell, the director told workers at a Ford plant in touts seller trillion ($291.9 billion), the value half a decade ago, as low gas prices of industry analysis for Wayne, Mich., that “betting on of imports reached AED696.4 bil- and a strengthening economy Edmunds.com. you was the right thing to do. .?.?. lion ($189.6 billion). The WTO marked a banner year on American Buyers nationwide were And that bet has paid off for Amer- services in figures showed that UAE exports roads. boosted by gas prices that dropped ica because the American auto in- amounted to AED132.2 billion About 17.5 million cars and by year’s end to an average of dustry is back.” new release trucks were sold last year, auto- $2.03 a gallon, down 28 cents from Said Brandi Hoffine, a White ($36 billion) and re-export totaled Amazon issued a press release on AED243.7 billion ($66.3 billion). makers said Tuesday, overtaking the same time in 2014, and the House assistant press secretary: Tuesday touting new services it The trade volume of UAE free “The continued strength of the introduced for sellers in the last zones for 2014 has not yet been American auto industry would not year. It started off by citing some released, but it is expected to reach have been possible without the grit impressive numbers about the con- about AED560 billion ($152.4 bil- of American workers who perse- tribution sellers made to sales on lion). vered through tough times and the Amazon, opening with the revela- The ministry said that the val- bold steps the president took to tion that "over 23 million items ue of the UAE non-oil foreign rescue the auto industry from the were ordered worldwide from sell- trade is expected to reach AED1.75 brink. It’s clear the president’s ers on Amazon on Cyber Mon- trillion ($476.4 billion) in 2015, a strategy worked.” day, a more than 40 percent in- growth of up to 10 per cent. The But some auto experts worry crease year-over-year." figures in the first half of 2015 are that part of Obama’s achievement The vice president of Amazon positive indicators for the UAE’s Marketplace Peter Faricy was is in danger. The bailout package quoted in the release stating, "It's foreign trade, including direct trade. coincided with a separate agree- Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, never been easier for sellers, local ment between the administration merchants and artisans to grow Minister of Economy, said: “The and industry executives to increase their businesses on Amazon. With Saudi official says figures and data contained in the passenger-vehicle fuel efficiency to targeted advertising tools like WTO International Trade Statis- an average of 54.5 miles a gallon Sponsored Products, access to tics 2015 are promising, and re- by 2025. Yet, the average fuel effi- Amazon's fulfillment and custom- flect the continued success of the ciency of new vehicles sold de- er service expertise through FBA, Uber-style taxi UAE’s economic policies year af- the 17.3 million sales in 2000 and cheapest since the recession. The clined in 2015, to 25 miles a gal- and new marketplaces like Hand- ter year. This success has boosted far outpacing the 10.4 million sales trade group AAA predicts that gas lon, and U.S. consumption of gas- made at Amazon and Amazon the UAE’s position on the global in 2009, when taxpayers paid bil- prices this year will remain low, oline rose 3 percent in 2015. Home Services, businesses of all services are ‘illegal’ trade arena. We expect that the sizes can easily reach millions of lions to bail out the bedrock of averaging about $2.25 a gallon, 15 The good news is that the bail- Spokesman for the Roads and fectiveness of their services,” said UAE will achieve more growth and America’s automotive might. cents cheaper than last year. out of the auto industry saved their customers around the world. 2015 progress as well as more positive was a big year for sellers on Ama- Transportation Administration in Abokhatr. Car buyers last year were en- Cheap gas and an improving industry, saved their tailpipe,” said zon. In fact, sellers added more new Makkah Omar Bamesfar said that He said Uber as a technology results on all levels that come as ergized by several economic housing market pushed contractors Dan Becker, founder and director part of the Federal Government’s selection and shipped more items foreign taxis that function through company provides digital services sparks: the improving wages and and other drivers to buy larger of the Safe Climate Campaign. than in any previous year. We're smart applications are illegal and to licensed operators. “We’re ful- implementation of the UAE Vision confidence of a more robust job trucks and SUVs: The Big Three “The bad news is it’s resulting in 2021 and its National Agenda.” excited to build on that momen- do not have an official license from ly aware that we are working in a He added: “The WTO report market; easy credit and cheap gas; sold more than 2 million