MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN // Corruption and a weak economy are the main issues of concern to residents in one of Afghanistan's largest cities as this summer's presidential election fast approaches.
In Mazar-e-Sharif there are not the kind of pervasive security worries that dominate the south and east, but that does not mean there is widespread happiness about the direction the country is heading.
Residents complain that such resources as natural gas have not been exploited for the benefit of the public and accuse the police of being a law unto themselves. With less than two months to go until the poll, scheduled for Aug 20, many have either vowed not to vote or are still weighing up the options.
"I have not made a decision yet. We will see what [President Hamid] Karzai has to say. We are happy that he has helped make the security here good compared to other provinces, but he hasn't done anything else," said Haji Fazel Rahman, a businessman.
A final list of 41 candidates has been drawn up for what is due to be Afghanistan's second presidential election. Abdullah Abdullah, a former foreign minister, and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, a former finance minister, are the incumbent's two most realistic challengers.
With violence at record levels and insurgent attacks reaching new parts of the country, security will be the priority for a number of people. But in Mazar-e-Sharif, near the borders with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, different concerns dominate the agenda. Shopkeepers say business has dried up in the past two years and increasing numbers of people are unable to find work.
Others claim that civil servants ask for bribes to resolve simple everyday issues, like the payment of electricity bills. The police, meanwhile, are accused of using intimidation and threats to extort money.
"We have not found anyone to vote for. The candidates we watch on TV are not acceptable, so maybe I won't vote at all," said Haji Saleh Mohammed, a father of 10, who owns a fabric store.
Campaigning for the election officially got underway earlier this month although in reality it had been going on for weeks before. Posters of the candidates are plastered across towns and cities, with Kabul in particular dominated by pictures of the candidates and their running mates.
Mr Karzai is the firm favourite after a number of his potential rivals dropped out before the race had even started. He has secured the support of some of Afghanistan's most influential warlords, which is likely to prove crucial.
One opinion poll hinted at just how disillusioned people across the country may have become with their leading politicians, however, and just how hard re-election might be for Mr Karzai.
It showed that Mr Karzai can expect to receive 33 per cent of the vote, Mr Abdullah seven per cent and Mr Ahmadzai three per cent.
A similar result on Aug 20 would require a second round.
The election is already a major concern for the international community because of the Taliban-led insurgency. In a clear sign of how bad the situation is, Nato has announced temporary plans to boost troop numbers in Afghanistan by between 8,000 and 10,000.
Mazar-e-Sharif is not a traditional Taliban stronghold and there have only been few rebel attacks in the city during the occupation.
Despite this, Mr Mohammed warned that the growing anger and frustration sweeping across the country was a sign that mass resistance may lie just around the corner.
"The foreigners have killed a lot of innocent people in other provinces. I am afraid that if the entire population stands against them and says you must leave, it will be impossible to stop," he said.
His complaint, that large amounts of money have been donated to Afghanistan "but we haven't seen any of it", is heard in villages, town and cities nationwide.
Such feelings feed directly into the insecurity and they will play a crucial role in the build-up to and aftermath of the election.
Khan Mohammed left his home in Ghorband and moved to Mazar-e-Sharif in search of a better life. He set up a shoe shop in a market and for a while business was good. But since 2007 customers have been few and far between.
The 34-year-old said he believes Mr Karzai remains the best option for the country in part because he is already wealthy and will therefore be less corrupt.
csands@thenational.ae
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
'Laal Kaptaan'
Director: Navdeep Singh
Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Manav Vij, Deepak Dobriyal, Zoya Hussain
Rating: 2/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Profile of Tarabut Gateway
Founder: Abdulla Almoayed
Based: UAE
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 35
Sector: FinTech
Raised: $13 million
Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eco%20Way%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20December%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Kroshnyi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Electric%20vehicles%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bootstrapped%20with%20undisclosed%20funding.%20Looking%20to%20raise%20funds%20from%20outside%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Stree
Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Movies
Director: Amar Kaushik
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee
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MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Croatia v Hungary, Thursday, 10.45pm, UAE
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
RESULT
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 0 Al Ain 6
Al Ain: Caio (5', 73'), El Shahat (10'), Berg (65'), Khalil (83'), Al Ahbabi (90' 2)
The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Levante v Real Mallorca (12am)
Leganes v Barcelona (4pm)
Real Betis v Valencia (7pm)
Granada v Atletico Madrid (9.30pm)
Sunday
Real Madrid v Real Sociedad (12am)
Espanyol v Getafe (3pm)
Osasuna v Athletic Bilbao (5pm)
Eibar v Alaves (7pm)
Villarreal v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Valladolid v Sevilla (12am)
Meydan race card
6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh125,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,200m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh170,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 (D)1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.