full-size more gas-guzzling trucks, pickups, tum as we continue to innovate on the ministry to run their activities new environment and that may offers an overview of the develop- and the pent-up demand of a driv- pickups last year, more than dou- SUVs and vans that pollute the behalf of sellers and customers." within Saudi Arabia. cause some ambiguity about our ment the UAE experienced in in- ing public whose cars, on average, ble their sales in 2009. atmosphere and which will even- One of the programs highlight- He noted that the ministry work. But we are having positive are more than 11 years old. Sales of slimmer passenger tually drive gas prices back up ed in the release was Amazon's ad- does not have any information dialogue with a range of employ- ternational commodity and service vertising program called Sponsored trade. The UAE made intensive And the explosive results cars fell 2 percent last year com- again.” about the foreign companies Ea- ers in this area about our technolo- could prove more than a blip, with pared with 2014, while sales of U.S. automakers, Becker said, Products. "In 2015, sellers world- syTaxi and Uber and the nature of gy and the right place for us. As efforts over the past years, repre- wide using Sponsored Products sented in opening up its economy some analysts projecting that a light trucks and SUVs soared 13 are using less-advanced technolo- their work, Al-Madina newspaper we have noted that the Saudi gov- strong economy could yield anoth- percent, estimates from industry gy than their European and Asian grew more than 100 percent," to foreign trade and investment Amazon revealed, and said, "sell- said. ernment seeks to facilitate the with the aim of increasing growth er car-lot record in 2016. Last year’s researcher Autodata show. A famil- competitors, who make more fuel- ers worldwide garnered more than Bamesfar added that the min- movement of people in the cities opportunities and achieving the estimated $437 billion in car sales iar name remained king: The Ford efficient vehicles. $1.5 billion in sales through Spon- istry is coordinating with the con- and welcomes global technologies wellbeing of its people and resi- capped a six-year growth streak, F-150 pickup truck was America’s “The industry is making the sored Products listings." cerned authorities to compel these that provide safe and reliable trans- dents.” Al Mansouri added that the industry’s first since World best-selling vehicle for the 34th same set of mistakes it made be- Amazon said it improved companies to apply for necessary port options to passengers,” he Dubai wining bid to host World War II. year in a row. fore,” he added. “Poorly compet- Sponsored Products by adding regulatory permits from all con- added. Chairman of the National Expo 2020 and the groundbreak- The record-setting year has Analysts said buyers’ long ing against foreign competition and new placements including the first cerned agencies. The management Committee for Land Transport ing development projects carried squashed recession-era worries delay since their most recent pur- becoming dependent on sales of row of Search, Mobile Shopping and operation of these services Council of Saudi Chambers Saud out by the UAE in several sectors, that the industry would never re- chase of a new car finally drove gas-guzzlers and hoping that gas App, and a second Product Detail take place within these companies Al-Nufaye warned that the work supported by many prestigious cover and given fuel to the Obama some to make a deal, particularly prices stay low — which they Page carousel; and by introducing from destinations outside Saudi of these companies is a clear viola- national initiatives such as the na- administration’s argument that the as widely available cut-rate credit won’t forever.” new tools including Bid+, an API, Arabia. tion of the system, especially since tional innovation strategy, have all auto bailout helped carmakers sur- deals helped many secure easy fi- But others, such as Public Cit- and Bulk Sheet uploads. Director General of Uber in there were several complaints vive. nancing. Auto lenders have used izen president emeritus Joan Clay- It also revealed that Sponsored Saudi Arabia Majid Abokhatr ex- against them. together gave a boost to ongoing Products clicks grew 200 percent efforts aiming to raise the coun- But because so much of buy- low interest rates and longer pay- brook, say Obama is doing every- plained that Uber is a technology “These companies do not year-over-year during the holiday company that does not own cars comply with the regulations for try’s profile and competitiveness ers’ money went toward larger, gas- back terms to shrink buyers’ thing he can. “Obama has abso- season in the US. to better improve the performance gulping trucks and SUVs, the sales monthly costs, even if it means lutely taken the lead in pressing or hire drivers. “Instead, we are in running taxis licensed by the Min- What it didn't remind readers partnership with licensed opera- istry of Transport, but provide of various sectors, including trade. boom also conflicts with another many drivers will still be paying for fuel economy,” Claybrook said. was that Amazon had shuttered a The UAE has retained its high administration campaign, designed off a new car when it is seven years “He is the driving force.” highly popular ad program in Au- tors to provide commercial trans- services through the application ranking as the world’s 16 export- to encourage more efficient engines old. For drivers upgrading after a The sales records last year gust called Product Ads. port service and that our role in using private cars leased and oper- er, and is the most important mar- and less use of gasoline. long spell with an older car, ana- were particularly remarkable, ana- For that matter, Amazon Uber is to allow them to use tech- ated by local companies. This is ket for merchandise imports in the It was also a year in which lysts said, the technological up- lysts said, because the industry didn't mention that it also ended nology for electronic booking in against government regulations and MENA region, according to the trust in car companies was severe- grades — from better gas mileage seemed to bounce from one crisis Amazon Register, its payments our system that work on services there must be concerted efforts to WTO Report 2015 on Internation- ly tested by headline-grabbing to backup cameras — can seem too of confidence to the next. card reader, and Amazon Local connected to drivers and passen- prevent their work,” said Al-Nu- al Trade Trends.The WTO report scandals, including Volkswagen’s compelling to pass up. Volkswagen, one of the world’s daily deals. As we noted at the time, gers to help them increase the ef- faye. showed that the UAE ranks 16th cheating on engine-emissions tests, “Cars on the roads today are largest automakers, admitted in the message Amazon was sending among global exporters with its and devastating defects, such as the oldest they’ve ever been .?.?. September to installing “defeat to online merchants was, list on commodity exports totaling $360 our platform if you want to reach the Takata air-bag flaw now tied and if people are employed, they devices” that could trick emissions our buyers. billion, and the UAE ranks 20th to eight American deaths and the feel more comfortable taking on tests in several of its more popu- among global importers of com- Amazon also touted its new largest auto recall in history. loans for a car,” said Michelle lar diesel-powered models. program called Seller Fulfilled modities that valued at $262 bil- For Fiat Chrysler Automo- Krebs, a senior analyst at The Justice Department on Prime, writing, "Amazon intro- lion. The report noted that global biles, whose brands include Jeep AutoTrader.com. Drivers care Monday filed a civil lawsuit duced Seller Fulfilled Prime in the commodity exports achieved av- and Dodge, U.S. sales rose 7 per- about “technology features even against the German automaker, U.S. and select international re- erage growth of 6 per cent from cent last year, giving the automak- more than they care about the col- saying the devices were installed gions. Trusted sellers who fulfill 2010-2014, while the UAE exports er its best year in a decade, the or of the car, and they’re willing to in about 600,000 cars in the Unit- their own products and guarantee grew by a 4 per cent in the same company said. The other •auto- pay for them.” ed States. Justice Department of- fast, free shipping can now have period. Global imports achieved an makers in Detroit’s “Big Three,” The sales record has been ficials added that “recall discus- their items badged and visible to average growth of 5 per cent from Ford and General Motors, report- hailed as a victory for President sions with the company have not customers as Prime-eligible. Par- 2010-2014, while the UAE’s av- ed 5 percent gains in sales. Obama, who hammered out an $80 produced an acceptable way for- ticipating sellers have already made erage in reached 12 per cent for the Prime shipping benefits available same period. “It’s truly remarkable that the billion bailout agreement that res- ward.” on 500,000 products worldwide." This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. THURSDAY. JANUARY 07, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Rapper Kanye West has dissed his former collaborator, footwear brand Nike, and and has also made references to comedian Bill Cos- by's sexual assault allegations and Steve Harvey's Miss Universe gaffe in his new single "Facts". Kanye's wife and reality TV star Kim Kardashian announced his new song on Twitter on New Year's eve. "Yeezy Yeezy Yeezy new song about to drop #Facts," the reality TV star tweeted on Thursday. She then teased it with some photo- graphs of her husband and US President Barack Obama before tweeting a link to the song on Kanye's SoundCloud page. Co-produced by Metro Boom- in, the song features Kanye diss- ing Nike and rapping about every- thing from his 2020 presidential bid to Kim's newly-launched Ki- moji. It's currently unknown if "Facts" will end up on Kanye's long-awaited new album "Swish". Miley Cyrus 'Al- ways Said Liam Was the Love of Her Life,' Says Source

Bollywood's 2016 calendar seems Lowdown: Mr Perfectionist Anurag Basu's 'Jagga Jasoos' and a hishek Chaubey's 'Udta Punjab' exciting with a heady mix of biop- prefers to do one film per year, romantic in Karan Johar's 'Ae Dil and Vishal Bhardwaj's 'Rangoon'. ics, thrillers, rom-coms, period dra- but he was MIA in 2015 - except Hai Mushkil'. Sonam Kapoor mas and actioners. The first week that he did a voiceover for Zoya Shahid Kapoor The bet: Rs 30 cr will unfold with a big-banner film, Akhtar's 'Dil Dhadakne Do' (for The bet: Rs 100-120 cr Lowdown: After a successful 'Wazir' starring Amitabh Bachchan Pluto Mehra, a bullmastiff). This Lowdown: 2015 was memo- 2015 courtesy 'Prem Ratan Dhan and Farhan Akhtar. Unlike 2015, year end, he will be seen playing a rable for Shahid from a personal Payo', she is gearing up for 'Neer- this year will have the three Khans wrestling coach in Nitesh Tiwari's point of view (he got married), but ja', a biopic on braveheart Neerja - Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir - 'Dangal'. on professional front, it was quite Bhanot, who lost her life while res- gracing the silver screen in never- Ajay Devgn forgettable with Vikas Bahl's cuing passengers on board an ill- seen-before avatars. B-Town's The bet: Rs 60-70 cr 'Shaandaar' biting the dust. This fated Pan Am flight which was hi- Gen-Y has some promising releas- Lowdown: The actor had a year, he has two big releases - Ab- jacked. Miley Cyrus and Liam Hem- es, too. And when one talks of mega decent 2015 with 'Drishyam' do- sworth's reunion might have been projects, numbers come into play. ing average business at the box of- a long time coming. Here's a lowdown on how much fice. This Diwali, the actor will After the couple parted ways moolah is riding on some of the A- grace the 70mm screens with his two years ago, "Miley never got over Liam," a source close to the league actors: directorial venture, 'Shivaay'. New- singer exclusively tells PEOPLE. Katrina Kaif comer Sayesha Saigal has been cast "Despite them constantly fighting The bet: Rs 130-150 cr opposite him. before the split, Miley always said Lowdown: 'Phantom', her Priyanka Chopra Liam is the love of her life." The only release in 2015, received mixed The bet: Rs 30-35 cr Cyrus insider adds, "There were response and barely touched the Lowdown: Although busy so many things that she loved Rs 55-crore mark in the domestic with the shoot of her American TV about their relationship. They had market. 2016 promises to be big series 'Quantico', PeeCee was seen a lot of fun and Liam was mostly for her with two exciting films on the silver screen twice and her very supportive of Miley." But lined up for release - Abhishek X'mas outing, 'Bajirao Mastani' that love and support wasn't Kapoor's 'Fitoor' and 'Jagga Jas- continues to be a big draw. But this enough. Cyrus, 23, and Hem- oos' with beau Ranbir Kapoor. year, she has decided to go slow sworth, 25 – who hit it off on the Akshay Kumar with only one release - Prakash set of 2010's The Last Song – The bet: Rs 200-230 cr Jha's 'Jai Gangaajal' in which she called off their engagement in Sep- Lowdown: He is the only star will be seen as a firebrand cop. tember 2013 after a challenging who does at least four films annu- Anushka Sharma year. Keep up with Miley Cyrus ally and rarely does he miss bull's The bet: Rs 100-110 cr in the pages of PEOPLE Maga- eye at the box office. In 2016, the Lowdown: Last year, this ac- zine by subscribing now. Follow- actor has three Hindi films includ- tress turned producer with 'NH10' ing her split with Patrick ing Raja Krishna Menon's 'Airlift', and went on to do two more films I want an ending in which Schwarzenegger in April and a ru- Sajid-Farhad's 'Housefull 3' and after that - 'Bombay Velvet', a BO mored romance with model Stella Maxwell over the summer, Cyrus Neeraj Pandey's 'Rustom'. That disaster, and 'Dil Dhadakne Do', Deepika and I live happily and Hemsworth might be giving apart, he will be seen in the Rajini- which had an ensemble cast and their love another shot. kanth-starrer 'Robot 2'. did quite well at ticket counters. Shah Rukh Khan In 2016, she seems to be taking it ever after: Ranveer Singh The bet: Rs 140-150 cr easy with just one film, Karan Jo- Bollywood heartthrob, Ranveer Let’s hope that in my next film I Jennifer Lawrence says she and Amy Schumer have an Lowdown: The superstar's har's next 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'. Singh, has died in almost all the survive,” said Ranveer. sole outing in 2015, 'Dilwale', broke Salman Khan climaxes of his films, including hits More importantly, the actor 'official first draft' of their movie, and it's 'Pretty Funny' into the Rs 100-crore club and is The bet: Rs 90-100 cr like Ram-Leela and Gunday. And has expressed a strong desire to do doing exceptionally well in the Lowdown: For the 'Dabangg' in his latest release Bajirao Mas- a film with Deepika Padukone, in overseas market. This year, how- star, last year was super success- tani the actor’s character suffers which either of the two don’t die ever, he will be aiming bigger with ful. While 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' the same fate, reported IndiaTo- in the end. “I definitely want to two much-anticipated releases - grossed upwards of Rs 300 crore, day. His mother hates that her son survive, live and see a happy end- Maneesh Sharma's 'Fan' and Rahul 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' made dies in most of his films and de- ing in which Deepika and I live Dholakia's 'Raees'. around Rs 210 crore. He is now Kangana Ranaut gearing up for his big release, 'Sul- The bet: Rs 70 cr tan' in which he plays a wrestler. Lowdown: Last year, Kanga- Slated for an Eid release, the film na tasted success with 'Tanu Weds will clash with SRK's 'Raees'. Manu Returns', but her other two Hrithik Roshan films, 'Katti Batti' and 'I Love New The bet: Rs 110 cr Year' (with Sunny Deol which was Lowdown: In 2015, he went shot several years ago but released missing from the big screen and last year, much to her displeasure) shot for Ashutosh Gowariker's hardly found takers. We hear the dream project 'Mohenjo Daro', actress has now decided to do one which will be his only release this film per year. So, Vishal Bhardwaj's year. Being a period drama, the 'Rangoon' with Shahid Kapoor and budget is quite high. Hrithik has Saif Ali Khan might be her only been paired opposite newbie Poo- release in 2016. ja Hegde. Sushant Singh Rajput Alia Bhatt The bet: Rs 120-150 cr The bet: Rs 100-120 cr Lowdown: After a not-so- Lowdown: Her pairing with great last year as 'Detective Byo- Shahid Kapoor in Shaandaar may mkesh Bakshy!' failed to impress not have worked last year, but this the audience despite critical ac- pretty face will be seen with him claim, Sushant is looking at 2016 again in 'Udta Punjab' this year. Her spite his attempts at her not together happily ever after. In with renewed hope. After all, he other release will be 'Kapoor & watching Bajirao Mastani, she still most of my films with Deepika I will be seen in the highly antici- Sons', from the stable of her men- went and wept when her son dies just die,” he added. pated biopic on Indian cricket cap- tor Karan Johar's Dharma Produc- in the film. Before Bajirao Mastani, Ran- tain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He tions. 10 times Deepika-Ranveer veer and Deepika were seen in also has Dinesh Vijan's untitled Ranbir Kapoor gave us some serious relationship Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela The wait for Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Schumer's highly anticipated movie just got one step closer to next with Kriti Sanon. The bet: Rs 150-200 cr goals (2013). Towards the end of San- being over. Lawrence, 25, said that she has finished co-writing the script with Schumer, 34, and that the Kareena Kapoor Khan Lowdown: He went missing “I did not want my mum to jay Leela Bhansali’s film, the two pair will begin next steps on the project "soon." "We have finished writing it," The Hunger Games star told The bet: Rs 90-100 cr from the scene in 2014 and last watch Bajirao in the first week,” kill each other. BBC 6 Music. "We have an official first draft. I am going to try and fit it somewhere into my ghoulish Lowdown: While Bebo basked year didn't exactly prove fruitful the actor confessed. “But she in- Bajirao Mastani released on schedule." As expected, Lawrence couldn't help but gush about how much fun she had while working with in the success of 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' for him. 2015's biggest dud, 'Bom- sisted and watched the film with a December 18, 2015. The film re- Schumer. Keep up with Jennifer Lawrence in the pages of PEOPLE Magazine by subscribing now. last year, she is set to have a bigger bay Velvet' belonged to this rising few friends and family members. volves around Bajirao Peshwa I "It was hilarious, because when you're writing a comedy it's not good enough unless you're laughing out 2016 with two films slated to hit star. He did a cameo in 'Roy', which After the film, she was literally (Ranveer) and his beloved Mas- loud," she explained. "So I'm laughing at my pages and I'm laughing at her pages and thinking that the whole the marquee. One is Abhishek also bombed at the box office and numb and hugged me for almost tani (Deepika). Apart from Ran- process is hilarious." Chaubey's 'Udta Punjab' and the Imtiaz Ali's 'Tamasha' did just half an hour. I had to give her a lot veer and Deepika, the film also stars "I'm thinking we've got a pretty funny, good movie," she added. other, R Balki's 'Ki and Ka'. about average business (R61 of kisses and hugs. She, of course, Priyanka Chopra as Bajirao’s first The two first announced this summer that they were working on a screenplay together – and the real- Aamir Khan crore). This year, he will be seen does not like to see me die in films. wife Kashibai in the lead role. life friends would play sisters. The bet: Rs 130 cr in diverse avatars - a detective in This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. THURSDAY. JANUARY 07, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES

The Australian Open preparations of Serena Williams suffered a po- Rio stadium fires tentially significant blow when she was forced to retire with a knee 75 percent of injury during the United States' 3- 0 Hopman Cup loss to Australia workers ahead of Gold on Tuesday evening. The world number one retired Olympics due to soreness in her left knee Administrators of Rio de Janeiro's during her singles match against iconic Maracana stadium have Jarmila Wolfe (nee Gajdosova) fired 75 percent of the arena's staff when trailing 7-5, 2-1. eight months before the 2016 Veteran Lleyton Hewitt then Olympics. secured the tie for Australia Gold The consortium formed by with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Jack Sock, construction company Odebrecht and it became a clean sweep for and entertainment group AEG said the home side when the mixed dou- in a statement late Monday that bles was a walkover due to Will- 40 people were laid off. The stadi- iams' absence. um, which hosted the 2014 World The result meant the US Cup final, is to be used for up to bowed out of contention in the nine months by Games organiz- tournament. But of more concern ers, who are bringing in their own to their camp was the fitness of workers for that period. the defending Australian Open Maracana administrators said champion. the layoffs aim to cut costs while Williams had already missed the facility is under Olympic con- the United States’ opening Hop- trol. Arena tours and maintenance man Cup tie on Monday due to will be done by contractors. inflammation of her left knee and Administrators also said dis- was keen to gain some valuable cussions with the Rio state gov- match practice against Wolfe. ernment on a new operating con- However, she appeared ex- tract are ongoing. tremely restricted in her move- Brazilian media have reported ments, particularly on her left side. that stadium operations could be The ailment appeared to cast returned to the state government significant doubt over her title de- in 2017. The Maracana, Brazil's fence in Melbourne, where she will flagship stadium with nearly aim for a seventh singles title later 79,000 seats, is scheduled to host this month. Olympic soccer matches as well Williams admitted she retired as opening and closing ceremonies. because she was being hampered Another Rio Olympic venue by the knee and could not move has also been the subject of unflat- around the court as she wanted. tering headlines this week. However, the 21-times Grand Electricity was cut off at the Slam singles champion was confi- stadium where track and field dent it was only a minor problem events are to be held, as Rio's city and even refused to rule herself out government and soccer club of Thursday’s Hopman Cup tie Botafogo blamed each other for against the Czech Republic. unpaid utility bills. "I just have some inflamma- Brazilian website Globo Es- tion that's been going away very porte said the bills totaled 1 mil- slowly," she explained. lion reals ($250,000) and represent- "It's still there, it's going away, ed two months of missed pay- but just needs a little more time. A ments. little rest, a little treatment. "I've been training really hard during the off-season and really Furyk sitting What you need to know Floyd Mayweather: Racial bias to blame pushing myself beyond the limits, I just think a day off or two will out Tourney of for Conor McGregor's popularity make a world of difference." before Hall of Fame Williams said her 2015 cam- Champions paign, which saw the 34-year-old results are announced on target for a calendar Grand Slam until she was beaten by Italian unsure of PGA Soon, we'll find out which base- 2014. As of this writing, Griffey Roberta Vinci in the US Open fi- ball legends will be marked for im- is on 100 percent of the 167 bal- nal in early September, had taken Tour return mortality and enshrined in Coo- lots that have been made public. a heavy physical toll. perstown. Ken Griffey Jr. is vir- (Thanks to @NotMrTibbs and his She barely played after the US date tually a lock at this point. The ever-valuable ballot tracker). Open, although she returned in the outlook seems positive for Mike We never know the exact num- International Premier Tennis Jim Furyk is among four PGA Piazza too. Jeff Bagwell and Tim ber of voters until the results are League in Manila last month. Tour winners who are skipping Raines are on the bubble. The con- public and know even less this year Williams’ coach Patrick Mou- this week's Hyundai Tournament versation around Barry Bonds and (more on that soon), but estimates ratoglou conceded Williams' knees of Champions at Kapalua on Ha- Rogers Clemens might be chang- say there are about 450 ballots. were troubling her in November. waii. ing. And a few players could be on What are the chances that one per- However, Williams said she However, it's not because Fu- the ballot for the last time. son finds a reason not to vote for remained confident of another suc- The results of this year's Hall Griffey? Pretty likely, actually. ryk, who qualified for the winners- of Fame vote will be announced at Some Hall of Fame voters are infa- cessful Australian Open campaign. only event by taking the RBC "Speed is my strength so I def- 6 p.m. ET Wednesday, and there mously stubborn about finding initely think I will be able to get it Heritage last April, doesn't want are plenty of players and sto- reasons not to vote for a player, or right for Australia," she said. to play. Rather, Furyk is yet to rylines to watch. It goes beyond not to vote for them on their first "I only think positive and I fully recover from a bone contu- just who gets elected, though. The ballot. If not 100 percent, Griffey know I’ll be okay." sion he suffered last September at ballot is packed, 32 players deep, is also chasing Tom Seaver's all- Earlier in the day, Alexandr the Deutsche Bank Championship. so there were many tough choices time record of 98.84 percent. Seav- Dolgopolov put Ukraine within Furyk tried to play through the for voters. The results will show er was left off five ballots in 1992. reach of their second Hopman Cup injury but withdrew from the sub- us if voting philosophies have As for Maddux: He was left off 16 final. sequent BMW Championship af- shifted at all and if a change in the ballots and finished with 97.20 In Ukraine's first appearance ter just six holes -- his first WD in electorate had a big effect. percent. at the event since being runners- 20 years -- and hasn't played since, As we await the results, here's 2. WHO ELSE GETS IN? This year's Hall of Fame bal- up in 1995, world number 36 Dol- including skipping the Presidents The UFC’s Conor McGregor is his name actually from one of the drop-dead gorgeous woman; I lot is loaded with interesting cases gopolov gave his country two wins Cup. one of the most enigmatic stars in runners that works for our com- mean a naturally beautiful woman to be made, but if we're just look- from as many ties with his victory Furyk has tried hitting golf all of combat sports. pany – a little kid named Ken Hop- and can kick ass, but you never ing at who has a chance to reach over the Czech Republic's Jiri Ve- Coming off a stunning 13-sec- kins. He's a runner and takes care heard [the media] saying when she balls at home in Florida during the the all-important 75-percent sely. ond dethroning of former feather- of a lot of the daily business. What- had I think somewhere around 10, offseason, but he and his doctors threshold, then Mike Piazza and After the 19th-ranked Elina weight champ Jose Aldo in early ever we need, he takes care of. He's 11, 12 fights that she was the bad- do not feel he's ready to return yet. Jeff Bagwell are the next men up. Svitolina upset world number 11 December at UFC 194, the 27- a cool little kid, I like him, and he dest woman to ever fight on the “Sometimes it can be tricky,” Piazza finished with 69.9 percent Karolina Pliskova in straight sets year-old Irishman skyrocketed in does MMA. He told me about the planet." Furyk said to Golfweek. “I last year and has 86.8 percent of in the women's singles, Dolgopo- popularity. guy McGregor. It’s evident when you see Cam thought it would be healed by now, this year's public ballots. Bagwell lov clinched the tie when he beat With his last two fights near- “They say he talks a lot of Newton getting called a ‘thug’ but the doctors did say it can take ended up at 55.7 percent last year Vesely in similar fashion 7-5, 7-6 ing 1 million pay-per-view buys trash and people praise him for it, when celebrating a TD with his a while.” and has 79.6 percent of public bal- (7/3). each, and a reputation for being the but when I did it, they say I'm signature “Dab” dance, but when lots. Those numbers will fall as In the dead mixed doubles rub- It's a game of wait-and-see for best trash talker in the sport, cocky and arrogant. So biased! Like Johnny Manziel spends every more ballots are factored in, so the ber, the Czechs kept their final Furyk, who has few medical op- McGregor is the most polarizing I said before, all I'm saying is this: weekend partying like it’s 1980s question is whether both players hopes alive with a 6-3, 6-1 win. tions to speed up his recovery. The fighter to come along in years. I ain't racist at all, but I'm telling Miami, he’s just a kid being a kid. can stay above 75 percent. Some Having already beaten the bone heals when it heals. And Fu- Most would attribute McGre- you racism still exists.” That being said, what May- voters haven't OK'd Piazza and USA on Monday, the result puts ryk isn't going to show up again gor’s success to his undefeated Mayweather also used former weather’s spouting here sure Bagwell in the past because of PED Ukraine in pole position to reach on Tour until he's completely UFC record (7-0 with six KO/ boxing champ Laila Ali as an ex- sounds like sour grapes. He has to suspicions. There's no evidence or Saturday's final. ready. TKOs), flashy in-ring exploits and ample in comparing her to another know full well why he was vilified failed tests, rather it's writers play- As the only unbeaten team in snappy quips on the microphone. massive UFC star, Ronda Rousey. in his boxing career – his history “It's hard to compete on our ing moral authority, figuring they their group, Dolgopolov and Svi- Don’t try using that reasoning "After Ronda Rousey fought of domestic violence, and to a lesser Tour 70 or 80 or 90 percent," Fu- had to have cheated. If that sub- tolina simply need to beat Austra- with recently retired boxing legend I think nine, 10, 11 fights, it didn't extent, his less-than-thrilling style ryk said. “I’m not ready, and I’m a primer of this year's major sto- sides this year, it could signal a lia Gold in their last round-robin Floyd Mayweather, though. Ac- even take that long, she got all in the ring certainly didn't help his not 100 percent.” rylines. We start here, because it's change in voting philosophy for match Thursday to reach the final. cording to Mayweather, McGre- types of endorsements, movies, popularity. As for Ali-Rousey However, with the exception the most interesting. No player has the future. Tim Raines is another In Ukraine's last appearance at gor is just a product of racism. and everything," Mayweather comparisons, well, both were of Kapalua, Furyk had no inten- ever been elected unanimously. player who would be inducted the Hopman Cup, siblings Andrei “I don't really know the continued. "Laila Ali did the same dominant in their own right. But tion of heading back on Tour until Anytime there's someone with a based the current stats from pub- Medvedev and Natalia Medvede- McGregor guy, never seen him thing in better fashion. Ronda Rou- women's boxing hasn't ever really the AT&T Pebble Beach National really strong case and a great repu- lic ballots. But his 77.8 isn't ex- va were beaten in the final by Ger- fight,” Mayweather told sey, she's a good-looking woman resonated with the average main- tation, you start to wonder if he pected to hold up once the rest of many's Boris Becker and Anke Pro-Am, which Furyk pans on FightHype.com recently. “I heard when she put it on. Laila Ali is a stream sports fan. Huber. making his season debut. can do it. Like Greg Maddux in the ballots are figured in. Justin Thomas says he'd rather win a Ryder Cup than a major in '16 After getting his breakthrough PGA major trophy for that matter. However, in the wake of the 2014 Tour champion, Tour win in November at the In an interview with Golf Ryder Cup debacle and the result- Thomas knows CIMB Classic in Malaysia, Justin Channel ahead of this week's ing PGA of America task force to he has a lot of Thomas is on the short list of golf- Hyundai Tournament of Champi- put a long-term Ryder Cup plan good years ahead ers expected to carve out a spot in ons, Thomas said he would "hands in place, perhaps the young guns of him. So why golf's highest echelon in 2016. down" rather be on a U.S. side that are feeding off the enthusiasm of not aim for a team Thomas, who makes a lot of wins this fall at Hazeltine Nation- Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and title? birdies and eagles and has prodi- al in Minnesota than earn the indi- others on that committee. There's only gious length with his astounding vidual glory of a major title. The other thing to consider is one problem right club speed, is a name getting some That's somewhat surprising. where Thomas is in his career. He's now: Thomas is early Masters buzz. However, if The Ryder Cup is great and ev- not even 23 yet and won't be until 33rd on the Ry- he had to choose, Thomas would erything, but, at least on this side after his Masters debut in April. der Cup points rather be on a winning American of the Atlantic, a pro golfer's place Though he said when he won in list. Expect that Ryder Cup team next year than in history is most measured by Malaysia that he thought by then to change quick- win a green jacket, or any other their major-championship record. he would already have been a PGA ly. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. THURSDAY . JANUARY 07. 2016-Jadi 17, 1394 H.S Vol:X Issue No:159 Price: Afs.15 This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF.